Joe Johnston on
Defy
Top Online Fitness Sites for Older Adults
Letting Your Inner Wisdom Guide You Forward
Wendy Chioji Lived Her Mantra and Inspired People Worldwide
M AY 2 0 2 2 G R O W I N G B O L D E R / M AY 2 0 2 2 D I G E S T
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YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO SET A NEW GOAL OR TO DREAM A NEW DREAM – C.S. Lewis
Enhancing the quality of life for older adults. Call 800-704-9412 or visit GrandPad.net VIDEO & VOICE CALLING • EMAIL • PHOTOS • MUSIC • INTERNET • GAMES • AND MORE
GROWING BOLDER AND NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES ASSOCIATION PRESENT
Fountain of Youth will change everything you thought you knew about aging. It’s the jolt of inspiration you need to make the rest of your life the best of your life.
WITH
MARC MIDDLETON
We’re all told the same debilitating lie that aging is an inevitable decline into disease and disability. Fountain of Youth®, a new podcast from Growing Bolder in partnership with the National Senior Games Association, smashes the negative stereotypes of aging and delivers life-transforming lessons for us all. Hosted by masters athlete, Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, and Growing Bolder CEO Marc Middleton, Fountain of Youth shares the inspiring stories of men and women of all ages, sizes, and abilities who are redefining what’s possible and living active, engaged lives into their 80s 90s, and 100s.
SUBSCRIBE NOW and learn the secrets to active aging! podcasts.apple.com/us open.spotify.com/show audible.com/pd
Or Your Favorite Podcast Listening Platform
Daily Stories Online Visit GrowingBolder.com daily for inspiring stories to help you start Growing Bolder
The Bold Start Get a daily dose of inspiration curated from our most popular social media posts.
Check Out Our TV Shows Check your local listings or watch new episodes of "Growing Bolder" and "What's Next!" at GrowingBolder.com/tv
Radio + Podcast Fast-paced, entertainment hour that will leave you excited about the possibilities in your life, now available on most podcasting platforms and GrowingBolder.com/radio-podcast.
D O N ’ T FO R G E T TO F I N D U S ON OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS Follow us @GrowingBolder
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CREATIVE DIRECTOR Katie Styles PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Jill Middleton EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Lynne Mixson & Tim Killian
GROWING BOLDER PRESS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Marc Middleton GENERAL COUNSEL Michael Okaty, Foley & Lardner LLP PARTNER RELATIONS Sam Koubaissi
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
COMMENTS
Fabrizio Schenardi, Ray Glier, Tricia Reilly Koch & Doro Bush Koch
Contact us via social media @GrowingBolder or email us at feedback@GrowingBolder.com
G R O W I N G B O L D E R / M AY 2 0 2 2 D I G E S T
contents. May 2022
I N E V E RY I S S U E 6
YOUR TAKE
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NOTE FROM THE CEO
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GROWING BOLDER WITH
10 ORDINARY PEOPLE LIVING EXTRAORDINARY LIVES 12 LIFELONG LEARNING
Top Online Fitness Sites And Apps For Older Adults 14 RECIPE
Enjoy Fresh Local Vegetables The Italian Way 26 THE TAKEAWAY
Lia Coryell’s Lifetime Of Defying Expectations MASTERS SPORTS 16 GO FLO, GO.
87 And Entering Nine Events At NSG 24 MORE THAN JUST X'S AND O'S
A Swimming Coach's Lessons Become A Legacy For Life H E A LT H 18 LIFTOFF
Letting Your Inner Wisdom Guide You Forward 30 THERE IS NO HEALTH WITHOUT MENTAL HEALTH
Defy The Stigma And Advocate For Your Mental Wellbeing DEFY 28 DEFY
Photos by Mike Dunn for Growing Bolder
Wendy Chioji Lived Her Mantra And Inspired People Worldwide
STILL JUMPIN’
Head to page 22 to read Joe's story
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YOURTAKE
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"Quitting my career and starting over during what many thought was my 'prime.'"
"Finally being content and thankful for what I have."
—Amy S.
—Travis B.
"Getting past 80 and still breathing. Though the air is a little more contaminated now than back in the 40s."
"Wrote 2 children's books and one self help book for adults. I am now getting ready to write my 4th book."
—Melvin T.
—Genny G. J.
"Skiing double-blacks in my 70s."
"Bicycle 150 miles in 2 days."
—Bob M.
—Carolyn C. C.
"Going to law school at age 40. I am now 57 and quite content with my career choices!"
"Still clean and sober 34 years later by doing it a day at a time."
—Monique C.
—Warren H.
"Earning my degree as a mom of five with two kids in college. Getting myself and all five kids through school without debt."
"Getting back mobility after hospitalization. Bedridden for weeks. Improving in all aspects every day."
—Mary K.S.
—Dian H. L.
G R O W I N G B O L D E R / M AY 2 0 2 2 D I G E S T
Illustration by holaillustrations via Getty Images
What's something you've accomplished that you never thought you would?
From the CEO “There are choices we can all make to increase the odds that we will lengthen our lifespan and, more importantly, our health span but there is no one right way to grow older.”
Photo by Mike Dunn for Growing Bolder
This month’s theme is Defy and this issue of the GB Digital Digest is filled with stories of rebellion. These are personal and peaceful rebellions against the endless efforts to define us as we grow older. They are rebellions against the outdated messaging in an ageist culture that doesn’t yet understand or embrace the opportunity and blessing of extra years. There are choices we can all make to increase the odds that we will lengthen our lifespan and, more importantly, our health span but there is no one right way to grow older. We are all individuals, experiments of one. You do you. That is exactly what Miss Stephanie, Lia Coryell, and Joe Johnston are doing every day. That is what our friend and colleague Wendy Chioji did every day in the face of a terminal diagnosis until she ran out of time. If you are reading this, you have not yet run out of time, but the clock is ticking. It is for all of us. It began the moment we were born. Why does it take a deadly disease or major trauma to help us realize that every minute is priceless and filled with endless opportunity to defy?
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Catch new episodes now airing across Florida!
Hosted by award-winning broadcaster Marc Middleton, What’s Next! features a team of well-known Florida broadcasters and personalities, including Secily Wilson, Amy Sweezey, and Bill Shafer, all shining the spotlight on ordinary people living extraordinary lives. What’s Next! is a jolt of inspiration that helps audiences of all ages believe that it’s never too late to pursue their passions and make a difference in their communities. New episodes are now airing across Florida!
Check local listings and watch a full episode at
GrowingBolder.com/Whats-Next
GROWING BOLDER WITH
Apolo Anton Ohno
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Photo by Frazer Harrison / Staff via Getty Images
How well do you deal with change? Most of us prefer routine. We get comfortable in our lives until something happens to disrupt our daily pattern. A change in a career, the end of a relationship, money problems, illness, and retirement — can all be causes of stress, anxiety and disorientation. We need to learn to defy change, to use change as an opportunity to reinvent, explore and create new adventures. This is true whether you are an ordinary person, or the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympian of all time, like Apolo Anton Ohno. For Ohno, who turns 40 this month, the most intimidating event of his life did not happen on the ice, but instead when he hung up his skates for good. “After my final Olympics, I felt confused, vulnerable, and adrift without purpose,” he said. “That’s when I realized my experiences had given me something much more valuable than medals and memories. I had tools I could use to shift my life in a new direction, tools anyone could benefit from.” It was not easy for Ohno, but defying expectations is what he is all about. He was determined to focus his gold medal mindset not just on finding his pathway into the future, but in helping others find theirs, even in their darkest moments. “We all face loss and have to deal with that,” said Ohno. “There are periods of mourning, acceptance, surrendering to the outcome and then we can begin transforming and transitioning beyond those periods.” It may sound easy, but Ohno knows it is not. Coming from an environment where perfection was essential to his success made it even more difficult for him to walk down unfamiliar roads searching for a new source of fulfillment. “You have to be willing to go explore,” he said. “You have to be willing to go try something new, and you have to be willing to understand that when you do, you're probably
not going to be very good at them in the beginning. But you must realize that's okay. It's a necessary part of the process.” If it sounds as if he has done his research, he has. His interest in the subject resulted in his latest book, Hard Pivot: Embrace Change. Find Purpose. Show Up Fully. In it, he explores his personal journey, in which he realized that when we experience a life-changing event, the most difficult yet important part is being willing and able to let go of what was stable and familiar. “I've gone through such a transformation just to break free from the cycle of obsessiveness that I had as an athlete,” he said. “I’ve been able to channel that in a more holistic and positive way. I feel amazing.” He believes that only once we embrace our transformations can we grow and change for the better. After all, it worked for him. “I look back on the life that I've lived so far, and it's been filled with incredible moments, but it has also been filled with incredible hardships and failures,” he said. “I believe both are important and that it is the combination of the two that results in a life well lived. Hopefully, I can live the next decade with as much intensity, passion and drive as I have over the last 20 years. I know that by helping others navigate their changes will help me achieve it.” G R O W I N G B O L D E R / M AY 2 0 2 2 D I G E S T
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ORDINARY PEOPLE LIVING E XTR AORDINARY LIVES ®
Stephanie Walsh
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70-year olds do not hip-hop dance, at least that is what some people might think. Few would expect to see someone that age dancing on social media sites, and even fewer would expect those videos to go viral, gathering over 11-million views, but that is what happened with Stephanie Walsh. For her, defying expectations is nothing new, as she believes her ability to defy gets better with age. “I’m living my best life right now,” said Walsh. “I’m going to keep dancing as long as I can.” Known online as Ms. Stephanie, videos of her fierce dance moves and incredible energy found an enthusiastic audience on Instagram and TikTok to the point where Walsh, 73, has become an internet sensation, but that is not the only way the hip-hopping grandmother is defying expectations. “It may have been her age at first,” said Ty Gilbert, one of Walsh’s teachers who shares her videos on his TikTok account @FierceFitnessTy. “But for us, it is more the fact that she out-dances the fitness instructors and everyone else in the room.” Her profile proclaims she is “inspiring the world to dance like no one is watching.” But they are watching, with a fanbase that is rapidly expanding. “Dance has helped me get through a lot of things in my life,” said Walsh. “I always had that to turn to when I needed a lift.” Walsh persevered through many hardships. Her mother died in a car accident when she was 5 years old, her daughter was killed at the age of 22, her son survived kidney disease and Walsh was widowed after 25 years of marriage.
“Everybody has to have a passion in their life. It’s like that saying, ‘A life without passion is a life half lived.’ I believe that.” She has overcome three hip replacements, osteoarthritis in both knees and back surgery but relies on her faith, her friends, and her dancing for her positive attitude. “Everybody has to have a passion in their life,” she said. “It’s like that saying, ‘A life without passion is a life half lived.’ I believe that.” Dajah Rene owns the studio where Walsh dances and remembers the moment she first saw her. “I saw a light in Ms. Stephanie that just cannot be dimmed,” said Rene. “It cannot be hidden. It’s a gift that should be shared around the world.” Rene uploaded dance videos of Walsh who at first was unaware of her popularity. “When they told me I went viral I said, ‘Oh, that’s nice,’ but it is really not the reason I dance.” Walsh believes she knows why the videos are so popular. “It’s because I’m a senior,” said Walsh. “You don’t usually see someone my age doing hip hop and moving like that.” She relishes the opportunity to defy preconceived notions about aging and hopes to use her newfound fame to encourage others to do the same. “You don’t have to do something big,” said Walsh. “I’ve watched the Growing Bolder TV show and I’ve seen the impressive things that some people do. That’s great, but every one of us can do something on a smaller level, too. Go help somebody or do that thing you’re interested in. We can all do something. It doesn’t have to be big to make a big impact on someone’s life.” Walsh says there is one lesson she’d like everyone to learn from dance. That is no matter what your interests may be, do it like no one is watching. G R O W I N G B O L D E R / M AY 2 0 2 2 D I G E S T
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LIFELONG LEARNING
Top Online Fitness Sites And Apps For Older Adults 12
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The days of having to drive to a gym to stay healthy are over. A traditional gym membership is still great for those who have the time and access necessary to keep up with a routine, but adults around the globe have now been given the gift of online fitness. Thanks to websites, streaming services and apps, anyone can now work out from their own home on their own schedule and can even handpick the classes and instructors to fit their style!
“Empathy is: ‘Look, I get it. It’s hard, it’s not easy, but you can do it, and you want to do it, so let’s do it. So, put up or shut up. Let’s go.’” JILLIAN MICHAELS
According to a recent study by RunRepeat, the global online fitness industry is now worth over $10 billion dollars, having grown over 77% in the last three years alone. In order to extend our lifespan and maximize the number of healthy years ahead, it’s vital that older adults exercise and stay active as they age. Here are a few of our favorite online fitness sites and apps to try out:
Balanced
An at-home digital fitness platform, Balanced is specifically designed for healthy aging. As a member, you’ll get access to expert trainers, evidence-based workouts, and even a personalized program based upon your own unique wellness goals. You can try it out for a free two-week trial, before switching to a $20/month subscription to access live and on-demand classes.
Silver Sneakers On-Demand
This digital platform offers a large library of videos specifically designed for adults over the age of 65, with workouts on flexibility, mobility, balance, cardio, strength and more! Their website also contains nutritional and dietary advice. Silver Sneakers is a benefit offered by some Medicare plans (such as Florida Blue Medicare for our friends in the sunshine state!), so check with your provider if you qualify for use of this program that has helped millions take charge of their health in their later years.
FitFusion
Created by celebrity fitness instructor and TV show host Jillian Michaels, FitFusion classes can be streamed anytime to your TV, computer, tablet or phone! In a recent interview with Growing Bolder, Michaels said that her app maintains the “community feeling” of a gym thanks to message boards, forums and social media connections. But don’t expect her classes to take it easy on you, because she believes we can all defy expectations and push our limits as we age. “My approach isn’t sympathetic. I find sympathy to be a very dangerous message of false lethargy,” Michaels told Growing Bolder. “Sympathy is, ‘Poor you, you just take the stairs. That’s all you need to do today.’ I think what that tells somebody is, ‘Oh, you’re so weak and you’re so incapable. You’re only capable of the bare minimum.’ And that to me is a very dangerous thing. Empathy is: 'Look, I get it. It’s hard, it’s not easy, but you can do it, and you want to do it, so let’s do it. So, put up or shut up. Let’s go. '”
Twitch & YouTube Channels
Photo by vitapix and Jon Kopaloff / Stringer via Getty Images
Peloton
Don’t be fooled by the stereotype that only younger adults are using stationary bikes like the ones made by Peloton. The community of Peloton users continues to grow every year, as they offer benefits for adults of all ages to work on strength, cardiorespiratory functions and joint mobility. You can watch live and on-demand classes right from the screen on your bike, ranging from five to 60 minutes long for beginners, advanced users and everything in between. For those who want more than just biking, they offer stretching classes, weight classes and more that you can stream on your TV or phone with a monthly subscription.
There are countless videos available for free streaming 24/7 on two of the most popular sites for lifelong learning of all kinds: Twitch and YouTube. Thanks to the digital age, anyone with a phone can now stream content around the globe for free. For those looking for an interactive experience, head to Twitch and check out the “Fitness & Health” category, where over 280,000 followers are already watching live workouts and chatting with their instructor (and other viewers) in real time! If live-streaming isn’t your thing, then head on over to YouTube and find the instructor that fits you best, where you can watch hours upon hours of fitness and nutritional videos made specifically for seniors from teachers like Senior Fitness with Meredith, or Curtis Adams. G R O W I N G B O L D E R / M AY 2 0 2 2 D I G E S T
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Mangia! Enjoy Fresh Local Vegetables The Italian Way Fabrizio Schenardi
While much of the country is still enjoying spring temps in May, Floridians know the heat is here to stay. One way to offset the warm temps is by eating lighter fare, such as this refreshing dish. Filled with seasonal vegetables, it’s also a great way to support your local farmers markets or vendors. It’s versatile as well, as a start your meal or to use as a side dish. Mangia!
Schenardi loves flavor in both food and life. A firm believer in freshness and simplicity, he often creates his dishes with just five or six quality ingredients. A native of Italy, it’s only perfect Schenardi oversees Ravello, the Resort’s Italian restaurant, offering an open kitchen featuring a pizza oven and unique demonstration kitchen. Ravello features authentic cuisine, with some delicious, original recipes, many straight from Schenardi’s grandmother’s kitchen.
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G R O W I N G B O L D E R / M AY 2 0 2 2 D I G E S T
Photos Courtesy of Fabrizio Schenardi and Illustration by setory via Getty Images
Fabrizio Schenardi is the Executive Chef of Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. Schenardi has been at the helm of the kitchens at Four Seasons Resort Orlando since its 2014 opening, overseeing six restaurants plus a large banquet operation.
Insalata di Melanzane e Ricotta Grilled Eggplant | Cucumber | Ricotta
INGREDIENTS
Vegetables 12 oz eggplant 12 oz zucchini 5 oz cucumber 2 oz sweet drop pepper 1 oz micro greens Salt and pepper to taste Chives Vinaigrette 3 ½ oz extra-virgin olive oil 4 ¾ tbsp chopped chives 1 ¼ tsp honey 1 ¾ tsp dijon mustard 4 tsp white wine vinegar ¾ tsp salt 2 ½ tsp freshly ground pepper
Ricotta and Herbsbs 5 oz fresh ricotta 1 tsp lemon zest 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice 1 clove garlic (finely grated) 1 ½ tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 2 ½ oz mixed chives, parsley, mint and tarragon finely chopped (plus more for garnish, finely chopped) Kosher salt and pepper to taste
DIREC TIONS
Cut eggplant and zucchini the long way. Salt the eggplant and let it drain water for 1 hour. Season eggplant and zucchini with salt, pepper and oil, grill it and cut it into cubes of ½", Cut the cucumber in to ½" cubes. Adjust the vegetables in the bottom of a plate after they have been tossed with chives vinaigrette. Garnish with drops of ricotta and micro greens. Puree oil and chives in a blender until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a medium bowl until all of the solids are extracted. Discard solids. Whisk honey and Dijon into the oil. Whisk in vinegar. Whisk in salt and pepper. Store in a jar for up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature if solidified. In a food processor, puree the ricotta, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic and the 1/4 cup of olive oil until smooth. Scrape into a medium bowl, stir in the herbs and season generously with salt and pepper.
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87, And Entering Nine Events At NSG. Ray Glier has written for various media for over 40 years, as a contributor to national publications including The New York Times, Vice Sports, USA TODAY, The Miami Herald, The Boston Globe, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Washington Post. The author of five books, Glier has a passion for master sports and seniors athletes, and shares their stories of triumph and joy in his unique, inspiring, and always moving weekly newsletter, Geezer Jock. For more great masters sports content, subscribe to Ray’s free weekly email at geezerjocknewsletter.com.
Photo by Del Moon
Go Flo, Go.
Ray Glier
These are still the good old days for Flo Meiler. She is 87 years old and looks forward as much as she looks back. The uncancellable Flo is getting ready with glee for the National Senior Games this month where she will pole vault…and throw the javelin and hammer, run the 50 meters and 100 meters, long jump…let me catch my breath…high jump, triple jump, and shot put. “It’s all so much fun,” she said. “I’m looking forward to it.” Many of the rest of us look forward to putting our feet up. Flo looks forward to getting her feet moving. She has claimed 795 medals since she started participating in masters track 31 years ago. Flo has set 35 world records and 35 U.S. records along the way. It’s already been a terrific 2022 for Meiler. She set a world record in the Pentathlon in the USA Masters Track & Field Nationals indoors in New York in March. She did the five events in 3½ hours and tallied 3,907 points, which bested the previous world record for 85-89 cohort by 90 points. The 60-meter hurdles in New York was a new world mark 18.73 seconds for the age group. Flo was so dominant two women came up to her after the race and said, in a cringeworthy moment, “You sure made those two ladies look old.” The rest of us can look feeble around Flo, too. There just doesn’t seem to be an expiration date with her. The end looked near in 2019 at the National Senior Games in Albuquerque when Flo had hamstring and quad injuries. Her leg was wrapped, but she still competed. She seems darn near unbreakable. “I am surprising myself,” Meiler said. “I still can’t believe I’m doing the pole vault when I’ll be 88 in June.” Many of us wouldn’t have the nerve to stick a pole in the ground and leave our feet and go five feet in the air. But Flo adores the pole vault and no one can tell her she should not be doing such a thing. What’s the competition going to be like in Ft. Lauderdale? She laughed. At the last event where there was a pole vault, she said, “I was the only crazy one” in her age group. It’s fitting Flo has a streak of daring because her father was a bootlegger in upstate New York during Prohibition. Adrian ran the sauce between Montreal and the family’s dairy farm in Champlain in the middle of the night with his brother. It was no myth, Flo says. Her father and uncle cruised along back roads with a sleigh and horses. The county, Clinton, was one of the rumrunning hubs in the U.S. during Prohibition in the 1920s. It wasn’t as if Adrian was pure rough neck. He taught himself to play the violin and then taught his kids to dance a Canadian jig. The most important thing her dad and mom (Francoise) taught her was work ethic. Growing up
on a dairy farm work ethic was as much a daily requirement as a glass of milk. Flo’s father died in 1953 at 53, a month before her graduation from high school. He gave her spirit and he must have given her some good genes to go on this long in sports. Maybe, but the gene that matters most is her husband, Gene, a B-52 pilot turned financial analyst. Asked where she gets her motivation for track & field, Meiler said it is not the medals, it’s Gene. She grew up speaking French at home and in school and her raison d’être is Gene. “He’s so proud of me,” she said. “He is my motivation.” Gene has put together 14 albums of the stories and pictures commemorating her athletic career. She is keeping him busy. As if you and I need to feel any more inadequate around Flo, she trains six days a week for 90 minutes to two hours a day. It is not all event-specific work. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Flo works on the weight machines for 30 minutes and then plays tennis with her friends. To get ready for the National Senior Games, Meiler ran a couple of 100 meter races one day, a 50-meter run another day and then the 800 meters. She is trying to stay sharp with the pole vault, but her upper arms are sore this week. “I never, ever take any medication, except this week I had to take Tylenol,” Flo said. She has spread some ointment on her arms, but mostly she watches overworking the same body parts. That’s a lesson. Do so many events you don’t wear out a muscle or tendon like a lot of sport-specific kids in today’s world. You wonder how Flo manages to be so active and then she tells you more of her story. You find out what makes life so precious for her. Years ago, she and Gene lost two premature babies just hours after they were born. They had another child, who died at 3½. They adopted a son. Five years ago he died of a burst aorta. Now do you see why she takes nothing for granted and maintains her health? Raising a family was not all tragic, not at all. They adopted a 2½-year old boy from Canada and these days he helps them keep up their place in Vermont as they advance in age. Flo and Gene adopted a 5½-year old daughter from Korea and she lives near them in Burlington, Vermont. Flo has four granddaughters and two great grandsons. So, you see, Flo has a big heart to go with big ambition on the track. These are indeed still the good old days for the best senior athlete in the U.S., perhaps in the world. Go Flo Go. We will watch. G R O W I N G B O L D E R / M AY 2 0 2 2 D I G E S T
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Liftoff: Letting Your Inner Wisdom Guide You Forward
Illustration: nadia_bormotova via Getty Images
Tricia Reilly Koch & Doro Bush Koch
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There was a time when we wanted to push against expectations from a place of negativity. It was about “not” being old, or not being done. We wanted to defy the odds, to prove something was not impossible or that we hadn’t lost something special. This had its own kind of wisdom, but it’s not as empowering as choosing what you do want and celebrating the wisdom your years have granted you. We don’t have to defy the odds about aging to embrace aging healthily. There are things we can do now that we could not pursue when we were still raising children or making our mark in our careers. The choices we can make now are wide and varied. We can put our wellness first and find our greatest vitality. In the musical Wicked, the main character, Elphaba decides to push off limitations by refusing to operate from a paradigm of lack, of restriction. She wants to wake up and listen to her inner wisdom, which will take her to great heights.
The song swells to a crescendo. The character flies for the first time, airborne above the audience. The spectators know she’s held aloft by wires, but they are rooting for her and inspired by her, nonetheless. What if you approached your life every day this way? What if you chose to be as awake as possible each time you greeted the sun? What if you took each morning as an opportunity to shirk off the “shoulds” and started sitting quietly to listen to your inner voice tell you what it most truly desires? And then what if you let that desire guide you? There may be some layers of fiction to wade through in order to take this leap. We’ve all made up stories about our past. We may believe that other people or difficulties have held us back. While there are certainly circumstances that pose challenges, it’s our attitude that will determine what we learn from them — or not — and how we will grow — or be stunted. In the song, Elphaba says “you” can’t pull me down, but the change in her is really about her. She is the one deciding not to limit herself to what others expect or want. She is the one who is no longer going to hold herself down. How can you defy gravity? What weight can you release to let yourself soar? What new stories can you tell that will shift your perspective away from limits toward possibility and joy?
From “Defying Gravity” in the musical Wicked Something has changed within me Something is not the same I'm through with playing by the rules Of someone else's game Too late for second-guessing Too late to go back to sleep It's time to trust my instincts Close my eyes and leap! It's time to try defying gravity I think I'll try defying gravity And you can't pull me down
Growing Bolder contributors Doro Bush Koch and Tricia Reilly Koch are sisters-in-law who founded the wellness company BB&R, Bright, Bold and Real over a decade and a half ago with a very clear goal: to share with others what they’ve learned about mindfulness and holistic living with the intention that everyone begin to live their best life. Learn more about their retreats, workshops, courses and popular Health Gig podcast at bbrconsulting.us.
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“We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance.”
FOR M ORE DAILY M EME S :
@GrowingBolder
Photo by Deagreez via Getty Images
— Japanese Proverb
More than just media, it’s a movement. Growing Bolder is proud to be the official media partner of the National Senior Games Association! We congratulate and celebrate every athlete competing in Fort Lauderdale this year. Each and every athlete represents what it means to be Growing Bolder — you are defying the odds, pursuing your passions and staying active. You are making the rest of your life the best of your life!
Scan this QR code to become a Growing Bolder Insider for FREE! You will receive: → Access to watch all of our stories on inspirational NSG athletes → Weekly Episodes of our Fountain of Youth Podcast → Our monthly Digital Digest → Daily inspirational memes, photos and more from Growing Bolder’s social channels
Growing Bolder is rebranding aging® by telling the stories of ordinary adults living extraordinary lives. Join us in redefining what’s possible as we age and inspiring the world! G R O W I N G B O L D E R / M AY 2 0 2 2 D I G E S T
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We’re born with a competitive nature. It’s natural and it never goes away. When I get to a meet, I want to win. When I don’t win, it’s motivation to work harder.
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J O E J O H N S TO N
G R O W I N G B O L D E R / M AY 2 0 2 2 D I G E S T
Still Jumpin’ Joe Johnston Bounces Back
Photos by Mike Dunn for Growing Bolder
The last time we caught up with Joe Johnston, aka ‘Jumpin’ Joe’, he was fighting altitude sickness and limping on a badly injured knee as he struggled to compete in the pole vault at the 2019 National Senior Games in Albuquerque. His knee would require total replacement in just a couple of months and Joe knew that he only had a few jumps in him.
He continued passing at lower heights, risking finishing last in order to have any chance of finishing first. It was a risk that paid off as Joe made the most of his few attempts to capture another national championship. Three months later, Joe’s entire knee was replaced, ending decades of struggle with an injury first sustained playing football in the 9th grade. “I had it scoped three times and managed it the best I could over the years,” he said. He was able to live with the pain, but the gradual loss of mobility was unacceptable. The surgery was a complete success. In fact, Joe is now running faster than he did five years ago, and his pole vaulting has picked up where he left off. In February, at age 78, he won another national championship at the US Masters Track and Field Championships at The Armory in New York City. “The biggest challenge was finding a free parking spot within a block of The Armory every day,” he says. “That’s what I’m most proud of.” The trip to New York was part of the over 9,000 miles that Joe and his wife Janet have traveled in their custom van in recent months visiting family and friends from coast-to-coast. Janet is also a masters pole vaulter but is taking a break after eye
surgery. “She’s my #1 coach, encourager, and travel companion.” Joe says. “I stumbled on my soulmate many years ago and somehow managed to marry her. She thinks I’m everything that I aspire to be.” Joe’s next competition will be the National Senior Games in Ft. Lauderdale and after that he wants to begin training for another decathlon; a grueling two-day competition that includes 10 different events: 100m sprint, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400m, hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1500m. What 78-year-old doesn’t have that on their to-do-list? Joe does have a distinct advantage. He and Janet recently added a 5,000-square foot pole vaulting room onto their 1,800-square foot home. “The Joe Dome” allows Joe to practice all events year-round. “It’s been a dream come true” he says. “Janet and I use it every day.” And not just for themselves. The Johnstons are well known throughout the state of Florida and beyond for their generosity and willingness to host and help anyone that’s interested in learning to pole vault. Since opening “The Joe Dome,” they’ve worked with everyone from kids in the neighborhood to high school athletes across the state, to masters athletes from out of state. Their generosity has not gone unnoticed. Joe was honored at the recent Florida State Senior Games with a lifetime achievement award for his inspiration and never-ending efforts to help others improve their health and wellbeing through participation in track and field. “That’s what I live for,” he says. “Encouraging others.” He’s definitely an encourager but will always be a competitor. Even in his late 70s, the desire to win burns as strongly as ever. “We’re born with a competitive nature,” he says. “It’s natural and it never goes away. When I get to a meet, I want to win. When I don’t win, it’s motivation to work harder.” What’s life like at 78? “I don’t have any complaints,” he says. “I’m thankful for the new knee and love the never-ending opportunities to stay connected with my friends in track & field. The competition is fun, but the relationships are priceless. I’m a filthy rich man but I ain’t got much money. I have wonderful things in my life that I deeply appreciate and that makes me rich.” G R O W I N G B O L D E R / M AY 2 0 2 2 D I G E S T
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More Than Just X's and O's A Swimming Coach's Lessons Become A Legacy For Life
There is nothing Bob Jennings loves more than helping someone improve, seeing a change, and guiding them to do better than they ever thought they could. It’s the key to great coaching. It’s why he became one. Jennings has been a mainstay in the masters swimming community, as both a multi-time medal winning athlete, and as a leader out of the pool with nearly five decades of experience as a coach. Most recently, he's been leading one of the most dominant senior athletic clubs in the world as head coach of the Villages Aquatic Swim Team. But in early 2022, the Hall of Fame mentor announced he would be retiring. “It will be bittersweet, but it's time for new people,” Jennings explained. “We've got four new coaches, and three of them have already been working with the team. They'll take over and come up with new ideas. They'll have new enthusiasm. So that'll be very good for the team. It's time for a change, and I'll miss it, but that's the way it goes.” Jennings is leaving a legacy for others to build from. His philosophy has revolved around something simple yet profound; that sports are just like life. As important as knowledge is, he realized that what athletes really need is inspiration. “People always think of coaching as just X's and O's, but it's so much more than that,” Jennings said. “You're taking care of people, helping with stroke mechanics, listening to some of the older swimmers. Being organized and being able to get them ready for their meets is so important. And it's understanding that there are other things in life also. You're helping other people and you try to inspire them with your love of what you're doing in the sport.” 24
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What we get from swimming is your heart is stronger, and the bonds made with people are too. We take care of each other, we’re healthier and you just can't beat that.
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BOB JENNINGS
One Swim Lesson Changes Everything
Learning From Athletes of All Ages
Jennings has been on the path towards helping others since he was a child. His inspiration came from an early swim lesson with his father. “My Dad was in the military, on reserves, so he would go away in the summer,” Jennings reflected. “But he had us join a pool and he got us swimming. I was eight years old, and I couldn't swim the whole length barely. I even had to pick my head up to breathe. And he was just very encouraging. My dad was an official and became head of a swim team and a league. He just inspired me to do the same type of things with United States Masters, with the Villages Aquatic Swim Team. It's about giving back.” Since those lessons Jennings has done more than his share of giving back. He began coaching various sports when he was in high school as a student and says it naturally led him into a career as a teacher. He would go on to coach high school swimming for 36 years, and soccer for eleven. He's won more awards than he can recall: five high school Coach of the Year awards, an induction into his county's Swimming Hall of Fame, service awards, and a masters swimming coaching award in 2020. Not to mention the countless medals he has won as a competitor in multiple National Senior Games and U.S. Masters Swimming events. He has competed in countries like South Korea, England, Barbados, France and more, but instead of keeping a trophy cabinet, Jennings did what he has always done: He gave back. “Over the years, I've donated most of my medals and awards to rehab centers, nursing homes, and to The Villages Adult 'Learn to Swim' program,” he explained.
Jennings had the unique opportunity to work with athletes of all ages, from teenagers to centenarians. With nearly 50 years of experience leading practices, he points to one major difference between coaching younger adults and older athletes: desire. “A lot of kids, they swim or they do whatever sport because their parents tell them to,” he said. “Older adults want to be there. They're there on their own and that makes it more fun. I don't care if they're a superstar or the slowest in the pool. They're in there trying, and that's all that ever counts with anything in athletics, but especially in swimming.” The swimmers on the Villages Aquatic Swim Team have an advantage beyond their desire to be in the pool. Their community is known for world-class amenities and countless clubs to help keep them active and in shape year-round. “The Villages is an athlete's heaven. We have a running club, we have a triathlon club, and biking clubs,” Jennings said. “We have about a hundred on the swim team. We are very close. I love the competition, but I love working out and being around the other swimmers more than anything else. The swim team and the athletes in The Villages are just inspiring. There's always somebody much better than you and it just makes you work harder.” Even though he is retiring from coaching, Jennings, 68, is continuing to defy expectations. He plans to focus on his own swimming in masters competitions and is even looking ahead to running half marathons. He is motivated by the benefits of staying active to his physical, mental, and emotional health. “What we get from swimming is your heart is stronger, and the bonds made with people are too. We take care of each other, we’re healthier and you just can't beat that.” G R O W I N G B O L D E R / M AY 2 0 2 2 D I G E S T
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THE TAKEAWAY
Rebel With Intent Lia Coryell’s Lifetime Of Defying Expectations It started early for Lia Coryell. She remembers her kindergarten teacher rolling her eyes when Lia couldn’t read her name to pick it out of a group of cards. With parents who had little education and a father who was incarcerated when Lia was born, there were no expectations. One of the oldest of nine children, there was trauma and extreme violence in Coryell’s home, creating a defiance within her, and a life mantra to rebel with intent.
“Knowledge is power. I decided very young that I was going to know everything. Everything that my parents never knew or knew how to do, I was going to find out.” L I A C O RY E L L
“Knowledge is power. I decided very young that I was going to know everything,” Coryell said. “Everything that my parents never knew or knew how to do, I was going to find out.” After graduating college Lia joined the army, but her career was short lived. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, or MS. The incurable disease showed up only in flares for many years, but at 48 Coryell’s doctors said her condition had transitioned into progressive MS and advised her to get her affairs in order. With two teenage children, Lia was terrified of all the factors doctors said would exacerbate her condition. “I actually became very depressed and probably a little paranoid that I was going to get sick and die,” Coryell said. “So, I tried really hard not to die, while I was living. And it was a horrible place to be.” The MS diagnosis was a huge part of Lia’s identity, until her graduate work shifted to helping post 9-11 GIs transition from the battlefield to the classroom. The men and women had significant physical challenges like amputations and burns, but what Lia noticed most about the group was they didn’t let any of their limitations define them. The students invited Lia to come to an adaptive sports program, where she discovered a sport she could do from her wheelchair: archery. “That shift absolutely changed my life, because it changed my identity and who I thought I could be,” said Coryell. “I wasn't ‘Lia the loser’ or ‘Lia with MS’ or ‘Lia the woman who's divorced.’ I was ‘Lia, an adaptive athlete.’ And it was life changing.” The last kid picked for playground teams was soon recruited to join U.S.A. Archery - not in spite of her limitations, but because of them. Her condition was so severe that Lia was classified as W1, the most impaired division. Determined to excel, in 2015 Lia began to train full-time and made the USA and world championship teams. By 2016 she was a member of the Rio Paralympic team as the United States’ first W1 female archer. In the beginning Lia’s form was shaky and full of tremors. Initial expectations were again low. “When I went to that first camp, one of the coaches said, ‘Oh, heck no. No, no, no. Why is she even here?’ And he was actually my coach that loaded my arrows in Rio. He said, ‘I never saw this coming.’” Then came the pandemic. With no cure for MS, Coryell is technically in palliative care and doctors told her she would not be eligible for a ventilator if she needed one. Terrified of contacting Covid-19, she isolated and that was just as debilitating. Depression set in, and she wondered why she should keep living. And then she got Covid. “I went into heart failure. I went into a kidney failure. I had shingles on my face. I had shingles on my eye,” Coryell said. Her son summoned her to defy the odds one more time. “He said, ‘Mom, you got to keep going. You can't just give up because your whole life... your whole life, people had been counting you out of the picture.’ He said, ‘You're just going to give up now? Mom, I don't think that's a part of you. You can't do it.’” “And he was right. So, I didn't.” Coryell made the Tokyo Paralympic team and finished fourth. Then in February of 2022 Coryell won gold at the World Archery Para Championships, adding world champion to her lists of accomplishments. “What I see is people that are my age, they use their diagnosis as their identity. And that's tragic,” Coryell said. “I'm not minimizing medical conditions. Please don't think that I am because they are very serious. But is that your safety blanket? Do you need to look beyond that? That's not who you are. Please don't make that your identity because there's more to you than what somebody at some doctor's office says is wrong with you.” G R O W I N G B O L D E R / M AY 2 0 2 2 D I G E S T
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D E F Y
Wendy Chioji Lived Her Mantra And Inspired People Worldwide Growing Bolder has created t-shirts emblazoned with the word, Defy. We have a large Defy graphic on one of our office walls and the theme of this month’s digital digest is Defy. We love the word because it represents one of the keys to successful aging. We must defy the ageist messaging of our culture and the inevitable health challenges that accompany the blessing of extra years. We love the word because we loved our colleague Wendy Chioji and Defy was her mantra. Wendy was an award-winning journalist and a brilliant communicator who brought a never-ending supply of curiosity, intellect, and compassion to every story she told. After 25 years anchoring the evening news for WESH-TV in Orlando, the story she told that would ultimately have the greatest impact, was her own. In 2001, the week after competing in the Boston Marathon, Wendy was diagnosed with Stage ll breast cancer. She was 39. At a time when few media personalities shared details of private health battles, Wendy didn’t hesitate to broadcast her story. “I am blessed with a large media platform,” she told us. “I have the ability to reach tens of thousands of people every day. I’m obligated to use it for good. I want to shout, ‘I have cancer!’ because it’s something that nearly every family in America is dealing with or will deal with. The way we destigmatize something is to talk about it, so let’s talk.” For the next two years, Wendy fought a very public battle, sharing intimate details of not only her surgeries and treatment but also her roller coaster of emotions. She emerged cancer-free with a new appreciation for the value of every minute. She walked away from the anchor desk at the peak of her career, leaving behind a glamorous, high-paying job and moved to Park City, Utah to become an adventure racer, triathlete, ski guide, and an advocate and fundraiser for cancer causes. “A cancer diagnosis redefines how you look at life,” she told us. “I’m going to live big and bold while trying to make a difference in the lives of others. You realize that maybe you have next year and maybe you don’t — so there is no waiting. There is only now.” In 2013, a routine MRI that was part of her annual post-breast cancer regime revealed a small mass in her chest. A biopsy confirmed a rare and aggressive form of cancer called thymic carcinoma. Surgeons removed her thymus gland and after radiation treatment and low-dose chemotherapy, her cancer was declared in remission. One year later her cancer returned. This time the diagnosis was stage 4 metastatic thymic carcinoma. With no known treatment options, Wendy began participating in clinical trials hoping to contribute to research that she knew would likely never cure her but would advance the knowledge base and one day lead to the breakthrough for others that she
hoped for herself. “I’m not a doctor or a researcher. I don’t have the power to make myself better,” she said. “But by participating in clinical trials I can help develop effective treatments and hopefully find a cure.” Through five different clinical trials, Wendy continued to share details of her treatments, setbacks, and side effects. She shared her hopes, triumphs, fears, and frustrations. Her blog, Live Fearlessly, was read by tens of thousands worldwide who never met her but grew to love her. She delivered a complex, unvarnished, funny, hopeful, heartbreaking and ultimately, optimistic vision of life. She was, as she had been throughout her career, authentic and unapologetic. Wendy never let her cancer steal her quality of life. She competed in the KONA Ironman World Championships, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with fellow survivors, and Mt. Fuji with her father. She worked as an on-air correspondent for Growing Bolder and anchored our Emmy-nominated program, Surviving & Thriving. She traveled with family and friends to Central and South America, Antarctica, Europe, Asia, Alaska, Hawaii, and nearly everywhere in between. She gave speeches, wrote articles, raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer causes and worked as a volunteer at the National Ability Center in Park City. She was a powerful force of inspiration and a constant reminder of the blessings of life and the value of time.
“I’m going to live big and bold while trying to make a difference in the lives of others. You realize that maybe you have next year and maybe you don’t — so there is no waiting. There is only now.” W E N DY C H I OJ I
“You can’t let cancer steal your life,” she said. “You just can’t. It’s sad that it usually takes a crisis for people to realize that they only have one life. I do ‘regret checks’ every once in awhile, pausing to ask myself if there is something that I wish I had done or I wish I hadn’t done. I can honestly say that I have no regrets. I can’t think of anything specific that I have left to do. It’s kind of a brilliant feeling.” In her final interview, Wendy shared with us the message that came to define her life. “Say Yes. Go out and do things. Take advantage of good health, resources, and free time. I'd love to count on 20 more years of traveling around the world, eating great food, and spending time with friends. I'm not going to have that opportunity. I know that. So, my advice is to take calculated risks. Try to be great every day because it might be your last day.” Wendy’s last day was October 7, 2019, but her inspiration lives on. Defy. G R O W I N G B O L D E R / M AY 2 0 2 2 D I G E S T
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There Is No Health Without Mental Health Defy The Stigma And Advocate For Your Mental Wellbeing
A stigma still exists around discussing our mental health, which too often can be an obstacle to individuals seeking necessary treatment and accessing the abundant resources available to help. This is especially important for older adults. Research shows one in four adults 65 and older experience mental health problems, but two-thirds of seniors don’t get the treatment they need. It’s important to recognize that our mental health is as 30
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important as our physical health, and actually affects our physical health. Depression can increase conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Changes in our physical health and life circumstances as we age, such as chronic pain, loss of mobility and the death of a spouse or friends, are likely to affect our mental health. The two go hand-in-hand. More than two million Americans age 65 and older suffer from some sort of depression.
Illustration by ajijchan via Getty Images
In 1949 Mental Health America designated May as Mental Health Awareness month, seeking to increase awareness about the importance of mental health and wellness in the lives of all Americans. Unfortunately, 73 years later the mission is the same.
And then there’s the state of the world. Everyone has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in some way. Living with chronic stress and anxiety can affect your ability to feel joy from things you love to do, says Dr. Nick Dewan, vice president of behavioral health for Florida Blue. But mental illness is not a natural part of aging. There are resources available to help you navigate all these events, just like navigating a physical health event. → If you’re not sure if you or someone you love is experiencing a mental health change or challenge, check out the early warning signs posted here on mentalhealth.gov. → Advocating for your mental health begins with awareness and honesty. Always talk to your doctor about your mental health and any symptoms you feel. Your doctor can develop a treatment plan to help you feel your best. → Build a supportive tribe. Reach out to your doctor or a therapist, but also share what you’re feeling or changes you're experiencing with a trusted friend or family member. Chances are, they can relate and will provide encouragement. → Are you open to new opportunitiess or is your life growing smaller? When was the last time you did something for the first time? What’s something new you can try this week? Keep growing bolder.
→ If you aren’t quite feeling like yourself lately, try taking some small steps to turn things around. Check out this video from Dr. Dewan about setting small goals to improve your mental health. Dr. Dewan suggests doing something you’ve enjoyed in the past, like visiting a friend. If it’s hard to feel the same joy from things you love, switch it up a little. Listen to new music or walk in a different park. Trying something different can help you rediscover your joy, Dr. Dewan says.
Florida Blue has additional great resources you can try: > Florida Blue Center community specialists can answer questions help you find local resources. Visit your local center or call 877-352-5830 or learn more at floridablue.com/center. > Visit the Florida Blue website for more information to support your mental health at floridablue.com/mentalwellbeing. Remember, there is no health without mental health.
meQuilibrium is an independent company contracted by Florida Blue to provide health services. Florida Blue and Florida Blue Medicare are Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Florida Blue is a trade name of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Inc. ©2022 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., DBA Florida Blue. All rights reserved.
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64& MEDICARE
Make Medicare an opportunity to live BOLDER.
SO MUCH MORE!
Go to growingbolder.com/Medicare to download your free, easy to understand guide to Medicare. To speak to a representative call 1-844-396-2579.
Florida Blue and Florida Blue Medicare are Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ©️2022 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc. DBA Florida Blue. All rights reserved. Y0011_101935 R1 2020_C
