Fountain of Youth: Recent Episodes
Marc Middleton
Research proves that there are only two things that can add years to your life and quality of life to your years: exercise and socialization. Combine the two and you get rocket fuel for active longevity. You get the closest thing we’ll ever have to a fountain of youth.
Fountain of Youth is the podcast that will change everything you thought you knew about aging. Hosted by Marc Middleton, a masters athlete and founder and CEO of Growing Bolder, Fountain of Youth shares the inspiring stories of men and women of all sizes, ages and abilities who are redefining what’s possible for all of us. From world-record breaking superstars to weekend warriors who are battling back from every injury, disease and disability imaginable, Fountain of Youth is the jolt of inspiration and encouragement you need to get off the couch and get into life.
Each week we’ll talk to a masters athlete, coach or expert as we count down to the National Senior Games in Ft. Lauderdale in May, 2022.
If you’re looking for tips and resources to find your sport or refine your game, if you want the rest of your life to be the best of your life, subscribe to Fountain of Youth.
For the last 10 years Del Moon served as the Communications Director for the National Senior Games Association. In this edition of FOY, hear why Del says working for the NSGA saved his life, his reflections on the lessons he's learned from masters athletes and "What's Next!" for Del.
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder and the 2023 National Senior Games, presented by Humana, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
#powerwalking
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
Use it or lose it, the saying goes. What if we just keep using our bodies, keep staying physically active? What if doctors prescribed exercise like they do medicine? And how can exercise change the trajectory of disease? Dr. James Hicks is a professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Irvine. Listen in as Marc and he discuss Hicks’ class, “Exercise as Medicine.”
@ucirvine
GB Classic: Listen to our entire interview with Deepak Chopra
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
#exerciseasmedicine #physiologicalage #physioage
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
What if everything you’ve been led to believe about aging is wrong? Human performance expert Steven Kotler joins Marc to explain how to stop being afraid of aging and start leaning into life to extract as much joy and meaning as possible. Kotler will challenge your expectations, your mindset and the way you approach your future. Listen in!
Follow Steven on Facebook or Instagram
Learn more about Steven and his books at StevenKotler.com
Learn more about FLOW at FlowResearchCollective.com
GB Classic: Listen to our entire interview with NBA champion & Basketall HOF member Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
#flowstate #flowstateofmind #stevenkotler
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
How are your rebounding skills? Life is full of setbacks, changes, twists and turns. 67-year-old Paula Franetti knows that well. In 2016 she was blindsided by an oncoming car as she was driving. The horrific accident nearly crippled her for life. In this episode of FOY, she shares how she recovered fully, and in half the time doctors predicted, to live a full and engaged life, and all she learned about resilience and recovery along the way.
FOLLOW Paula on IG & Facebook
Buy Paula’s book and learn more about her at ReboundPlanner.com
GB Classic: Listen to our entire interview with inventor Dr. Forrest Bird
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
#reboundplanner #recovery
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
When Babette Davis was 40, she took her health into her own hands and transformed her life. Now 72 and a world-class vegan chef, fitness enthusiast, motivational speaker and great grandmother, Chef Babette is redefining how we age through diet, movement and our beliefs. She shares her story with Marc, and simple ways we can all take responsibility for our health.
FOLLOW Chef Babette on IG & Facebook
Check out Chef Babette’s restaurant @theStuffIEat & stuffieat.com
GB Classic: See footage of the JOES (Jumpers over 80)
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
#chefbabettedavis #vegan
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
You know his face. You recognize his voice. Damien Leake is an actor, a composer, a coach and teacher. Did you know he’s also the fastest man in the world over the age of 70? Hear how activism shaped him as a child, what he loves about masters racing and why coaching Junior Olympians has transformed his life.
LEARN more about Damien at DamienLeake.com
FOLLOW Damien on Facebook
GB Classic: Listen to our full interview with Barbara Hillary
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
#wearemtf #usatf #damienleake
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
Madonna Hanna had every reason to quit running: a ruptured Achilles tendon, the death of her husband/coach. But she didn’t. Honoring her late husband’s request, Hanna, now 70, kept going. She hired a new coach - a Millennial track star who changed her training regime. Hear how the former fashion executive has become faster as she’s gotten older and why she has her sights set on a medal at the National Senior Games.
FOLLOW Madonna on IG: @madonnafitfastandfabulous
READ Madonna’s Children’s Book: Mommy Why Are My Eyes So Big?
GB Classic: Listen to our full interview with Violet Sesco
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
#widow #stayfitseniors #washingtonstateseniorgames #fitandfabulous
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
With over 30 years of experience in emergency medicine, Marc Sacco has seen how our bodies embrace what our minds believe. He’s also experienced it personally, recovering from traumatic health events to become a nationally ranked cyclist. Sacco shares with Marc Middleton how complementary medicine like NLP, hypnosis and visualization can make a difference as we age.
@nlp.community @usacycling
READ Marc’s book: Verbal Medicine
GB Classic: Listen to our full interview with Werner Berger
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
FOLLOW Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
#nlp #mindset #masterscycling
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
In this episode of FOY SportsPITTSBURGH Exec. Director Jennifer Hawkins joins Marc to share how her passion for sports shaped her career path, and what masters athletes can expect at the 2023 National Senior Games.
LEARN more about the City of Champions at SportsPittsburgh.com
GB Classic: Listen to our entire interview with the Iron Nun, Sister Madonna Buder
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
#lovepgh #nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
When he was just 10 years old, Jerry Cahill was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. His doctors told Jerry’s parents he'd be lucky to make it to 18. Today he is 66, a three-time organ donor recipient, an author, a pole-vaulting coach and has raised millions for the Boomer Esiason Foundation. In this episode of FOY, Jerry talks with Marc about why he believes we cannot fail and how he continues to reinvent himself.
LEARN more about Jerry: JerryCahill.com
WATCH the Cystic Fibrosis Documentary on Jerry: Up For Air
READ Jerry’s book, You Cannot Fail
GB Classic: LISTEN to our entire final interview with Leo Luken
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
#cysticfibrosis #cysticfibrosisawareness #cfawareness #cfawarenessmonth
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
Susan Helmrich is a DES daughter. She was exposed to diethylstilbestrol, a synthetic hormone prescribed to her mother and many other pregnant women between 1940 and 1971 to prevent miscarriage. DES daughters are 40 percent more likely to develop several specific cancers. The first female swimmer to earn a scholarship at Syracuse University, Susan was first diagnosed with cancer at the age of 21, and endured a 10-and-a-half-hour surgery to remove her entire reproductive system. Since then she’s survived lung cancer, a rare form of pancreatic cancer, eight major operations and the loss of many organs.
She’s also become one of the top masters swimmers in her age group and raised over a million dollars for cancer research through Swim Across America. In this episode of FOY, Susan tells Marc how through it all swimming helped her recapture her life and keep moving forward.
READ about Team Susan Survives, Susan’s cancer research fundraiser through Swim Across America
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
@saaswim @swimacrossamericasf @mastersswimming
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
#swimacrossamerica #mastersswimming
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
95-year-old Jack Eckenrode loves to cycle, to run and to compete in the National Senior Games. He earned five gold medals at the 2022 NSG and when the Games return to his hometown of Pittsburgh in July he’ll be competing again, with his 12 children, 41 grandchildren and 61 great grandkids cheering him on.
Learn how this veteran uses the calisthenics he learned in the Air Force over 70 years ago to stay in shape, and his keys to feeling good as he joins Marc for the start of Season 3 of Fountain of Youth.
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
@usatfmasters #pittsburgh #lovepgh
#masterscycling #trackandfield #nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
Charles Allie started running in high school and never stopped. At 71 he held nine world spring records and was known as the “fastest man in the world over 70.” Then in November of 2021 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Today Allie is 75 and won the 2023 World Masters Indoor 60m men's championship for the 75-79 age group. He talks with Marc about his comeback from cancer and his desire to compete – win, lose or draw.
SEE Charles run on YouTube
GB Classic: Listen to our entire interview with masters sprinter Bill Collins
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder &the NSGA, VISIT growingbolder.com/nsga
FOLLOW Growing Bolder , National Senior Games Association & Humana
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
Why should you visit Pittsburgh? The reasons are many, including the 2023 National Senior Games July 7-18. VisitPITTSBURGH CEO Jerad Bachar joins Marc to talk about why they wanted to host the Games and what fans and participants can expect, plus must-sees and must-dos in the City of Champions.
Check out Jared’s jazz restaurant suggestion, Con Alma
Find out more about this great city & plan your visit by following VisitPITTSBURGH on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
GB Classic: Listen to our entire interview with Masters Track & Field Record Holder Kay Glynn
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder , National Senior Games Association & Humana
#pittsburgh #lovepgh #onlyinpittsburgh
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
March Madness is here – time for a jolt of inspiration and our interview with Prime-Time Player Dick Vitale. It’s been a rough few years for the broadcasting icon. Vitale endured multiple surgeries for melanoma, 6 rounds of chemotherapy for lymphoma and months of silence due to vocal cord surgery. Now cancer-free, Dick joins Marc to share his fears, his dreams, his passion for helping cure childhood cancer, and the appreciation he has for his parents, who instilled in him the value of love, passion and persistence.
FOLLOW Dickie V on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
DONATE to the Dick Vitale Fund for Pediatric Cancer
WATCH Dickie V’s acceptance speech for the Jimmy V Award Perseverance &
GB Classic: Learn more about Nick Nanton
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
#awesomebaby
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
Lynn Roman believes in the power of healthy choices. The former Penn State point guard, and college coach is now a high school PE teacher and coach determined to set an example for the students she works with about the importance of moving your body. Now in her 50s, Roman is an accomplished triathlete who took home the gold in the 2022 National Senior Games in Fort Lauderdale. Life will deal us setbacks, but as Roman tells Marc, it’s important to work hard, have a great attitude and move on to the next play.
GB Classic: Learn more about Jumpin' Joe Johnston
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
#masterstriathlon
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
David Hackett started skateboarding when he was 5. Today at 62, he’s still at it. He’s a member of the Skateboarding Hall of Fame, and so much more. Artist. Entrepreneur. Speaker. Philosopher. Counselor. He’s survived injuries, addiction, cancer and family tragedy. Tune in as he shares his story of resilience, his determination to compete and his commitment to creating a positive, meaningful life.
FOLLOW David
on IG: @davidjhackett
on Facebook: @davidhacketdesign
SEE David’s art @ davehackettart.com
GB Classic: LISTEN to the full interview with Rich Roll
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
#skateboardinghalloffame #skateboard #skateboardingisfun
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
At 54 Gail McNeil decided to make some changes. She started intermittent fasting, then jump roping, and sharing her journey on social media. Today, Gail, aka @FiftySister, has 199K followers on Instagram and another 38,000 on TikTok. With a moving feast of topics, she’s on a mission to help women give themselves the skills, the permission and the power to enjoy ageing through embracing self-care, plant-based diet, exercise and sheer celebration of life.
LEARN more about Gail at her website, fiftysister.com, where there are tips on intermittent fasting and jump roping + her Gin & Bird t-shirt store
FOLLOW Gail
on IG: @fiftysister
on Facebook: @fiftysisterlife
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
#selflove #midlifeinfluencers #silversister
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
At 83, masters runner Roger Robinson continues to break records. His love of running fuels his research and writing documenting the incredible history of the sport. In this episode of FOY the award-winning author shares with Marc some of his favorite running stories, and how his own running has changed, and hasn’t changed, as he’s aged.
LEARN more about Roger at Roger-Robinson.com
BUY Roger’s book Running Throughout Time: The Greatest Running Stories Ever Told
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
#running #writingaboutrunning #mastersrunning
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
Grief is not new to Chris Powers. Following her sister’s death she founded Women Beyond Cancer and the Two Sisters Farm retreat center to support women battling any form of cancer. Following her husband’s death, it was her Pickleball community that helped her move forward. A self-described average athlete, Powers is now ranked number one in the world in doubles Pickleball for women over 60. In this episode of FOY Powers talks to Marc about that path, what she’s learned and what she loves about the sport, and how we can all help each other keep going.
LEARN more about Women Beyond Cancer
WATCH Diana Nyad’s Launchpad to What’s Next presentation at growingbolder.com
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
#grief #griefjourney
#pickleball
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
As endurance athletes, Mark “Mace” Macy and Travis Macy have run in extreme conditions and locations. Now after Mace’s diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's, the father and son are utilizing their endurance training and mindset to battle their most formidable challenge head on, "A Mile at a Time."
WATCH Growing Bolder’s story on long distance trucker turned Masters swimmer & Ironman Siphiwe Baleka
LISTEN to Growing Bolder’s full interview with 93-year-old world record setting marathoner Harriette Thompson
VISIT Travis Macy’s website
FOLLOW Mace on Instagram
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
#endalz #adventureracing
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
Alice Tym first picked up a racquet in high school and she’s never looked back. After playing tennis at the University of Florida, where she also founded and coached the team, Tym played the international circuit. She went on to a Hall of Fame coaching career, coaching championship tennis teams at UT-Chattanooga and Yale, raised a family and taught college geography. Then Tym picked up some new racquets, transferring her tennis skills to Pickleball, Badminton and Table Tennis. Now 80 and a multiple national and world champion, Tym talks to Marc about what makes competing in the National Senior Games and masters sports so fun.
WATCH Growing Bolder’s story on long distance trucker turned Masters swimmer & Ironman Siphiwe Baleka
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
@usapickleball @usatabletennis @usabadminton
@imgamastersgames/
#masterspickleball #mastersbadminton
#nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
He’s been dubbed the Usain Bolt of septuagenarians, but at 71 sprinter Michael Kish isn’t defying age, he’s defining what is possible. Hear the story of the former HS athlete who returned to the track in his 60s, and how internet training methods and an open mind helped propel him to national and world championships.
WATCH the YouTube video of Kish’s 100m win at the Penn Relays
READ more about Charlotte Sanddal and other athletes smashing stereotypes here
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
@usatfmasters
#michaelkish #masterstrackandfield #trackandfield #runner #nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames#nationalseniorgames
She pole vaults, throws the javelin, discus, shot put and hammer, sprints, hurdles and runs the steeple chase. She’s also 88 years old. Flo Meiler, aka ‘the Pole Vaulting granny’ joins Marc to kick off Season 2 of Fountain of Youth. Learn how this former tennis player and water skier came to try masters track and field in her late 50s and the secret that led her to be named the 2022 Masters Track & Field Athlete of the Year by USA Track & Field, earn over 800 medals and set over 30 US and world records. More is possible as we age – listen in.
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder & National Senior Games Association
@usatfmasters
#flomeiler #trackandfield #nevertoolate #moreispossible #seniorgames #nationalseniorgames
Kelly Palace is a former division one head swimming coach, an Olympic trials swimmer and a masters swimmer that held four world number one rankings and eight US master swimming number one rankings in 2021.
She's also a breast cancer survivor and saw the towers fall on September 11th. She’s the author of the Amazon bestseller, Take Your Mark: LEAD! and a co-host of the award-winning Champions Mojo podcast. Listen in as Marc and Kelly talk about how swimming is like life, and the takeaways she’s gotten from interviewing champion athletes.
To learn more about Kelly and listen to her podcast, visit championsmojo.com or follow them on IG or FB
Learn more about U.S. Masters Swimming at https://www.usms.org/
Follow USMS on Facebook or IG, Twitter & YouTube
GB Classic: Listen to our full interview with Anne Abernathy
For great stories about masters athletes from Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
Follow Growing Bolder
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#mastersathletics #mastersswimming
Together, they run one of the most successful running specialty and event marketing and management companies in the United States. But the story of Jon and Betsy Hughes is really a love story: a love for one another, a love for running and a love for making a difference in the lives of others.
Listen in as the owners of Track Shack join Marc on FOY to talk about their journey as fitness entrepreneurs, the beginnings of the Disney Marathon, and their commitment to creating a culture of health and wellbeing throughout the country.
Learn more about Jon & Betsy at Trackshack.com or follow them on FB: Track Shack and Track Shack Youth Foundation
And on IG: @orlandotrackshack
GB Classic: Watch Marc’s full interview with Julia Hawkins here
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For more information on Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
#mastersathlete #seniorathlete #running
Pickleball may have a silly sounding name, but it’s one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. There are more than 4.8 million players in the U.S., almost double the number from just five years ago, and more than 70 countries around the world playing pickleball.
81-year-old Dick Johnson won gold medals in mixed doubles at both the 2022 US Nationals and National Senior Games. In this episode of FOY, the former tennis player tells Marc how Pickleball saved his health by helping him get off diabetes meds and back in shape, and what he enjoys about being part of Pickleball Nation.
Plus, USA Pickleball Director of Media Relations Laura Vossberg Gainor joins the pod to explain how and where you can learn more about the game.
To learn more about pickleball, visit usapickleball.org/
To find a court near you, go to places2play.org/
GB Classic: Listen to our full interview with George Brunstad
Never Too Late: Read our Rock Stars of Aging eBook.
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For more information on Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
#mastersathlete #seniorathlete #pickleball
Scientists have proven beyond a doubt that healthy longevity is more of a lifestyle choice than it is a genetic blessing. Even if we are genetically predisposed to a long life, or conversely, if we're genetically predisposed to a short life, we do have the ability within us to overcome those predispositions, good or bad, by the lifestyle choices that we make each and every day.
The stories of active centenarians certainly illustrate this, as you’ll learn in episode 17 of FOY. Hear Mike Fremont share with Marc how the decisions he made after a cancer diagnosis at the age of 69 enabled Fremont to celebrate his 100th birthday 31 years later with a run on the beach and a party with family and friends.
GB Classic: Listen to our full interview with Flo Meiler
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For more information on Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
#mastersathlete #seniorathlete
More than 90% of all the people who join a gym will quit within three months of first going and of those who don't quit, nearly 10% go to the gym less than once a month. Dr. Neil Kanterman was one of those with an on again/off again relationship with working out. Until he walked into a Crossfit gym and found community. In this episode of FOY, hear Neil’s journey from out of shape ophthalmologist to weightlifting national champion, gym owner, coach and international official.
Learn more about Neil’s gym: CrossFit Hardcore West - "The Park"
Follow USA Masters Weightlifting on Facebook, Instagram and usamastersweightlifting.com
GB Classic: Listen to our full interview with Dr. Charles Eugster
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For more information on Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
#mastersweightlifting #crossfit #crossfitover50
#mastersathlete
What do rocket scientists do for fun? Leza Harrison learned to ski as a student at Rollins College. And she kept on skiing, while she worked as an engineer for NASA’s space shuttle program and beyond. Now 70, she’s won over 30 national championships. In today’s FOY episode she tells Marc what keeps her skiing and how she succeeds as a masters athlete.
GB Classic: Listen to our full interview with Dr. Kenneth Cooper
Never Too Late: Hear Barbara Hillary’s full interview with GB
Learn more about USA Water Ski & Wake Sports here
Follow them on Facebook , IG, YouTube & Twitter
Follow Growing Bolder
Follow National Senior Games Association
For more information on Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
#mastersathlete #waterskiing
#seniorathlete
Chances are you had a bow and arrow set as a kid. Or have watched either Robin Hood or Brave and thought archery was pretty cool. So did Rod Menzer. Only Rod discovered a local archery center in his hometown and found a passion that carried him all the way to a world championship. Today Rod leads USA Archery, and he joins Marc on FOY to talk about the sport that’s truly accessible to people of every age and physical condition.
To see the armless archer Rod and Marc discussed, Matt Stuzman, in action visit here
Connect with USA Archery on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube and at usarchery.org
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For more information on Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
#mastersathlete #archery
George Bernard Shaw said. “We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” Maybe he had Jo Dill in mind. As an athlete, coach and administrator, Jo Dill has kept on playing for seven plus decades, in spite of many times having to create her own opportunities.
In this episode of FOY the masters basketball, bowling and cornhole player, Dill talks with Marc about what sports was like for girls before Title IX, how and why she keeps on competing and the importance of advocating for her health in her 70s. Jo also talks about her passion for encouraging women to get back into sports no matter their age, and her work as coordinator of the Maine Senior Games.
Listen to the story of the “Never Too Late Basketball Camp” here
Read about Jo and the Pioneers basketball team
Listen to the full interview from this week’s GB Classic with Nolan Shaheed
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For more information on Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
#mastersathlete
When Lynda Leapold was 9 years old, one of the worst tornadoes in Kansas City history ripped through her home, killing her mother and brother and ripping her dog from her arms. She was thrown a quarter of a mile down the road and suffered devastating injuries. It would take 51 surgeries to rebuild her, but resilience is Lynda’s middle name.
Now in her 70s, she’s a masters swimmer determined to keep growing bolder. Hear Lynda share her incredible story with Marc and relate how she stays optimistic in the face of adversity. Hint: just keep swimming.
Catch the full interview with this week’s GB Classic guest, vegan ultra-endurance athlete & nutrition advocate @richroll, here
Learn more about U.S. Masters Swimming at https://www.usms.org/
Follow USMS on Facebook or IG, Twitter & YouTube
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For more information on Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
#mastersathlete #mastersswimming #surviveandthrive
When the U.S. Barefoot Waterskiing National Championships were first held back in 1978 Joe Knapp competed. And he’s competed every year since. In 2021 Knapp, 66, swept titles in slalom, tricks and jumping in the senior men's division claiming his eighth U.S. overall title.
Joe shares with Marc what keeps him going, on the water and in life, and his end game for waterskiing – hint, it’s not any time soon. Joe’s story plus his tie to legendary barefooter Banana George Blair are all in this edition of Fountain of Youth.
Watch Banana George Blair barefoot waterskiing for the final time at growingbolder.com
Learn more about USA Water Ski & Wake Sports here
Follow them on Facebook , IG, YouTube & Twitter
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For more information on Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
#barefootwaterskiing #mastersathlete
In 1967 Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to officially register and run in the Boston Marathon; but that was just the beginning. By the end of the race, she had her life's mission: to provide opportunities for women all over the world to experience the same empowerment she felt through running.
Switzer founded a global running initiative that has created events in 27 countries with over 1 million female runners participating. She's a best-selling author, an Emmy Award-winning TV commentator, a member of the National Women's Hall of Fame and the National Distance Running Hall of Fame. A true trailblazer in women's sports history, Kathrine joins Marc for episode 10 of FOY to discuss that first race in Boston, her 261 Fearless foundation and what running and the National Senior Games mean to her now at age 75.
You can learn more about Kathrine at kathrineswitzer.com &
Follow her on Facebook , IG, & Twitter
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For more information on Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
#mastersathletics #womensrunningcommunity
#marathonwoman #mastersrunning
Studies show over 54% of adults can't swim well enough to save their own life and 39% of adults couldn't swim a single lap. Yet swimming is an exercise that is as close to a fountain of youth as you can get. It's low impact, reduces blood pressure, increases muscle mass and bone density and flexibility, improves oxygen and blood flow to the brain. It's great for your overall cardiovascular health and mental health.
And it’s Bill Brenner’s mission to teach everyone to swim. This week on FOY, Marc talks with the U.S. Masters Swimming Senior Director of Club and Coach Development about why that’s important and how USMS is expanding opportunities to be more inclusive of everyone, no matter what their skill level is, no matter what their gender is, no matter what their motivation is.
Learn more about U.S. Masters Swimming at https://www.usms.org/
Follow USMS on Facebook or IG, Twitter & YouTube
For more information on Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
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Once you’ve excelled at the highest level in your sport, won world and national championships, it’s easy enough to walk away, to retire. Or maybe be content with success as a national team coach. But not Sue Baross Nesbitt. The masters artistic swimmer came back to the pool after nearly 40 of not competing and became a world champion again.
In this edition of FOY Sue and Marc discuss why she returned to competition, how artistic swimming helps her deter the aging process and how exercise helps us all live a fulfilling life.
Watch the video of Sue performing that Marc mentions in the episode here.
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For more information on Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
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If you talk to enough master's athletes, you realize very quickly that they have all encountered setbacks of some kind in their participation in their sport. But it’s how they respond to those setbacks that determine their longevity in sport and sometimes in life.
Andy Leighton is a former tennis player who was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease more than a decade ago. In this episode of FOY Andy tells Marc how transitioning to Pickleball has helped him keep competing physically and emotionally.
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For more information on Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
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Lia Coryell is an accomplished athlete with incredible skills. A two-time Paralympian archer, she also has progressive multiple sclerosis. However her example and her message are probably the greatest thing about her. And it's extremely important to all of us, every single one of us as we age, even if we're not athletes….maybe especially if we're not athletes.
You are more than what happens to you. Rebel with intention. Take your shot. Listen in.
Learn more about Lia through USA Archery
Connect with Lia on Instagram, TikTok & Facebook
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Ready more about GB Classic interviewee Gordy Shields and hear his full interview here
And remember, it’s Never Too Late. Watch Diana Nyad’s Launchpad to What's Next presentation
#mastersathletics #paralympics #femalearcher
Ray Glier has been a journalist for 40 years. He's a guy who could be writing about anything, and has: NFL, MLB, CFB and more. But what he loves to do more than anything else is write about masters sports for his newsletter, Geezerjocknewsletter.com. In this week's FOY Marc and Ray chat about some remarkable stories of masters athletes from around the world, and what Ray has learned from them.
To subscribe to Ray's Geezer Jock newsletter vist: geezerjocknewsletter.com
To read more of Ray's work go: rayglier.com
To watch the race between Orville Rogers and Dixon Hemphill, go here
For more information on Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
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What's more convenient than a team doc who's on the team? Respected orthopedic surgeon and masters volleyball player Dr. Boyd Haynes joins Marc on FOY to talk about the variables we can and can't control in the aging process, the importance of motion and flexibility as we age, and the balance playing volleyball with The Bone Setters adds to his life.
Read more about March 2020 NSGA Athlete of the Month Dr. Boyd Haynes: This Team Doctor is on the Team
For Marc’s full interview with GB Classic guest David Clark:
Surviving & Thriving with David Clark
Find David Clark’s books here:
Out There: A Story of Ultra Recovery
Broken Open: Mountains, Demons, Treadmills & a Search for Nirvana
For more information on Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
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Can you succeed as an elite athlete without animal protein? Masters runner Ellen Jaffe Jones has done the research and is living proof you can.
The accomplished masters athlete, personal trainer, coach, speaker, and author of six books joins Marc Middleton in this episode of FOY. They discuss the family medical history that impelled her to choose a plant-based diet, the difference it’s made in her performance and recovery, the science of epigenetics and more.
Plus, a GB Classic with Sean Swarner, the only person in history to climb the highest mountain on every continent, trek to the South & North Poles and complete the Hawaii Ironman – all with one lung.
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Or Visit her website https://vegcoach.com/to buy her books and learn more.
Marc’s full interview with Sean Swarner is here: https://growingbolder.com/radio-podcast/sean-swarner/
For more information on Growing Bolder & the National Senior Games, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
#podcasts #podcast #sports #mastersathletes #masterssports#athletes #aging #fitness #nationalseniorgames #seniorgames #nsga #veganathlete
In Episode 2 of Fountain of Youth, Marc Middleton chats with Del Moon, the Communications and Media Director for the National Senior Games Association - also known as head storyteller. Sure, some masters athletes are former college stars and past Olympians. But as Del relates, many are ordinary folks who have overcome adversity to keep on competing, in their 60s, 80s and even past 100.
To watch the video stories Marc & Del talk about in this week’s episode visit:
The Indomitable Dottie Gray
Julia Hawkin Expands the Boundaries of Human Potential
Vivian Stancil: Do Not Fear What Is In Your Heart
For more information on Growing Bolder's coverage of the National Senior Games, visit growingbolder.com/nsga
@growingbolder
@seniorgames1
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In our premiere episode of Fountain of Youth Three-time Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines gives host Marc Middleton a fascinating inside look behind the scenes of the Tokyo Olympics, explains how the US boycott of the 1980s Summer Games affected him, and why he has such a passion for masters sports and masters athletes.
To watch the video stories Marc & Rowdy talk about go to:
A Masterclass in Longevity and
Making a Splash
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For more information on Growing Bolder’s coverage of the National Senior Games, visit https://growingbolder.com/nsga/
#fountainofyouth #usmastersswimming