For years she struggled to overcome, often remaining in the back of the fitness and dance studio close to her inhaler, while trying to keep up with the classmates twice her age as she began to develop her lung capacity and physical endurance.

While one can easily see it was the kettlebell workout that eventually captivated Lorna is responsible for her outward transformation, the less obvious triumph lies in how she embraced the sport, and was able, despite her challenges, to begin to succeed at something so new. She did not set out to be a champion or a particular dress size, just to be better each day.

Despite her disability, Lorna rose to the challenge of a new physical activity, and after 2 years of intensive kettlebell training, Lorna participated in her first International competition at the age of 42, winning Gold in her age category. Since 2007, Lorna has competed in 10 National and International meets, winning Gold or Overall for women in each as well as a World Record in 2011. Despite her health history, despite her age, despite her newness to the sport, her inner spirit drove the strength of her outer form.

While her athletic achievements are impressive, the far greater contribution Lorna offers to everyone in her presence is the spirit and passion for embracing new challenges at every point in life.

While long, lean, lines and graceful bodies are the result of the KettleX Method, it is Lorna’s passion for the individual, the emotional benefit of seeing others embrace their own possibilities and their ability to transform their inner spirit as well as outer form is far more important.

Today, Lorna can stand proudly with numerous medals around her neck that she earned as a champion of her sport, but to see only these medals as her accomplishments would dilute what she truly believes in. Her true driving force and inspiration is the belief that she can share with others the journey she took from the young girl in the back of a dance studio struggling with asthma, to the graceful, lean, strong woman adorned with medals. Lorna’s belief that no matter what age, disability or gender, every one can create a tomorrow that bears a better form of themselves – both the form we can see and the one inside of each of us.

It is this belief and living example that makes Lorna Kleidman not only the innovative coach of the kettlebell method she created to reflect her own transformation, but also an inspiration and guiding force to her students.

Today, Lorna offers her KettleX Method program via private sessions and group classes in Manhattan that are readily attended by students of all ages, genders and levels.