Susan

Susan, aged 60, has been working with Longevity Health and Fitness while managing multiple sclerosis alongside two traumatic brain injuries. When she first started, her main challenges centred around walking stamina, balance, and confidence. She experienced foot drop and weakness through her right leg related to MS, had reduced confidence on stairs, and felt anxious walking outdoors following multiple falls.

Susan’s goals were clear and deeply meaningful to her. She wanted to reduce her risk of falling, feel more stable when walking outside, regain confidence on stairs, and be able to complete the 5km charity walk she does each year for the MS Society. She also wanted her exercise routine to support her independence and quality of life in the long term.

Over the past year, Susan has completed two one-to-one sessions each week, following a holistic and highly individualised exercise programme. Sessions have focused on improving strength, balance, coordination, walking mechanics, and overall mobility. Her programme has been carefully tailored to address the specific neurological challenges she experiences, while remaining flexible enough to adapt to day-to-day changes in energy, migraines, and symptoms.

Susan is highly committed to her training and consistently completes her home exercise programme alongside her sessions. She is open to trying new exercises, willing to challenge herself, and remains positive and resilient in the face of ongoing symptoms. She notices a clear difference in her balance and confidence when sessions are spaced further apart, reinforcing the importance of consistency in managing her condition.

Through regular training, Susan has achieved her goal of completing her annual 5km walk. She has seen noticeable improvements in strength and balance, feels more stable on stairs, and reports greater confidence when walking outdoors. While falls have not been completely eliminated, they are less frequent, and sessions are adapted when needed to account for any aches or setbacks, ensuring progress continues without unnecessary pain or risk.

More recently, Susan’s programme has been further refined following collaboration with a neurophysiotherapist who works closely with Longevity. This detailed assessment has allowed sessions to be even more closely aligned with Susan’s priorities, focusing on the areas that matter most to her independence, safety, and quality of life.

Susan often reflects that the structured, personalised support she receives has made a significant difference not only to her physical strength and balance, but also to how confident and capable she feels managing her condition day to day.