“It’s never too late to start exercising.” – April Hattori

Almost every midlife woman describes the 80-year-old that she wants to be as strong, steady, mobile and living life on her own terms. An essential part of getting there is incorporating movement in your daily life. The good news is, movement doesn’t have to mean a long run, a heavy gym session, or 45 minutes of intense cardio. Our bodies are changing, our energy isn’t the same every day, and forcing yourself into a workout you dread is the quickest way to do nothing. What you need is a movement plan that feels doable, supportive, and meets you where you are.

Today, I’m joined by April Hattori, the amazing woman behind the Yes2Next YouTube channel. If you haven’t seen her and her 84-year-old mom working out together, you are missing out. April’s whole approach is about making movement approachable again and showing that even five minutes of movement counts. When you stack those tiny, consistent moments together, you build a body that feels stronger and more capable over time.

In this conversation, April and I talk about how to start moving again when you feel tired, overwhelmed, or out of practice, why mobility is so important in midlife, how to make movement a habit that actually sticks, and why perfection has no place in your workout routine, practical and simple ways to start incorporating movement in your life, April’s favorite balance builders, and more.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have simple, manageable ways to get moving again so you can build your strength and confidence, and improve the way you feel in your 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond.

About April Hattori

April Hattori is a certified personal trainer who created the yes2next YouTube channel in 2020 to help her clients stay active during the pandemic. Her videos, which feature workouts with her 84-year-old mother, are geared for older adults, beginner exercisers, and individuals with limited mobility. With more than 475,000 subscribers and 50 million video views, the channel is focused on inspiring viewers to say “yes to their next steps to fitness and joy.”

Your Takeaways

• How April created her YouTube fitness community during the pandemic
• April’s approach to meeting people where they are and helping women over 40 start small with fitness
• Advice for women returning to exercise and the significance of short routines and self-compassion
• The value of mobility work, small wins, and prioritizing protein and activity as we age
• How fitness transformed April’s mom’s confidence and their shared YouTube journey
• April’s career path from journalism to fitness and her desire to help others
• The mental and physical benefits of exercise beyond weight loss
• Why community, accountability, and social connection are so important for women over 40
• Practical advice for beginners of all ages, including chair-bound and older adults with health challenges
• The importance of posture, body awareness, and fall prevention for seniors
• Simple balance exercises April recommends for active seniors to improve stability
• Tips for managing soreness, the benefits of stretching, and celebrating non-scale victories
• The importance of strength training for women over 40

Connect with April Hattori from Yes2Next

Yes2Next on Instagram @yes2next

Yes2Next Website | Yes2Next.com

Yes2Next on Facebook