Setting a stronger new pace

There’s nothing more devastating to a lifelong cross-country runner and coach than experiencing a debilitating injury. For Sonya Weiland, two reparative foot surgeries in 2023 and 2025 had left her unable to walk, let alone run, and motoring around on a scooter.

This busy mom to five and HR training executive explains the goal of the original surgery was to remove part of a bone in her foot. After it was unsuccessful, the second one left her with hardware holding her ankle together. She was out of commission for several months.

“For the first time in my life, I was unable to run,” she says, noting she’d previously averaged about 20 miles a week. “I had gained more than 25 pounds, was inactive and out of shape. There was so much muscular atrophy in my left leg, I had trouble getting up from a genuflecting position at church. That was a wake-up call I needed help.”

After her physical therapist recommended strength training and said he’d heard great things about MaxStrength Fitness, she decided to give it a try.

Intentional, Targeted, Effective

Safety was a factor in Sonya choosing this boutique studio, so was the flexible schedule.

“As a business owner, I work full-time-plus,” she says. “When I first started here, I was skeptical you could achieve results in just two 20-minute workouts a week. Then I slowly built-up muscle tone, lost weight and felt energized again.”

She says she’s never grown tired over the past three years of the one-on-one trainer-led workouts, which take place on specialized equipment.

“The trainers have designed my workouts around strengthening my legs and core, as well as the rest of my physique,” says 50-something Sonya. 

Words she uses to describe the science-backed training protocol include targeted, intentional, concise and highly effective.

“I don’t have a lot of free time, so these workouts fit nicely into two early mornings a week,” she says. Another plus is that since the studio temps are kept pleasantly chilly, there’s no need to shower after a no-sweat workout.

Today, thanks to MaxStrength, Sonya is finally back to walking every day and hopes to start light running in the near future.

The Value of Pumpkin

MaxStrength Founder Jeff Tomaszewski adds value for his members by sharing the latest wellness research and healthy tips. Recently he shed light on an unsuspecting hero ingredient that can add nutritional value to any holiday meal: pumpkin.

“Technically a fruit since it contains seeds, pumpkin checks a host of important boxes,” he explains. “It’s naturally rich in nutrients like vitamin A—one cup contains 200% of your daily intake—potassium and magnesium. It’s low in calories and loaded with fiber, too, so you feel fuller longer.”

Jeff suggests mixing a can of 100% pure pumpkin with low-sodium chicken broth, garlic and parmesan tossed with your pasta of choice for a crowd-favorite fall-inspired side dish.

“People consider the holidays a time to cheat on their healthy eating habits, but a pasta with pumpkin sauce could be the healthy rock star on your plate—and your guests won’t even know it,” he adds. “From the MaxStrength family to yours, happy holidays.