After the incredible response to last week’s post on
Strength, Resilience, and What Your Body’s Been Trying to Tell You, I knew we
couldn’t stop there.
Dr. Mike’s message struck a chord — reminding so many of us
that our bodies don’t just want to survive, they want to thrive. But let’s be
honest: it’s one thing to read about muscle loss, stress
hormones, or energy dips… and another to know what to actually do about
it in real life.
That’s why I invited Dr. Mike back for a special Q&A
session — to answer the questions I hear most from my clients, students, and
readers who are ready for real change but aren’t sure where to start. From
strength training after 40 to balancing progress and recovery, this
conversation is practical, personal, and deeply aligned with the Intentional
Calm philosophy of healing with purpose.
Let’s dive in.
What inspired you to focus on helping busy professionals
and parents build strength and confidence?
My dad’s health struggles with Alzheimer’s made me realize
how much prevention matters and how often it’s ignored until it’s too
late.
Most people wait for something to break before taking care
of themselves. I wanted to change that. Now I help people who spend their lives
taking care of others build strength, confidence, and longevity so they can
show up fully for the people they love.
What’s one common misconception people have about
starting strength training later in life?
That it’s too late or that getting stronger means getting
bulky. Neither is true. Your body can build muscle and adapt at any age. The
right kind of training helps you move better, boost energy, and protect against
chronic disease. Strength training isn’t about extremes, it’s about taking back
control of your body and your health.
What do you see as the biggest barriers for people in
their 40s, 50s, and 60s when it comes to consistency?
Time and identity. Most of my clients have spent decades
putting family and work first. They don’t see themselves as “fitness people”
anymore. Once they realize that taking care of themselves is taking care of
their family, everything changes. It’s not about doing more, it’s about making
health part of who they are again.
What changes do you notice once clients start
prioritizing strength and recovery?
Energy is the first thing for sure. They move easier, sleep
better, and hurt less. But the deeper change is mindset. They stop doubting
themselves. They stand taller, feel capable again, and often say, “I feel like
myself for the first time in years.” For me, watching those mindset shifts is
the most rewarding part.
For someone who feels too busy to start, what’s one
simple step they can take today?
Start small. Two 30 minute (or less) strength sessions a
week can make a difference. Don’t worry about doing it perfectly. Just be
consistent. Health isn’t built through massive life overhauls, it’s built
through small, repeatable wins.
What do you wish more people understood about staying
strong and confident as they age?
It’s not just about looking younger (though that can be a
bonus), it’s about living longer, better. The goal isn’t to turn back time,
it’s to stay strong enough to do the things that matter most. Strength, good
nutrition, quality sleep, and managing stress work together to keep you mobile,
able, confident and resilient.
Fun Facts
- Daily
habit you can’t live without: Morning coffee. It’s quiet time before
the day starts. It’s also good for your health but that could be a whole
other conversation. Ha!
- If
you could train with anyone: Eric Helms. He combines evidence
with practicality.
- Coffee
order: Kalita pour-over, 16g coffee to 250g water at 197°F
Three words clients would use to describe you: Knowledgeable.
Relatable. Grounded.
🟨 Closing
Thoughts from Mary-Anne
If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this Q&A,
it’s this: you don’t have to choose between physical health and inner harmony.
You can strengthen your body with intention and nourish your
spirit with compassion. The best results happen when we stop compartmentalizing
and start integrating — strength, energy, emotion, and peace working together.
Next week in Part Three, we’ll bring it all home — exploring
how physical strength, emotional alignment, and energetic balance merge in my
work (and how you can begin your own Wholistic + Holistic Reset with
intention).
Until then, choose one thing from today’s conversation — one
shift, one mindset, one action — and begin there.
Because as we say often around here:
Challenge creates change.
And small steps, taken intentionally, create lasting transformation.
Be well,
💛
Mary-Anne
And small steps, taken intentionally, create lasting transformation.
💛 Mary-Anne
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