Our Fitness Journey After 40

Chanh and Quynh smiling after completing a race, wearing medals and race bibs at the finish line on a rainy day

Before 40: Active, but Not Fit

Hi, we’re Chanh and Quynh — a couple from Northern Virginia (NOVA/DMV area) and proud parents of two, who hit our 40s with a wake-up call.

Like many others, we thought we were doing fine. We were active, played a lot of pickleball, and considered ourselves relatively healthy.

But something still felt off.

Despite being “active,” we weren’t aerobically fit. We found ourselves constantly sore, battling body aches, and more prone to nagging injuries. It wasn’t just the physical stuff — it was the realization that we weren’t doing enough to truly feel healthy and strong as we got older.

That sparked a conversation between us — not just about fitness, but about our future, our health, and the example we wanted to set for our kids.

We didn’t want to just “get by” in our 40s.
We wanted to thrive.

Why We Made the Change

This was never about losing weight or chasing aesthetics. It was about longevity, vitality, and being the kind of parents who could keep up with our kids and model what an active lifestyle looks like.

Together, we decided to commit to real change: better training, better nutrition, and a more consistent routine.

We knew we couldn’t do it halfway — especially not with the realities of being busy parents. But we also knew we didn’t have to go all-in overnight.

Our approach has always been: progress over perfection — and most importantly, consistency.

How We Stay Active

Quynh enjoys running, strength training, and — of course — pickleball.
Chanh mixes in cycling, long runs, and lifting sessions — with plenty of pickleball in the mix as well.

Working out together isn’t always easy with two kids and packed schedules, but we make it work. We run together at least once a week and regularly team up for doubles pickleball matches.

We’ve also started signing up for monthly races with friends and family — distances from 5Ks to half marathons.

Now, we’re training for the 50th Marine Corps Marathon — our biggest challenge yet.

What We’ve Done So Far

Since turning 40, we’ve:

  • Completed multiple races (5Ks, 10Ks, 10 milers, & half marathons)

  • Quynh finished top 3 several times in 5K and 10K races 

  • Competed in several pickleball tournaments

  • Chanh rode a 100-mile century bike ride

  • Quynh hiked the Half Dome in Yosemite

This all started just last year. It’s wild how much momentum you can build when you commit, stay consistent, and do it with someone who pushes you to be better.

We have each other — and we also have a community of people who help hold us accountable. Being surrounded by people with similar goals makes it easier and way more fun.

The Challenges (and the Wins)

Time is the biggest challenge — juggling fitness with parenting, work, and everything else.

Recovery takes longer now too, so we’ve become more intentional with rest, stretching, and listening to our bodies.

But despite the challenges, it’s all worth it.

What keeps us going? Our why.

We remind ourselves that how we look and feel in 20 or 30 years depends on what we do right now. We want to be present — not just alive, but active, strong, and full of energy for our kids and for each other.

It’s about becoming the best versions of ourselves — physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually — so we can be role models to our kids and healthy enough to play with our grandchildren one day.

Stronger Together

Our fitness journey has brought us closer.

We may not always have the same fitness goals, but we find ways to train together — whether that’s a weekend run or a competitive pickleball match. And that’s made our relationship stronger.

We are more connected today than we’ve been in all our years of marriage.

While we’ve always been active together, turning 40 pushed us to be more focused, more intentional, and more united in our goals.

We support each other, challenge each other, and cheer each other on — whether it’s finishing a tough long run, sticking to clean eating, or carving out time to just move.

And that’s really the heart of TeamFit40.

It’s not about being perfect or going extreme. It’s about committing to the journey, doing it together, and showing others that age is not a limitation — it’s just a new chapter.

Thanks for Being Part of Our Journey

We hope it inspires you to start (or restart) your own — no matter where you’re beginning.

— Written by Chanh & Quynh • May 18, 2025