Client Success Story: Ed E.

“I came in, met with Matt, and signed up at Bent On Better. Just a day or two later, I was in the gym at 5:30 AM. I couldn’t do a push-up or a sit-up, but the encouragement from the members was overwhelming. Their support fueled my determination and made me believe, ‘I can do this, and it’s all worthwhile.’ “ – Ed E.

Ed didn’t start with a lot of confidence but had a fair amount of determination. Like most busy people with a health goal, he wasn’t sure how or even where to start.

But sure enough with time, he found his way to build his self-confidence and now has more energy, he is lifting heavy weights with ease, and is stronger than ever at 64 years young!

Before joining Bent On Better.

In 2017, he was at his heaviest weight, 222 lbs.

He was active, played ice hockey, and worked out every day during his younger years, but at this stage of life his weight would yo-yo time after time: gaining weight, losing weight, and then gaining it back again.

When he saw 222 lbs on the scale, he decided to finally start exercising again.

Joining Bent On Better

One summer day at a friend’s picnic, Ed spoke with two Bent On Better members who urged him to join the workout group. As he hadn’t been to a gym in over two decades, he wasn’t sure about it… fearing it may hurt or just be too difficult.

“I came in, met with Matt, and signed up.” he recalls.

“And I don’t know if it was the next morning or two mornings later, but at 5:30 in the morning, I was in here (in the gym) and I could barely do a push up unless I was on my knees and couldn’t do a [single] sit-up…” he shared.

“But the thing that I found (helpful) was the encouragement from the people (the members) and even other people who didn’t know me…Their support was just overwhelming and kind of fueled my continuation or my mental thinking, ‘now that I can do this and it’s all worthwhile’.” – Ed E.

With the help of the Bent On Better community, Ed was able to see his own potential once again. Although it was difficult initially, for the last 4+ years Ed has consistently showed up for himself, his family, and his future self.

“You guys are so good at motivating without mandating. If you say that I can do more weight, you will encourage me to do more weight but it is not like you [have] to do more weight. I’ve got a physical issue (which I did), you guys will work around that or tell me not to do this (exercise) or ask me to do this (exercise) and help me get through that little bit of an injury or whatever the case might be. I don’t know how to describe it other than it’s just pure enjoyment coming here.”  – Ed E.

Stronger than ever at 64+

It is fascinating to look back at how Ed started with a little bit of apprehension, going years without having been in a gym, and somehow defied the odds of age and injury to become someone who is stronger mentally and physically, even at the age of 64+.

It doesn’t matter how often you’re defeated; it matters how many times you get back up. The best part is that there’s always room to start fresh again, anywhere you are in life.

By being open-minded and willing to take a chance, Ed reached a point where he is happy with his life and can continue to progress as he ages, and the strength and confidence can be translated into many areas of life, particularly into golf (as Ed is an avid golfer).

“ I feel pretty good about what I’m doing and what I’m able to do at my age. Relative to everybody I work out with, I’m old and I can do very well here and not be pompous or anything, but I do what I think is very well for my age, let’s put it that way and it excites me. It makes me very excited when I’m doing a certain weight or something like that because it’s like holy cow am I really able to do that? So it’s pretty cool!” – Ed E.

We’re so proud of you Ed.  You continue to show us all that age is merely a number that comes with time. 

To you, the reader, Ed’s story is just one of many, many busy adults over 50 years of age who had limitations (physical and mental), reasons to give up (or not even start!), but for every reason you can think of to wait, to not start, to not change… all you need is ONE reason TO start. 

What’s your #1?

About the Bent On Better community:

“You’ll meet a lot of tremendous people and this is the place that you want to do it and I’m not just saying that because I’m here but it this is the place that you want to do it because of the type of people that are running this like you (Matt) and Nick, and Alysha, and Molly and Lynn. Just the way that you care about everybody that is a member here and how much encouragement and professionalism and knowledge that you instill will help anybody start that journey and want to continue that journey and like I said it’s a life changer and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Aside from all that good stuff, I’ve met a lot of friends here and a lot of really good people and it’s a good place to be.” – Ed E.