When I was in my early 30s, I decided I needed a change in my life. I had gotten out of a toxic relationship and moved across the country, from New Jersey to California, but in many ways I still felt like the version of myself I had wanted to leave behind.
I was fearful of everything—of my ex, of starting over with two young children. I had no confidence, was 80 pounds overweight, and felt as if it was too late, like I’d been cheated out of the life I could have had.
The generation of relatives who had come before me had struggled with their weight and their physical health, and I thought that was my destiny in life. But in California I decided to start going to the gym before heading to my new job as a corporate accountant, because that was just what people did there.
I kept at it for a few years, but I was just doing what I saw other people do, and I didn’t really see any changes, physical or mental.
Then one day, when I was in my early 40s, I met an amazing gentleman and fitness professional, Jim Kelly, who changed my life forever. He became my personal trainer and introduced me to the power of weight training.
My body started changing, and it felt like magic—but more important, my mind started changing too. I began to see that I wasn’t stuck, I wasn’t old. It inspired me to make shifts in other parts of my life too. It cleared the clutter in my brain, and I felt creative ideas start to flow. I had a new attitude and a new sense of confidence.
First I went back to school and learned about nutrition, and that helped me lose weight and keep it off. I also lost the mentality of settling for how things were. At 43, I became a part-time fitness trainer while still working in accounting, because I wanted to help other women like me.
I was growing so much and becoming more inspired by the day as I learned more about the power of the body, of working out and eating right—how that could transform not just your body but your whole life.
Making Fitness a Bigger Part of My Life
At around 48, I decided to leave my accounting job and pursue fitness training exclusively. That grew into helping people one-on-one, and then doing public speaking and writing books.
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I learned that pushing my limits gave me purpose and excitement, and when I was 57, I wanted to see how much further I could go: I entered my first bodybuilding competition.
Over the next five or six years I won three top trophies and went on to become an eight-time national champion. I was so proud of myself. All of this built my confidence even further—my age was not a factor and didn’t hold me back. I felt so alive. I was moving forward and in control.
My 60th birthday felt like a real milestone. Aside from the relationship hardships I had gone through in my 20s, my mom had passed away when I was 28, when she was just 42, and part of me had never really seen myself living to 43. So when I reached 60, I thought, I am so excited that I am here. I’m excited that I’m alive, and that I am helping other people change their lives.
I decided to make it a big event: I put on a red carpet–style gala in Beverly Hills as a celebration of life and of helping other women overcome their struggles. There, I was awarded a Guinness World Record for doing 37 burpees in a minute—I had recently set out to break that record and had done it! Guinness also surprised me with another world record, for being the oldest active fitness instructor in multiple disciplines. It was a really high point in my life.
What I Use as Motivation to Keep Moving at 74
I’m 74 now, and I continue speaking and opening up to others—not only about fitness but also about the moments of grief in my life. When I realized how many people I was affecting, I felt blessed. Giving other people courage gave me the courage to keep going.
If I could give advice to my younger self, it would be to trust yourself, and trust your gut. Know that you have more control and power than you think. Don’t be afraid to speak out, to keep moving forward—do what is right regardless of what other people say.
In my opinion, you are as old as you think you are, and chronological age shouldn’t limit you. Mindset is everything. It’s key to treat your body and your mind with respect: Keep stress low, stay active, and eat in a healthy way.
You stay young when you remain relevant, so laugh often, and engage with others. Don’t live in the past—the rearview mirror is small for a reason. Your future is ahead of you. Stay positive and keep learning, and blessings will follow.
This article originally appeared in the December 2025 print issue.
Read the full article here