"Eight...nine...ten" I counted to myself and slowly eased the weights back down. I had gone down to the gym in the basement of our house to work out some frustrations from my job. I was just finishing up my leg lifts which were, by far, my least favorite exercise.

Jen was due to join me in probably just a few minutes. She and I normally would work out together twice a week when we had time. She was so focused in her soccer game that she had asked me to help her set up a weight program to build up her strength. So I guess I was her unofficial coach,...