January AOTM: Amy M.

In February of 2024, Amy found herself in her early 50s, feeling worn down and out of shape. Since her mid-20s, she had spent decades staying active through dance, hiking, kayaking, biking to work, and just enjoying the outdoors in general. But perimenopause combined with slow recovery from a badly broken wrist had taken a serious toll on her physically. “An hour-long dance class would wipe me out for two days, maintaining my vegetable and flower gardens had become difficult to do on my own, and even my favorite two-mile walk left my body hurting. ” she recalls.

After doing some research, Amy began looking into strength training as a way to support her body as she got older. She had tried strength programs before in her 40s but often felt like she didn’t belong in those spaces for so many reasons. Then she found Solcana’s Masters Fitness: Women Over 50 program, and it felt right from the start.

She joined the Monday/Wednesday 5:30pm class and hadn’t thought she would actually enjoy it so much and get to know so many fabulous people. “The class itself and the badass women in it were so much fun,” Amy shares. “Everyone was supportive of each other too, and so kind. She was especially impressed by Coach Jenn’s ability to tailor workouts to multiple people with complex needs, while still making the workout a good time for all.

"The Masters classes made a huge difference for me,” Amy shares. Within a month, Amy’s functional health had improved and she felt significantly stronger. She started deadlifting a 35-pound barbell, and by October, she hit a 140-pound PR at Drop Deadlift Gorgeous 2024, competing as part of a team with a few classmates, The Assmasters (complete with peach emoji shirts and be sure to ask her classmate Jean about the name!).

“I'm fortunate to know Amy both as a dear friend both outside the gym and now as an athlete inside the gym. It has been so inspiring to watch her grow in strength and confidence over the past couple of years since she started training at Solcana. Amy listens to her body, seeks and absorbs coaching, and trains thoughtfully. Because of this mindful approach, she has made steady and regular progress, even when injuries or other set-backs have created some challenges. I've watched her explore everything at Solcana from strength training to yoga, join and be a ringleader for teams as part of both the Open and Drop Dead Gorgeous and learn and grow from it all. I'm so glad Amy is part of our gym community!”

-Coach Lara

“I love it when Amy is in class. She works hard, listens to her body and is very receptive to discussing form and how to progress. Amy is an integral part of the evening masters class but has also ventured out to group fitness and strength on a regular basis. I have loved watching her get stronger and the quiet confidence she brings with her. She is a great part of the Solcana community and so glad she is here.”

-Coach Traci

Even when a shoulder injury caused a setback, with Coach Jenn’s help, she modified movements done in the Masters program to continue building and maintaining strength safely. By the Fall Challenge, she was back to bench pressing, starting again with 35 pounds and finishing with a 70-pound PR by the end of the challenge!!

After her first few months in the Masters program, her confidence had built up enough to where she felt comfortable trying classes on the regular [group fitness] schedule and now attends those weekly as well. “I’ve learned so much from every coach I have had at Solcana,” she says. “The time they all take to talk through a movement, answer questions, and give feedback is just amazing. And they are always so encouraging!”

“Amy is such a light! She is a consistent presence Monday and Wednesday evenings. Even though she’s not in my class, she’s always ready with a greeting, a joke, or a dance party. Amy brings the joy and the fun!!”

-Coach Kaitlin

“Amy brings such a steady, positive presence to our Masters Strength class. She shows up consistently, works hard, and trains with good body awareness. I’ve seen huge progress in her bench, deadlift, and squat, both in strength and technique. She’s truly a joy to coach.”

-Coach Jenn

What motivates her most is feeling strong and experiencing what her body is capable of, but the people matter just as much. “I really love being around my inspiring Masters friends and the amazing humans who are the athletes and coaches at Solcana in general. The environment that Solcana provides as a welcoming and supportive space for all is a huge factor for me. It is a space I look forward to coming to, every time,” Amy shares.

Outside the gym, Amy works in an anatomic pathology lab and stays deeply connected to movement and nature. She plays accordion in two folk dance groups and dances in one of them performing in local parks and other public places around the Twin Cities. Amy also gardens vegetables organically in her backyard, is a big fan of supporting local farmers markets, and loves spending summers on the North Shore with her husband and their dog, Walter. She’s also a big fan of the Twin Cities parks system and the gorgeous lakes. “I probably spend half the summer at Minnehaha Falls, and a lot of my hard-earned cash at Sea Salt,” she mentions super excitedly.

“Amy lights up the gym with her kind presence. I look forward to getting to work out next to and coach her more and more into the future.”

-Coach Garrett F.

"I love whenever I get to see Amy in Saturday Strength! She always brings such a warm and open energy, and is never afraid to check in when she has questions about the work out or different movements. We are so lucky to have Amy in our gym community!!"

-Coach Max H.

“Amy does a great job of adjusting any given workout to her needs. I've seen her grow in confidence around this and deeply appreciate how she listens to her body and models that for other athletes as well. I enjoy both coaching and working out with Amy!”

-Coach Jess

Looking ahead to 2026, Amy has two goals in sight: her first unassisted push-up and her first unassisted pull-up. “For now,” she says, “I’m stronger than I was 20 years ago, and that’s an incredible feeling.”

Thank you Amy for being such a bright light in the Solcana community! Your vibrancy, friendliness and kindness doesn’t go unnoticed and we are so lucky to have you a part of our community.