October Member Spotlight

“You want to be a kick-ass old lady.”

At66, Maxine is entering a brand new chapter — and she’s doing it with strength, style, and contagious positivity. Recently retired from an incredible career in psychiatry and post-secondary education, she’s traded faculty meetings for fitness classes, and says she’s “finally found a place that understands women and their health needs.”

Originally from Québec, Maxine now calls Nova Scotia home with her husband, who brought her to the East Coast. A lover of music, the arts, and fashion (yes, she once played guitar in a band!), Maxine brings a vibrant energy to every room she walks into — and has become a source of encouragement and inspiration for so many others at the studio.

She first heard about Mobility from a colleague and dropped in a few times, but when her husband experienced a health crisis, she had to press pause. Still, she says, “I couldn’t stay away.” In February, she returned and began private training. “I was tired of feeling like a slug—low energy, eating terribly. My husband’s health issues made me rethink my life. I felt like I needed someone to assess where I was and really understand my health goals.”

It didn’t take long before group classes became part of her routine. “They were just so fun!” Since then, she’s jumped fully into studio life: training one-on-one with her PT, attending 3–4 classes a week, completing our StrongHERSummer program, and now taking part in Hormone Revive.

“I knew if I wanted better overall health, I needed to get control of my eating. I don’t believe in diets, but I knew I needed support to feel stronger and healthier. StrongHER helped me lose weight and think differently about my meals. I’m not starving anymore and I have tons more energy. No more 🐌!”

She’s lost 10 pounds and 13 inches, but what stands out even more is how much stronger and more confident she feels. “I can walk longer distances, lift heavier things—like snow tires with rims! I feel less stressed, less prone to feeling blue or alone, and way more confident. I’ve never been athletic—reading is more my speed—but now I can last longer in class and lift more. It’s that feeling of, ‘You can do hard things.’”

She’s also embraced taking modifications in every class — something that used to make her feel self-conscious in other gyms. But at Mobility? “The trainers always show a variety of levels for every move, and it’s never done in a stigmatizing way. I’ve always felt accepted doing what I’m able to do, but I also love that they encourage us to push ourselves just a little bit. That’s what’s helped me stay consistent and injury-free — and it’s also how I measure my progress. WhenI started, there were moves I could barely do. Now I can do them, and that keeps me motivated.”

Maxine says what sets Mobility apart is how it truly understands women. “Most of the fitness and medical research for years was based on men. I’ve joined gyms before, but they never considered the stages of a woman’s life — your cycle, pregnancy, menopause. There was no space for that. But here, the trainers get it. You can tell the programming is made with women in mind.”

And the community? She’s blown away. “What surprised me most was how accepting everyone is. It's fun, non-judgmental, and welcoming to all ages and body types. There’s no pressure here. Just a bunch of women trying their best, encouraging each other, and celebrating every little win.”

Maxine’s known around the studio for her encouragement and positive energy — and that’s no accident. “I truly believe women need to support women. We’re bombarded with so much negativity about our looks, our bodies, our abilities. In my own journey, it was women who mentored me and allowed me to take up space. I want to give that back to others who haven’t had that support.”

Her current favourite classes? Barre and Weights, Plates & Pilates. “Such fun — and those trainers don’t let me get away with groaning!” Her proudest achievement is regaining her strength and confidence. “I used to worry about kneeling down and getting up. Now, I don’t even think about it. Gaining muscle has made everyday life so much easier.” She’s still working toward mastering full push-ups (“my nemesis!”), but she’s not giving up anytime soon.

Maxine’s advice to other women? “Please join us! No one is judging you. Everyone’s focused on themselves and doing their best. As for being too old? Better late than never — and I’m living proof of that. I won’t get my 20-year-old body back, and I don’t want the insecurities that came with it either. I want to be a strong woman in her 60s. And this is the best space to start — there’s something here for everyone.”

She leaves us with two powerful mantras: “You always feel better afterwards,”and “Obstacles define your path, but they aren’t your path.”

Thank you Maxine for being such a light in our studio and a valued member of our community! You rock!!

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