Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago
From the highs of our 1-year Rebuilding Mum & Dad update, this month we’re back down to earth — but we’re not settling there for long.
In this February episode, you’ll hear why my mum Rhoda (nearly 83) and my dad Michael (81) have stepped down in weight after building strength consistently for a full year of barbell training — and why that’s not failure, but part of how you keep getting stronger long-term.
Their coach explains why resets and rebuilding phases are normal as trainees get closer to their current limits, and how progressive loading becomes less linear over time.
You’ll hear the results of a recent health screening and what they mean, plus there’s another landmark moment for my mum.
If you know someone who needs inspiration to build strength, please share Rebuilding Mum & Dad.
✅ This episode is sponsored by Starting Strength Gyms.
Learn More About Online Coaching or Find A Location Near You at honest.startingstrengthgyms.com
📌 Watch the full Rebuilding Mum & Dad series: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwJwOmOzK8TBO3RfJC4LXOvzShe2ALNds
📩 Sign up for my free newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/honest/the-honest-channel-newsletter
💛 Become a channel member: youtube.com/channel/UC4qU47VfUwFLDzolJEczYCA/join
🛍️ Explore our healthy aging and skincare recommendations shopmy.us/shop/TheHonestChannel
#StrengthTraining #HealthyAging #Over80s #StartingStrength #RebuildingMumAndDad
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.
🛍️ Shop & Save on My Recommendations
MY SKINCARE ROUTINE → shopmy.us/collections/243245
WHAT I USE ON MY HAIR → shopmy.us/shop/collections/3595892
HEALTHY AGING TOOLS I USE → shopmy.us/collections/408665
MY STYLE PICKS → shopmy.us/TheHonestChannel/my-style
(I use affiliate links which means I earn a small commission on purchases made through my links but I will ALWAYS be HONEST about it).
📖 My Website
You'll find info about me plus more content on my website http://www.honest.scot
I'm an author too! Read my work here shopmy.us/TheHonestChannel/books-i've-written!
Visit The Well: My 5-Minute Daily Wellness Practice https://www.honest.scot/the-well/
🎧 Listen on the go with YouTube Music music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwJwOmOzK8TCgwdxtIqoamTih3Aoi9BTk
Connect with me on social media:
instagram.com/honestclare
tiktok.com/@honestchannel
facebook.com/honestclare
CHAPTERS
00:00 Overview
01:21 Our winter woes
02:45 Starting Strength program
03:26 Dad’s changing regimen
04:56 Coach Chris explains strength strategy
12:41 Mum’s new regimen & walking progress
15:31 Highs & Lows
18:04 Health screening results
20:40 A strange criticism
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.
From the highs of our 1-year Rebuilding Mum & Dad update, this month we’re back down to earth — but we’re not settling there for long.
In this February episode, you’ll hear why my mum Rhoda (nearly 83) and my dad Michael (81) have stepped down in weight after building strength consistently for a full year of barbell training — and why that’s not failure, but part of how you keep getting stronger long-term.
Their coach explains why resets and rebuilding phases are normal as trainees get closer to their current limits, and how progressive loading becomes less linear over time.
You’ll hear the results of a recent health screening and what they mean, plus there’s another landmark moment for my mum.
If you know someone who needs inspiration to build strength, please share Rebuilding Mum & Dad.
✅ This episode is sponsored by Starting Strength Gyms.
Learn More About Online Coaching or Find A Location Near You at honest.startingstrengthgyms.com
📌 Watch the full Rebuilding Mum & Dad series: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwJwOmOzK8TBO3RfJC4LXOvzShe2ALNds
📩 Sign up for my free newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/honest/the-honest-channel-newsletter
💛 Become a channel member: youtube.com/channel/UC4qU47VfUwFLDzolJEczYCA/join
🛍️ Explore our healthy aging and skincare recommendations shopmy.us/shop/TheHonestChannel
#StrengthTraining #HealthyAging #Over80s #StartingStrength #RebuildingMumAndDad
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.
🛍️ Shop & Save on My Recommendations
MY SKINCARE ROUTINE → shopmy.us/collections/243245
WHAT I USE ON MY HAIR → shopmy.us/shop/collections/3595892
HEALTHY AGING TOOLS I USE → shopmy.us/collections/408665
MY STYLE PICKS → shopmy.us/TheHonestChannel/my-style
(I use affiliate links which means I earn a small commission on purchases made through my links but I will ALWAYS be HONEST about it).
📖 My Website
You'll find info about me plus more content on my website http://www.honest.scot
I'm an author too! Read my work here shopmy.us/TheHonestChannel/books-i've-written!
Visit The Well: My 5-Minute Daily Wellness Practice https://www.honest.scot/the-well/
🎧 Listen on the go with YouTube Music music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwJwOmOzK8TCgwdxtIqoamTih3Aoi9BTk
Connect with me on social media:
instagram.com/honestclare
tiktok.com/@honestchannel
facebook.com/honestclare
CHAPTERS
00:00 Overview
01:21 Our winter woes
02:45 Starting Strength program
03:26 Dad’s changing regimen
04:56 Coach Chris explains strength strategy
12:41 Mum’s new regimen & walking progress
15:31 Highs & Lows
18:04 Health screening results
20:40 A strange criticism
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.
