Spoiler: It involves better sleep, fewer aches, and jeans that haven’t fit since 2015.
Let’s be real—getting older can feel like your body slowly betraying you. One day you’re hiking mountains, the next you’re Googling “why do my knees sound like popcorn?” But every once in a while, someone like Terri Scrivano comes along to remind us that life after 50 isn’t about slowing down—it’s about leveling up.
Terri, a recent graduate of the AFPA Pilates Certification program (join the club, Terri—AFPA has certified over 130,000 health pros in the last 31 years), is on a mission to help women over 50 lose weight without dieting, sleep better, move without pain, and—wait for it—wear jeans they haven’t fit into since Gangnam Style was a thing.
The Yo-Yo Years & The Wake-Up Call
Terri’s journey into wellness started decades ago, trapped in what she calls the “endless yo-yo cycle” of dieting, exercising, and emotional roller coasters. Sound familiar? By 55, menopause had kindly gifted her 30 extra pounds, inflammation, and pain that made walking feel like a extreme sport.
Then life handed her two plot twists: she lost her mom and watched her dad’s health decline. “Both struggled with poor nutrition and lack of movement in their final years,” Terri shares. Her mother’s passing became her wake-up call—a “nope, not me” moment that propelled her into fitness certification, corporate escape, and eventually founding Embrace Wellness With Terri.
Pilates, Purpose & Pants That Fit
Terri chose AFPA’s Pilates Certification for a reason: “It’s a game-changer for women over 50.” And she’s not just saying that—she’s living it. After retiring from a 35-year corporate career, she launched her business, lost those 30 pounds, and now teaches Pilates, takes 3-mile walks like it’s nothing, and travels for fun (remember fun?).
But the real magic is what she’s doing for others. Two standout success stories:
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One client—after three months of Pilates and nutrition coaching—texted Terri a photo of her newly sculpted arms with the message: “I can’t believe these are mine!”
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Another client lost 18 pounds and recently slid into jeans she hadn’t worn in 10 years. Cue the confetti.
Terri’s Philosophy: Don’t Hesitate. Transform.
Her advice for anyone sitting on the fence about getting certified or making a change?
“Don’t hesitate. I never thought I’d be here after 35 years in corporate. Start with yourself—do something good for you—and then pay it forward.”
It’s a philosophy we can all get behind: investing in yourself isn’t selfish; it’s sustainable. And sometimes, it leads to helping others find their strength, their confidence, and yes—even their favorite pair of jeans.