Take Your Next Step: Sponsored Athletes 2025 Wrap-Up

Year Six of the Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete program kicked off at the beginning of 2025 with five fantastic older adult athletes who danced, swam, trained, and inspired. As the 2025 program has come to a close, we asked our team members 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?

Steven Berkowitz, 73

“My biggest highlight has been sharing with the community that strength and power training are possible as we age. Focusing on functional movements with dumbbells and bodyweight has helped me engage in everyday life events. Just as meaningful has been sharing key lessons learned over four decades of my fitness journey. Being part of a community that values progress at every age has been incredibly motivating.

“View fitness as a lifelong practice, not a short-term fix.”

My final piece of advice is to keep your training simple, consistent, and purposeful. Do not shy away from power and strength work, as these are essential for maintaining independence and resilience as we get older. Listen to your body. (I repeat: listen to your body!) Adjust your routine when needed, but do not underestimate what you are capable of doing. Most importantly, view fitness as a lifelong practice, not a short-term fix.

Aging with attitude means rejecting the idea that getting older means getting weaker or less capable. It is about showing up with confidence, even when life feels challenging. It means choosing to train for strength, power, and function – not to look a certain way, but to thrive. It is a mindset that says age is wisdom, not a limitation.

Channeling my inner Teddy Roosevelt, it is not the critic who counts, nor the skeptic who scoffs from the bleachers as the years advance and the body grays. The credit belongs to the older adult who rises before the sun, who laces up shoes with hands worn by time, who enters the arena of sweat and resistance and declares — not with youthful arrogance, but with seasoned resolve — ‘I will not go quietly.’ ”

Shebah Carfagna, 68

“The greatest highlight of my journey as a 2025 Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete has been the opportunity to share my message of aging well with fitness and a good mindset to a larger group. Meeting and learning from the other Sponsored Athletes was powerful! Each person brought their own story, background, and ‘why’ – yet we were united by a shared mission: to show what’s possible – in what my partner and fellow Sponsored Athlete, Nate, and I refer to as – the The New, New Age of Aging. Together, we are representing fitness and movement alongside hope, resilience, and purpose.

“Aging with attitude is standing tall – not just physically, but mentally and emotionally – and saying ‘I’m still here, and I’m still growing.’ “

Presenting in July – just days after my second hip replacement – and speaking about pain management and resilience was overwhelming, because I am in the same group. Hopefully I offered someone hope, strength, and courage to face the challenges of joint replacement head on, all while seeing that there is recovery and outcomes that can be positive and fulfilling.

My final advice is simple: Keep moving in the right direction. Aging is not a disease, it is a gift…just like the present! Maintaining presence is half the battle. Movement matters, and so does the way you feel. Find spaces – like Senior Planet’s free fitness programs – where you feel supported, inspired, and seen to learn and engage.

Aging with attitude means refusing to accept ‘how getting older is supposed to look.’ It’s about what’s meaningful to you in the quality time remaining: working to create a better healthspan, spending time with family, traveling, taking on new hobbies, volunteering, etc. Aging with attitude is standing tall – not just physically, but mentally and emotionally – and saying ‘I’m still here, and I’m still growing.’ ”

Stay connected with Shebah at @panachefitness!

Arlette Godges, 61

“The opportunity to serve as a 2025 Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete was an honor and a privilege. Turning 62 this year, I am aware of all the challenges we face as an aging population – and there are many of us! As a physical therapist, I see many of my peers struggle with comorbid issues, loss of mobility, and chronic diseases. Education, access to classes, communities, and one-on-one care to address individual needs is crucial.

Sometimes a “win” is getting out the door with tennis shoes on and starting a journey towards health.

As a Sponsored Athlete, I was able to reach individuals and groups to improve their wellness, increase motivation and hope, and be an example of fitness and aging well. Few of us go to international competitions and win, but the point is, that sometimes a “win” is getting out the door with tennis shoes on and starting a journey towards health! As a graduate of the Harvard Lifestyle & Wellness certificate and being a physical therapist and wellness coach, I can tell you that DOING beats planning-to-do.

“Aging up well” (Age Up Well™, my company) means aging with attitude in every way! Ask questions. Demand answers. Don’t lean into aging stereotypes. Be you, and do you. Live. Find a community that supports you. Eat well. Find joy in new recipes. Find joy in movement! 60 is the new 80, and we are destined to live long; make sure to be healthy in body and mind.

DO THE WORK. Healthy aging does not come from a pill – it comes from community, movement, eating healthy, demanding proper healthcare (not sick care), leaning into challenges, and having fun! Please follow my journey at @ageupwell as I will continue to serve us, as we are aging boldly with strength and stamina. Thank you for this amazing opportunity!”

Nate Wilkins, 71

“The greatest highlight of my journey as a Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete has been the people. Being an ambassador for the program gave me the opportunity to connect with and learn from an incredible group of older adults who are all living proof that aging does not mean fading – it means evolving.

Most meaningful of all was the opportunity to touch more lives. Seeing someone smile during a fitness session, move with more confidence, or believe in themselves again – that’s the real highlight!

“Just take the next step – whether that’s trying a new class, meeting new people, or showing up consistently for yourself.”

My advice is simple: stay engaged and stay connected. Movement matters, but so does community. Don’t isolate yourself. Growth happens when we share energy, stories, and experiences with others. Also, give yourself permission to evolve. You don’t have to do everything at once. Just take the next step – whether that’s trying a new class, meeting new people, or showing up consistently for yourself.

Aging with attitude means refusing to accept outdated limits on who you are and what you can become. It’s about waking up each day with purpose, pride, and presence! It’s knowing that your life experience has value, your body still responds to care and movement, and your voice still matters. This isn’t about chasing youth. It’s about owning your season.”

Stay connected with Nate at @agelessworkout_method!

Laurie Willis, 68

“When I began this year, I was just embarking on my journey as a Zumba instructor. I’m now teaching Zumba Gold at a gym and in the senior community where I live. I’m loving sharing my passion with the students! I also loved the presentations I was able to give for Senior Planet. Being a 2025 Sponsored Athlete helped me gain the confidence I needed to go beyond my original expectations. I never expected to be teaching as much as I am, and additional opportunities continue to present themselves.

“Find an activity that you love, and do it! It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just enjoy moving your body.”

My advice hasn’t changed much – find an activity that you love, and do it! It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just enjoy moving your body. Zumba and other forms of dance are particularly beneficial as we age, improving both physical and mental health.

Aging with attitude means continuing to stay active, expand our horizons, explore new interests and activities, make new friends, and be open to the unexpected. Don’t settle in to merely existing – keep enjoying life!”

Great news for anyone ready to move & groove: Laurie will be hosting virtual Zumba Gold sessions with Senior Planet in 2026! Subscribe to our Health & Wellness Newsletter to be notified of her first programs kicking off in March.

Looking Back, and Ahead!

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 2026! 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 2026 Sponsored Athletes in February!

 

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