I’m sharing my calisthenics journey at 35 as a millennial mom. And yes, I say mom because it matters.
Long-distance running has challenged me. Weightlifting has strengthened me. But calisthenics is healing something in me.
As I get stronger, memories keep flooding back. I remember being a little girl on the playground, strong enough to do the monkey bars, flip around, and try anything without overthinking it. Back then, it wasn’t called calisthenics… it was just being a kid.
I even remember living in New York and climbing between the apartment walls with my cousins, using my hands and feet to hold myself up. I never questioned whether I could. I just did.
Now, every new skill brings that feeling back.
In this video, I attempted my first L-sit pull-up. It wasn’t perfect, but I did it and it’s mine.
I also tried pull-ups on dangling rings for the first time. I doubted myself, but I stepped through that doubt and did it anyway.
Even these push-ups. The first time I saw them, I thought, “Nope. That’s not for me. That’s too dangerous.” Then I told myself, “Shana, get out of your own way.” So I did. And I tried. And I succeeded.
I’ll continue sharing this journey because I want women my age, especially mothers, to see what’s possible.
You are not too old.
You are not too late.
You are capable.
This is what we’re capable of.
Starting a calisthenics journey in your mid-30s may seem daunting, especially as a busy mom balancing family and other responsibilities. But from personal experience, the key is to embrace each small victory, no matter how imperfect. The first time I attempted an L-sit pull-up or push-ups on dangling rings, I was riddled with doubt. Still, pushing past that hesitation and simply trying turned those workouts from intimidating challenges into empowering milestones. One unexpected benefit I found was how calisthenics helped me reconnect with my childhood strength and agility — something I had lost touch with over the years. Using my own body weight to build strength not only helped me physically, but also mentally healed old insecurities. Feeling my body lift itself, hold itself steady, and move freely reminded me of climbing between walls and swinging on monkey bars as a kid, when confidence came naturally and fear was minimal. For fellow moms and women in their 30s and beyond, my advice is this: You are not too old to start, and you don’t need fancy gym equipment or years of prep. The rings, pull-ups, and push-ups are all just tools — what matters is stepping through your doubt and showing up for yourself consistently. Celebrate progress at every step. Every rep, every new skill is a victory against the voice that says, "No, you can’t." If you’re feeling hesitant, try breaking down the movements into smaller parts and build up gradually. Remember, every expert was once a beginner who kept trying. You might surprise yourself by what your body can do when you give it a chance. Calisthenics, for me, has been more than exercise — it’s been a journey of healing, rediscovery, and empowerment.
