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Angie’s Mission: 100 Pounds Down in 2025 with a Customized Training Plan
Angie Taylor’s story is one of resilience, determination, and transformation.
After experiencing profound loss of family members during the COVID-19 pandemic, she had a moment of clarity—she needed to take control of her health or risk becoming the next to go.
Determined to make a lasting change, Angie set an ambitious goal: to lose over 200 pounds.
Today, as a dedicated member of PowerStrength Training Systems, she is not only shedding weight but also gaining confidence, strength, and a supportive community that has become her second family.
A WAKE-UP CALL AND A NEW BEGINNING
The catalyst for Angie’s journey came in January 2022, when she lost her father, grandmother, and boyfriend within the span of a year.
Devastated, she found herself using food as a coping mechanism, until one night, a Weight Watchers commercial sparked a turning point.
“I looked at the commercial, then at the bag of chips in my hand, and I thought, ‘Oh my God, I have to do something. If I don’t, I’m going to be the next one in a casket,” Angie recalled.
She threw the chips away, and immediately signed up for Weight Watchers, and within four months, she had lost 45 pounds. But she knew she needed more than just a diet plan—she needed to move her body and build a sustainable routine.
THE SEARCH FOR THE RIGHT GYM
Angie started her fitness journey at another gym, training there for a year and a half. However, she quickly realized that the large boot camp-style classes weren’t the right fit for her.
“I loved the people there, but I can’t do burpees. I can’t do boot camp workouts,” she explained. “I needed more one-on-one structure, and in a class of 30 people, it’s hard to get that individualized attention.”
Determined to find a place that could accommodate her needs, she researched local gyms and came across PowerStrength Training Systems. After meeting with Stephan, the Facility Leader in Kentwood, she felt an immediate connection.
“He was very sincere and laid out a plan. We worked on goals together, and he assured me that PowerStrength had experience working with people like me—people with mobility issues and a lot of weight to lose,” Angie said.
With that assurance, she signed up and had her first workout on June 19, and she knew she had found her home.
FINDING STRENGTH AND A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY
What set PowerStrength apart was not just the training—it was the people.
“I fell in love with the coaches—and I started making friends here,” Angie said. “I’m not working out with 20-year-olds; I’m working out with people my own age. We come from all walks of life, but we just mesh. It’s a no-judgment zone, and we all give each other grace.”
The PowerStrength coaches also tailored Angie’s workouts to her specific needs.
Because of her knee and shoulder restrictions, traditional exercises weren’t always feasible, but they found creative modifications to help her build strength safely.
“I can’t always get down to the floor, so we use the squat rack for balance, boxes for stability, or I’ll do squats to a bench,” she explained. “Crunches and core work are done on a Swiss Ball instead of the floor. They always find a way to make it work for me.”
PROGRESS BEYOND THE SCALE
Angie lost 25 pounds in the first 5 months after joining PowerStrength. Currently, she is down 65 pounds from January 2022. However, what excites her the most isn’t the number on the scale—it’s the muscle that she’s built.
“My arms and legs are stronger than ever. It has built confidence for me, I feel that I stand taller, I hold my head up higher, and I’m proud of my progress,” she said. “When people ask if I work out, I can say ‘Yes!’ and show off my arms.”
Her newfound strength has also led to an unexpected but life-changing decision—quitting her stressful job without having another one lined up.
“I decided I was worth more than that job. If I wanted real change in my life, other things had to change, too,” Angie said.
Since then, she has landed a new job that is much better for her well-being. She sleeps better, manages stress more effectively, and no longer turns to food for comfort.
A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO HEALTH
Angie understands that lasting transformation isn’t just about exercise—it’s about addressing all aspects of health.
In addition to her PowerStrength workouts, she works with a therapist and a dietitian to build a healthier relationship with food and overcome the mental barriers that have held her back in the past.
“I’ve had setbacks, and I’m going to be honest—everyone does,” she admitted. “I seem to have this block around hitting the 100-pound weight loss mark. It’s scary because you don’t know what life looks like on the other side. But I’m working through it.”
LOOKING AHEAD TO A BRIGHT FUTURE
Angie is now setting her sights on the future. She has a detailed plan for 2025, with a goal of reaching 100 pounds lost. She collaborates closely with her PowerStrength coaches, who provide her with nearly 24/7 support.
“I send them my Fitbit data after every workout, and we use that to adjust my plan,” she said. “Just two weeks ago, I sat down with Stephan to map out my goals for the next year. Everything is falling into place, and I’m ready for this next phase.”
For Angie, PowerStrength is more than just a gym—it’s a place where she has found strength, both physically and mentally. It’s where she has gained lifelong friendships, a renewed sense of purpose and priority, and a belief in herself that she never thought possible.
This journey isn’t just about weight loss. It’s about Angie reclaiming her life and she is only just getting started.
“Just getting started is the hard part,” Angie said. “Once you’re here and get going, it’s easy from there.”
READY TO TAKE CONTROL?
Men and Women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s who want to get stronger and have more energy can join the Personal Training Program at PowerStrength at any time. No previous workout experience is required as each program is customized to the fitness and ability level of each individual.
Multiple personal training sessions are offered in the early morning, mid-morning, late afternoon, and evening. Find your nearest PowerStrength location – Alpine, Kentwood, Jenison, Plainfield, and Holland.
Click HERE to learn more program details and schedule your risk-free consultation.
