By Nat Ogbourne

When Yvonne Reesby moved from New Zealand to Australia in her 60s, she faced a familiar challenge: finding her place in a community where everyone else seemed to already belong.

“I came over from New Zealand and it’s hard when you move somewhere at the age of 60-plus and everyone’s already established with their friends and communities,” she says.

Now 75, Yvonne has found somewhere she feels welcomed, supported and stronger than she imagined. For more than five years, Fitness Cartel Maroochydore has been a fixture in her weekly routine, giving her a sense of belonging alongside the benefits of exercise.

“To go out by yourself can be really hard and difficult and lonely,” she says. “I would go for bike rides and long walks by myself, but at the gym, there were people around me who welcomed me and made me feel like I belonged.”

Finding her feet — and a love of lifting

Having always enjoyed running and cycling, Yvonne initially joined a small community fitness group before deciding she wanted to challenge herself further. She contacted the gym and connected with personal trainer Jess, who helped her build confidence and find her feet.

“I make sure to do three sessions a week, and I must say it’s really keeping me going,” she says.

“I find that when I go to the gym, I’m active for a good hour and afterwards I feel completely rejuvenated. I really find I have more energy.”

Yvonne has since embraced strength training, discovering a love for lifting weights she never expected. Although she initially found the gym floor daunting, she now feels comfortable following her own program, checking in with trainers when needed.

“I didn’t think I could do so many things, but I can, and God, it feels good,” she says.

Support through life’s hardest days

Her journey has not been without challenges. Alongside settling into a new country, Yvonne has supported her husband through a stroke and undergone breast cancer treatment. Through these difficult periods, the gym has offered routine, encouragement and a break from the emotional weight of everyday life.

During radiation treatment, Jess helped her adapt her exercise sessions without pushing her beyond her limits.

“The gym takes you out of this emotional environment and builds you up, it builds your confidence up,” Yvonne says.

“You can separate yourself from all those problems you have and there’s no pity party, no one’s asking you about the negative things going on so you’re not dwelling on the issues you’ve got.”

The people around her have made a lasting difference. From trainers who check in to fellow gym-goers who lend a hand, Yvonne has found a place where she feels included.

She remembers struggling to return the bar on a lat pulldown machine when she first started. She called out to a man nearby and felt relieved when he immediately stepped in to help.

“There was no judgement, only encouragement,” she says.

‘It’s something that you’re doing for yourself’

It is this acceptance that Yvonne hopes more older Australians will discover. She understands how intimidating a gym can seem, particularly when surrounded by younger people who appear confident and experienced.

“At our age, we all have rolls of fat and we don’t bend as easily as we used to, and it doesn’t matter. There’s no judgement,” she says.

“It’s something that you’re doing for yourself!”

These days, Yvonne rides her bike to the gym and continues working towards her biggest goal: maintaining her independence, health and confidence for as long as possible.

“I’m so proud that I’ve been able to keep the body working, and that keeps the mind working,” she says.

“It’s feeding the soul.”

Taking that first step

For anyone in their 50s, 60s or 70s who feels it might be too late to start exercising or build new connections, Yvonne has a simple message.

“I’d hate to use the phrase ‘it’s never too late’, but it’s only by doing it that you realise it’s never too late,” she says.

“The gym builds up your emotional and physical strength, the stamina and belief in yourself.”

She encourages anyone feeling overwhelmed to take that first step.

“When you walk in and you’re overwhelmed by all this machinery and lights, don’t be, because then you get immersed in it.”

After more than five years, Yvonne knows what keeps her coming back.

“The gym is a community that pulls me out of a hole. It gets me out of the isolation that you can so often feel at this age,” she says.

Her advice to anyone considering a new chapter?

“Start at 60! Easy!”

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.