Checking In With the 2025 Sponsored Athletes

We’re halfway into 2025 and we just concluded National Physical Fitness and Sports Month and Older Americans Month in May.  Let’s take a moment to catch up with the 2025 Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes, who serve as a great example for both themes.

Since the beginning of the year, we’ve heard from each of the five athletes through blog posts that helped us learn their inspiring stories. We also moved our bodies, focused on wellness, and learned power moves through live classes with some of them. Now, let’s hear about how they overcome adversities and continue to challenge themselves to stay active as they age.

Q: What are some of the challenges of being an older adult athlete, and how have you adapted to stay active?

Shebah, 67: As I’ve gotten older, I’ve definitely faced physical challenges—joint pain, stiffness, and slower recovery times. In 2018, I had a total hip replacement, and for many, that could have been the end of an active lifestyle. But for me, it was just the beginning of a new chapter. I prepared by strength training, therapy and setting a reasonable expectation for the best outcome. Just eight days after surgery, I was back in the pool teaching aqua fitness. That experience reminded me that aging doesn’t mean stopping—it means adapting.

“I’ve learned that taking care of myself isn’t optional, it’s essential.” – Shebah

Staying active isn’t about doing what I did at 30; it’s about meeting my body where it is today. I treat movement like medicine. I adjust the intensity, incorporate rest, and stay consistent. It’s also emotional. As a single mom raising a son with special needs, I’ve had to balance home life, managing my wellness company, and making time for self-care. I’ve learned that taking care of myself isn’t optional, it’s essential.

Laurie, 67: As a person who has never done much of anything athletic until my retirement years, I find I’m playing catch-up with those who are younger or have more experience. It seems that my body and my brain learn new movements more slowly than most other people. And I need to learn to move gracefully, improve my posture, and increase my muscle strength – all skills I never had before. These are challenges people who have been athletic for all or most of their lives don’t face.

“I continue to put myself in a position to learn new things.” – Laurie

How do I approach these challenges? Firstly, I have patience with myself. I don’t expect to learn everything quickly. Secondly, I’m persistent. I continue to try, even when it’s hard. Now, I can look back at so many movements I could not do, and choreographies my brain couldn’t follow a year or two ago but are now normal and comfortable for me. I continue to put myself in a position to learn new things. Currently, I’m taking a regular (not Zumba) class at a dance studio. The other students are light years ahead of me, but I keep going to class and learning a little at a time. My hope is to give support and encouragement to others who, like me, are learning about fitness later in life.

Nate, 70: At 70 and a half, I’m proud to have made it to this age. I’m pleased to still call myself an athlete, but I won’t pretend it’s always easy. Staying active at my age comes with its own set of physical and psychological challenges. I sometimes have to force the agenda because I’m dealing with physical decline, longer recovery times, and decreased mobility and balance. Plus, nutritional and lifestyle needs change, in addition to the psychological adjustment to accept that I can’t perform at the same level I did decades ago.

“I accept my limitations, but I stay committed to finding enjoyable and sustainable ways to keep active.” – Nate

To adapt and stay active, I make strength training and high-intensity resistance exercises a regular part of my routine to help maintain my muscle mass and bone density. I give myself longer and more frequent rest and recovery periods, and I’m not afraid to dial back the frequency or intensity of my workouts when I need to. I mix things up, adding low-impact activities like stretching, pilates, or walking, to reduce repetitive strain and keep things interesting. I pay close attention to my nutrition, hydration, and sleep to give my body the best chance to perform and recover. I use mental strategies like mindfulness, positive visualization, and I’m open to learning new things, especially around technology, to keep my brain sharp. Most importantly, I accept my limitations, but I stay committed to finding enjoyable and sustainable ways to keep active.

Steven, 72: Two big challenges are to not get caught up in the need to compete with others, and to listen to my body.  I focus on competing with myself and never second guess when my body is trying to tell me something about my routine.  I have adapted by shifting from high-impact, high-intensity activities to more joint-friendly ones using a stationary bike, dumbbell, and bodyweight training. Power is still a priority, but I now tailor it using slightly lower weights and less tension to protect the joints while still building strength and power.

“it is about maintaining strength, independence, and quality of life.” – Steven

I accept that some movements need to be modified.  For example, I still train for power, but I accept that staying active is not about proving something: it is about maintaining strength, independence, and quality of life.

Arlette, 60: I have been an athlete all my life, so not being active or mobile is not an option for my lifestyle. I love everything about being active; the ability to move and not be limited by my body. By having been active all my life, I have maintained strength and stamina and am motivated to eat healthy and lead a sustainable lifestyle preparing me to age well.

“It is my honor and passion to teach individuals how to jumpstart a healthy and sustainable lifestyle that improves strength, coordination, balance, and stamina.” – Arlette

That said, as a Physical Therapist I see a lot of clients and patients who have made different lifestyle choices. It makes me sad to watch people have limits on living life to the fullest because of immobility, pain, aches, and poor health. It is my honor and passion to teach individuals how to jumpstart a healthy and sustainable lifestyle that improves strength, coordination, balance, and stamina.  These are the building blocks for exploring life actively and ensuring a healthy body and mind.

The key is to find an activity you like to do, be consistent doing it, finding a community around the activity, and make it routine. Then, set goals of doing something fun and a challenging that you can do because you have trained your body to be able to do it! This can be a certain hike, a vacation exploring cities by foot, a 5k walk/run, a bike ride, pickle ball, walking a golf course, or much more.

What does “Aging with Attitude” mean to you?

Sheba: Showing up with fire, faith, and purpose — regardless of the number attached to your age. Owning your story, loving your body, and pushing back against limits—real or imagined. It’s about rejecting the

idea that we fade as we get older. It means saying yes to strength, yes to movement, and yes to joy! I believe aging is a gift, and I wear it with pride.

Laurie: I do what I enjoy without worrying too much about what other people think. I try new things. I dance and I sing. In addition to dance fitness, I’ve also welcomed my inner artist. I paint with bright colors, wear clothing showing off my own bright designs, and even opened a business to sell my designs to others. I’ve made new friends of all ages – from their 20s to their 90s – and from all over the world. When an interesting opportunity comes up, I’m way more likely to give it a try than when I was younger. All this is the opposite of what I feared my retirement might be – sitting on the sofa watching TV. I still do a bit of that, but it’s certainly not how I spend most of my time.

Nate: Rejecting and defying the negative stereotypes associated with aging and embracing this stage of life with positivity, curiosity, and resilience. It means I’m not done yet! I still have some more stuff left in the tank.  I want to leave running to the finish line. Ultimately, aging with attitude is about embracing each day with openness, gratitude, and a determination to keep growing, learning, and contributing – no matter how many birthdays I celebrate.

Steven: Refusing to let age define what I can or cannot do. It is about pushing back against ageism.  Growing older means growing stronger, being relevant, speeding up, and – as Theodore Roosevelt said – being “in the arena”, which means taking action and striving for goals.  At 72, I am still building strength, working on my power, and staying engaged.   Attitude is what keeps me moving.  It means showing up with purpose, pushing boundaries, and proving that age is not a barrier.

Arlette: What makes the journey of life enjoyable and exciting. The key is to look at aging as a gift – not everyone gets to do it. It is a privilege to have birthdays. It is important to realize that we need to work on staying healthy as our bodies age. We need to fight muscle strength and stamina by exercising and eating healthy, participating in communities of likeminded people, and keeping our brains engaged and active. It is each individual’s responsibility to be actively involved in a healthy aging process. It is a commitment that yields great results and benefits. It’s about being grateful to have a long life and honoring your body and mind to stay fit and active. To realize there is not a quick fix or pill to be at your best; it’s about a sustained effort of selfcare to promote a lifestyle to continue to be your best at any age. Aging with Attitude includes exercise, love, plans, and continued learning.

Read more about Arlette in a recent feature story in the Santa Barbara Independent, her hometown publication.

Keep up with the Sponsored Athletes throughout the rest of the year at www.seniorplanet.org/athletes.

 

In need of a little motivation to get moving? Join ourdaily health and wellness programs, stay tuned to the latest news and articles from SeniorPlanet.org by signing up for The Orbit weekly newsletter, and follow us on social media (Facebook | YouTube | Instagram) to get to know these awe-inspiring athletes. You might just find a new love for fitness along the way!

And as always, please consult with your health care provider before starting any new fitness regimen! 

Photos courtesy of the Sponsored Athletes