I had the pleasure of hanging out with a living icon! Let me just say that this is the coolest chick that I have ever kicked it with and I would hang out with her anytime. Her name is Ms. Ernestine Shepherd. At 83 years old she is known for being the World’s Oldest Female Bodybuilder. She was in town recently with, A Better You Health and Wellness Events, presented by United Healthcare and AARP. When I heard she was coming to town and that I would get to a chance to meet and speak with her, I jumped at the opportunity.
A Better You, is a series of complementary health and wellness educational events and their kick off was in Atlanta. This national initiative delivered important information to “Baby Boomers” and their families, about Medicare and more. Here they received all of the information they would need to make informed decisions about their health care coverage options.
Renew your mindset with insights from visionaries in spirit and health.
~A Better You.
This one day, 2-session event was held at the Ivy Community Center. We heard from Inspirational speakers Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant and and Elder Carla Stokes. United Healthcare’s Rita Tolbert did a presentation on Medicare that covered every aspect of its parts. She also took questions to make sure that everyone had an understanding.
Residents from local senior citizen communities were bussed in to receive this info. I took my mother to this event with me. Even though she has a good understanding of Medicare and how it works she still found the information given to be very helpful and she had a really great time too.
There was also a musical performance by 60’s acapella group, The Persuasions. The Persuasions brought the house down with their cover of several of our R & B favorites and their fancy dance moves. They got everyone up on their feet and dancing. It was a lot of fun.
Ms. Ernestine Shepherd hit the stage in powder blue, custom made fitness apparel. Each of her outfits has her mantra embroidered on them.
Determined, Dedicated, Disciplined To Be Fit!
She told the story of how she got started with fitness and bodybuilding. She spoke about her beloved sister, Velvet, and how she was a key influence on her. She said that her and Velvet were very close and one day while trying on bathing suits they both decided that they didn’t like how they looked in them. Thus began many years of training which eventually led to bodybuilding for them both. Sadly her sister Velvet passed away and Ms. Ernestine vowed to carry on her legacy by continuing to compete. She was trained by former Mr. Universe, Yohnnie Schambourger. On the circuit she is known as “Granny 6-pack” Ms. Ernestine posed for us and showed us that age ain’t nothing but a number by doing push ups.
At the meet and greet Ms. Ernestine and The Persuasions took pictures and spoke with every single person that wanted to.
Interview with Ms. Ernestine Shepherd
I was able to catch up with Ms. Ernestine after the show. She was so sweet and kind. She agreed to sit down and talk to me. We discussed how and why she got started. She gave advice to those who are new to getting fit and we discussed her high protein diet. The interview was streamed live on Facebook and Periscope. You can catch it in its entirety on YouTube.
Ms. Ernestine has a major fan, Krystal Taylor, of Fitness Is Not a Game (FINAG). I am a member of Krystal’s Facebook group. I was happy to speak to Ms. Ernestine on behalf of the group as well as present her with some lovely FINAG gear from Krystal. Ms. Ernestine also inspired my sister and I to become each others accountability partners as we take our own weight loss journeys. My resolution this year was to get fit and unlock any other failed attempts I have been able to stick to it and was down 20lbs at the time of the interview. I am so happy that God placed Krystal and Ms Ernestine Shepherd into my path at just the right time when I needed the encouragement and motivation the most. They say, “everything happens for a reason.
If I am lucky enough to make it to age 83, I hope that I can be half as healthy as Ms. Ernestine Shepherd. One thing we all need to recognize is that no matter what, we are going to get older. Aging is a part of life. Ms. Ernestine showed me that whether you live a healthy life or not is up to you and that it’s never too late to get started.
What are you doing to stay healthy?
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