Margaretha's Story
Margaretha went from losing strength and confidence to thriving in her 80s—fit, independent, and full of life. Her mantra – keep moving, keep living.
Margaretha has always loved being active. But after a major operation in 2021 and the demands of running her farm, she began facing new challenges. Injuries crept in more often, and the daily tasks she once took for granted started to feel harder.
“I found myself hurting more than I used to,” she reflects. “I knew I needed to make changes if I wanted to keep living the life I loved.”
A Fresh Start
Margaretha began her journey by approaching movement with care and patience. At first, it wasn’t easy—balancing recovery, work, and age-related changes required determination. But step by step, she started to rebuild.
What kept her going was not just the exercise itself, but the joy of routine and the support of others. Training became more than physical—it became social, motivating, and uplifting.
“I’ve never missed a session when I could help it,” she says. “Even now, I look forward to it every single time.”
Goals That Mattered
From the beginning, Margaretha’s goals were practical, personal, and deeply meaningful:
“I’m now in my 80s, and when I’m 90, I want to get out of my deep bath alone, without any assistance. I want to be able to get off the floor easily, without using my hands. And I want to keep working on my farm, because that requires strength and independence.”
These once-distant goals now feel completely achievable. “I feel stronger than I was before,” she says. “I can live my independent lifestyle. I know I can keep doing the things that matter most to me.”
Strength for Life
Beyond physical progress, Margaretha has found a sense of resilience that carries into all areas of life.
“I feel fitter now, in my 80s, than I did many years ago,” she shares. “I probably have as good a body as I ever had. And I’m determined to keep it that way—to stay healthy, energetic, and strong as I grow older.”
This strength has also helped her through life’s harder moments. Having lost both her mother and sister to pancreatic cancer, and with her brother now unwell, Margaretha has leaned on her health and routines for stability.
“For me, being fit and healthy is part of the grieving process,” she explains. “It gives me balance, and the people around me give me emotional support as well as physical strength.”
Joy in the Everyday
What stands out most in Margaretha’s story is her joy. Even after more than a year of training consistently, she still gets a spark each time she sets out.
“Every time I get into the car, I think—yes!” she says with a smile. “I enjoy the variety, I enjoy the people, and I enjoy the energy it gives me. I know this is something I’ll keep doing for a long time.”
