My Life-Changing Medical Diagnosis and Transformation Journey

Today (October 20) marks my one-year anniversary of obtaining a medical diagnosis and treatment for a lifelong challenge, and my two-month anniversary working out at Trident Athletics. These last two months have been physically and mentally transformational, and I have coaches Andrea, Chris C., Kate, and Christiana to thank for that.

A brief background on a 65-year-long odyssey: I have had constantly fluctuating muscle weakness and fatigue since birth. At times I was so weak and unstable my legs would suddenly give out. It was difficult to walk upstairs and some days just doing laundry or cleaning the kitchen would exhaust me. Last year, I required a wheelchair at the airport to get to the gate, and I used walking sticks just to go short distances.

Seeking Answers and Optimal Wellness

I’ve spent my life seeking answers to my physical limitations while trying to optimize my wellness. I ate well enough, rarely drank alcohol, worked out when I could, hydrated, and practiced good sleep hygiene. I went to conventional doctors, including many neurologists. Without a definitive diagnosis, I sought alternative solutions with functional medicine, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, infrared sauna, red-light therapy, yoga, acupuncture, massage, and lots of supplements. I delved deep into the spiritual world with meditation and prayer, consulted shamans and energy healers, and attended international retreats. I even explored ayahuasca, psilocybin, and psychics. I was desperate for answers.

Finally, a Diagnosis – and Treatment!

Imagine my shock when a neurologist referred me to genetic testing last year, and I learned I have an ultrarare genetic condition of the neuromuscular junction – Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome, RAPSN variant (I’m told there are only around 3,000 people diagnosed with this worldwide.) In a nutshell, I was born without the ability to produce sufficient acetylcholine receptors (AChRs). Without stable AChRs, my muscles are unable to contract when my nerves signal it to do so. The result is muscle weakness. In layperson’s terms, my brain is calling my leg muscles to move, but there is no one there to pick up the phone.

Imagine my JOY, when I learned treatment was available for my condition! Simply by taking a pill twice a day, I maintain a constant supply of AChRs to support my ability to build strength and stamina for the first time in my life.

Building a New Mind-Body

Medicated and motivated, I spent the first several months training on my own at a chain fitness club using a circuit of machines. Having built some confidence and strength, I knew I needed to go to the next level. An ad for Trident appeared in my socials feed and the rest is history. I am so appreciative of the knowledge, patience, and support provided to me by Trident coaches, and that they met me where I was knowledge- and strength-wise. I’m still learning the language, proper alignment, and progressive weight-bearing approach at Performance Lab and Women’s Strength Clinic, but the improved strength I felt after just three weeks of Trident classes and coaching gave me the confidence to hike miles on glaciers and volcanoes in Iceland this September.

Onward

One of the first questions I get asked when people learn about my diagnostic odyssey is, “Aren’t you angry about how long it took to get answers?” At 65, I don’t have time for negative reminiscing. My focus is on seeing how far I can go as I push through my own physical and mental limitations to build strength, stamina, and nerve-muscle communication stability.

The other day I noticed a phrase written on the wall at Trident: “Fit, Fast, Strong”. I thought about my personal “Why” for coming to this gym. The word that came to me was perhaps more basic: “Functional”. I’m excited to be able to explore what I’m capable of at Trident, but I am beyond thrilled to be able to carry my groceries into my house, lift my suitcase at the airport, or go for a long walk on the river.

Kathleen McBride, October 20, 2026