Denise Saathoff

My proudest accomplishments aren’t trophies — they’re impact. I walked into CrossFit over 15 years ago thinking I’d “try something new.” I had no idea it would shape the coach — and person — I would become.

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   •   Certified CMA
   •   Certified CrossFit Trainer
   •   Certified Grandmother (my favorite certification of all)

Becoming a coach wasn’t about performance alone. It was about service. I realized my experiences — starting later, learning technique, navigating injuries, understanding nutrition — gave me a unique perspective.

I know what it feels like to be intimidated.
I know what it feels like to rebuild.
And I know how empowering it is to get stronger at an age when the world expects you to “slow down.”
Now at 59, I don’t train to prove anything. I train for longevity. I train so I can move well, live well, and show other women what’s possible.

My biggest turning point in fitness wasn’t about adding more training — it was about understanding what my body was going through. For a season, I struggled. I was training hard but couldn’t lose weight.

I wasn’t hitting the stimulus I knew I was capable of I felt frustrated, inflamed, and honestly not like myself. What I later discovered was that I was dealing with hormone deficiencies related to pre-menopause and menopause. At the time, it felt like my enemy. But the truth is — it was information.
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Once it was properly identified and treated, everything changed. I could train effectively again. My body responded. I felt clearer, stronger, healthier. It wasn’t about working harder — it was about working smarter and understanding what my body needed. That season taught me one of the most important lessons of my life as a coach: Sometimes the struggle isn’t lack of discipline — it’s biology.
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Now I coach women differently. I pay attention to recovery. I emphasize nutrition. I talk about hormones openly. I understand that longevity requires awareness, not punishment. What once felt like my enemy became one of my greatest teachers.

What fuels my passion as a coach is serving women who are walking through the same struggles I once faced. Hormonal changes. Frustration. Training hard but not seeing results. Feeling like your body has turned against you.

I know that place. I know the self-doubt that creeps in. The comparison. The quiet discouragement.

That’s why I lead with patience.  I coach with empathy and compassion because I understand that this season of life — pre-menopause and menopause — is not a weakness. It’s a transition.

So many women blame themselves when the reality is their hormones are shifting.

My mission is to help women recognize what may be going on inside their bodies. To reassure them they’re not crazy. To help guide them in the right direction — whether that’s adjusting training, improving nutrition, prioritizing recovery, or seeking professional medical help.

I may not have all the answers — but I can help them ask the right questions. And sometimes, that alone changes everything.