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The Journey That Led Me Here

How losing my mom changed everything about how I help women over 40

 

The Night That Changed Everything

I still remember the hospital bed we rented that my mama lived in during the last 3 months of her life. I slept on the daybed beside her, wanting to be near her as much as possible.

The night she passed was devastating. She had an aortic tear brought on by too much stress on her body from multiple health issues. She was only 58 years old. Too early. Preventable.

She didn't exercise.

In those final moments, watching her slowly fade away, something crystallized inside me that would change the entire direction of my life and career:

The traditional healthcare system is failing women over 40. And I had been part of that system.

 

The Professional Awakening

At that time, I was working as a medical assistant in a cardiology clinic while maintaining my 30-year career as a personal trainer. I had the unique perspective of seeing both sides of women's health - the medical side and the fitness side.

Day after day, I witnessed the same scenario play out:

A patient would ask, "Doctor, can I exercise with my blood pressure? I really want to get back in shape."

The doctor would respond, "Yes, exercise is important. Just be careful and don't overdo it. Maybe stick to walking."

The patient would nod, but I could see the disappointment in their eyes. What does "be careful" actually mean? How do I know if I'm overdoing it? What if I want to actually get fit, not just walk?

Here's what I realized: Doctors aren't giving bad advice - they're giving the best advice they can in the 15 minutes they have with each patient. They simply don't have the time to explain HOW to implement an effective, safe fitness program that actually gets results. That's not what they're trained for.

But women were leaving those appointments feeling like they had to choose between getting in shape OR protecting their heart - never both.

But Then I Started Noticing a Pattern

As I talked with more patients, a clear pattern emerged: Most women with high blood pressure had completely given up on getting in shape.

They'd tell me things like:

  • "I'm scared any real exercise will make my blood pressure spike."
  • "What if I get dizzy or have a heart attack during a workout?"
  • "I used to be in great shape, but now I'm afraid to do anything intense."
  • "I don't want to risk making my numbers worse, so I just... don't try."
  • "Walking feels so boring, but it's all I'm 'allowed' to do."

These women WANTED to feel fit and strong again. They missed having energy, confidence, and a body they felt proud of. But fear was keeping them trapped in a cycle of getting more out of shape, not better.

Meanwhile, they were stuck doing "safe" exercises for months or years, wondering why they felt weaker and more tired instead of healthier and more vibrant.

This fear-based approach was exactly the opposite of what the research showed they needed. And it was exactly what had happened to my mother - she stayed "safe" while her health deteriorated.

The Discovery That Changed Everything

What I discovered through my research changed my entire understanding of women's health after 40 and essentially the trajectory of my coaching career:

High Blood Pressure: The Fitness Killer

High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease in women. Yet most women with hypertension are being told to avoid the very thing that could transform their health: effective fitness training.

The research was clear - the RIGHT kind of exercise program can lower blood pressure by 10-15 mmHg on average while helping women lose weight, build muscle, and regain their energy. That's equivalent to some medications PLUS all the benefits of being in great shape!

But there was a massive gap between what the research showed and what women were actually being taught.

The Disconnect I Witnessed Daily

In the cardiology clinic, I watched this disconnect play out over and over:

  • Patient: "Can I start working out again? I really want to get back in shape."
  • Doctor: "Just be careful and start with walking."
  • Patient leaves: Confused, scared, and resigned to never feeling fit again.

Doctors weren't giving bad advice - they simply didn't have the time or specialized training to explain HOW to get in shape safely with hypertension. They're not fitness professionals.

Why Even Though I Don't Have High Blood Pressure, This Became My Mission

People often ask me: "Kim, if you don't have high blood pressure, why do you focus on helping women who do?"

The answer lies in my unique combination of experiences and what I witnessed:

30+ Years of Fitness Coaching Experience I knew what it took to get women in amazing shape - but I also knew traditional fitness approaches could be dangerous for women with high blood pressure.

Medical Assistant in Cardiology Clinic I saw firsthand how many women were essentially giving up on fitness because they were scared. They weren't just avoiding weights - they were avoiding getting in shape altogether.

Personal Stakes After losing my mom and seeing my own heart disease risk, I realized that staying out of shape was often MORE dangerous than exercising "imperfectly."

The Pattern I Couldn't Ignore I kept seeing the same cycle: Women get diagnosed with high blood pressure → They get scared of exercise → They get more out of shape → Their health gets worse → They feel hopeless.

But the research showed a different path was possible: Women with high blood pressure → Learn safe, effective exercise → Get in better shape → Lower their numbers → Feel empowered and healthy.

I had the knowledge to bridge that gap. I just had to figure out how to make fitness both SAFE and EFFECTIVE for this overlooked population of women.

My Unique Perspective

Clinical Knowledge: Working in cardiology gave me deep insight into cardiovascular health, medication interactions, and the real fears women face when diagnosed with hypertension.

Fitness Expertise: Three decades of helping women transform their bodies taught me how to create effective programs that actually get results, especially as we age and face new challenges.

Personal Stakes: My own risk factors and my mother's death gave me the motivation to bridge the gap between medical safety and effective fitness transformation.

Research Obsession: After my wake-up call, I spent countless hours studying every piece of research on women, blood pressure, and exercise I could find - not just strength training, but cardio, HIIT, flexibility, and nutrition.

The Method That Emerged

From this unique combination of experiences, The S.A.F.E. Framework™ was born.

S.A.F.E. stands for Smart, Adaptive, Fearless, Exercise - and it represents everything I learned about helping women with high blood pressure exercise with confidence instead of fear.

I started testing the complete S.A.F.E. system on myself first, then with brave friends and neighbors who were willing to be my early guinea pigs. I created workout plans that included Smart cardio protocols, Adaptive strength training, Fearless flexibility and breath work, and heart-healthy nutrition guidance - all calibrated to work WITH their blood pressure, not against it.

The S.A.F.E. results were undeniable:

"Women who'd been afraid to do anything more than gentle walking were not only getting in the best shape of their lives using Smart protocols - they were losing weight, gaining energy, AND their blood pressure numbers were improving. Most importantly, they felt Fearless about exercise for the first time in years."

But here's what surprised me most: Once these women felt S.A.F.E. and confident with the method, they naturally wanted to progress to more challenging workouts. The strength training component became something they CHOSE with Fearless confidence, not something I had to convince them to try.

That's when I realized I'd cracked the code: Give women a complete S.A.F.E. system - one that's Smart, Adaptive, and builds Fearless confidence through proper Exercise - and they'll naturally evolve into the strong, confident women they want to be.

The S.A.F.E. method doesn't just teach women how to exercise with high blood pressure - it transforms their entire relationship with movement from one of fear to one of empowerment.

Ready to transform your body safely?

 

Click the link below to learn more about my new 30-Day Blood Pressure Transformation Challenge launching July 28th.

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My Professional Background

  • NASM Certified Personal Trainer (30+ years)
  • NASM Certified Nutrition Coach
  • Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach
  • AMT Certified Medical Assistant
  • Former Cardiology Clinic Medical Assistant
  • Creator of the S.A.F.E. Framework™

My Mission Today

I'm passionate about changing the narrative that women over 40 with hypertension must choose between being safe and being strong.

Through my program, I teach women that the right kind of exercise can be one of the most powerful tools for managing blood pressure naturally.

What happened to my mom doesn't have to happen to other women. And that's what drives me every single day.

"I want every woman to know that getting older doesn't mean getting weaker. Your strongest years can still be ahead of you."

When I'm Not Changing Lives

I live in San Diego, California, where I enjoy hiking with my dog Hercules and spending time with my three boys. I believe in practicing what I preach - staying active, eating well, and proving that strength and health can improve with age when you have the right approach.

Ready to Start Your Own Transformation?

If you're a woman over 40 who's been told to "be careful" with exercise because of your blood pressure, but you want to get back in amazing shape and feel confident in your body again, I'm here to help.

Your journey to fearless fitness can start today. Email me and let's chat:

[email protected]