“We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.”
–George Bernard Shaw
As I was perusing the web for a quote that fit the mentality of November’s Member of the Month, I instantly fell in love with the one above. Not only was it a perfect match, but you can’t help but smile when you read it because we all know someone that is vibrantly youthful and never seems to age. In the midst of all of the violence, hatred, prejudice, and injustice in the world today, we can still smile, laugh, and enjoy life because of those “someones.” They remind us that time on this earth is short, and we should enjoy every blessing.
Pat Cavanaugh may have found want Ponce de Leon never did – the fountain of youth. And it’s not some magical water, ancient herb, or mystical spell. It’s within all of us. It’s called attitude. Within 10 seconds of meeting Pat, you realize she has what so many people would love – true, unadulterated happiness. Her positive, care-free attitude is infectious. It can literally fill up an entire gym.
When we restarted our small group training last month, we had one specific goal in mind. We wanted our clients to do things they normally wouldn’t do, or even think that they could do in the gym. We knew not everyone would be willing to trust us and take the risk. Getting out of your comfort zone is hard and sometimes frightening. However, Pat immediately came to mind. She was the perfect candidate – just crazy enough to try anything once and just optimistic enough to believe anything was possible.
30 days later, she has lived up to the hype. At 63 years of age, she is sumo deadlifting, front squatting, overhead squatting, and sled pushing like a young female athlete. Even more impressive, she’s performing sprints on the Woodway treadmill.
Side note: For those of you that have not experienced the Woodway treadmill, it’s an untamed cardio animal. Even some of our most conditioned athletes like Brad, Amber, and Seth curse it. Unlike a traditional treadmill that has a motor that moves the belt, the Woodway does not. The client must provide all of the force to move the belt, and worse yet, it has to be a sprint. Traditionally it’s just used to increase the speed of high level athletes.
When we asked her why she attempts some of the things she does when most women at her age are content on the treadmill or even worse couch, her response was simple, “I do not look at fitness as a tool for weight loss specifically, but as a tool for my overall well being.” She said what we’ve been saying all along. Fitness isn’t about changing what’s on the outside. It’s deeper. It transforms you from the inside-out. It’s a stress reliever. It’s a challenge. It’s an experience that unites the mind, body, and soul. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that age is just a number.
Pat might be 63 years of age, but she’s making a strong case that 60 is the new 20!
Pat’s exercise tip:
The advice I would give someone just starting out would be to take it slow, and stick with it even if your scale isn’t moving in the direction you would like it to. In the past when I thought of exercise it was cardio, cardio, cardio. Through the help of Ageless I have learned it’s important to build muscle too.
“There are three kinds of people in the world, the wills, the won’ts and the can’ts. The first accomplish everything; the second oppose everything; the third fail in everything.”
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