The People Who Make It Possible: Gratitude for Those Who Support Your Health Journey

As we reach the final week of our November Gratitude Series at EXL Fitness, we turn our focus to something fundamental: the people who make our wellness journey possible.

Not the influencers we follow online. Not the celebrities who inspire us from a distance. But the real people in our lives—the ones who tolerate our early wake-up calls, support our commitment to health, celebrate our progress, and help us stay on track when motivation fades.

The family members who adapt their schedules around our training sessions. The friends who encourage rather than sabotage our healthy choices. The professionals who keep our bodies functioning optimally. The workout partners who show up when we don't feel like it. The spouses who understand why we're particular about sleep, nutrition, and exercise routines.

This week at EXL Fitness in Orem, we're exploring gratitude for our people—and recognizing that sustainable health is never a solo endeavor.

The Foundation: Family Who Supports Your Commitment

Let me be honest: my sleep and wake routine is... let's call it unconventional. I'm up before most people consider it reasonable. I have specific bedtime routines that probably seem excessive. My schedule revolves around sunrise, training sessions, and recovery protocols that require consistency.

And my wife tolerates it all.

Not just tolerates—she wholly supports it. She understands that my early mornings aren't about being difficult or obsessive. They're about maintaining the health, energy, and vitality that allow me to show up fully for my work, my clients, and my family.

That's not a small thing. Having a partner who supports—or at least doesn't undermine—your health commitments makes everything possible. When your spouse respects your need to train, understands why you meal prep, and doesn't guilt you for prioritizing sleep, you're exponentially more likely to maintain consistency long-term.

For active adults ages 40-75 who are committed to building strength, maintaining bone density, and extending their active years, family support isn't optional—it's essential. Your health journey affects everyone around you, and their responses either enable or complicate your efforts.

The Professional Team: Those Who Keep You Healthy

Here's something I've learned in 30 years as a personal trainer: I can't do this alone. And neither can you.

No matter how much I know about strength training, functional fitness, and exercise programming, I need other professionals to help me stay healthy, vibrant, and performing at my best. I'm grateful for the physical therapists who keep my body functioning correctly, addressing imbalances and limitations before they become injuries. I'm thankful for the hormone specialists who help me maintain optimal levels as I age, ensuring I have the energy and recovery capacity to train hard and live fully.

These professionals aren't luxuries—they're part of a comprehensive approach to longevity and wellness. They fill gaps in my expertise and provide specialized care that keeps me operating at a high level.

Your health team might look different than mine. Maybe it includes a doctor who actually listens and partners with you on preventive care. Perhaps it's a nutritionist who helps you navigate food choices. It could be a chiropractor who keeps you aligned, a massage therapist who aids recovery, or a mental health professional who supports your overall wellbeing.

Whoever they are, these professionals deserve our gratitude. They bring expertise we don't have. They catch problems we might miss. They provide accountability and guidance that make our individual efforts more effective.

At our gym, we recognize that personal training is just one piece of a larger health puzzle. We encourage our clients to build comprehensive support teams and to appreciate every professional who contributes to their wellness.

The Workout Partners: Those Who Show Up With You

There's something powerful about training with someone else. Not necessarily competing with them, but simply showing up together. Having someone who expects you at the gym. Someone who texts when you miss a session. Someone who celebrates your progress and commiserates with your struggles.

Workout partners provide accountability that no app or program can replicate. When you commit to meeting someone for a training session, you're far less likely to skip it than if you're only accountable to yourself. When someone else witnesses your effort, your progress, and your dedication, it becomes more real.

But the best workout relationships go beyond simple accountability. They provide encouragement when you're struggling, perspective when you're frustrated, and celebration when you achieve something meaningful. They make the journey more enjoyable and sustainable.

If you don't currently have a workout partner or training buddy, finding one might be one of the most valuable actions you take for your long-term fitness. It doesn't have to be someone at your exact fitness level—just someone committed to showing up consistently and supporting each other's goals.

The Friends Who Encourage Rather Than Sabotage

Let's talk about something difficult: not everyone in your life will support your health journey. Some people—even people who care about you—may unconsciously (or consciously) undermine your efforts.

They're the friends who pressure you to skip workouts for social events. Who makes comments about your meal choices? Those who roll their eyes at your commitment to training. Who suggests you're being excessive or obsessive about health?

This makes the friends who DO support you even more valuable. The ones who suggest meeting for a hike instead of happy hour. Who respects your need to leave parties early to maintain your sleep schedule. Who celebrates your strength gains and fitness improvements. Who understands that your commitment to health isn't about vanity—it's about longevity, vitality, and quality of life.

These supportive friends deserve your gratitude and your investment. They make healthy living easier, not harder. They reinforce your commitment rather than questioning it. They understand that your dedication to fitness benefits everyone in your life by making you healthier, happier, and more capable.

If you're fortunate enough to have friends like this, tell them. Let them know you appreciate their support. And if possible, be this kind of friend for others who are trying to prioritize their health.

The Health Community: Belonging Matters

One of the underappreciated aspects of a good gym or training facility is the community it provides. At EXL Fitness, our clients don't just train alongside each other—they become part of a health-focused community that extends beyond the gym walls.

This community provides more than just workout companionship. It creates a culture where health is normalized and celebrated. Where showing up consistently is expected and appreciated. Where people understand the challenges of maintaining fitness as they age, because they're experiencing the same things.

Research consistently shows that belonging to health-focused communities dramatically improves long-term adherence. When you're surrounded by people who value strength, functional fitness, and active aging, you're more likely to maintain these values yourself. When you see others your age getting stronger, staying active, and refusing to accept decline as inevitable, it reinforces your own commitment.

This is one reason why we emphasize community at our gym in Orem. We're not just providing workouts—we're creating an environment where adults 40-75 can find others who share their commitment to vibrant, active living.

If you're part of a health community—whether it's a gym, a running group, a hiking club, or any collection of people committed to wellness—express gratitude for it. These connections make the journey sustainable and enjoyable.

The Trainers and Coaches: Those Who Guide Your Progress

As a personal trainer myself, I appreciate what good coaches provide: not just exercise programming, but accountability, expertise, encouragement, and honest feedback. A good trainer or coach becomes a partner in your health journey, celebrating your wins and helping you navigate challenges.

If you work with a personal trainer, recognize the value they bring beyond just telling you what exercises to do. They provide:

• Expertise that prevents injury and optimizes progress

• Accountability that keeps you consistent when motivation fades

• Adaptation that adjusts your program as your body and life change

• Perspective that helps you see progress you might miss on your own

• Encouragement that keeps you going when results feel slow

The relationship between client and trainer is unique. It's built on trust, consistency, and shared commitment to your long-term health. When that relationship works well, it becomes one of the most valuable investments you make in your wellness.

At EXL Fitness, we don't take this responsibility lightly. We know our clients are trusting us with their health, their time, and their goals. That trust deserves our best effort, our continued education, and our genuine investment in their success.

The Family Who Adapts: Those Who Live With Your Commitment

Living with someone committed to health requires adaptation. When you prioritize training, it affects meal timing, social schedules, and household routines. When you're particular about sleep, it impacts evening activities and noise levels. When you meal prep, it takes up kitchen space and time.

Family members who adapt to these realities—who adjust dinner time to accommodate your training schedule, who understand why you go to bed early, who support your meal preparation efforts—deserve tremendous gratitude.

For those of us with children or grandchildren, there's an additional benefit: they're watching. When they see you consistently prioritizing health, maintaining strength as you age, and refusing to accept decline as inevitable, you're modeling something powerful. You're showing them that health is a lifelong commitment worth making.

My wife's tolerance of my unconventional routines doesn't just make my health journey possible—it demonstrates to everyone around us that prioritizing wellness is valuable and worth the inconveniences it sometimes creates.

Action Steps: Expressing Gratitude for Your People

Gratitude for the people who support your health journey should be expressed, not just felt. Here are concrete ways to show appreciation this week:

1. Write Thank You Notes

Identify three people who significantly support your health journey. Write each a short, specific thank-you note explaining exactly how they helped and why you appreciate it.

"Thank you for understanding why I need to leave gatherings early to maintain my sleep schedule. Your support makes it easier to prioritize my health."

"Thank you for being a consistent workout partner. Knowing you'll be at the gym keeps me accountable on days I don't feel motivated."

Specific gratitude is more meaningful than generic appreciation. Tell people exactly what they do and why it matters.

2. Invite Someone to Join Your Journey

Share your health commitment with someone by inviting them to participate. Ask a friend to join you for a hike. Invite a family member to try a training session. Share a healthy recipe with someone who's expressed interest in better nutrition.

Sometimes the best way to express gratitude for your own health opportunities is to extend them to others.

3. Recognize Your Professional Team

Send a brief note or message to the professionals who help you stay healthy—your doctor, physical therapist, trainer, or any specialist you work with. Let them know you appreciate their expertise and care.

Healthcare professionals often hear from patients only when something is wrong. Expressing gratitude when things are going well creates positive relationships that benefit everyone.

4. Create a "Health Support" List

Write down everyone who supports your health journey: family members who accommodate your schedule, friends who encourage your efforts, professionals who provide care, and workout partners who show up with you.

Seeing this list reminds you that you're not alone in this journey. You have a team, even if you've never thought of it that way.

5. Be the Support You Appreciate

Think about how others support your health journey, then actively provide similar support to someone else. If you appreciate when people don't pressure you to skip workouts, don't pressure others to ignore theirs. If you value friends who suggest active outings, become that friend for others.

The best way to honor the support you receive is to extend it to others.

6. Express Gratitude at the Gym

If you train at a gym or fitness facility, express appreciation to the staff, trainers, and other members who create the community you value. A simple "thank you for creating such a supportive environment" or "I appreciate training alongside you" strengthens community bonds.

These expressions create positive cultures that benefit everyone.

7. Have the "Why This Matters" Conversation

Sit down with your spouse or closest family members and explain why your health commitment is vital to you. Not just "I want to be healthy" but specifically: "I want to maintain my strength so I can keep hiking with you for decades," or "I'm building bone density now so I can stay independent as I age."

When family understands the deeper purpose behind your routines, they're more likely to support them—and they may be inspired to make similar commitments themselves.

8. Celebrate Others' Progress

Make a point this week to genuinely celebrate someone else's health progress. Notice when a workout partner hits a milestone. Acknowledge when a friend makes a healthy choice. Celebrate when family members prioritize their wellness.

The support we give often mirrors the support we receive. Creating a culture of celebration benefits everyone.

9. Document Your Gratitude

Take photos with the people who support your health journey. Write about them in your journal. Share their impact on social media (with permission). Documentation makes gratitude concrete and creates lasting reminders of who helps you succeed.

10. Invest Back Into Your Support System

Find ways to actively support the people who support you. Maybe your spouse has a hobby or interest you can encourage. Perhaps your workout partner has a goal you can help them achieve. Your trainer might appreciate a referral or positive review.

Gratitude isn't just about saying thanks—it's about reciprocal support that strengthens relationships.

The Ripple Effect: How Your Gratitude Impacts Others

When you express gratitude for the people who support your health journey, you create positive ripple effects. Family members feel appreciated and may be more likely to help you (and prioritize their own health). Friends see the value of mutual encouragement and may seek similar relationships. Professionals feel recognized for their work and may provide even better care.

Perhaps most importantly, when you acknowledge that your health success depends on others, you model humility and connection rather than the isolation that often characterizes modern wellness culture. You demonstrate that strength isn't just physical—it's relational.

At EXL Fitness, we've observed that clients who express gratitude for their support systems tend to maintain their commitment longer and achieve better results. They understand that wellness isn't an individual achievement but a collaborative effort involving many people playing different roles.

The Partnership Approach to Health

One of the reasons I'm grateful for professionals like physical therapists and hormone specialists is that they approach health as a partnership. They don't just tell me what to do— they work with me to understand my goals, address my specific needs, and optimize my results.

This partnership approach extends to every relationship in your health journey. Your spouse becomes a partner in creating schedules that support wellness. Your trainer becomes a partner in achieving your strength goals. Your workout buddies become partners in mutual accountability and encouragement.

When you view these relationships as partnerships rather than services or conveniences, gratitude flows naturally. You recognize that everyone brings value, that success requires contribution from multiple people, and that your health journey is richer because of these connections.

When Support Is Missing: Building Your Team

If you're reading this and realizing you lack the support system described here, that awareness is valuable. You can't express gratitude for support you don't have, but you can begin building the team you need.

Start small. Find one workout partner or join a fitness community. Choose one professional to add to your health team. Have one conversation with family about why your health commitment matters.

Building a support system takes time, but it's one of the most valuable investments you'll make. At our gym in the Orem/Pleasant Grove area, we've seen countless people arrive without strong health support systems and gradually build communities that transform their results and sustainability.

You don't need a large team—you need the right people who genuinely support your commitment to health and vitality.

The Ultimate Gift: Living Well

Perhaps the deepest form of gratitude for those who support your health journey is actually living well. When you consistently show up, make progress, and maintain your health over years and decades, you validate their support. You prove that their accommodation of your routines, their encouragement during challenges, and their celebration of your wins were worthwhile.

My wife's tolerance of my sleep schedule isn't just about me—it's an investment in our shared future. When I maintain my health, energy, and vitality through consistent habits, she benefits too. We get to adventure together, travel actively, and enjoy life fully for many more years.

The same is true for every person in your support system. When you honor their support by actually maintaining your health commitment, everyone wins.

This Week's Challenge

As we conclude our November Gratitude Series, we challenge you to actively recognize and appreciate your health support system:

1. Identify five people who support your health journey in different ways (family, friends, professionals, workout partners, etc.).

2. Express specific gratitude to at least three of them this week—tell them exactly how they help and why it matters.

3. Be supportive of someone else who's trying to prioritize health—become the encouragement you appreciate receiving.

Share your gratitude stories with us. Tell us about the people who make your health journey possible. Let's celebrate the fact that wellness is never a solo endeavor—it's a community effort involving many people playing essential roles.

The Complete Gratitude Picture

Over the past four weeks, we've explored gratitude for:

• Our perfectly imperfect bodies that carry us through life

• Veterans, ancestors, and the freedoms they secured

• The places we live and the opportunities they provide

• The people who support our health journeys

Together, these form a complete picture of gratitude-based wellness. When you appreciate your body, honor those who came before, leverage your environment, and value your support system, you create a foundation for sustainable health that extends far beyond simple exercise and nutrition.

At EXL Fitness, this comprehensive approach to wellness—combining physical training with mindset, community, and gratitude—creates lasting results for our clients throughout Utah County.

Final Thoughts

No one achieves health alone. Behind every person who consistently shows up at the gym, makes healthy nutrition choices, and maintains their commitment over years and decades, there are people providing support, encouragement, and expertise.

My wife, who supports my routines. The physical therapists who keep me functioning. The hormone specialists who help me stay vibrant. The clients who trust me with their health. The community at our gym that shows up day after day.

These people make my health journey possible, sustainable, and meaningful. I'm grateful for every one of them.

Who makes your journey possible? Have you told them? Have you shown them that their support matters?

This week, this final week of our Gratitude Series, let's honor the people who help us become our healthiest selves.

Because sustainable health isn't just about what we do—it's about who we do it with.

At EXL Fitness in Orem and Pleasant Grove, we believe in the power of community and support in achieving lasting health results. Our personal training programs for active adults ages 40-75 provide not just expert coaching, but a connection to a community of people committed to strength, vitality, and active aging. If you're looking for a gym where you're supported, encouraged, and valued—where your health journey becomes a shared commitment—we'd love to meet you. Contact us today to discover how the right support system can transform your fitness results and sustainability.