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At 50, She Decided to Get Stronger — Not Slow Down
Beth Godfrey almost didn’t stick with PowerStrength. She tried it once, a year before she truly committed, and walked away. It wasn’t until her sister talked her into a 30-day trial that everything changed.
“I couldn’t stop,” she said. “I’m like, I have to figure out how to put this into my budget.”
A year and a half later, Beth isn’t just still coming — she’s built more strength, more confidence, and a deeper sense of purpose than she expected to find in a gym.
THE START
Beth’s first goal was simple: turn back the clock a little.
“When I first came here, it was more about hitting that 50-year-old mark,” she said. “Between turning 50 and 51, I had gained nearly 20 pounds, and I didn’t change anything I did. My initial goal was to lose weight and get back into shape.”
She did — but the number on the scale turned out to be the smallest part of the story.
“I did lose that 20 pounds,” she said. “But I’ve gained so much more than that. I am so much stronger. It’s become almost like an addiction for me — to be here, to work out, and just spend a little time on myself.”
THE COACHES
For someone who’d spent years in and out of gyms without ever quite knowing what to do with the equipment, the coaching at PowerStrength made the difference.
“It doesn’t matter what coach I have — they’re happy to see me,” she said. “They shout your name, they make you feel like, ‘oh my gosh, I made it, it was worth getting here.’ Once I get here, I can turn my brain off and just focus on what they’re telling me to do.”
THE DEEPER WHY
Beth’s motivation for staying strong goes beyond how she looks or feels day to day. It’s rooted in loss, and in a responsibility she’s chosen to carry for her family.
“I lost my dad when I was 33 — he died unexpectedly of a heart attack,” she said. “Years later, my brother died unexpectedly of COVID. So it’s just us girls now, and my husband has a serious back injury.”
With her mother widowed, and a family cottage that still needs docks put in and boats hauled out every season, Beth made a decision.
“I have daughters, and I want to show them that you can be strong, that you can take care of yourself,” she said. “I feel very proud of myself that I can still do that, and that I can help my mom. My grandkids just came to visit, and I was able to keep up with them the whole week.”
THE VALUE
For Beth, choosing to invest in her training meant looking honestly at where her money was going — and deciding this mattered more.
“I made it work,” she said. “I stopped doing things I don’t need to have. This is far more important, and a better investment overall.”
THE MENTAL RELEASE
Beyond the physical results, Beth says PowerStrength has become an essential part of how she manages the stress of a demanding workday.
“I love the sign on the front door that says, ‘You’ve done the hard part, we’ll take it from here,'” she said. “Every time I grab that door handle, after fighting traffic and everything else, I leave that behind. The coaches really take care of you and make you feel special.”
That shift carries with her long after she leaves.
“It just gives me a better mindset overall — I get this release when I come to the gym.”
HER ADVICE
Ask Beth what she’d tell someone in her position a year and a half ago, and her advice is direct: commit to it, and make the time.
“Definitely try it — and don’t try it just for a week. Do a month and give it a shot,” she said. “You need to make time for yourself. I was so busy at work, I thought there was no way. But I figured it out — I leave work at four, I’m here by 4:30, done by 5:30, home making dinner. It completely works for me.”
Asked to sum up what PowerStrength has meant to her, her answer left no room for doubt.
“PowerStrength is amazing. It’s changed my life,” she said. “I feel so much better, I have more confidence, and I hope other people try it too — because it’s really awesome.”
READY TO MAKE YOUR NEXT 10 YEARS YOUR STRONGEST EVER?
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 — 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, Holland, or Byron Center.
Click powerstrengthpro.com/adult/contact-adult to learn more and schedule your risk-free consultation.