Year Four of the Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete program kicked off at the beginning of 2023 with five more inspiring older adult athletes. The team represented sports and activities ranging from the track, to the gym, to the pickleball courts! As the 2023 program has now ended, we asked our athletes one last series of questions:

What has been the highlight of your wellness journey during your time as a Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete? What final tips or advice do you have for our community? What does “Aging with Attitude” mean to you?

Della Adams, 65

“The biggest highlights were definitely the two virtual exercise programs that I had the wonderful opportunity to conduct. I loved being able to share the benefits of strength training with so many people that I wouldn’t have been able to reach if not for Senior Planet.

Regardless of your age or fitness level, we need to work on building muscle and strong bones. Especially as we age because the potential to fall, not being able to get up, or breaking bones, increases with age. The best measure against that is proactively doing strength training to combat this challenge.

We are still able to be strong, to try new things, and to sustain a healthy and fit lifestyle if we are willing to push ourselves a bit.

Aging with attitude means not accepting the stereotypical limitations that are sometimes attributed to older adults. It is having the mindset that we are still able to be strong, to try new things, and to sustain a healthy and fit lifestyle if we are willing to push ourselves a bit.”

Rick Clendenen, 72

“For me, 2023 has been a really good year with the Senior Planet opportunity to share the fun and joy of pickleball. Our local club on Camano Island Washington has hosted six main events that went very well and we have shown over 100 people how to play. I have enjoyed being competitive and improving my game, but also it’s great to see others learn and have fun. Pickleball is fun exercise and socially it’s an opportunity to keep making new friends too! I was real happy to hear that one of the Senior Planet participants has been using my first “Intro to Pickleball” video to help new people get started. I hope that the second and third sessions have helped new players to work on acquiring intermediate skills.

When I was in my twenties, everyone thought that after 60 you were done with an active life. I am so glad to find that is absolutely not true!

My advice to the ‘Senior Planet Nation’ is to be your best and have fun. We know that exercise is good for you — maybe you will find the joy of pickleball, or maybe another activity will be your favorite. I personally have added weightlifting to my program for over 30 years, and that will certainly complement whatever else you do. Find your path, learn, stick with it, and do well…for you. (Find a way to have fun too!)

Aging with Attitude means a lot to me. When I was in my twenties, everyone thought that after 60 you were done with an active life. I am so glad to find that is absolutely not true! At a soon-to-be age of 73, I say that I am doing ‘good for my age’ with both a smile and pride.”

Kathy Molloy, 73

“Meeting and working with my fellow 2023 senior athletes as well as reading previous senior athlete stories – it was through them that I came to believe that I truly was an athlete also. Up until this past year, I never thought of myself in that way.

If you don’t know what activity you would enjoy, be brave and try different things. Look at this process as an adventure not as a chore.

As Crossfit Annie stated in her video presented in my last Zoom session, try and minimize the use of the phrase ‘I can’t.’ We CAN DO anything we set our minds to. Find something that you really enjoy doing, and be consistent doing it. If you don’t know what activity you would enjoy, be brave and try different things. Look at this process as an adventure not as a chore.

Staying healthy as we age is the most important job we must continue to do. So, embracing this task with a ‘CAN DO’ attitude will help us work on this task more consistently and with determination. Plus we can have fun at the same time.”

Gerry Smith, 73

“The highlight of my wellness journey as a 2023 Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete was connecting with a wide range of people from across the country. I really enjoyed being featured in the Senior Planet webinar presentations. During the first webinar, my 94-year-old mother and I led an exercise demonstration for seniors with different levels of mobility. I was shocked by the high attendance and overwhelmingly favorable comments and feedback.

This initial experience prepared me well for my second webinar on healthy eating. I love to prepare healthy meals and was excited that so many people enjoyed my recipe and cooking tips. I also met fellow seniors during a step challenge I sponsored, and while participating in multiple 5K events. It was an honor to be designated a Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete and I am thrilled that I had an opportunity to inspire other seniors’ wellness journeys through health meals, daily movement, and mindfulness.

Aging with Attitude means that the right mindset is critical to living a long healthy life.

My final advice to our community of active seniors is to remember my motto: Movement, Meals, and Mindset. Let’s improve our health and lifestyles through these practices and maintain a good quality of life as we age.

Aging with Attitude means that the right mindset is critical to living a long healthy life. No matter your age, you have to keep moving, eat well, and keep your mind focused on practices that will maintain your health.”

Richard Westbrook, 71

“Beyond being able to reach to other seniors, the local publicity generated by our media led to being invited to be involved in promotions for Life Time Fitness and Hoka. That has to be the winning highlight!

Make your ‘why’ be ‘because I’m worth it.’ Getting fit and staying fit are great gifts to yourself.

For those already active, keep it up! Try other activities, too. For those just beginning to exercise, make your goals about your commitment. Then, show up, don’t take shortcuts, and don’t quit. Your results will come. For those who haven’t started, start! Make your ‘why’ be ‘because I’m worth it.’ Getting fit and staying fit are great gifts to yourself.

To me, ‘Aging with Attitude’ means aging with gratitude: for good health, for good fitness, and for a great soul mate with which to share life.”

A Last Look Back

Thank you to all of our awesome athletes who shared their personal wellness journeys with the Senior Planet community this year. We wish all of you a safe and healthy 2024! For a look back on everyone’s stories and blog entries, visit seniorplanet.org/athletes.

Stay tuned for a big reveal as we name the 2024 Sponsored Athletes later this month!

Sean Cruse is the Communications Manager at Senior Planet & OATS from AARP. He has worked in nonprofit and social good communications for the last 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.