Cork's Zoe on a mission to em-power women

At any stage of life, you can get motivated, get fit, and get healthier.

That is the message from East Cork woman Zoe McCurdy, who is living proof that you can be a mum, a businesswoman, and be fit and healthy too.

The 52-year-old only began getting really serious about her strength and fitness in her 40s, and insists that, to make a change, “you just have to take that first important step”.

A mother of three grown-up daughters, Zoe is a business owner, a personal trainer, power lifter, a sports massage therapist, international athlete - and an award-winning bodybuilder.

“I want to invite and inspire others to take the first step toward strength, health, confidence at any stage of life,” says Zoe.

She is a woman on a mission.

“My mission is to encourage, motivate, and empower individuals of all ages and fitness levels to reach their potential and beyond,” says Zoe.

She always had big dreams that she wanted to realise.

“I believe in dreaming big, building self-belief, and enjoying the journey as much as the destination.”

Zoe says it’s all about taking that first step to reset, reboot, and reactivate.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with that first step,” she says.

“And I’m here to help people take it with confidence.”

As a single mum to three daughters, Zoe has built a successful business offering personal training, group fitness classes, sports massage and lymphatic drainage massage.

“I see myself as a role model, not just to my girls but to anyone who wants to take ownership of their health and future self,” says Zoe.

Remarkably, she only began strength training and competing in bodybuilding and powerlifting in her 40s.

Now, at 52, she competes nationally and internationally, holding several titles as a natural athlete.

Her story proves that it’s never too late to start putting your body first. Strength, resilience, and self-belief can be built at any stage of life.

Zoe was at the stage of her life ready to get fit after her third daughter, Zahara, was born.

“Like a lot of new mothers, I felt I needed to be fitter and healthier, and I took up running and fitness classes,” she says.

But after two knee surgeries, Zoe struggled with mobility.

“I saw a number of physiotherapists around the country,” said Zoe.

The Cork woman said therapist Barry Mulcahy offered her the advice she needed to get fit.

“I liked strength training, and I was good at it,” adds Zoe.

She liked her surroundings too.

“I was surrounded by positive people encouraging me to do well.

“It was while I was rehabbing that I discovered my passion for lifting weights,” says Zoe.

“At age 40, it was a new hobby. I found it great for my head and for my body.

“As a woman, I found it empowering. I wanted to go down the journey of helping others to feel the same power.”

She told others what they wanted to hear. “I believe in you, and you believe in yourself,” she told them.

“People can reach goals that they never knew about, or goals they could never complete. I knew I could help,” says Zoe. “Anyone can do it after taking that first step.”

Zoe knew this was the direction to go.

Passionate about her new role, Zoe changed careers to re-qualify as a personal trainer, incorporating all the things she learned herself.

“I wanted other women to experience what I had been through, to gain huge benefits in both body and mind,” says Zoe.

Soon, her businesses in Cloyne and in Midleton were up and running.

“My classes are very well attended,” says Zoe. “If people require more physical help in reaching their goals, I can refer them to other therapists for advice.

“Cancer patients find lymphatic drainage, getting rid of toxins, very beneficial.”

Zoe believes everyone can do what they want to enhance their lives, both mentally and physically.

“You can do whatever you want once you take that first step or make that first phone call,” she says.

She has walked the walk.

“I know that. I’ve been there.”

Zoe has really gone places.

She holds the European record for deadlift and the world record for overall total.

In August this year she was named INNFPF deadlift champion.

Now she wants to continue championing other people who want to attain their own personal goals.

“I particularly want to help women,” says Zoe. “Adolescents, post-menopausal women, women going through mid-life or who may be at a crossroads in their lives.

“When I see people progress and gain self-belief, it has a ripple effect.”

It has a feelgood effect.

“For me, motivating people and seeing them reach their goals makes me love what I do,” says Zoe.

She is a believer in human resilience.

“Physical strength and self-belief go hand-in-hand with mental resilience,” says Zoe.

“At any age, movement is medicine. The key is to match it to your stage of life.

“For kids, make it playful to build love of activity.

“In your 20s-30s, mix strength and cardio to build your fitness base.

“In your 40s-50s, focus on strength for bone and muscle health with low-impact cardio for your heart.

“Over 60? I suggest keep lifting weights, add balance, work and move every day.

“The best work-out is the one you enjoy and stick to. That’s the secret to staying fit for life.”

Fitness is a lifestyle.

“It is about more than how you look,” says Zoe. “It is about feeling empowered in every aspect of your life.”

It’s about taking that first step.

Call Zoe on:087-0557999