"Redefining Strong"

In the spring of 2025, I started a group for ages 60+ we call, "Redefining Strong". This group's purpose is to build strength and mobility, while helping to educate people how it doesn't need to take a ton of your time and it can be done quite simply. Also however, following the approaches of professionals such as Jackson Fyfe (PhD) and Dr Ashley Gluchowski (CSEP-CEP), educating people that we DO NOT need to approach strength in the way we have for older adults, which is treating people as if we become "frail" and "incapable" of lifting loads that will help build strength and resilience.

I came across a post on Linkdin from, Jackson Fyfe today and wanted to share my thoughts on some of these points, as I think it's great information to ponder...

Jackson's info is below in RED. Coach D's thoughts are below in BLUE. 👇

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Muscle health matters—but most people still aren’t taking action.

The real question is: why?

To mark World Sarcopenia Day, here’s what our team recently learned from surveying over 1,200 adults aged 50-94 and 1,300 clinicians across Australia.

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💬 What Australians aged 50-94 told us: 

1️⃣ Awareness is high—but knowledge is patchy.

90% say muscle health is very important, but only 32% know the term sarcopenia. Many don’t know when muscle loss begins or how it links to disease risk.

Sarcopenia involves a progressive decline in skeletal muscle mass and quality. It's the age related loss of muscle mass, strength and function. My thoughts from my personal experience over the years is, I'm not totally sold on the 90% stat here. I think people are still becoming aware of the importance and power of muscular strength and how it relates to health and longevity.

2️⃣ Few are talking to their doctor.

Just 9% had ever discussed muscle health with a healthcare professional—despite 58% saying they’d be very willing to seek help.

I believe is accurate. HOWEVER I also believe the doctor is NOT the professional to discuss this with in MOST cases. That is in NO WAY a knock on the doctor's here in Canada. However, strength and lifestyle habits are NOT what doctors specialize in. Just as they refer you to a skin specialist, ear specialist etc, the medical community NEED to begin referring to professionals who work with lifestyle and health aspects such as strength to allow these discussions to occur more regularly.

On top of that, doctors in Canada don't have the time. Many use a 15min appointment and discuss only ONE concern per visit which is NOT conduscive to any significant lifestyle discussions. Once again, another argument to refer to professionals who DO have that time.

(*This is by no means an easy fix. This issue runs deep and complex. We have to factor in things like cost, accessibility, understanding of what we do in fitness, health and wellness etc... )

3️⃣ Most would act—if told they were at risk.

82–95% would make changes if a clinician flagged sarcopenia risk. But too many still believe any exercise or diet will help, not knowing resistance training and protein are key.

I'm (sadly) skeptical on the numbers here, but it's nice to hear the Australian's seem to have the desire to act in these cases. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like too many North American's are in this "give me a pill and I'll hope it goes away" mindset. 🫣 I DO agree however (unfortunately) that TOO often, we WAIT until we get a diagnosis and/or scare with our health BEFORE we take ACTION, if we do something at all. We are sadly NOT a society of prevention. Rather, we're 100% reactive (still for now anyway).

4️⃣ Motivation is the biggest barrier.

Lack of motivation—not time, cost, or knowledge—is what stops most from improving their muscle health.

Again, this conversation becomes complex. "Action precedes motivation". However, without the proper discussions and help to get people started in lifestyle practices such as strength training, it's hard for the general population to TAKE action. More conversations surrounding deep health, mindset and habits can greatly help in this regard.

💬 What Australian GPs and nurses told us:

1️⃣ They care—but feel underprepared.

Over 80% believe sarcopenia is part of their job, but <25% feel equipped to manage it. Most want better training and clearer referral pathways.

I 100% agree with all of this. I'll repeat, the medical profession totally HAS THEIR PLACE. However, I feel they are still shut off from utilizing front-line professionals in the health and wellness industry. Often the medical community also shuns the naturopathic community and/or Eastern medicines (and vice versa). Sadly, it's the patients that suffer in the end. There is a place for ALL of these professions and professionals to create a health team behind the patients!!

But the feelings of not being equipped to properly manage their patients sarcopenia (or even know where to start in educating it in a realistic way) is completely understandable here.

2️⃣ Understanding is limited.

While awareness is high, only 16% could correctly identify all diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia. Over one-third confused it with general fitness.

THIS is probably my favourite stat that Jackson shares here. BANG ON!! I'll reiterate - I am NOT knocking doctors, nurses or the medical community. However, I believe (as we were taught in college) that ALL health professionals (medical and front-line health pros) MUST KNOW WHAT THEY DON'T KNOW and build a referral network to FILL THOSE GAPS, because ultimately we're here for our patients/clients. The medical professionals are overloaded as it is in Canada, so to ADD MORE to their plate is completely unrealistic. Utilize the professionals in place NOW to help fill these gaps.

(*This is an argument for YOU fine readers, to remind you WE NEED to advocate for ourselves often AND we NEED to find a way to TAKE ACTION on our deep health)

3️⃣ Screening is rare—even in high-risk groups.

Only 23% of clinicians screen for sarcopenia. Just 6% do so in adults under 60, even though muscle decline can begin in your 30s.

Once again, when would our doctor's here in Canada (even if they could do this regularly) have the time!? I'm not sure about your doctor, but I know as well that my doctor doesn't have the means to do that in their office. I have never seen a weight anywhere near the stethescopes and other fancy equipment, have you? It's not realistic or possible for them.

4️⃣ Many give outdated advice.

While most know resistance training and protein are effective, only 9–12% correctly ruled out aerobic exercise or fruit/veg as primary treatments.

YES!! Agreed. "Running is bad"... "Squatting is bad"... "Do this NOT that"... One last time: I am NOT picking on doctors. But they CANNOT do it all and MUST 'know what they don't know'. Utilize the front-line health professionals who work with strength, mobility, habits, nurition etc DAILY with each client who comes in the door. In doing so, it allows doctors to focus on the illnesses and health concerns that are beyond front-line workers scope. This creates a "health team" that benefits ALL involved.

💡 The message is clear:

Older adults want to act. Clinicians want to help. But we need to bridge the gap between knowledge and action—with better tools, training, and conversations.

Because improving muscle health isn’t just about preventing sarcopenia.

It’s about preserving independence, resilience, and quality of life.

☝☝☝That last line is exactly the target of our "Redefining Strength" groups. Not to mention, it's the message ALL ages NEED to take into account and put into action.

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Learning how amazing, resilient and adaptive our bodies are is incredibly important to creating longevity and healthspan for people. We truly need to step outside of the false belief that we are "fragile" the older we get.

We BECOME fragile due to our choices and lifestyle.

We BECOME less mobile due to our choices and lifestyle.

We BECOME weaker due to our choices and lifestyle.

We BECOME the "older adult stereotype" because we slowly and progressively live that false belief. Instead we can create ENERGY, VITALITY, INDEPENDANCE, ABILITY, STRENGTH, MOBILITY, HEALTHSPAN and LIFESPAN, if we take ACTION on those things!!