"I started training with Paul Milano in 2016 at the age of 53. Yes, I am a late bloomer to the world of strength training. I started doing a structured and coached workout at 50. I was not active/athletic as a child or a young adult. It was after some personal changes that I decided to focus on my physical and mental well-being.

In the early summer of 2016, and I had started to experience pain in my right hip. This limited my HIIT and KB training, as there are a lot of impact movements that I was no longer able to do.

It was at this time I decided to have an assessment done by Paul. I never considered strength training as a "workout" option. What did I know about deadlifts, squats, and bench pressing?? I was instantly put at ease during my first meeting with Paul. Based on his findings in my assessment, Paul created a 4-week personalized program for me to start training with him. Every 4-weeks, I received a new program with new movements and new goals. I was deadlifting, bench pressing, and doing back squats. Who would have ever thought!!! NOT ME!!!

I found a new passion. I was now exclusively doing strength training with the Resilient team. With each training block, I was getting stronger and stronger. For some time, even my hip felt better. Unfortunately, in late 2017/early 2018, I started to experience more consistent pain and mobility limitations with my hip. I did physical therapy, but this would not be a longer-term solution. Eventually, I would need hip replacement surgery, but I was not ready for that.

So, the coaches at RTL adjusted my training to accommodate the limitations associated with my hip. They transitioned me to front squats from back squats, and my barbell deadlifts went to trap bar deadlifts. They added mobility movements to my training blocks. I was able to continue my 4-days a week training right up to the day before my hip replacement surgery. They were able to keep my strength training going with minimal pain. I even hit a trap bar deadlift PR of 255 lbs the week before my surgery. I completed a training session the day before surgery on December 18, 2018.

After successful hip replacement surgery, great home PT, and excellent out-patient PT, I was back under the watchful eye of the Resilient team 8 weeks post-surgery. With a very modified training program, I began my re-entry into strength training. I was so happy to be back in the gym! Once again, with each block of training, my strength is coming back slow and steady. I am doing back squats again and a lot of single leg work. I remember when the coaches had added Bulgarian Split Squats to my program, I thought he was crazy. But I did them! We were all pleasantly surprised I was doing a movement I didn't know I could, so soon after surgery.

I believe with all my heart and soul that I would not have had such an excellent recovery from my hip replacement surgery if I was not as strong as I was going into the surgery. This is a direct result of the personalized programming and coaching I received at Resilient Training Lab. They know me not only as an "athlete" but as a person — their faith in my ability far out ways mine in myself. Without their constant encouragement and guidance, I don't want even to imagine what condition I would be in.

I look forward to continuing to grow in this discipline of strength training. With Resilient Training Lab, I am sure to reach all of my strength goals. 300 lbs trap bar deadlift, here I come!!! "- Maria