{"id":415943,"date":"2026-04-02T02:14:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T02:14:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/415943\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T02:14:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T02:14:21","slug":"11-incredible-fitness-transformations-that-will-inspire-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/415943\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Incredible Fitness Transformations That Will Inspire You"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img alt=\"Person performing pull-ups in a gym setting.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"639\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/043700cd352641f9048b8485475abec0.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>11 Powerful Fitness Transformations That InspireJen Dorman &#8211; Hearst Owned<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>AT <\/strong><strong>WOMEN\u2019S HEALTH<\/strong>, we believe real change can start with seeing what\u2019s possible. Whether it\u2019s overcoming a serious health challenge or simply <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/fitness\/a42803758\/beginner-workout-plan\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:finding your way;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">finding your way<\/a> back to movement after feeling stuck, these stories prove that progress doesn\u2019t have to look one specific way.<\/p>\n<p>Here, we\u2019ve gathered some of our favorite stories from women of all ages who found strength in everything from Jiu Jitsu to group training. They share the highs and lows that guided their journeys\u2014and what kept them going. Because it doesn\u2019t matter where you\u2019re starting from\u2014progress is always on the table.<\/p>\n<p>1) Jill McLaughlin<img alt=\"Photo credit: Chase M. Keller - Hearst Owned\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/e940f2ed38583dec2ba161a5631090a2.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Photo credit: Chase M. Keller &#8211; Hearst Owned<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFinding Crunch has been instrumental in my journey; I work out there six to seven days a week. I strength train with weights on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, do TRX circuit training on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and do a cardio dance class on Sundays. I also walk for about an hour each night.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/fitness\/a70699715\/jill-mclaughlin-strength-transformation\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:See Jill\u2019s Story;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">See Jill\u2019s Story<\/a><\/p>\n<p>2) Nellie Barnett<img alt=\"Photo credit: Nellie Barnett - Hearst Owned\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"980\" height=\"1285\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/b3fbe828f690eb337cada5e1dbf68239.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Photo credit: Nellie Barnett &#8211; Hearst Owned<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat really helped get me through the height of the pandemic were all of my home workouts. I already had a set of 7.5 pound <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/fitness\/g29367992\/best-dumbbells\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:dumbbells;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">dumbbells<\/a>, and I was able to find a 20-pound set at Target (it was actually the last set available!). There was nothing heavier or lighter. But these two sets really helped me create a balanced workout.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/fitness\/a70359761\/nellie-barnett-strength-before-and-after-dumbbell-workout\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:See Nellie\u2019s Story;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">See Nellie\u2019s Story<\/a><\/p>\n<p>3) Audrey Galvin<img alt=\"Photo credit: Audrey Galvin - Hearst Owned\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"926\" height=\"1105\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/900374ce0679c5385f2b85829bee87e0.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Photo credit: Audrey Galvin &#8211; Hearst Owned<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJiu jitsu has become a workout staple for me\u2014and has totally leveled up my strength, endurance, and resilience. I\u2019ve been consistently taking jiu jitsu classes two to three times a week for almost a year now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/fitness\/a70577970\/30s-jiu-jitsu-workout-strength-endurance-transformation\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:See Audrey\u2019s Story;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">See Audrey\u2019s Story<\/a><\/p>\n<p>4) Pam Jackson<img alt=\"Photo credit: Paul Buceta\/Jason Speakman\/WH Illustration - Hearst Owned\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"639\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/11715c1d8a0836df73ca5d7ee10b0b44.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Photo credit: Paul Buceta\/Jason Speakman\/WH Illustration &#8211; Hearst Owned<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/fitness\/a70107475\/strength-training-over-70-rowing\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:I live;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">I live<\/a> in Toronto, Canada, so when the weather cooperates, I paddle five days a week with the MakaKoa Outrigger club. It\u2019s still my passion, but strength training is now my top priority to support muscle growth and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/fitness\/a68002478\/guide-to-exercise-for-bone-health\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:maintain bone health;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">maintain bone health<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/fitness\/a70107475\/strength-training-over-70-rowing\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:See Pam\u2019s Story;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">See Pam\u2019s Story<\/a><\/p>\n<p>5) Kimber Myers<img alt=\"Photo credit: David Jimenez-Reverie Art - Hearst Owned\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"980\" height=\"1438\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7df9b1b0cdfe8b4124af206e91363b4d.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Photo credit: David Jimenez-Reverie Art &#8211; Hearst Owned<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor years after that I dabbled in various group fitness classes around New York City. Then, a friend I met at Barry\u2019s Bootcamp introduced me to my current gym, <a href=\"https:\/\/tonehouse.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Tone House;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">Tone House<\/a>. It was there I discovered how much I enjoy strength training\u2014and I realized I wanted to get stronger. It wasn\u2019t until my 40s when I finally started a consistent strength training routine.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/fitness\/a70572411\/how-i-body-recomped-at-40\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:See Kimber\u2019s Story;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">See Kimber\u2019s Story<\/a><\/p>\n<p>6) Pamela Quayle<img alt=\"Photo credit: Pamela Quayle - Hearst Owned\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1120\" height=\"1118\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dbe42b237fedae3877ee6dff9e83a5db.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Photo credit: Pamela Quayle &#8211; Hearst Owned<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/fitness\/a70436774\/60s-body-recomposition-muscle-strength-transformation\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:I began;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">I began<\/a> virtually working with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/soulfit_byamanda.lim_\/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Amanda Lim;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">Amanda Lim<\/a>, a midlife strength coach. Over time, the guidance, consistency, and focus on proper form and nutrition transformed my routine and body. I could clearly see more muscle definition, my body fat decreased, I felt stronger in my everyday activities, and I was a lot more confident.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/fitness\/a70436774\/60s-body-recomposition-muscle-strength-transformation\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:See Pamela\u2019s Story;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">See Pamela\u2019s Story<\/a><\/p>\n<p>7) Rebecca Vizi<img alt=\"Photo credit: Rebecca Vizi \/ Erika Bencs - Hearst Owned\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1120\" height=\"1119\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/105481d4d05c62f368d7c0cb72048616.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Photo credit: Rebecca Vizi \/ Erika Bencs &#8211; Hearst Owned<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/fitness\/a70222697\/upper-body-strength-muscle-functional-neurological-disorder-transformation\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:I was;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">I was<\/a> diagnosed with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ninds.nih.gov\/health-information\/disorders\/functional-neurologic-disorder\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:functional neurological disorder;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">functional neurological disorder<\/a> (FND), a chronic condition caused by changes in how the brain networks communicate.<\/p>\n<p>Although my body feels different every day, I stayed committed to moving in ways that worked for me\u2014and my hard work paid off. After a few months of consistently training, I felt stronger all over and more confident in my abilities to move well throughout life despite my disability.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/fitness\/a70222697\/upper-body-strength-muscle-functional-neurological-disorder-transformation\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:See Rebecca\u2019s Story;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">See Rebecca\u2019s Story<\/a><\/p>\n<p>8) Chelita Hall<img alt=\"Photo credit: Courtesy of Chelita Hall - Hearst Owned\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"745\" height=\"745\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ed40ad96249f4c6f088a07b8256bdc74.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Photo credit: Courtesy of Chelita Hall &#8211; Hearst Owned<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt first, switching from running to resistance training was hard on my knees. I had run them into the ground from all the mileage (literally), and they were stiff and swollen. After a month of less running and more strength training for building my lower body, my knee pain totally subsided.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/fitness\/a69429252\/lifting-weights-40s-50s-before-and-after\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:See Chelita\u2019s Story;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">See Chelita\u2019s Story<\/a><\/p>\n<p>9) Neha Verma<img alt=\"Photo credit: Neha Verma - Hearst Owned\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"980\" height=\"796\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/372d581ad85ba61a01a53a115dfb4a13.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Photo credit: Neha Verma &#8211; Hearst Owned<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTrust me, there are times where I\u2019m tired or overwhelmed and would rather not train, but I\u2019ve cultivated self-discipline to stick to my goals. Some days it\u2019s lifting heavy, other days it\u2019s getting 10,000 steps and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/food\/a38554718\/how-to-meal-prep\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:meal prepping;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">meal prepping<\/a> for the week, but both count and both help me move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/fitness\/a69880836\/how-a-working-mom-stayed-consistent-in-the-gym\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:See Neha\u2019s Story;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">See Neha\u2019s Story<\/a><\/p>\n<p>10) Marcia Allen<img alt=\"Photo credit: Marcia Allen - Hearst Owned\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"980\" height=\"1440\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1f15299c3c0a020fc22538d50e57aaaf.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Photo credit: Marcia Allen &#8211; Hearst Owned<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/fitness\/a70272387\/60s-hydrow-pilates-muscle-strength-transformation\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:I saw;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">I saw<\/a> a woman on Facebook who\u2019d undergone an amazing physical transformation from completing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/weight-loss\/a39677378\/what-is-75-hard\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:75 Hard Challenge;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">75 Hard Challenge<\/a>. The challenge involves doing two 45-minute workouts a day (one outdoors), eating healthily, drinking a gallon of water daily, reading 10 pages per day, and taking progress pictures for 75 days. I decided to give it a try along with some Facebook friends that served as my accountability group.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/fitness\/a70272387\/60s-hydrow-pilates-muscle-strength-transformation\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:See Marcia\u2019s Story;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">See Marcia\u2019s Story<\/a><\/p>\n<p>11) Jen Dorman<img alt=\"Photo credit: Jen Dorman - Hearst Owned\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"639\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/5fe774c78ceda70ef42eb0f6dc9e19a2.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Photo credit: Jen Dorman &#8211; Hearst Owned<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/fitness\/a70246678\/jen-dorman-strength-transformation\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:My cancer;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\">My cancer<\/a> diagnosis and entering menopause required a smarter approach to fitness. What worked for me for years just didn\u2019t yield the same results anymore. As for what I changed? I didn\u2019t stop training; I just slowed down.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"link rapid-noclick-resp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/fitness\/a70246678\/jen-dorman-strength-transformation\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:See Jen\u2019s Story;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">See Jen\u2019s Story<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>You Might Also Like<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"11 Powerful Fitness Transformations That InspireJen Dorman &#8211; Hearst Owned AT WOMEN\u2019S HEALTH, we believe real change can&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":415944,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[278],"tags":[18,525,184175,135,19,17,186986,186987,3401],"class_list":{"0":"post-415943","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-fitness","8":"tag-eire","9":"tag-fitness","10":"tag-fitness-transformations","11":"tag-health","12":"tag-ie","13":"tag-ireland","14":"tag-jiu-jitsu","15":"tag-strength-train","16":"tag-strength-training"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/116332702680110611","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415943","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=415943"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415943\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/415944"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=415943"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=415943"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=415943"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}