For the sixth 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 through some incredible applications, a selection committee from Senior Planet selected five new older adult athletes.Their stories inspired us, and we think will inspire you:Adapting as We AgeMy goals are to share with the community an approach to improving strength and power, gaining flexibility and balance, and building stronger bones.
-Steven BerkowitzSteven Berkowitz Age 71Stevens fitness journey began in 1983.It was a cold January 1st evening when he put on some old jeans, a sweat top, and old sneakers, and ran a half mile loop in his neighborhood.At the end of his run, he was cold, his face was flushed, and he was euphoric! Since that first run, Steven hasnt looked back.
He increased his distance and endurance, eventually working his way up to running in, 5K, 10K, and 10 mile races, and three marathons.As he aged and listened to his body, Steven eventually hung up his running shoes and pivoted his focus to flexibility, strength training, and nutrition.Originally hoping to build a beach body in his younger years, Steven has now adopted a weightlifting program focused on maintaining functional strength.I am honored and thrilled to be selected as a Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete.I look forward to being an ambassador to the broader Senior Planet community.
The ultimate goal is to increase the health span and independence of older adults.Life with Energy and PurposeIm deeply honored and excited to be selected as a Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete! This opportunity feels like a meaningful recognition of my commitment to staying active and inspiring others to embrace fitness and wellness as a way to age with strength, positivity, and attitude.-Shebah Carfagna Shebah Carfagna Age 67Shebahs journey in the fitness industry was inspired by personal challenges, including raising a special needs son, which led her to view exercise as a form of medicine.This insight drove her to establish Panache Fitness Company in 2005, a platform that delivers both traditional fitness services and specialized programs for individuals with chronic conditions or unique health challenges.After her own total hip replacement procedure in 2018, Shebahs resilience allowed her to return to her active lifestyle.
Today, her expertise spans multiple disciplines, with certifications in Spin, Pilates, TRX, aqua fitness, and group fitness.As a Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete, Shebahs goal is to motivate and empower others in the Senior Planet community to prioritize movement and self-care, proving that its never too late to achieve new milestones, build resilience, and live life with energy and purpose.Turning 60, Training for 80My hope is to motivate and inspire as many 50+ inner athletes to be the most functioning people they can be and do what they love for decades to come.-Arlette Godges Arlette Godges Age 60
Arlette is physical therapist and a lifelong swimmer, competing with Masters Swimmers all across the world.This past year, she was a 2-time World Champion at the World Aquatics Masters Championships in Doha Qatar! Arlette is also a 5-time World Record holder with her team relay.Arlette is committed to preventative geriatric care and keeping people moving, healthy, and doing what they want to do and thriving.
She has a free Instagram account (@ageupwell) dedicated to being a role model, getting people safely in better shape, and meeting fitness goals.Arlettes motto this past year was Turning 60 and training for 80!As a Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete, Arlette is excited to be the face of a very positive and healthy aging campaign.She is committed to being an example for healthy life spans, and looks forward to connecting with the Senior Planet community.Its Never Too LateThis opportunity represents a chance to help inspire and connect with other individuals who are interested in loving life at a deeper, more fulfilling level.
Im looking forward to learning more about others, their unique stories, and what drives them to embrace health, wellness, technology and pro-aging.-Nate WilkinsNathaniel Nate Wilkins Age 70Nathaniel Nate Wilkins is the founder of the AgelessWorkout Method and Changing Lives program.With over 27 years of experience in fitness management, Nate is dedicating the second half of his life to empowering others to age with vitality, strength, and purpose.
Nates work as a fitness trainer is grounded in science and empathy, focusing on independence and quality of life at every stage.He takes a holistic approach to wellness that integrates functional fitness, mobility, and strength.Nate has also had the privilege of working with individuals facing chronic conditions such as Parkinsons disease, cancer recovery, and cardiac rehabilitation, helping them reclaim their vitality and confidence.Nate uses his platform to challenge stereotypes about aging, advocate for healthier lifestyles, and inspire resilience.Nate believes that aging is not a limitation, but a gateway to growth, strength, and renewed purpose.
As a Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete, Nate aims to serve as a living example of the transformative power of movement, mindfulness, and connection, demonstrating that its never too late to pursue personal growth and achieve new levels of vitality.You Can Do It!As a Sponsored Athlete, I want to encourage the Senior Planet community to find the fitness activity they enjoy not to worry about whether theyre good at it or not, just do it and have fun! And they will get better with practice.-Laurie WillisLaurie Willis Age 67As a kid, physical education was always Lauries least favorite class, and she was among the last picked for any team.(The only thing I was good at was keeping score!) The one physical activity Laurie did enjoy was dance, occasionally taking dance classes or going out dancing over the years.After retiring, one of Lauries goals was to try some type of dance or fitness class.
After finding out that her Medicare plan included a free gym membership, Laurie joined and discovered Zumba (dance fitness) classes.While difficult to keep up in the beginning, Laurie kept at it, and two years later she is attending classes 5-6 days a week! This month, she received her instructors certification for Zumba Gold, a low-impact version of Zumba geared toward seniors and others with limited mobility.As a Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete, Lauries goal is to teach Zumba Gold to others like herself people who feel uncomfortable or not good enough to participate in fitness activities, or who struggle with getting the hang of things that others seem to pick up easily.I want to show them they CAN do it!How to Follow AlongEach 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, theyll be inviting us into their lives, and sharing their challenges and successes by writing blog posts here at seniorplanet.org/athletes.Theyll also host virtual fitness events throughout the year that you can participate in.Want to catch up on the stories from last years 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 | X (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 Interim Director of Communications 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.
Publisher: Senior Planet ( Read More )
