Interview with Tara Glass/ Personal Trainer

After 40, many women begin to experience a faster decline in muscle mass, a process that accelerates through perimenopause and menopause. As estrogen shifts, it impacts muscle, bone density, metabolism, blood sugar regulation, and cardiovascular health.

Strength training is one of the most evidence-backed tools we have to counter these changes. When I hit my 50s, strange physical stuff started popping up, old injuries got louder, and I felt menopause shifting the way my body responds to movement. I knew I needed to get serious about strength training and I knew I didn’t want to tackle it alone!

Enter my personal trainer, close friend, collaborator, and all-around force of nature Tara Glass.

1. Tell us who you are and what you do. I'm Tara, and I'm a personal trainer. I love to see people investing in their health, and help them carry out their goals.

I believe great results come from consistency, not complexity. I offer a mix of targeted gym programming and flexible home workouts designed to fit your schedule and keep you moving.

2. What’s your sign — and do you think it shows up in how you move or train?

Being a Gemini definitely shows up in how I move. The twins like variety! Over the last forty years—I’ve jumped between dance, martial arts, endurance running, and bodybuilding. I’m focused on my bodybuilding prep for now, but I’m already eyeing Jiu-Jitsu as my next challenge after my competition next year.

3. What first drew you to personal training and 

working with the body professionally?

I’ve spent my life in motion—from a childhood in a dance company to endurance races and now, bodybuilding. I realized that the only way to truly center my restless energy was by challenging my body.

Last year was a big turning point for me. Watching my two best friends—my senior dogs—lose their mobility, hit me very hard. It was a stark reminder of how short life is and how lucky we are to be able to move. I decided to transition into personal training because I want to help people stay strong, mobile, and capable of doing what they love for as long as possible.

5. What’s one thing you wish more people understood about building strength?

I’ll be honest with you: there are no shortcuts. Real results don't come from a single "hard" workout; they come from the discipline of showing up when you don’t feel like it. It’s not about working harder for sixty minutes—it's about the consistency of your effort over time. I wish more people knew that time isn't the barrier they think it is. Setting aside 15–20 minutes for movement is incredibly effective if you're consistent. The same goes for the kitchen: lock in your nutrition and eat enough whole foods to fuel your progress, but don't obsess over perfection. Life is too short. Eat the croissant. 

6. What does your own movement practice look like right now?

First bodybuilding prep is officially underway! I'm currently training five days a week, focusing on hypertrophy to grow my muscles and definition. My split is glute and shoulder-dominant (3x lower, 2x upper) to nail that bikini-class hourglass silhouette. Cardio is minimal right now—just Zone 2 and steps—to stay fueled for growth. I’m learning so much about my body through this process and loving the journey.

8.What do you want someone to feel when they leave a session with you?

I want them to leave feeling energized—with that 'hell yeah, I just crushed that' mindset. My goal is for every client to walk away feeling pain-free, capable, and physically challenged, knowing they are officially one step closer to their goals.

10. Advice to someone just getting started.

Don’t aim for perfection; aim for consistency. You’ll naturally get better over time, but the key is showing up when you don't feel like it. Find a type of movement you actually enjoy, and then commit to it.

12. What’s your favorite muscle?

Definitely glutes and deltoids! I love the pump and seeing the progress that comes with training them.

13. Favorite exercise?
Leg curls and the leg press! Honestly, that hamstring pump from lying leg curls feels incredible. I also love the leg press for the sheer intensity it brings to my leg days—definitely two of my favorites for making progress.

17. What’s a fitness trend you’ll never get behind?

The 'influencer' trend of over-complicating workouts just for views. I see so many people performing 'viral' exercises that the average person couldn't (and shouldn't) do. Most of these influencers have never trained a client in real life. I’m a firm believer in sticking to the basics—they work. That said, I’m still a fan of whatever movement gets you stoked and keeps you consistent.

18. What are you doing on rest day? I rest! You’ll usually find me in the sauna, the hot tub, or an Epsom salt bath. I also make a point to get a massage from the incredible Tanya Jones—staying on top of recovery is what allows me to train as hard as I do.

19. One exercise if you could only do one for the rest of your life? I really hope I’m never forced to do this, lol, but it would have to be the Bulgarian Split Squat. It’s the ultimate ‘bang for your buck’ movement for building the glutes and legs.