Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
Recently I hit a wall with my strength training. Instead of feeling stronger, I was feeling stiff, achy, tired and like I was dragging myself through workouts.
After months of pushing harder, I finally realized something wasn’t working.
In this episode, my parents’ coach Chris Reis — a Doctor of Physical Therapy — helps uncover the key mistakes that were holding me back and the four steps to feeling stronger again.
We discuss:
• Why under-fueling can leave you stiff, tired and struggling to recover
• The protein mistake many women make as they age
• Why lifting too heavy too often can quietly lead to burnout
• “Form creep” and how it sabotages progress over time
• The role hormones and estrogen can play in recovery, strength and joint health
• The simple changes that made my training feel enjoyable again
If you’ve ever felt frustrated that you’re working hard but not moving forward — or you’ve started feeling older in the gym instead of stronger — I hope this conversation helps.
⭐ MY RECOMMENDED HOME STRENGTH PROGRAMS https://www.honest.scot/rebuild/
RELATED EPISODES & RESOURCES:
• Dr Stacy Sims on women, muscle and aging youtu.be/0Fm8OgNj4Zo
• My Rebuilding Mum & Dad series youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwJwOmOzK8TBO3RfJC4LXOvzShe2ALNds
• Your Options for Rebuilding Strength https://www.honest.scot/health-fitness/options-for-rebuilding-muscle-like-my-mum-dad/
⭐ HEALTHY AGING SUPPLEMENTS & TOOLS I USE → shopmy.us/collections/408665
If you enjoyed this episode, I’d really appreciate you subscribing and sharing it with someone who may need a little encouragement to rebuild too.
✨ Join The Honest Channel Membership for behind-the-scenes content and vlogs: youtube.com/channel/UC4qU47VfUwFLDzolJEczYCA/join
📩 Sign up for my free newsletter to get every episode delivered to your inbox: https://mailchi.mp/honest/the-honest-channel-newsletter
🛍️ Shop & Save on My Recommendations
⭐ SKINCARE ROUTINE (The products I use) → shopmy.us/collections/243245
⭐ MY HAIR CARE ESSENTIALS → shopmy.us/shop/collections/3595892
⭐ MY BOOKS (I'm an author too!) → shopmy.us/TheHonestChannel/books-i've-written!
BROWSE MY FULL RECOMMENDATIONS: shopmy.us/shop/TheHonestChannel
I use affiliate links where available which means I earn a small commission on purchases made. This supports the channel at no extra cost to you.
👋 About Me
I’m Clare Johnston — a journalist in my 50s on a mission to share the best information and advice on how to age well, look and feel great for longer.
✅ Subscribe for new weekly episodes → youtube.com/thehonestchannel
📖 Read more articles & insights on my website: http://www.honest.scot
🎧 Listen on the go with YouTube Music: music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwJwOmOzK8TCgwdxtIqoamTih3Aoi9BTk
Connect with me on social media:
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/honestclare
🎵 TikTok: tiktok.com/@honestchannel
👥 Facebook: facebook.com/honestclare
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro: The "Dreadlifts" and hitting the wall
01:39 - Lesson 1: The Protein Wake-up Call
02:58 - Why undernourishment causes stiff, achy joints
06:01 - Lesson 2: Managing intensity vs. testing strength
08:53 - Lesson 3: Identifying "Form Creep"
10:37 - Lesson 4: Optimizing hormone therapy for performance
13:41 - My results one month later & supplements
14:31 - Final thoughts
Correction:
02:21 Should read .75g per kilo
#StrengthTraining #WomenOver50 #MuscleHealth #Perimenopause #Menopause #Protein #FitnessOver50 #Longevity #ResistanceTraining #MidlifeHealth #Muscle #HealthyLifestyle #TheHonestChannel
Disclaimer: All content on this channel is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice and should not be treated as a substitute for medical advice.
Recently I hit a wall with my strength training. Instead of feeling stronger, I was feeling stiff, achy, tired and like I was dragging myself through workouts.
After months of pushing harder, I finally realized something wasn’t working.
In this episode, my parents’ coach Chris Reis — a Doctor of Physical Therapy — helps uncover the key mistakes that were holding me back and the four steps to feeling stronger again.
We discuss:
• Why under-fueling can leave you stiff, tired and struggling to recover
• The protein mistake many women make as they age
• Why lifting too heavy too often can quietly lead to burnout
• “Form creep” and how it sabotages progress over time
• The role hormones and estrogen can play in recovery, strength and joint health
• The simple changes that made my training feel enjoyable again
If you’ve ever felt frustrated that you’re working hard but not moving forward — or you’ve started feeling older in the gym instead of stronger — I hope this conversation helps.
⭐ MY RECOMMENDED HOME STRENGTH PROGRAMS https://www.honest.scot/rebuild/
RELATED EPISODES & RESOURCES:
• Dr Stacy Sims on women, muscle and aging youtu.be/0Fm8OgNj4Zo
• My Rebuilding Mum & Dad series youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwJwOmOzK8TBO3RfJC4LXOvzShe2ALNds
• Your Options for Rebuilding Strength https://www.honest.scot/health-fitness/options-for-rebuilding-muscle-like-my-mum-dad/
⭐ HEALTHY AGING SUPPLEMENTS & TOOLS I USE → shopmy.us/collections/408665
If you enjoyed this episode, I’d really appreciate you subscribing and sharing it with someone who may need a little encouragement to rebuild too.
✨ Join The Honest Channel Membership for behind-the-scenes content and vlogs: youtube.com/channel/UC4qU47VfUwFLDzolJEczYCA/join
📩 Sign up for my free newsletter to get every episode delivered to your inbox: https://mailchi.mp/honest/the-honest-channel-newsletter
🛍️ Shop & Save on My Recommendations
⭐ SKINCARE ROUTINE (The products I use) → shopmy.us/collections/243245
⭐ MY HAIR CARE ESSENTIALS → shopmy.us/shop/collections/3595892
⭐ MY BOOKS (I'm an author too!) → shopmy.us/TheHonestChannel/books-i've-written!
BROWSE MY FULL RECOMMENDATIONS: shopmy.us/shop/TheHonestChannel
I use affiliate links where available which means I earn a small commission on purchases made. This supports the channel at no extra cost to you.
👋 About Me
I’m Clare Johnston — a journalist in my 50s on a mission to share the best information and advice on how to age well, look and feel great for longer.
✅ Subscribe for new weekly episodes → youtube.com/thehonestchannel
📖 Read more articles & insights on my website: http://www.honest.scot
🎧 Listen on the go with YouTube Music: music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwJwOmOzK8TCgwdxtIqoamTih3Aoi9BTk
Connect with me on social media:
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/honestclare
🎵 TikTok: tiktok.com/@honestchannel
👥 Facebook: facebook.com/honestclare
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro: The "Dreadlifts" and hitting the wall
01:39 - Lesson 1: The Protein Wake-up Call
02:58 - Why undernourishment causes stiff, achy joints
06:01 - Lesson 2: Managing intensity vs. testing strength
08:53 - Lesson 3: Identifying "Form Creep"
10:37 - Lesson 4: Optimizing hormone therapy for performance
13:41 - My results one month later & supplements
14:31 - Final thoughts
Correction:
02:21 Should read .75g per kilo
#StrengthTraining #WomenOver50 #MuscleHealth #Perimenopause #Menopause #Protein #FitnessOver50 #Longevity #ResistanceTraining #MidlifeHealth #Muscle #HealthyLifestyle #TheHonestChannel
Disclaimer: All content on this channel is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice and should not be treated as a substitute for medical advice.
