"From Uncertainty to Unstoppable: Dawn’s Goodnick Journey to Physical Strength and Confidence"

Dawn, a retiree living in a rural village, transformed her health and confidence through Goodnick, moving from an increasingly sedentary lifestyle to a stronger, more capable body after two years of consistent effort. Her story showcases how Goodnick’s accessible, at-home workouts helped her lose half a stone, boost her energy for gardening, and regain the confidence to live independently and vibrantly.

Before joining Goodnick, Dawn felt uncertain about her health as she aged. “Just unsure of what to do really,” she said, describing her feelings about her health before starting the program.

Dawn, a retiree, noticed her lifestyle becoming less active over time. “When you’re working and you’re busy and you’re joining gyms and clubs and you’re doing a lot, and then you retire and you still do a lot, you still go out a lot but you do become slightly less active,” she explained. “I’ve got a large garden so that keeps me pretty active but I just found I wasn’t, I’ve never been the real one for gyms so I just, I’ve got a dog so I walk a dog twice a day. But I thought, I ought probably to do a bit more.”

Her attempts at gyms were short-lived. “I did join a few gyms but of course like a lot of people, you go for the first couple of months and then you find an excuse not to go and then there’s another reason why you can’t go and all of a sudden you’re not going at all and you’re still paying this ridiculous fee,” she said. This led her to seek a solution that fit her life better. “I found Goodnick basically, it was right up my street.”

Dawn’s biggest fear about aging was clear: “Ill health because I live on my own. I haven’t got children, so I don’t have anyone who would want to be a carer. And I don’t really want to have a carer, but I want to continue living in my home. I love my house, I love my garden, I don’t particularly want to go in a care home.” She added, “I know that it’s down to me to do the best I can to prolong my good life as long as I can.”

Joining Goodnick was a game-changer. Unlike gym memberships, the at-home workouts were easy to integrate into her routine. “Very easy, yeah that was fine, yeah absolutely,” Dawn said about getting started. “I just went online and bought the weights and bought the resistance bands and it wasn’t a major output or anything so yeah, very easy and because it’s indoors it’s at home so you don’t know what you got on or anything it’s fine.”

The 20-minute, four times-a-week format worked perfectly. “Brilliant, absolutely brilliant,” she said. “I always know Monday, Wednesday and Friday is when I’ve got a workout but obviously if I can’t this week I couldn’t do Monday so I just did it on Tuesday. Most weeks I fit it in really easily and I look forward to Saturday’s exercise, stretching.” The convenience of not needing to go to a gym was significant. “Huge, you know the thought you’re having to get that all that pull over because I live in a village so I’ve got to get the car out, got to get in the car, then sometimes some of these gyms get filled up so the parking can be a pain and then you got to do it all then you got to have a shower and then you got it’s just an absolute pain,” she explained. “When you’re here, when you finish, I mean as often as that I think I’ve opened the coffee now, I’ll just sit down and have a coffee, it’s great.”

After two years, Dawn saw results. “I haven’t lost a load but I’ve lost a good half stone. And it’s not going back on. Everybody’s always telling me how good I look.” She felt stronger: “I really feel healthier. I find I feel better and my body is more capable. Gardening  is a lot of squatting, bending and carrying, and Goodnick has definitely made a difference.

Beyond weight loss, Dawn felt stronger. “I really feel healthier and I think because of using weights and things which I’ve never really used weights at all before I find that’s made a difference,  I find I feel better and my body is more capable,” she said. This newfound strength made everyday tasks easier.

The routines were accessible and progressive. “Yeah good, yeah fine, absolutely fine,” Dawn said about following the workouts. “Emma, the coach started and really led us through gently. And I’ve progressed with weights, I’ve progressed with resistance bands, so I’ve progressed with her, which is great.” After each session, she felt energised. “Yeah, always energized. I’m pleased with what I’ve done, especially if I’ve been using the heavier weights,” she said. “Sometimes she says, you know, if you can do this or well done ladies if you’re doing this and it’s rare that I’m not keeping up with her and doing everything she’s doing but then I always feel, yeah, because she does praise.”

Dawn’s proudest achievement is her consistency. “I think sticking with it, the fact that it must be over two years now and I’m pleased I’m still doing it because I’ve never stuck with a gym or anything else,” she said. This consistency has boosted her confidence, especially as she navigates aging. “The hardest thing about getting older is you lose confidence basically in lots of things. Like, I used to be able to go anywhere, do anything. Now I’m more likely to think twice about it, but I try to overcome it,” she shared. Goodnick changed that. “I think it has given me confidence in my body that I can do things. I can stride out there like I used to.”

Her mindset about aging has shifted positively. “I can do everything that she asked us to do, she always gives alternatives and I don’t find I have to do the alternatives, I can always do what she wants,” Dawn said. “I’m feeling pretty positive about my body and how it’s working. I haven’t, (touch wood), needed to go to the doctors, I haven’t got any aches and pains, I know I’m pretty physically fit. So yes, I feel it’s been good.”

The Goodnick community added to her experience. “It’s quite nice to feel that there are quite a few of us out there,” she said. “Sometimes I’ll read the comments on the community and sometimes I’ll put comments, if I particularly enjoyed a workout I’ll put it after the session.” Gentle reminders from the team kept her on track. “Occasionally when I’ve been on holiday I’ve had an email saying you haven’t done it for a while and I’m thinking, big brother is looking at me! It’s fine, but yeah it’s good.”

To those hesitant about starting, Dawn’s advice is unequivocal: “It’s never too late to do anything. Ever.” She shared Goodnick with others, saying, “I have definitely told quite a few people about it” She believes the program is a worthwhile investment. “It’s certainly been worth the money. I think it’s good value for money. I’m enjoying it and good luck to you all and continue in the future.”

For Dawn, Goodnick has been transformative. “If you had one word that sums up what being a Goodnick is giving you, what would it be? I think it has given me confidence,” she said.