Be Healthy for You and for Those You Love

Shay Knolle • December 12, 2024

your health is non-negotiable

I hear it at times where people are struggling because they talk about how they prioritize people that they love and pour all their energy into that but put their health on the back burner. I get it. You are a caretaker but lets take on a different perspective.


What if you knew that you were going to die if you kept not taking care of yourself 5 years from now? It's a dark way of looking at it I know but that's what people lose sight of. Your life isn't guaranteed. I'm sure if you knew then you would start changing your habits immediately. Just imagine all the people that would miss you as a result. All the memories you would miss out on. All the pain that would be placed on them. At the end of the day, your health is also your duty to the people that love you and lean on you. 


Even just at 30 years old myself. I battled with hypertension for more then 10 years and one day I said enough is enough. I stopped competing in powerlifting/strongman and made changes to my training/eating habits to get my blood pressure under control. I probably would've been fine for a while but what I couldn't do is sacrifice precious years to my future self. I did it for my family, I did it for my business, and I did it for myself so I could be a better version of me for the years to come. I don't want to just be alive for a long time. I want to THRIVE for a long time. That's why dedicating time to exercise and investing in good food is so important. 


So long story short. Your health is a non-negotiable. Do it so you can see your kids hit their milestones. Do it so you can thrive in retirement and not be couch ridden. Do it so you can live the best life for you and for those you love.


Evan

recent posts

The Ultimate Over-40 Summer Prep: Why Portland Maine Personal Trainers Are the Key

By Evan Amell • April 27, 2026
Let’s be real for a second. Somewhere between 35 and 45, the "check engine" light on the human body starts blinking. 🚨 You know the feeling. You wake up with a sore neck because you slept "wrong." You go to pick up a bag of mulch for the garden, and your lower back decides to lodge a formal protest. And now, with summer in Southern Maine right around the corner, that annual panic is starting to set in. The sun is finally hitting the Fore River, the trails at Bradbury Mountain are calling, and you’re thinking... “Am I actually ready for this?” If you’re over 40, "getting ready for summer" isn't just about fitting into a swimsuit (though, hey, that’s a nice perk). It’s about having the gas in the tank to hike up Tumbledown without your knees screaming. It’s about being able to toss a Frisbee on Higgins Beach without pulling a hamstring. It’s about longevity. The truth is, the way you trained in your 20s doesn't work anymore. You can’t just "grind" your way through a random HIIT class and hope for the best. You need a strategy. You need a pro. Specifically, you need the right personal trainers portland maine has to offer to help navigate the unique landscape of a 40+ body. At EA Fitness & Performance , we see it every day. You aren't "old", you’re just in a new chapter of your athletic life. And honestly? This chapter can be your strongest one yet.

Do You Really Need Weights While on GLP-1s? The Truth from Our Portland Maine Performance Fitness Studio

By Evan Amell • April 20, 2026
If you’ve been scrolling through your feed lately or chatting with friends at a coffee shop in the Old Port, you’ve probably heard the buzz. GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound are changing the game for weight loss. For many people in our Portland community, especially those of us over 40, these medications feel like a long-awaited breath of fresh air. Finally, the "food noise" is gone. Finally, the scale is moving in the right direction. It feels like a superpower, right? But here’s the thing... there’s a conversation happening in the background that you might be missing. It’s a conversation about what happens underneath the weight loss. Because while the scale is going down, we need to make sure you aren't losing the very thing that keeps you strong, mobile, and metabolically healthy. I’m talking about your muscle. At EA Fitness & Performance, we’re seeing more and more of our members navigating the journey of GLP-1s. And the question I get asked most often is: "Evan, do I really need to lift weights if the medication is already doing the work?" The short answer? Yes. Now more than ever. Let’s dive into why strength training isn't just a "nice to have" when you're on these medications, it’s actually your insurance policy for a healthy, vibrant life.

Stop Wasting Time on Hours of Cardio: The 45-Minute Strategy Used by the Best Gyms Near Portland Maine

By Evan Amell • April 13, 2026
Does this sound familiar? You wake up early, lace up your sneakers, and head to the gym with one goal: burn as many calories as possible. You hop on the treadmill, the elliptical, or the stationary bike, and you stay there. For an hour. Maybe even ninety minutes. You watch the "calories burned" counter climb slowly, sweating through your shirt, feeling like you’re doing the work. But then you look in the mirror after a month... and nothing has changed. Your clothes fit the same. Your energy levels are still tanking by 3:00 PM. And honestly? Your knees and lower back are starting to scream at you. If you’re over 40 and living in the Portland, Maine area, you’ve probably felt this frustration. You’ve been told for decades that "cardio is king" for weight loss. But I’m here to tell you something that might hurt a little bit: You are likely wasting your time. 🛑 The best gyms near Portland Maine, the ones actually getting people results, have moved away from the "hours of cardio" model. Instead, we’re using a specific 45-minute strategy that maximizes efficiency, protects your joints, and actually changes your body composition. At EA Fitness & Performance, we don’t want you living in the gym. We want you living your life in Maine, hiking the trails, enjoying the coast, and feeling strong enough to do it all. Let’s talk about why your current routine might be failing you and how the 45-minute strategy can change everything.