I have always loved sports since I was a child and loved swimming, cheerleading and track and field. When I was 11 I was diagnosed with diabetes and developed neuropathy, blindness, heart disease and kidney failure which made exercise much more difficult.
I was in and out of hospital. There were times when I was on the brink of not knowing if I would make it through the night. I did everything I could to protect myself, but nothing worked. My body was not responding and I felt very depressed.
When my kidneys officially failed at age 34, my doctors gave me a choice: start dialysis (but I would likely not live past 40), or undergo an experimental dual organ transplant to get a new kidney and a new pancreas and cure my diabetes. The surgery was risky, but I wanted to live my life to the fullest and no longer wanted to live with diabetes.
Fortunately, the surgery was successful, but in my 40s, my heart disease progressed and I developed thyroid problems. I had triple bypass heart surgery and had my thyroid removed.
By the time I turned 62, I was so grateful to be alive. I was grateful for my body and its resilience and resolved to become as healthy as possible.
After battling chronic illness my whole life, I started strength training at age 62 and began to realize my potential.
I was living in Mexico at the time and found a 3-month online strength training challenge for people over 40. The goal was to lift weights without putting stress on your joints and maximize your nutrition. I signed up for the program and committed to working hard. I didn’t expect there to be a winner, but after 3 months, I was the most improved and won the challenge.
I had never lifted weights before but I was hooked. After all the struggles I had endured, my body was finally responding to being properly taken care of and it felt good. I felt confident I could push myself to new limits and I never wanted to stop.
A year later, I moved back to the US and hired a personal trainer. My goal was to achieve optimal health. I wasn’t interested in losing weight or the number on the scale. I wanted to lift heavier weights with proper form, learn more about my body, and maximize my potential.
Now I work out five days a week with a personal trainer.
I still train with the same personal trainer and do 45-minute sessions split between upper and lower body. I usually do four sets of 10-15 repetitions of eight exercises. Technically they’re supersets, as I only rest for 30 seconds between exercises. I get a lot done in a short amount of time.
I love my upper body the most, all shoulders and arms. My hamstrings are my weakest area, but I especially focus on training my quads and glutes. I recently leg pressed 450 pounds 8 times (new PR!).
I would never sacrifice myself, but I do focus on balanced nutrition and tracking my macros to get the most out of my training.
I knew a balanced diet was important, especially with my health challenges, but I started tracking my macros to maximize my nutrition and support my training. I use the My Macros+ app to organize my meals and eat 5 small meals a day. I prioritize lean protein, complex carbs and healthy fats, focusing on adding color to my plate. I always have pre-cut veggies in the fridge. Salmon, chicken, tuna, Greek yogurt, egg whites and purple sweet potatoes are some of my favorite ingredients to put on my plate.
That being said, I never restrict myself or hold myself back. If I want dessert, I’ll have it. It’s all about balance, and I’ve found what works for me.
Since discovering bodybuilding, I have taken my strength to the next level in order to be a role model for women of all ages.
My coach saw how hard I worked in the gym and how much I loved it, so he suggested I enter a Masters Bikini Bodybuilding competition. I knew no one would want to see me in a bikini, but I decided to take the plunge and celebrate my body. At 64, the same month as the 30th anniversary of my organ transplant, I competed in my first championship. I won and was hooked.
Getting stronger and feeling confident in your body is something that can’t be done. In preparation for the competition, I focused on building muscle through heavy weight training and a calorie surplus. I started “cutting” right before the competition, reducing my overall calorie intake to lose body fat and expose lean muscle. Training for the competition became my new lifestyle, and I thrived on the discipline and motivation system I built for myself. Fueling my body with exercise and healthy nutrients became second nature.
What’s even more rewarding is being able to set an example for younger and older women and inspire them to do the same.
Julia Lin, 66, picks her favorite fitness products for muscle building
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These three things were key to my successful transformation of strengths.
1. I’ve built a community of like-minded women who support and inspire me on my journey.
Menopause is confusing and your body is going through so much change, but finding a community of women who can relate has made a huge difference to me and what I can do physically. It’s so inspiring to receive and give support from people your age. I truly believe in the power of connection, and I’ve found so much treasure in my community, both online and in person. Growing alongside other strong women is the secret to success.
2. I realized that my body is resilient and capable of handling difficult things.
I’ve had a lot of health scares, but I’m so proud of my body for how it has weathered those challenges. After all the hospitalizations and complications, at age 66, I’m still not only lifting heavy weights, but winning competitions. Going back to the gym and beating my personal bests is a testament to my body’s resilience. I’m grateful to be alive.
3. You understand that confidence is the key to success.
My goal is to always take care of my health and treat my body with compassion. I have stopped all negative self-talk and replaced it with total confidence. I am strong, proud, capable, and just my authentic self every single day.
After decades of illness, I am finally feeling better and am determined to do everything in my power to continue on this path.
