October 2026
This October, we are celebrating Hadley Coon and the patience she has brought to her fitness journey. Working in the medical field helped motivate Hadley to take care of her own health, and her brother helped her find her footing in the gym. Two years later, she says she has lost about 70 pounds, discovered a love for chest day, and felt the benefits of exercise in her mental clarity and outlook. Her advice for anyone starting out is simple: find support, be kind to yourself, and keep showing up.
What inspired you to start your fitness journey?
There were several things that really pushed me into finally wanting to make a change. I hated how I looked in pictures, and I felt uncomfortable all the time. I work in the medical field, so I see every day the consequences of not taking care of your physical health, and I wanted to make a change before I ended up with chronic issues I couldn’t fix. I also needed to do something for my mental health, and getting healthier has been amazing for mental clarity and positivity.
From leg day to a love for chest day
When asked about her favorite workout or a goal she has achieved, Hadley described how her interests have changed as she has grown stronger:
When I started out, leg day was definitely my favorite because my legs were my strongest. As I have evolved over these two years, I have really enjoyed being able to see and feel the difference in strength in my upper body. Chest day is now my favorite day, particularly incline chest press and chest fly. I can feel baby triceps I have never felt before!
Hadley’s advice: find support and give yourself time
My advice would be two main things:
First, find a gym partner who has some experience and can guide you in where to start. I was lucky enough that my brother had been doing some bodybuilding for several years and was willing to show me the ropes and build a plan for me. The gym can be intimidating starting out when you have no idea where to start or how to do any lifts. Having someone there to coach you and give you guidance takes away that stress of feeling stupid or like you don’t know what you are doing.
Second, be kind to yourself and take your time. I wanted to make a change that lasted so I knew it was going to take time in order to be sustainable. A health journey is up and down; it is not a linear path. In two years, I have lost about 70 pounds, but there have been months when I stayed the same weight and didn’t feel like I made any progress in the gym. You just have to keep at it and keep showing up for yourself.
Thank you for sharing your story, Hadley. We’re proud to celebrate the work you’ve put in and the encouragement you offer to others getting started.
Ready to start building your own routine? Explore gym membership in Anchorage, or learn about personal training at Body Renew if you would like guidance along the way.
