For
the second year, Senior Planet put out the call for 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 more than 40 incredible
applications, we are very excited to introduce the 2021 Senior Planet Sponsored
Athletes — each with an inspiring story and a unique
perspective on fitness. All year long, they’ll be using technology to
support their fitness routines, and sharing their challenges and
successes.
Meet
the 2021 Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes:
Elisse Barnes,
60, has “danced her way around the globe” with
online videos, after learning how to “cut the cable cord” in a
Senior Planet class. Now that she’s reached her goal weight and
rediscovered her love for dance, the next stop on Elisse’s journey is
reversing the muscle loss that accompanies aging.
 Abbey Moon,
76, has
found strength, independence, control, and confidence through the sport of
powerlifting. A survivor of domestic violence, Abbey’s goal is to
motivate and inspire other older adults to lift weights as a form of
improving both physical and mental health. She is disproving the notion
that seniors are “weak” or unable to participate in nontraditional
activities.
Mark Newton, 60, is a
lawn bowling extraordinaire, a sport he describes as “physical meets
mental, fitness meets strategy.” Mark believes that lawn bowling is a
fantastic activity for older adults in the Senior Planet community
because of its many benefits, including stretching, strength, strategy,
and teamwork.
Arlene Toonkel,
68, is a retired educator who is ready to teach
the Senior Planet community about rebounding — a fun style of aerobic
exercise performed through jumping on a mini-trampoline, or rebounder.
She’s discovered countless physical and mental benefits through
rebounding, from higher energy levels to less worry and stress.
Hollis
Wagenstein-Hurturk, 70, is proving that anyone
can be an athlete, no matter the physical challenges that accompany
getting older. After a disabling incident in midlife, Hollis had to
rethink her priorities and start life over, essentially from
scratch. Hollis is ready to show that “you don’t have to be perfect
to have a perfectly good time.”
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