At 53, Maddy Landrum-Noe has spent the last year making the intentional choice to improve her life through exercise. Born in Memphis and raised in Collierville, Maddy was never interested in sports as a kid. “I sat at the nerd table, and I only ran when I was chased,” she jokes. After earning undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Memphis, she has built a lasting career in accounting and project-based payroll work — successful, busy, but largely sedentary years.
Once menopause hit, Maddy decided she was ready for a change, and with the help of a GLP-1 medication, she lost more than 60 pounds and completely reframed her relationship with food. After losing the weight, Maddy knew she needed to exercise to preserve her muscle mass and protect her mobility, but wasn’t sure where to begin. She joined Grit Group Fitness even before the fitness studio officially opened, signing up during halftime of a Grizzlies game after reading about the studio’s community-focused, approachable philosophy. “It sounded attainable for me, and less intimidating than other gyms I had seen,” she remembers. Her first class was BODYPUMP, followed by an open house where she sampled Pilates-style classes, strength training, and watched the high-energy cardio formats from the sidelines. “It was all new to me, but the inclusive environment kept me from being scared away,” she says.
Now, Maddy attends four or more classes a week, sometimes stacking them into what she calls a “triple feature.” She lifts, circuit trains, stretches, and explores new formats with a confidence she never thought she’d have. “The culture is non-toxic and incredibly supportive,” she says. “Melissa Bamford, the owner and an instructor, always says ‘do what you can, rest when you need to,’ but also, ‘you’re stronger than you think.’ The options and modifications make each class accessible to beginners or regulars,” Maddy says.
. This fall, Maddy completed her 100th class, a milestone that coincided with a deeper mental shift. Inspired by concepts from Atomic Habits by James Clear and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Pump Club, she embraced the idea that consistency can originally come from willpower, but eventually it becomes part of your identity. “I never thought I would be the person who exercised consistently, but now I will never go back,” she says.
For Maddy, the physical changes are undeniable: traveling has become easier, daily tasks feel lighter, and she recently stopped needing to take a blood pressure medication. However, the mental benefits run even deeper. With Alzheimer’s affecting multiple family members, Maddy now sees movement as an investment in her future brain as much as her body. “Some cognitive decline may be inevitable due to my genetics,” she says. “But keeping your heart strong, your muscles engaged, and your nervous system challenged really matters for longevity.”
Maddy isn’t training for a race or chasing a specific aesthetic, but to live a long, comfortable life. “I want to be the best version of myself for as long as I can,” she says, “And it is never too late to start prioritizing yourself and your health.”
Learn more about Grit Group Fitness on their website Gritgroupfit.com or on Instagram @gritgroupfit.
By Zoe Harrison
Photo by Tindall Stephens
