Tegan’s Story: From Fatigue to Strength

Liz Joyce

Tegan’s Story
Building strength without breaking down: working through chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia
Meet Tegan.
When I first met Tegan, she was caught in a brutal cycle of chronic pain and severe exhaustion. Living with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia meant that pushing too hard wasn’t an option—it wasn’t just about getting sore or needing a rest day. If a workout drained her energy too much, it could put her in bed for a full day (or more), making recovery a challenge in itself.
I know firsthand how disabling chronic fatigue can be, the entire year of 2024 I battled it. When simply getting through the day is exhausting, adding in strength training can feel impossible. But we both knew that movement was going to be key—not just any movement, but the right movement, in the right amounts, at the right times.
The Approach
Tegan did the hard work. She showed up and did what she could, and we adjusted as needed. From the very start, I knew we needed a comprehensive strength and mobility plan tailored to her unique needs.
We took a holistic approach to her training, one that prioritized her long-term health and strength over immediate intensity. She sought out physical therapy, and we made sure to incorporate those exercises into her workouts—ensuring everything worked together instead of overwhelming her with multiple, separate plans.
This integration allowed us to build her strength and mobility in a way that supported her recovery and minimized any risk of overexertion.
We had to be strategic with spoon spending:
- Workouts were carefully adjusted—just enough to build strength, but never so much that they drained her reserves.
- Foot function became a huge focus so she could stride out properly, reducing strain on the rest of her body and increasing speed.
- Protein intake was increased to improve daily energy and support recovery.
It was a balancing act, but she tackled it with the same grit and determination that she brings to everything. And the results?
The Transformation
- Her daily energy has improved.
- Her pain has significantly decreased.
- She’s stronger than ever.
- “Liz, I’m so fast!!” – Tegan
And while all of that is amazing, for Tegan, the most important part isn’t just feeling better—it’s being able to show up as the partner her dog needs in agility. That’s always been the goal, and she’s absolutely crushing it.
But here’s the thing about Tegan—she’s not just strong, she’s hilarious. Truly, she has the best sense of humour of anyone I’ve ever met. Even on the hard days, even when things didn’t go as planned, she found a way to laugh, adapt, and keep going.
She’s proof that strength isn’t just about muscle (although, we do love booty gains around here!)—it’s about resilience, problem-solving, and knowing when to push and when to rest. Watching her progress has been incredible, and I have no doubt she’s only getting started.