For the fourth year, Senior Planet from AARP put out the call for “Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes” — adults age 60 and older who are excited about fitness, have identified their wellness-related goals, and are willing to share their experiences to inspire other older adults. After reading some 50 incredible applications, a selection committee from Senior Planet selected five new older adult athletes. Their stories inspired us, and — we think — will inspire you:
Lifting Weights and Spirits
“I hope that I will get to engage with other older adults who are wanting to become healthier, and that my fitness journey can have a positive impact to help motivate them to start their own.”
-Della Adams
Della Adams – Age 63
Almost 12 years ago, Della Adams was in a seriously dangerous situation with her health. After battling increasingly worsening diabetes for more than 15 years, weighing over 215 pounds at a height of 5’1”, and suffering with high cholesterol and arthritis, Della decided to make a drastic lifestyle adjustment. Through exercise and a nutritional overhaul, Della transformed her health; reversing her diabetes, getting her cholesterol to a healthy level, and almost completely getting rid of arthritis. Della now lives an active lifestyle and enjoys Olympic-style weightlifting, powerlifting, and running — finishing her first half marathon in 2018! As a Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete, Della hopes to have a positive impact on other older adults and help motivate them to start their own fitness journeys.
Having a Ball
“I have been blessed with good health and I think my continuous activity level has been a main reason for that. For anyone who has been wondering….‘What the heck is Pickleball?’ or ‘How do I get started?’, I would love to help them out.”
-Rick Clendenen
Rick Clendenen – Age 72
If you’ve heard about the growing sport of pickleball in recent years, but are curious to learn more, look no further than Rick Clendenen. After playing for the first time in May 2021, Rick fell in love with the game and became involved with a local club on Camano Island, Washington state. Today, in addition to being on the board of directors and head of the competition committee, Rick plays in tournaments and also spends time teaching the “newbies” — who are often age 60+! Rick finds that pickleball can be a fun and healthy activity for older adults who may not have great mobility, and his goal this year as a Sponsored Athlete is to share “the joy of pickleball” with the Senior Planet community. Rick’s motto is “Be your best, and have fun!”
Fighting Against Frailty
“I want to share my story with everyone that a diagnosis of osteoporosis does not mean one cannot stay active. Certain types of exercise can even stop progression and the need for medication.”
-Kathleen Molloy
Kathleen Molloy – Age 73
Kathleen Molloy’s fitness journey kicked into high gear almost 13 years ago, when she was diagnosed with osteoporosis with risk for fracture in her lower spine. The news came as a surprise to Kathleen, as she often exercised and tried to keep a healthy diet. Inspired by her son, Kathleen joined a CrossFit gym and began working to improve her diet and sleep pattern. More recently, she also took up yoga for increased mobility and flexibility. Through years of hard work and determination, Kathleen has stopped the progression of osteoporosis and no longer needs weekly medication. Kathleen’s goal as a Sponsored Athlete is to show the Senior Planet community that any functional fitness program is very important to one’s physical and mental well-being. These programs typically help people get stronger and better at the everyday movements that life demands.
Walking the Walk
“There are so many easy activities we can take up: walking, chair exercises, dancing — really anything that keeps us moving and our hearts pumping so we can stay active longer.”
-Gerry Smith
Gerry Smith – Age 75
Gerry Smith is an avid walker and strong health advocate for minority women, who are often underserved by the healthcare industry. Gerry became serious about her own health over five years ago when her doctor informed her that she was pre-diabetic. After learning that she would have to add another medication to those she was already taking for blood pressure and cholesterol, Gerry made a commitment to walking, and set a goal of 10,000 steps per day. After seeing major improvements after just three months of walking, Gerry was inspired to share her healthy habits with other women like herself. She is now the chairperson of the Physical and Mental Health committee for her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, providing opportunities for women to improve their health through better nutrition and exercise habits. As a Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete, Gerry wants to get older adults up and moving daily to keep their hearts going and live longer, more active lives.
Back On Track
“I want to provide as much encouragement as possible to my fellow seniors, especially those who aren’t yet fully committed to fitness. Being fit is like getting a new lease on life.”
-Richard Westbrook
Richard Westbrook – Age 70
Richard Westbrook discovered the joy of running later in life and hasn’t looked back! Richard competes in senior track meets, running sprints at 400m distances and under. He has won various local and state events, and placed as high as 4th in national meets for his age group. Despite his success, it took a drastic transformation to get “on track.” At age 58, Richard was 40 lbs. overweight, with physical ailments including high blood pressure, poor cholesterol levels, arthritic pains, neuralgia, and respiratory issues. His decision to join a gym and begin exercising regularly changed everything. Today, Richard says “I feel incredible! I am profoundly grateful to have the proverbial ‘second chance at life.’ ” His goal as a Sponsored Athlete is to take the help he has received on his own fitness journey and pay it forward.
How to Follow Along
Each Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete has an inspiring story and a unique perspective on fitness, and each uses technology to support their fitness routines. All year long, they’ll be inviting us into their lives, and sharing their challenges and successes by writing blog posts here on seniorplanet.org/athletes. They’ll also host virtual fitness events throughout the year that you can participate in.
Want to catch up on the stories from last year’s athletes? Click here! In need of a little motivation to get moving? Join our daily health and wellness programs, subscribe to Senior Planet on YouTube, sign up for our weekly newsletters, and follow us on social media (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram) to get to know these awe-inspiring athletes. You might just find a new love for fitness along the way!
Sean Cruse is the Communications Manager at Senior Planet & OATS from AARP. He has worked in nonprofit and social impact communications for almost 10 years. Sean is involved with all things Senior Planet communications, from email newsletters (sign up here!) to creative projects. He also co-leads the Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete program and loves helping our team of amazing senior athletes share their stories.
COMMENTS
10 responses to “Introducing the 2023 Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes”
Kudos to all the Senior Planet Athletes this year! I loved reading all your stories and look forward to hearing more from each of you in the next year.
Thanks for all of the great tips as I have Osteoarthritis . I am active for being 79 walking pattern I should take up to improve my stamina.
Also have auto immune Myasthenia Gravis since 1971
My strength is not the best but do as I can
Thanks again for great tips
I’m a competitive Swimmer in the USMS program. I’ve just turned 80 and look forward to continuing my racing career as long as possible. I swim 50. 100 and 200 freestyle in all courses. I’ve been swimming in meets since I was 38. It keeps me strong.
Wow! That is impressive, Arlene. You are an inspiration to us all. Keep going.
Being 78 years old and practicing exercise, nutrition, and healthy habits every day for the past 25 years, my body is still wracked with systemic , painful and debilitating Osteoarthritis. Can Della Adams please share
the solutions for eradicating this from her life?
There are all categories of what is considered a healthy diet. Everyone is different so we need to find what works best for us. My arthritis was due to inflammation so when I eliminated inflammatory grains from my diet all my pains went away. I adopted a low carb paleo diet since 2011. That’s my experience and may not work for someone who has arthritis due to autoimmune disease or natural wear and tear.
Yes, I too, would like to hear how athletes improve their conditions with activities to eliminate arthritis issues as Della says she has done.
Can Della Adams please share how she completely rid herself of Arthritis? It is commendable and impressive that she has changed her life completely and enjoys improved health and well being , but even successfully adhering to each and every step of her new life cannot explain the
eradication of arthritis. Please help me to do the same! My body is wracked with systemic
Osteoarthritis and its deleterious effects even with all of my similar healthy habits practiced t every day .
Thanks.
There are different forms of arthritis, natural wear and tear., autoimmune diseases or inflammatory conditions. I don’t know what the cause of your situation is but mine was due to inflammation. After a year of eliminating inflammatory grains from my diet the arthritic pains went away and I was able to stop pain medication. Everyone is different but this was my experience. For me it was adopting a low carb paleo diet. You’ll need to find what works for you.
Once long term arthritis has eroded the joints and the lubrication within, it is difficult to “ cure “ arthritis,no matter the individual’s makeup. The exercise processes and the weight loss associated with that life style will certainly ease the movement and the diet contributes to the minimization of the inflammation .
But, it is misleading to term this condition as being an arthritis cure .If only.
Reply to Della Adam’s answer.
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