I had no idea that I would fall in love with fitness at the age of 54.

That’s when my journey into health and fitness started.  I was never an athlete.  Never played in organized sports.  I was the girl who was into my hair, clothes and makeup.   Don’t get me wrong, I loved playing softball, kick ball, dodge ball, racing, etc. with my family and friends.  I even loved Phys Ed classes.  As I got older and got a job, I had memberships at big box gyms. I loved the feeling of being sore, it made me feel like I had accomplished something towards defining and toning my muscles.

December 2011 is when things started changing.

A co-worker who had just recently moved into my department and who I was developing a friendship with extended an invitation to join her at one of her workouts. Now this friend was fit, she was ripped.   I accepted the invite and my life has never been the same.  The workout was amazing, I said sign me up and it keeps getting me out of bed every morning to make the first class.  The workout consisted of resistance and circuit training.

In January 2015, the owner of the facility I was training at, Dr. Tremaine Young, introduced to the world three resistance products that he created, the Tension Fit Trainer (The World Champ, All Pro and Slim Gym).  These products are not like any other resistance products on the market.   In fact, I attribute these products for getting and keeping me in the best shape of my life.

Of course, eating plays a big part of my body transformation as well as exercise.

I am not on a diet, diets are for a temporary goal.  I made a lifestyle change with eating.  I eat to live not live to eat.  I decided to cut out processed foods, all animal products, dairy, sugar, bread including pasta.  My drink of choice is water.  My goal is to drink a gallon of water every day.  When I made this decision, I started to have the most amazing bowel movements, this is another story for another day.  My face and chin thinned out so the double chin was gone.  My arms, legs, booty, shoulders and back were toned and defined.  My stomach flattened out and I had a 6-pack in my mid 50’s.

October 2016, Dr. Young approached me about leading an 8-week class for women on Friday evenings which we called it SUSIE HAPPY HOUR.  As he and I talked it through and laid the plans out, I said to him you see something in me that I don’t see in myself.  I knew I was a leader but a leader who likes to get things done in the background, not one who likes to stand in front of groups and speak.  I went through the training and became a certified TFT RESULTS LEADER. 

Can I tell you that those 8-weeks was a success.  The majority of the ladies were not familiar with TFT, they were energized and excited to come back the next week.   That’s how I got started leading classes at the TFT FIT LAB which led to me starting my own fitness business and being blessed every day to lead groups of women on their health and fitness journey.

When I say I fell in love with fitness, I go to bed thinking about the next day’s sessions, the playlists and I wake up excited every morning to workout, to train others and to see lives being transformed one body at a time.  I pray and meditate over every session and every person who walks through those doors or who comes on virtually.  I get to do what I love every day and I never want to take it for granted.

As I normally do when I am closing after speaking/telling my story, I say to my audience if there is something that you are passionate about, that you can’t seem to let go of or it won’t let go of you, step out on faith.  Give it a try because you are not too old and it is not too late to pursue your dream. 

The time is never right to spread your wings but your passion will lead you right to your purpose.