Almost ten years ago, Joan MacDonald was dealing with poor health and a future that seemed to rely on medication. But then she made a decision that changed her life. Now, as she approaches 80, she is stronger than ever and motivates millions to take control of their health with five key tips.
At the age of 70, Joan found herself in a situation that many older people can understand—facing health problems and depending on medication to cope.
Living in Ontario, Canada, she thought that high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and acid reflux were just normal parts of getting older. But her daughter, Michelle, had a different perspective.
During a visit right before Christmas in 2016, Michelle noticed that her mom was getting winded just from climbing the stairs. “I was really huffing and puffing climbing up and down the stairs,” Joan remembered.
Worried about her mother’s future, Michelle, who is a fitness coach, spoke to her about the seriousness of her health. “Michelle just told me straight up, ‘You don’t have to get old like everyone else does,’” Joan said. That simple comment sparked a change in her.
Joan had been somewhat active, doing things like bowling occasionally, but after having a knee replacement in 2014 and experiencing frequent falls, it became harder for her to move around.
Even though she had seen Michelle compete in fitness competitions and train others, she had never really thought about exercising herself.
But that day, the fear of facing the same health issues she had seen in her mother made her realize it was time to make a change.
“My daughter was really worried. She thought if she wanted me to be around, she needed to step in,” she said. In January 2017, just a few weeks after their talk, Joan joined a transformation group led by her daughter.
She was older than the other women in the group, but that didn’t stop her from wanting to improve. She began by using Michelle’s special workout plans and printed out exercise PDFs. Later on, she decided to get an iPad so she could watch instructional videos online.
Joan shared, “My acid reflux was really bad. I was always coughing and it made me feel terrible. I could have given up, but I didn’t want to. I was looking for something better.”
Eventually, her hard work started to show results. By October 2018, she had stopped taking all her medications, joined a gym nearby, and people were noticing her growing strength and fit body.
At first, she had been apprehensive about working out in a gym, but she quickly realized that most people were too focused on their own routines to judge others.
“I think a lot of people don’t want to start because they’re afraid they’re going to be under the microscope,” Joan said. “But, truly, everyone is too worried about their own agenda.”
Joan worked really hard to get stronger and feel better overall. By 2022, when she was almost 76, she had lost 60 pounds and could bench press 80 pounds.
Now nearing 80, Joan shows that it’s never too late to get healthy again. She gets tons of messages from people who are inspired by her story, especially those who “follow me for their parents,” she mentioned.
With more than two million followers on Instagram as of now, Joan, who will be 79 in March, uses her platform to challenge the usual ideas about getting older.
“We’ve been taught to just accept our lives as they are — that menopause will happen, we’ll gain weight, and everything will fall apart after 40. But that’s not true. It’s definitely not true,” she said.
Unlike younger fitness influencers, Joan doesn’t worry about comparing herself to others or following trends. “You can’t compare yourself to someone else. You’re one of a kind. As long as you’re giving it your all, it doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing,” she explained.
Her journey is about more than just changing herself; it’s about encouraging others to take charge of their health.
“We all seem to think the same thing — fitness changed us,” she said. “We approach it in different ways, but the goal is the same — empower people to take control of their lives.”
Joan’s Five Keys to a Healthier Life
Joan attributes her achievements to five key principles that she thinks can assist anyone in getting their health back, no matter how old they are. The first principle is to increase protein intake.
“Make sure to eat at least 1 gram of protein for every pound you weigh, according to your ideal healthy weight. As we age, we should actually eat more protein, not less,” she explained.
One important tip is to make sure your diet includes a lot of good fruits and vegetables. “Pick veggies in every color of the rainbow, along with healthy fats like cheese, nuts, and avocado, and also choose quality carbs like sweet potatoes and rolled oats,” she explained.
One important tip is to focus on strength training. Joan mentioned that just working out with weights for 30 to 45 minutes three times a week can really help improve your reflexes, overall strength, and muscle tone. It’s one of the best ways to fight against muscle loss and bad posture that often come with getting older.
One important tip is to discover more happiness in your life. “Be around people who support you and help you grow. Engage in activities that add positivity to your life. Remember, you are the one responsible for your own happiness,” the 78-year-old said.
Finally, the fifth tip is to always keep learning. “Have a growth mindset. Go after things that make you think differently and help you grow,” she mentioned.
“Awesome advice! You really inspire me,” one person commented on social media. Another added, “These tips are amazing! Thank you!” A third person said, “I really like your muscle tone!”
Joan’s change shows that getting older doesn’t have to hold you back; instead, it can be a chance to improve yourself. She took charge of her health and motivated millions by sticking to a healthy diet, exercising, and building her strength.
Joan’s story isn’t the only one that has caught people’s attention when it comes to amazing changes. Reality star Casey King also wowed social media fans with his incredible transformation after losing 600 pounds!