Starting Strong: How Strength Training Changed My Life at Age 15

Twenty-six years.

That’s how long I’ve been strength training.

I turn 41 next month, and my journey began when I was just 15 years old.

Looking back, I’m so grateful I got an early start with weight training—especially as I now coach my kids, play with them, and even compete in volleyball again.

For female athletes, this used to be rare. Thankfully, it’s becoming more common as more headlines highlight the benefits of strength training for women. And I’m here for it!

So why did I start lifting weights? Honestly—because I didn’t want to take gym class. If you played a school sport, you could substitute weights for gym. Our school’s strength coach, Gino (who was also the assistant varsity volleyball coach), welcomed everyone with enthusiasm. I didn’t realize it at the time, but he changed my life.

After my freshman volleyball season, I enrolled in weights class. Gino taught me the machines, free weights, coached my form, and gave me a written program. All I had to do was show up and work. He pushed me, progressed my weights, and built my confidence without me even realizing it.

That confidence—the ability to walk into a weight room and know I belong—is something I see many of my female clients struggle with.

Confidence is learned through practice, time, and reps. Because of my early exposure, I’ve never been intimidated in the gym.

I’ll never forget the summer before my sophomore volleyball season.

I hadn’t touched a ball for months, but when I returned, I was stronger, faster, and more powerful. I jumped higher, hit harder, and even made varsity. Strength training supported my skill development and elevated my game.

Parents often assume private lessons are the only path to improvement, but here’s the truth: if you want your athlete to run faster, jump higher, and hit harder, it starts with strength training. Skills matter, but strength gives skills their power.

HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOU

If you’re a parent wondering how to help your young athlete excel, start here: strength training is the foundation.

Reach out to Restore Thrive by clicking the consultation button on the top right corner of this page and let’s talk about how to build confidence and performance inside and outside the weight room.

STAY TUNED!

Next week, I’ll share how strength training continues to fuel my life today — from motherhood to midlife and beyond!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Jess Cummings is an outpatient orthopedic physical therapist and the co-founder of Restore/Thrive.

Since 2010, Jess has practiced professionally providing one-on-one care to patients with a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. She has logged over 400 hours of continuing education with an emphasis on differential diagnosis, manual therapy, and functional exercise.  She specializes in treating chronic spine pain and injuries to the extremities.

She received her Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois in 2007 and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Southwest Baptist University in 2010.

Jess’ clients include acute and chronic spine and extremity injuries, recreational and competitive, athletes, and working moms like her who care about setting a great example for their kids.

She is passionate about teaching her clients about integrative medicine and lifestyle management to optimize their health and improve their healing time.