As a then 74 year-old returnee to the gym, I started working with Morgan Powers three years ago. When I returned initially, my goal was to regain some health and to achieve my life-long dream of doing at least one pull-up before I pass on to the Great Beyond. Unlike other trainers who might have not taken me seriously, Morgan devised a program to progressively and gently build the physical and mental strength to accomplish this goal.

When I needed a knee replacement, Morgan helped prepare me for the surgery, strengthening the supporting structures of the knee and keeping me moving (while also working on my goal of the pull-up). Morgan has been very supportive, grown my awareness of the links between physical, mental, and nutritional health, and has transferred her knowledge quietly and competently. I have found her to be a bright, positive, organized, and generous trainer who finds something worthwhile in every day’s exercises. I heartily recommend Morgan not only as a trainer but also as a person with a wide-ranging curiosity and competence, which form the basis of her excellent teaching.

-Stephen

I don’t have that horrible pain anymore. I used to think about it every second of the day. There wasn’t a day that went by when I didn’t have some sort of connection with you, and I really appreciated that. I think that’s makes it.

-Susan

I have loved the workouts you gave me and am thrilled that we were able to clean up my shoulder. Thank you! That was my main goal.

I worked with Morgan for a year and a half. It was my first experience with 1 on 1 personalized fitness programming. Morgan is an unfailingly positive coach and person. When I had difficulty with motivation, she always found positive solutions. My work schedule was always inconsistent and on top of that I have a small child. Morgan was great about finding solutions to workouts that fit my schedule and preached flexibility: If you can’t get the whole workout done, it’s better to do some of it than none of it.

I could list all of the personal records I achieved on various lifts or discuss all the fitness metrics I improved while working with Morgan, but I think the thing that I always come back to is the Sistine Chapel. After working with Morgan for 8 months, I took a family trip to Italy. At 47, I walked the entirety of the Sistine Chapel (~2.5 hours) with my 3.5-year-old daughter on my shoulders with no discomfort. Normally with that kind of effort I would expect to be broken by aches and pains over the next few days. I was completely fine. Morgan’s programming had real impacts on my real-life fitness, not just movements in the gym.

Working with Coach Morgan has been different than all the other things I’ve tried in the past because Morgan meets me where I am. Beginning with our very first session and continuing since, Morgan spends a lot of time talking with me, asking questions and gathering a larger picture of where I’d been on my fitness journey. Throughout my time working with her, she has continued to ask questions, celebrate accomplishments, and takes an overall “pulse” of how my week is going and what lies ahead in the next few days.

As someone who struggled between feelings of exhilaration after working out and feeling selfish guilt for daring to take care of myself, Morgan has skillfully integrated my workout sessions into my busy life. I have never had a fitness coach or class instructor so thoughtful and attentive when it comes to “life outside the gym”. Morgan is genuine. Morgan takes the time to get to know me well. She listens and remembers details. Morgan’s ability to connect personally has been key for my success because I feel I can be authentically me. Before working with Morgan, I felt the gym was always “competing” for a place in my life. She took me on as a new client, and welcomed the mom, teacher, student and daughter that I already was.  The gym has become part of my identity because Morgan frames my sessions with consideration of the responsibilities, people and events in my life.

Working with Morgan has improved other aspects of my life. I teach second grade. During my last employee review my supervisor remarked how she noticed that I “don’t stop moving and am constantly up and down with the kids on the floor”. 

I am more confident in everyday tasks (like carrying the vacuum up and down the stairs and hauling in groceries) because I have more strength. 

After the holidays this year, I took my heavy Christmas decoration storage tubs down the basement steps myself without stopping. In the past, I have been paralyzed by fear of falling or dropping them. I can’t remember a holiday when I did this job with such ease!

Morgan introduced me to a side of fitness I’ve never experienced before. I’ve always been someone who is hesitant to go to a gym or learn what works best for my body and addressing my neck pain. My experience with Morgan made me feel much more comfortable about working towards my goals and made me feel confident in being able to achieve them. My session with Morgan was very relaxed and I didn’t feel stressed or pressured at all. I would highly recommend Morgan to anyone who is struggling to find a rhythm when it comes to achieving their fitness goals. 

I left the session with several exercises I could start doing right away which I felt confident I knew how to do correctly to get the maximum results thanks to the careful demonstrations Morgan provided.

~Jason

I’ve really enjoyed learning about different exercises I can do to reduce the chances of injury while running. Morgan is very passionate about her clients as well as their overall health! She’s helped me transition from in-person workouts to virtual ones, and I look forward to continuing working with her.

~Divy

I just finished the first day of our tournament and I just wanted to say thank you. This was the first time I think I fully felt training in the off season pay off. I had like 3 layout blocks today, after having none last season, and was definitely running faster than last year. I think that’s definitely cause of training, so thank you so so much! I genuinely feel like a different player.

~Aidan

Working with Morgan has helped me feel more confident going into the gym alone and doing workouts that would have intimated me before.