From 120 to 78: How I Rebuilt My Body After 40 (and Why "It's Too Late" Is a Myth)

Hi, I'm Robin.

For almost 30 years, I worked in advertising. If you know that world, you know the lifestyle that often comes with it: late hours, high stress, constant socializing, and a version of "living" that looks fun from the outside—but quietly drains you over time.

Mine did.

It was hedonistic in the way only that industry can be—smoking, alcohol, late nights, consumption. And without even realizing it, I went from being someone who played a lot of sports in college to someone who was… simply unfit. Not just out of shape—out of rhythm with my own body.

At my worst, I weighed 120 kilos.

And honestly, what was worse than the weight was what came with it: low energy, low confidence, and a sense that the best version of me was behind me.

The Day I Decided to Start Again

The turning point wasn't dramatic. It was simple: I decided I had to get back to some kind of fitness—any kind—because whatever I was doing wasn't sustainable.

So I joined a gym called Fitness First and started my journey there.

No shortcuts. No magic plan. Just showing up.

And here's what happened:

In about 7–8 months, I went from 120 kg to 78 kg.

That didn't happen because I discovered a secret. It happened because I changed the foundations of my life. • I quit smoking completely. It's been 15–16 years since I last touched a cigarette. • I gave up drinking entirely for a long stretch. Today, I drink occasionally, but the old lifestyle is gone. • I stayed consistent through the slow days—the days when motivation wasn't there.

Progress Changed Everything

At first, it felt like I was climbing out of a pit. My confidence was at an all-time low when I started. But as the weight came off and my body started responding, something else began to return: • self-respect • mental clarity • emotional strength • the belief that I could actually change my life

The results were heartening—not because they were fast, but because they were real.

It was a slow process. But it was a process.

And once you feel progress, you want more of it. You lean in. You learn. You commit again.

That's when "getting fit" stopped being a phase and became a transformation.

The Part Nobody Talks About: The Real Transformation Happened After 40

Here's the truth that surprises most people:

The fat loss was just the beginning.

The deeper transformation—building muscle, strength, and a genuinely healthy lifestyle—happened post 40. Over the next 2 to 2.5 years, I didn't just maintain a slimmer body. I built a stronger one.

And this is where I want to challenge the biggest myth I keep hearing:

"It's impossible to build muscle after 40."

That's not a fact. That's fear dressed up as "common sense."

Yes, your body changes as you age. Recovery matters more. Consistency matters more. You have to train smarter. But the idea that your body becomes incapable of change after 40 is simply wrong.

I'm not speaking from theory. I'm speaking from lived reality.

I rebuilt myself. And I did it when most people say it can't be done.

Why Fitness Became More Than Personal

At some point, I looked at what fitness had done for me—and I felt something bigger than satisfaction.

I felt gratitude.

Fitness didn't just give me a body back. It gave me me back.

And I thought: If something can change my life this deeply, I owe it respect. I owe it effort. I owe it something back.

So I decided to give back to the fitness industry in whatever way I could.

That meant getting serious—not just training, but learning.

Becoming Certified: Turning Passion Into Purpose

I went and earned the qualifications to stand on solid ground: • A Personal Training Certification • Sports Medicine Rehabilitation • A separate course in Strength & Conditioning, Speed & Agility from the American School of Conditioning and Muscle

These are the same guys who train elite athletes—including Notre Dame football players—so the standard is high, the knowledge is real, and the work is serious.

I earned my grades, completed my certifications, and in 2022, I renewed my certification successfully.

This wasn't a hobby. It was a commitment.

The Next Step: Owning a Gym

And then came the obvious question:

What do I do with everything I've learned—and everything I've lived?

The next step became clear.

I want to own a gym.

Not just a space filled with machines, but a place that gives people what fitness gave me: • a second start • confidence when it's at its lowest • a system that works when motivation doesn't • proof that the "too late" story is a lie

Because I know what it takes.

I know the emotional battle. I know the mental resistance. I know the self-doubt. And I also know what happens when you push through: the self-confidence comes back, the identity shifts, and your life starts to look different.

What I Want You to Take From This (Especially If You're Over 40)

If you're reading this thinking, "I'm too old to change," I'll say this clearly:

You're not too old. You're just not started yet.

Muscle after 40 isn't impossible. Transformation after 40 isn't rare. It's just harder to believe—because we've been told the wrong story for too long.

Fifteen years ago, I changed my life. Post 40, I strengthened it.

And this is just the beginning.