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I Found Fitness in My 50s and I Help Others Do the Same

By Melissa Neill, as told to Helen Iatrou
Reviewed by Susan Ko, Ph.D.
April 11, 2023

At 49, I was going through a divorce and experiencing difficult emotions. I blamed my marriage breakdown on my appearance. I lacked confidence and suffered from poor body image. To help myself through this difficult time, I turned to exercise.

I attended two or three group CrossFit sessions a week. The powerlifting and high intensity training was so damn hard that I couldn't think of anything but getting through the workout! I would also go jogging once or twice a week to clear my head.

It worked. Getting stronger and fitter really helped me feel better and more confident. I found something outside work that I was reasonably good at, and I fell in love with the process of transforming my body.