Living with Joy

Living with Joy Empowering women to thrive: 30+ years as a Fitness Professional & specialise in Menopause Coaching

30/03/2026

Strong, capable… and still working through imposter syndrome 💭💪

I’m a fitness professional — but I don’t look like the “typical” personal trainer. And for a long time, that made me question if I was enough.

Here’s what I’ve learned: strength training isn’t about fitting a stereotype. It’s about building a body that supports you through midlife and beyond — stronger muscles, better bone health, more energy, and a mindset that says “I can.”

I show up and share this journey to inspire other women who might feel the same way I did. You don’t have to look a certain way to start. You just have to start.

If I can do this while doubting myself sometimes… you can absolutely do it too. 🔥

Let’s get stronger together 💪🏼

There’s a warrior in every woman — not the loud, fearless kind you see in movies, but the quiet, relentless one who keep...
26/03/2026

There’s a warrior in every woman — not the loud, fearless kind you see in movies, but the quiet, relentless one who keeps showing up.

At 61, I’m still on that bike, still teaching RPM, still pushing through — even with an injury reminding me to slow down. And yet… here I am. Not because it’s easy, but because that warrior within me refuses to quit.

She’s the one who adapts, who listens, who rises anyway. She knows strength isn’t about perfection — it’s about persistence. It’s about showing up as you are, doing what you can, and honouring the journey your body is on.

To every woman out there: your power doesn’t fade with age, setbacks, or challenges. It evolves. It deepens. It becomes unstoppable in a whole new way.

Keep riding. Keep rising. Your inner warrior is far from done. 🔥

22/03/2026

You’re in your menopause era, and training for life, not just the gym!

Stop doing endless cardio and grab a heavy band. Standing pulls aren’t just for back day - they’re for functional freedom 💪🏼

They help to make light work of groceries, picking up the grandkids and opening heavy doors, all whilst keeping your bones and muscles strong.

We’re building a body that actually works so we can keep bossing well into our 90’s! 🫅

20/03/2026

We all know lifting heavy tells your body to hold on to muscle mass and bone density 🏋️‍♀️

Today I’m doing landmine deadlifts which are great for …

🔥 learning the hip hinge without stressing your lower back

🔥 building the posterior chain (hello glutes and hamstrings 😉)

🔥 keeping the weight closer to your centre of gravity

Deadlifts help build the muscle that keeps your metabolism from tanking; loads the spine and hips where we lose bone the fastest; and strengthens your grip (which can help predict your longevity) 💪🏼

The landmine version is ideal if a straight barbell feels awkward or you’re working around cranky joints. Same benefits, more accessible entry point.

Stop doing cardio to “stay small”. Start
Ifting to stay STRONG 💪🏼

18/03/2026

61yo and trying Wall Walks for the first time…

Heavy loading on wrists and shoulders is key for keeping bones strong in menopause. They also help with shoulder stability, core strength and upper body power while improving overhead mobility.

It wasn’t perfect, but I did it. Proof that it’s never too late to find your strength!

15/03/2026

Menopause tip : your bones need impact.

When oestrogen drops, bone loss speeds up. But bones are smart - they get stronger when you load them.

Jumping, hopping, skipping, landing …. that little bit of impact tells your body : “Build stronger bones”.

13/03/2026

Your reminder:

Not every body moves the same.

Not every journey looks the same.

And you don’t know the battles someone has fought just to show up.

If your first instinct is to judge…
maybe that’s the real problem.

04/03/2026

Strong is not “bulky.”
Strong is boundaries.
Strong is confidence.
Strong is carrying your own damn groceries and your whole life without asking permission.

Lift the weights. Build the muscle. Take up space.

Strength training isn’t about shrinking yourself — it’s about reinforcing yourself.
More muscle = stronger bones, better metabolism, balanced hormones, and a body that ages like fine wine instead of expired milk. 🥂

Ladies, we are not here to be fragile.
We are here to be formidable.

Go lift something heavy. Especially your standards. 💪🏽

25/02/2026

Serving instructor energy on the reformer like I’ve been here my whole life 💅✨

POV: You decide that “too old” isn’t in your vocabulary and teach your FIRST reformer Pilates class anyway.

Let me tell you something — learning new things as an older woman isn’t brave… it’s necessary. Our brains crave novelty. Our bodies crave challenge. And confidence? That comes from putting yourself in rooms where you’re not the expert (yet).

Walking into that studio, I wasn’t thinking about age. I was thinking about growth. About expansion. About refusing to shrink just because society thinks we should.

And can we talk about Pilates for a second? 👀

Reformer Pilates is a great way to add variation to your training. It builds strength, control, stability, mobility — all the little muscles your heavy lifts and cardio sometimes miss. It humbles you in the best way and makes you stronger in ways you didn’t know you needed.

This is your reminder:

Start the class.
Take the course.
Lift the weight.
Learn the thing.

We do not age out of evolution. We evolve on purpose. 🔥

24/02/2026

Strong. Sculpted. Supported. 💪✨

Ladies, this one move is a GAME-CHANGER: Bent Over Rows.

Here’s why you need it in your routine 👇

🔥 Better Posture

Hours of sitting? Grandkids on your hip? Bent over rows strengthen your upper back so you stand taller and feel more confident.

🔥 Back & Shoulder Support

Stronger back muscles = less strain on your neck and shoulders. Goodbye tension!

🔥 Bone Density Boost

Strength training helps protect against osteoporosis — and this move loads the spine safely when done right.

🔥 Functional Strength for Real Life

Picking up groceries. Lifting luggage. Gardening. Playing with kids, grandkids & pets. Bent over rows train the exact muscles you use every day.

🔥 Metabolism & Muscle Tone

After 50, we naturally lose muscle. Rows help maintain lean muscle, which supports metabolism and keeps you feeling strong.

✨ Pro Tip:

Start light (dumbbells or resistance band), hinge at the hips, keep your back flat, pull elbows toward your ribs, squeeze your shoulder blades.

Strong has no age limit.

50+ is NOT a slowdown — it’s a power era. 👑

22/02/2026

POV: You’re a woman over 60… and you signed up for Level 1 Reformer Pilates. 😏✨

Yes. THAT machine. The one with springs, straps, and a moving carriage that looks slightly intimidating.

And guess what? I did it anyway.

Because here’s the truth — turning 60+ doesn’t mean shrinking. It means expanding.

Every time we learn something new — whether it’s Reformer Pilates, painting, dancing, or technology — we’re training more than our muscles.

We’re training our brains. We’re building balance, coordination, focus, and confidence. We’re telling our nervous system: “We are still growing.”

Trying Level 1 Reformer Pilates wasn’t about being perfect. It was about being brave and finding new ways to maintain longevity in the Fitness Industry with minimal physical effort.

Was I nervous? Absolutely.

Did I wobble? A little.

Stepping outside your comfort zone keeps your body strong and your mind sharp. It builds resilience. It improves posture, flexibility, and cognitive function. And maybe most importantly — it reminds you that fear doesn’t get to run the show.

We don’t stop learning because we age.

We age because we stop learning.

So here’s your sign:

Book the class.
Try the thing.
Be the beginner.

60+ and still leveling up. 🚀

Who else is training their body AND their courage this year? 💬

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