"From Despair to Daring: Beth’s Goodnick Journey to Reclaim Physical Strength, Mobility, and Joy"

Beth Mills, a lifelong active individual, rediscovered her strength and confidence through Goodnick after years of ankle surgeries and nerve damage. Her story highlights how the right program can restore mobility and transform one’s outlook on aging, no matter the challenges.

Before starting with Goodnick, Beth felt far from her vibrant self. “Rubbish. It really was. I’d gone through 15 years nearly of operations on my ankle and nerve damage and everything else and it just left me feeling not myself. I’d always been very active before that,” she shared. The inability to enjoy her favorite activities, walking, running, and cycling in the Cheviots, left her “fairly depressed.” Her biggest fear about aging was clear: “Being dependent on somebody. I mean, I have got a husband, but I’ve always been a very independent person. And the thought of not being able to do things for myself, that scares me.”

Beth had tried other fitness programs, but they didn’t suit her needs. “I was looking for things to do in the house and there was one which was a bit of kickbox and that kind of thing. I quite enjoyed it, but it was very much the same and it was just repeating itself. There was no progression in it. So I very quickly got bored with that,” she explained. Goodnick’s progressive and engaging approach stood out. “It’s a lot easier than some of the programmes and because it’s progressive I found that very easy and more encouraging.”

Starting Goodnick was straightforward, even with initial hesitation due to budget constraints. “I’d prevaricated quite a lot before I actually joined, mainly because of being a pensioner on a limited budget. And my husband actually said, look, try it. This is your Christmas present, try it,” Beth recalled. The supportive check-ins from Goodnick helped her commit. “They always kept in touch with me, not in a sales kind of way, but just let me know that they were there.”

The three 20-minute sessions per week fit seamlessly into her routine. “I just do it straight away as soon as I get out of bed and then I don’t have to then think about it,” she said. “I haven’t found it hard to stick to.” The at-home format was a major advantage, especially living in a rural area. “I would hate to go to a physical gym. I have over the years tried it and I really don’t like it. So this is just so much more convenient,” she noted. The trainer, Emma, made the experience even better: “Emma is exceedingly good at explaining things and showing how the exercises should be done, and she’s very encouraging as well throughout. It’s almost as if sometimes you are there with her.”

Beth’s progress was marked by small but significant milestones. “There was a very definite point which sounds daft, but because of my ankle and the nerve damage, I’ve not been able to jump. And I actually did a hop on that foot, which sounds so silly and mediocre, but it actually left the ground with my body and thought wow, did you see that?” she shared. She also noticed physical changes: “Looking down at my legs and saying, what’s that? Then realising it was the gap was the muscles toning up.” These improvements extended to daily activities: “It’s being able to step up and down levels with more confidence.  Also climbing five bar gates and just walking with more purpose.”

Goodnick transformed Beth’s perspective on aging and her health. “I was actually really rather worried because of the syndrome that I have, some people have actually ended up in wheelchairs and I just couldn’t give that any mind room whatsoever,” she said. “Now my outlook going forward, even after this operation, is that’s fine, I’ll get back to where I was, which I wouldn’t have had before.” The program also boosted her confidence to try new things, like using a mountain trike for cycling and joining a group for a cold-water swim. “It was cold and it was such fun. So again, I’ve stepped outside my comfort zone, which I used to do, but I haven’t done for a long time,” she said.

Beth’s message to those hesitant to start is simple: “Just try it. You’ve got nothing to lose.” She dismisses the idea that it’s too late to begin. “It’s not. And I’ve said that to a lot of people. I don’t care what you are. When you see the 82-year-old lady who swam the English Channel recently, I mean, ages and above, if you’re fit enough to do it, you’re lucky enough to be fit enough to do it.” She encourages everyone to embrace exercise as they age, emphasising its importance for maintaining independence.

Goodnick gave Beth more than physical mobility, it restored her confidence and zest for life. “It’s given me a lot more confidence to go out and try things,” she said, noting how she moved from being housebound to embracing outdoor activities again. The program’s structure, community support, and accountability helped her stay committed. “The accountability when I first started was very, very good. That thought of, somebody’s going to contact me here, I better get it done,” she explained. Beth’s journey shows that Goodnick can empower anyone to reclaim their strength and live more fully, regardless of age or challenges.