For one Waverley Oaks member, getting back into shape wasn’t simply about returning to the gym. It became the first step toward returning to a sport that had been part of his life since he was a teenager.
From competing successfully at the college level and on the USA Fencing circuit to stepping away from the sport as career and life priorities changed, Franklin’s journey back to competition was years in the making.
Keep reading to learn more about Franklin’s journey. From joining Waverley Oaks and working with Personal Trainer Kyle to rebuild his athleticism, to returning to competitive fencing and ultimately earning a place on Team USA at the Veteran Fencing World Championships.
A Lifelong Connection to Fencing
Franklin’s fencing career began as a teenager and continued at Dartmouth College, where he competed successfully throughout his university years. After graduation, he moved to the Boston area for work and remained deeply involved in the sport, competing in local events as well as on the national USA Fencing circuit.
But as he entered his early 30s, his priorities began to shift.
“Life, career, and goals change,” Franklin explains. “I transitioned into coaching and gradually tapered down my own presence in the sport.”
“Then came an out-of-state move, the COVID pandemic, and eventually a move back to Massachusetts. By that point, I had been away from fencing for nearly five years.”
Still, the idea of competing again never completely disappeared for Franklin.
GETTING BACK IN THE GAME
In fencing, the Veteran division begins at age 40. When Franklin started a new job on the Waverley Oaks Park campus, just steps from the Club, he was approaching 38 – close enough to that milestone that the possibility of a comeback began to feel real.
“I always had in the back of my mind that if I came back to the sport, I could get some results,” he says. “But I knew I’d have to commit fully and really get into shape.”
“There’s a point where you can play a sport in order to get into shape, versus getting into shape to play the sport at the level you really want to play.”
About a year before seriously considering a return to competition, Franklin joined the Club with a simple goal: to rebuild his fitness.
Upon joining, he took advantage of the Club’s introductory personal training sessions and was paired with Personal Trainer Kyle – a match that would prove instrumental in his comeback.
TRAINING LIKE AN ATHLETE AGAIN
For Franklin, what stood out immediately was Kyle’s own background as a collegiate athlete and his approach to training.
“There’s a lot of fitness content targeted toward young and middle-aged men that is essentially bodybuilding or lifting for aesthetics,” Franklin explains. “It can ignore other facets of fitness like speed, explosiveness, endurance, flexibility, and body awareness.”
“Kyle’s athletic mindset was different. I think Kyle has been great for me because he approaches fitness from an athletic perspective. Plus, he’s very knowledgeable and easy to work with.”
Their early workouts focused on total-body movement, incorporating medicine balls, compound lifts, and free weights. Once fencing returned to the picture, the training evolved with it.
As Franklin began competing again, he could identify specific areas that needed improvement, particularly foot speed and plyometrics. He and Kyle scheduled additional sessions focused on those needs, allowing his gym training to directly support his performance on the fencing strip.
Instead of rushing the process, Franklin gave himself a long runway to improve. He aimed to get to the gym at least twice each week and supplemented his training with additional bodyweight and free-weight conditioning.
FROM COMEBACK TO NATIONAL CHAMPION
In April, Frankin turned 40 and officially became eligible to compete in the Veteran division. The results came quickly.
During his first season competing in the V40 age group, he earned multiple national medals – including gold at the North American Cup in February and silver at the USA Fencing National Championships in July.
Those performances earned him a spot on the United States Men’s V40 team in sabre. His comeback had officially become a trip to the world stage.
“In October, my teammates and I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Tbilisi, Georgia, to compete at the Veteran Fencing World Championships. We represented the U.S. alongside athletes in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s across all three fencing disciplines,” he says.
“It was an amazing experience – from the culture and camaraderie with Team USA to competing against talented athletes from around the world.”
Franklin finished 25th out of 66 competitors in the individual Men’s V40 Sabre event, while the U.S. Men’s Sabre team placed 9th out of 16 teams. He also turned in one of his strongest performances of the competition during the team event, leading the squad in score differential and going undefeated in his matches.
“The level of competition was incredible, and I believe I fenced at my best. Most importantly, I had a ton of fun,” Franklin adds.
MORE THAN MEDALS
Perhaps the most meaningful part of the journey isn’t simply the medals or international recognition. It is discovering what is still possible with consistent, purposeful training.
After rebuilding his cardiovascular fitness, conditioning, strength, speed, and athletic movement, Franklin says he feels remarkably similar to the athlete he remembers from his 20s.
“The key is that it’s a process,” he says. “You have to find the time to do the skills and the actions so you don’t lose them.”
Franklin’s journey is a reminder that meaningful goals can evolve at every stage of life. With consistency, purpose, and the right support, ambitious goals can transform into remarkable achievements.
Working with a personal trainer isn’t a luxury – it’s a powerful tool to take control of your health, build confidence, and reach goals you never thought possible. Whether you’re starting from scratch or stepping up your game, a trainer can help you train smarter, move better, and feel stronger.
Remember, all new members are entitled to two complimentary fitness appointments with one of our trainers so that your fitness journey gets off to a great start.
If you haven’t taken advantage of your free consultations, now is the perfect time.