Fitness Transformation at 52 | Bikini Competition Over 50
How Shannon from Philadelphia Took on Menopause, Autoimmune Challenges, and Stage Prep—And Found Her Strongest Self Yet
Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I’m a 52-year-old teacher from Philadelphia—turning 53 in just a couple of weeks! I’ve always been physically active. For the last 26 years, my weight stayed within about 5 pounds. I had jeans that were 20 years old and still fit great!
Q: What led you to start this fitness transformation at 52?
I had always thought about doing a bikini fitness competition—just never took the leap. But menopause really humbled me. I wasn’t doing anything differently, but my body had a mind of its own.
Over just 6 months, I packed on 5 pounds. For someone who had been so consistent, that felt totally out of control. On top of that, osteoarthritis took running off the table. I knew I needed a new challenge. That’s when I decided to finally go for it and start my bikini competition prep over 50.
Q: What past fitness accomplishments are you most proud of?
Before this transformation, I completed 7 half-marathons, one full marathon, and even a hat trick—which was a 5K, 10K, and a half marathon all within 24 hours.
Q: What unique challenges have you faced in your journey?
In October 2022, I developed an autoimmune disorder that left me in terrible pain. There were days I couldn’t walk, couldn’t change my own clothes, and couldn’t even wash my hair. The first medication left me vomiting and stuck on the couch for 72 hours at a time. My hair was falling out. It took a year of switching medications, but I’m finally on the right one. I’m recovered and more grateful than ever that my body lets me do (most of) what I want.
Q: How did you find Julie Lohre and what made you decide to work with her?
I did a Google search for online fitness coach for women and liked what I saw. My biggest concern was how to handle things like posing with an online coach. But I knew I needed someone who truly understood menopause and fitness over 50.
Training women in their 30s is so different from training women in perimenopause or menopause. What worked then doesn’t work now. I could tell Julie “got it.” She worked around what I could and couldn’t do, and helped me stick with foods I actually enjoyed eating.
Q: What kind of results did you see through this fitness transformation?
On show day, I was down 15 pounds and 13 inches after 16 weeks—6 of those inches were from my thighs! This bikini competition over 50 pushed me further than I ever thought I could go.
Q: What was the hardest part of prep?
The few weeks before prep week were the toughest. I would wake up at 5:30 a.m. to do 60–75 minutes of cardio, work until 4:00, do 45–60 minutes of weights, work my part-time job until 8:00, then do PhD schoolwork until 9:00, practice posing until 9:30—and then hope I’d fall asleep quickly. It was intense!
Q: How did it feel to step on stage?
I was incredibly proud. The day of the competition, I got my tan, did my makeup and hair, and put on my suit. When I looked in the mirror, I started to cry. It was exactly what I’d been envisioning for 16 weeks. I couldn’t believe I had done it. I’m always proud of my kids, but this moment—this was in the top five proudest moments of my life, and it was just for me.
Q: How has your outlook changed since completing your bikini competition?
This was the biggest change. On show day, I looked around and realized—everyone had stretch marks, some had cellulite, loose skin. And I was in amazing shape and I still had those things.
I realized these aren’t flaws; they’re part of being a mom to three kids, and a woman in her 50s. My mom had cellulite. My daughter probably will too. I always say—there’s no such thing as “skin day” at the gym. You can’t train skin, especially as you age. I came to love my flaws. I stopped being angry at my body for them and started embracing them as part of my 53 years of life.
Q: What supplements did you take throughout this transformation?
I’m on an estrogen patch and progesterone prescribed by my doctor. I also took 50mg of DHEA and MACA daily—those predated my training with Julie. During prep, I added Lean Out and 7 Keto Musclean, and I do think they made a big difference in how my body responded.
Q: What was the best part about working with Julie?
How supportive she was! I loved that she worked my favorite foods into the plan—and I’m so grateful she didn’t make me eat fish! Having a weekly cheat meal helped keep everything feeling doable and realistic.
Q: Any downsides?
I wouldn’t call it a downside, but toward the end of prep I was just soooo tired during the fitness tests. But that’s part of the process.
Q: What else would you like to share with other women thinking about their own transformation?
I really liked how I felt eating fewer sweets. I wasn’t sluggish, I didn’t feel bloated, and I realized that sweets were actually making me hungrier and hurting my stomach. I don’t want to feel like that ever again.
Favorite Motivational Quote?
“You can’t out train a bad diet.” It’s simple, but it’s so true.
