What Aging Strong Really Looks Like (My Upcoming Surgery)

My surgery is scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2026.

Injuries are never convenient. They're frustrating, humbling, and emotionally draining, especially when fitness is not just something you do, but part of who you are.

For years, I've been managing ongoing thumb pain caused by overuse and osteoarthritis. It didn't happen overnight. It built slowly over time. Years of gripping barbells and dumbbells. Years of typing, texting, clicking a mouse. All the repetitive movements we do not think twice about until they start hurting.

What started as manageable discomfort eventually became chronic pain.

I've had three cortisone injections. I've worked closely with sports medicine doctors. I've modified my training more times than I can count. I did everything possible to manage it conservatively.

But there comes a point when managing symptoms is not enough. It is time to address the root cause.

On February 23rd, I'll undergo thumb arthroplasty. The damaged joint at the base of my thumb will be removed and reconstructed using a tendon from my wrist. The goal is long-term pain relief, restored grip strength, and better overall function.

Fortunately, my surgeon specializes in this procedure and has worked with professional athletes, which gives me confidence. Recovery will require patience and discipline.

I'll be in a full cast for two weeks, followed by a splint for up to twelve weeks. Physical therapy will be part of the process. Because it's my dominant hand, simple tasks like cooking, typing, opening containers, and basic daily routines will feel different.

When the surgeon explained the timeline, my first question was, “When can I get back to the gym?”

That probably tells you everything you need to know.

At this point, I can barely wrap my thumb securely around a weight. Opening a protein container feels like a workout on its own. Those small frustrations build up. And if you have ever dealt with an injury, you know it is not just physical. It challenges your identity.

But here is what this season is reinforcing.

Aging strong does not mean avoiding setbacks. It means responding to them well.

It means shifting from panic to preparation.

Instead of focusing on what I will not be able to do, I am focusing on what I can control.

I've bulk meal prepped and frozen portions ahead of time. I've pre-bagged protein to avoid twisting containers. I've organized supplements into easy-access trays. I've rearranged my kitchen so frequently used foods are reachable without excessive gripping.

These are not dramatic moves. They're small systems. And when you're recovering, systems matter.

If all goes well, I should be cleared for some level of training within three to four weeks. My workouts will not look the same. I will not be loading heavy upper body movements for a while. But I fully intend to continue training lower body, focus on unilateral work, and maintain strength on my left side where appropriate.

Training may be modified. It will not be abandoned.

Muscle is not built in a month, and it's not lost in one either. Strength is a long game. A temporary adjustment does not erase decades of discipline.

This is exactly what we teach inside Let’s Get Naked.

We don't train for perfection. We train for longevity. We train for resilience. We adapt to hormone shifts, injuries, travel, stress, and life seasons instead of using them as reasons to quit.

If you're navigating perimenopause, an injury, stalled progress, or simply the reality that your body responds differently now than it did at 35, here is what I want you to hear.

You're not behind. You're not weak. You're not done.

You're adapting. And real strength at this stage is not about being untouched by setbacks. It's about refusing to let them define you.

This season may not be my strongest physically. But it IS reinforcing something even more important. Discipline without ego. Preparation without panic. Adaptability over frustration.

That is what aging strong actually looks like.

If you're ready to train with that mindset, strategic and sustainable for this season of life, Let’s Get Naked was created for exactly that.

We're not slowing down. We're evolving.

And we're building bodies that can handle every chapter ahead.

Click here to learn more about Let’s Get Naked, my Strong & Sexy program for women over 40 who are ready to build lean muscle, reclaim their confidence, and train with strategy that actually works in this stage of life.