Blog
How Lori Took Back Her Health and Built the Life She Wanted
Lori Sughroue arrived at PowerStrength in 2017, during a season when her hip pain and overall health had begun affecting her daily life, and she needed a plan that truly supported her.
A fall the year before had left her in pain. The discomfort in her hip kept getting worse, yet no one was taking it seriously. She had started to gain weight over time, didn’t like how she felt, and knew something had to change.
“I had been putting on weight over the years and was not happy with my weight. And the hip was hurting,” Lori said. “Nobody would take me seriously that it was my hip, not my knee, that was hurting.”
She was seeing a chiropractor in Kentwood when an email popped into her inbox announcing that PowerStrength was expanding next door.
Lori had tried gyms before, but without real coaching, she never felt confident.
“I didn’t know what I was doing,” she admitted. “I had talked to a couple [trainers], but nobody I was really comfortable with. But when I met Jackie, that was it.”
She and her husband, Pat, came in. She wasn’t even sure he’d stick with the structured schedule, but he did.
And the Sughroues have been staples at PowerStrength Kentwood ever since.
A LIFE-CHANGING SETBACK — AND A TURNING POINT
About a month into training, Lori joined a group hike. That day changed everything.
“I didn’t fall. I just went down. I couldn’t walk. I was in so much pain.”
That moment began nearly a full year of struggle. A torn labrum. Multiple appointments. 2 hip surgeries — one to attempt repair and another to replace the joint entirely.
From September 2017 to July 2018, Lori could barely walk 2,000 steps a day.
But she wasn’t alone.
“These guys worked with me, got me strong before surgery, because I could hardly even walk,” she recalled.
Lori had hip replacement surgery that July and just 4 months later, she was back at PowerStrength.
COMING BACK STRONGER THAN EVER
Her surgeon gave her only 2 restrictions at first: no running and no lifting over 50 pounds.
Now?
“I’m now on the belt squat about 110, 120,” Lori said.
And when she revisited her surgeon recently, he told her, “You’re doing great. Don’t worry about it.”
The progress hasn’t been just in the weight room.
“Since coming in here, I’ve lost over 40 pounds,” she said. “Gotta stay with the program. Believe in the program. Be consistent. It works.”
At 65 — almost 66 — she feels better than she has in decades.
“I couldn’t be happier with where I’m at right now. I feel so much better.”
WHY SHE STILL TRAINS AFTER 8 YEARS
PowerStrength has become a fixture in Lori’s life — and her husband Pat’s as well. Even during COVID, when the gym temporarily closed, the absence made things clear.
“When they started back up, my husband and I looked at each other and said, it’s a lot of money… but we can’t afford not to,” Lori said. “We feel so much better. Our numbers when we go to the doctor are better.”
That’s the reality for many adults in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. Health becomes non-negotiable. Quality of life starts to matter more than ever.
“If you want to have a long, healthy life, and be able to do the things that you want to do… it’s paying your dues so that you can have that kind of life later on.”
For Lori, personal motivation runs deep. Her mom experienced a massive heart attack 4 years ago. Watching that struggle strengthened Lori’s resolve.
“I don’t want to go through that. I have to keep doing this for me.”
THE POWERSTRENGTH DIFFERENCE
Fitness at this stage of life looks different. It requires empathy, expertise, and adaptability — and Lori has felt that every day she’s walked through the doors.
“At this age, there’s always something bothering me,” she said. “They’re able to accommodate that. Find a different way to achieve the goal.”
Consistency is important to her — she trains 3 days a week — but so is variety.
“It’s never the same. So it’s not boring. Every workout is different. You don’t get complacent.”
Her husband has noticed the transformation, too.
“He says I don’t look like the same person… I’ve lost so much weight. I’m certainly stronger than I’ve ever been. And I think I’m a lot healthier.”
THE COMMUNITY THAT KEEPS HER COMING BACK
For Lori, physical change is only part of the story.
She talks about the friendships she and Pat have built — people who have trained alongside them for years.
“It’s a great group of people. You kind of feel accountable to them to be here every day. So it’s fun.”
Even as PowerStrength has grown to soon to be 8 locations, she says the important things have stayed the same.
“Commitment to the members. On so many levels,” Lori said. “They’re able to work with you… And the camaraderie, commitment to always getting better… that’s been abundantly clear.”
A MESSAGE TO ANYONE CONSIDERING STARTING
Lori has invited many people to PowerStrength — and her message is straightforward.
“Just come try it out,” she said. “You will feel so much better. You have so much more energy. And the camaraderie and the feeling, both inside and in your head, can’t be beat.”
After 8 years of training, 2 surgeries, and a full lifestyle transformation, Lori’s summary of PowerStrength is simple.
“It’s a lifesaver. For me, I feel like it saved my life because I was not going down a good path.”
And for anyone still hesitating?
“If anyone has any hesitation or even interest and just doesn’t know, come try it out. It will change your life.”
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, or Holland – with a new Byron Center location that just opened.
Click HERE to learn more program details and schedule your risk-free consultation.
