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Her Happy Place: How Dawn Found Strength, Energy, and a New Beginning at 60
For Dawn DeYoung, working out has never been the problem.
She’s always known how good it makes her feel. She’s always been the kind of person who shows up, puts in the work, and moves better because of it.
But life doesn’t always cooperate.
After sinus surgery and a full year away from the gym — a year she describes plainly as doing her “no favors” — Dawn was ready to get back into her routine.
She just needed the right place to do it.
At 60 years old, she found it at PowerStrength Byron Center.
A YEAR OFF — AND A FRESH START
Dawn had spent years training at larger chain gyms. She knew her way around a workout. But after her surgery, she couldn’t do anything — and eventually, the gym habit faded entirely.
“Sitting around for a year did me no favors. I just get irritated with myself because I like to exercise.”
When she was finally cleared to get back to it, the challenge was finding the right fit.
The big gyms she’d used before skewed younger — a dynamic that had nudged her toward swimming at one point just to find something more comfortable.
Then, at a local event, she spotted PowerStrength.
“I’d never heard of PowerStrength before. And when I read up on it, and I listened to some of the people who spoke about how it’s more personalized — I saw the age bracket and thought I’d give it a try.”
The Personal Training Program that is specialized for folks in their 40s, 50s, and 60s — was exactly what she was looking for.
“You feel like you’re being tailored to, instead of trying to keep up with.”
FINDING THE RIGHT FIT
Dawn trains at the Byron Center facility, located inside the Special Olympics of Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center — a place that carries its own spirit of community, purpose, and belonging.
It suits her perfectly.
She was nervous walking in for the first time. She describes herself as someone who gets anxious in new situations.
But that first session put her at ease immediately.
“I’m somebody who gets nervous in a new situation. And the first day I came in, it was fine. I didn’t get too wound up.”
Part of what made it work was knowing she’d be surrounded by people in a similar stage of life — not competing against a room full of twenty-somethings.
“If you put me against younger people, you don’t want to look old, right? I don’t have that here. Everybody’s here for the same goal — just to get healthy, move, and be a better person.”
THE COACHES MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
Dawn has a full gym in her basement.
The equipment is there. The space is there.
And yet, she doesn’t use it.
Because what her basement doesn’t have are the certified PowerStrength coaches guiding her and holding her accountable.
“To come here and have the coaches push me — I enjoy that. Sometimes I hear weights being added to my bar and they think I don’t know… but I’m getting stronger.”
That’s exactly the point. In a bigger gym, Dawn would pace herself. She’d stick with what felt comfortable. Here, her coaches see more in her than she sees in herself — and they hold her to it.
“When I am lifting something, and they think it looks too easy, they’ll put another weight on it. I appreciate that. I just need that kind of push. I wouldn’t quickly add weights on my own.”
The coaching also gives her something she didn’t fully realize she was missing: safety.
“At my age, just something tailored where they’re specifically watching you — so you don’t hurt anything — it’s just very nice. They make sure you’re going forward without hurting anything. And that’s appreciated.“
The stress she used to carry in her neck and shoulders is going away.
SMALL GROUPS. BIG RESULTS.
Dawn was drawn to PowerStrength partly because of the small group format, a far cry from the crowded classes she’d experienced before.
“I’m not cutting down any gyms that have bigger groups — that worked for me at a time. But where I’m at, I like that the classes aren’t 25 people. They’re 5 at most. And for someone like me, it’s a nice comfort level.“
That intimacy has made all the difference. She’s gotten to know the people she trains with. She looks forward to seeing them. And that sense of community pushes her.
“It’s fun to have people, and the people that come in — then you push yourself a little more, too.”
STRONGER, ENERGIZED, AND BETTER
In just a few months of training at PowerStrength, the changes are already real.
Dawn is stronger. Her energy is up. She moves better at work — running a gas station, convenience store, and Subway in the small town of Dorr is no small thing. Long days, constant demands, the kind of stress that settles into your body if you’re not careful.
“This is my happy spot. It’s ‘me time’. It’s something I look forward to. It’s just something I choose to make myself better.”
Her attitude has shifted, too.
“Stronger, more energy, my attitude is better. I don’t feel like a sloth.”
THE VISION: 86 AND THRIVING
If you want to understand what really drives Dawn, look no further than her mother.
Her mom is 86 years old. She still works out twice a day. She hasn’t had any surgeries. She takes no medications.
That’s not luck. That’s decades of intentional investment in her health.
And that is exactly where Dawn wants to be.
“That’s my goal. And this is how you do it.”
She’s not training to look younger. She’s not chasing some version of herself from 20 years ago.
“I’m not trying to be in my 20s, 30s, or even 40s. But I want to be my best in my 60s — and I feel this is the way to do it.”
WHAT DAWN TELLS OTHERS
When friends ask Dawn about PowerStrength, she doesn’t hesitate.
Great coaching. Great community. Welcoming and non-threatening. And coaches who genuinely check on you — not just in your first session, but week after week.
“They make sure you feel good. They make sure you’re going forward — but without hurting anything.”
For anyone who has been sitting on the sidelines — whether it’s been a year, a decade, or longer — Dawn’s message is clear.
This place will meet you where you are.
“POWERSTRENGTH IS…”
We asked Dawn to finish the sentence.
She didn’t have to think about it.
“My happy place. My place where I’m going to better myself.”
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 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, Holland, or Byron Center.
Click HERE to learn more program details and schedule your risk-free consultation.