Staying Strong as You Age: Nancy Olson’s Story at FFC Elmhurst

Nancy Olson has never thought of herself as an athlete. She grew up in Elmhurst, Illinois, moved around the country for a period of time, and eventually made her way back more than forty years ago. Since then, her life has been full in the way she likes it: busy, social, and centered around family and friends. She has three children and six grandchildren, ranging in age from 3 to 30. At freshly 80 years old, she travels, reads, and shows up for her community.

What she has never particularly loved in her life is exercising just for the sake of exercise.

“I would rather dig in the garden or wallpaper,” she says. “I like being busy. I like doing things. But just to exercise to exercise, I didn’t think was fun.”

For years, she joined different fitness centers around town, went consistently for a while, and then fizzled off. It was not that she did not value movement. She simply did not feel motivated by structured workouts.

The Decision to Stay Strong as You Age

In January of 2024, a little over two years ago, something shifted. As she moved further into her late 70s, Nancy began thinking ahead. She wanted to make sure she could keep up with the life she loved.

She looked around Elmhurst and thought, I need a place so close to my house that I have absolutely no excuses. She could walk to Fitness Formula Clubs in Elmhurst. That alone made it feel doable.

She walked in planning to join. A personal trainer was not part of the original plan.

Meeting the Right Trainer at the Right Time

When Nancy was introduced to Brent Yao, everything changed.

“If I didn’t have Brent as a personal trainer,” she said, “I would have had a gym membership but not walk in a lot.”

Brent has been training at FFC Elmhurst since the club opened in 2018, and over time, his philosophy has evolved. Early in his career, he simply loved working out. But after training people across many stages of life, he found himself gravitating toward functional training.

He asks one central question: How are you going to use your body outside of the gym?

For Nancy, that question reframed everything. Strength was no longer about machines or numbers. It was about gardening all summer without feeling worn down. It was about confidently navigating stairs, traveling comfortably, and keeping pace with grandchildren whose energy spans three decades. It was about staying strong as she ages so she can continue being fully present in her own life.

Strength That Shows Up Beyond the Workout

Before their first session, Brent called Nancy to connect and ask thoughtful questions about her movement and daily routines. She remembers being surprised by that small gesture. “I was shocked that you would even connect to call before,” she said. It made her feel seen, not just scheduled.

As the weeks turned into months, she began noticing subtle but meaningful changes. Her balance improved. She felt steadier. She felt more confident moving through her day. Nothing dramatic happened overnight, but gradually she felt stronger and more capable.

“My balance has improved,” she shared. “And it’s just motivated me to keep moving, keep doing. I look forward to our time together.”

For someone who once found little joy in formal exercise, looking forward to training is groundbreaking. Their sessions sometimes move up to the FFC Elmhurst rooftop in warmer months. The workouts evolve so she does not get bored. Brent’s attention stays on her, not the room. A friend who also trains with Brent once told Nancy that many trainers explain an exercise and then look around. “Brent focuses on you,” she said.

Why Staying Strong as You Age Matters

Staying strong as you age does not have to mean extreme routines or dramatic transformations. For Nancy, it has meant consistency and intention. It has meant building strength and balance so she can continue living her life the way she wants to live it.

Muscle mass, coordination, and stability naturally change over time. But they also respond to care. At 80 years old, Nancy is still traveling, still gardening, still planning, still showing up as what Brent affectionately calls the “mama bear” of her family.

Nancy’s story is about staying strong to support the life she already loves.