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A Client's Journey: Strength Training for Life


Two clients of Impact One Fitness located in Woodland Hills, CA. achieved their fitness goals and pose happily by a sign for Chinitna Bay Ranger Station, Lake Clark National Park. Bright flowers and trees surround them.

Strength Training For Life: Jonathan & Shannon’s Longevity Journey

Jonathan and Shannon came to us seeking a longevity-focused fitness program — one that would keep them strong, capable, and ready for decades of adventure. Both were already in excellent cardiovascular condition. They consistently maintained weekly aerobic routines, and Shannon’s history of running ultramarathons speaks for itself. As avid travelers with an endless appetite for exploring the world, their training goal was simple, but powerful: to become the strongest, most resilient versions of themselves so they could continue saying “yes” to every adventure life puts in their path. But despite having an impressive aerobic base, they realized something important — cardio alone wasn’t enough to support the active life they envisioned as they grew older. Shannon was battling a recurrent hamstring strain, and Jonathan struggled with persistent shoulder pain that physical therapy hadn’t fully resolved. They wanted guidance, structure, and a program that would build capability rather than simply burn calories...and that’s exactly where personal training comes in.

Why Personal Training Matters for Longevity

Longevity isn’t about adding more years to your life — it’s about adding more life to your years. It’s about keeping your body prepared for the things that bring you joy, whether that’s hiking, traveling, running, or simply feeling strong and pain-free in everyday movement.

Training with a qualified personal trainer allows you to:

  • Build strength safely and progressively

  • Restore proper movement patterns and posture to avoid injury with corrective exercise techniques

  • Address muscular imbalances before they become limitations

  • Train with purpose instead of guessing your way through workouts

  • Develop the kind of adaptable, durable body required for a long, adventurous life

Jonathan and Shannon understood that if they wanted their bodies to support the life they loved — not just now, but 10, 20, 30 years from now — they needed a personalized, well-designed strength and mobility program. Their commitment to investing in themselves is exactly what longevity-focused strength training is all about.

The Plan

We began with a foundational phase centered around mobility, stability, and postural alignment — the essential building blocks for pain-free movement. Once their joints were stable and their mechanics restored, both experienced a noticeable reduction in pain and restriction.

From there, we transitioned into a structured strength-building phase. Using a linear progression and progressive overload model to gradually increase their capacity to build strength efficiently and sustainably. We also incorporated a dedicated power phase — a critical but often overlooked component of longevity. Power training teaches the body to react quickly and effectively when faced with unexpected challenges, such as a sudden trip, uneven terrain, or a quick directional change while hiking or running. This wasn’t just about lifting weights. It was about preparing their bodies for life.

Jonathan's Results

Starting:

  • Peresistent shoulder pain

  • 15 lb dumbbells for chest press

  • 20 lbs for dumbbell squats

Approximately one year later:

  • No shoulder pain

  • Bench presses 115 lbs

  • Squats well over 100 lbs

Shannon's Results

Starting:

  • Recurrent hamstring injury

  • 8 lb dumbbells for chest press

  • bodyweight squats only

Approximately one year later:

  • Hamstring injury Gone!

  • Shannon now bench presses 70 lbs

  • Squats well over 100 lbs

The results alone are impressive, but the true victory is what those results represent:

✨ Confidence

✨ Capability

✨ Freedom to explore without limitation

✨ A future filled with mountains, trails, travel, and the world’s wild places

Smiling pair in blue jackets and caps near icy lake with glaciers in background, overcast sky, visible hats reading “Save LA Cougars” and “Arcteryx.”

Their transformation is more than physical — it’s a testament to what happens when you train with intention, guidance, and a long-term vision.

A Final Word

We are honored to have been part of Jonathan and Shannon’s journey. Their positivity, consistency, and adventurous spirit bring so much energy to the gym. Watching them build strength, overcome pain, and step into a more capable version of themselves has been an incredible experience.

Here’s to continued adventures, continued progress, and continued longevity.

Thank you, Shannon and Jonathan — cheers to you both!


Ready to build a stronger, more capable version of yourself?

If you want a training program that supports your adventures, your longevity, and the life you love living, we’re here to help.

 
 
 

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