Fountain of Youth

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 Follow National Senior Games Association #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 Follow Growing Bolder Follow National Senior Games Association 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. Follow Growing Bolder Follow National Senior Games Association 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 Follow Growing Bolder Follow National Senior Games Association 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 Follow Growing Bolder Follow National Senior Games Association 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 Follow Growing Bolder Follow National Senior Games Association 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 Follow Growing Bolder Follow National Senior Games Association For more information on Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga #mastersathlete

When Lynda Leopold 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 Follow Growing Bolder Follow National Senior Games Association 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 Follow Growing Bolder Follow National Senior Games Association 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 Follow Growing Bolder Follow National Senior Games Association 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 Follow Growing Bolder Follow National Senior Games Association #mastersathletics #mastersswimming

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. Learn more about Artistic Swimming On Facebook or Instagram Follow Sue on Instagram For more information on Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga Follow Growing Bolder Follow National Senior Games Association #mastersathletics #artisticswimming

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.  Learn more about Pickleball On Facebook, Instagram or Twitter For more information on Growing Bolder & the NSGA, visit growingbolder.com/nsga Follow Growing Bolder Follow National Senior Games Association #mastersathletics #pickleball #parkinson

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 Follow USA Archery on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter 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 Follow Growing Bolder Follow National Senior Games Association #mastersathletes    

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 Follow Growing Bolder Follow National Senior Games Association #mastersvolleyball #seniorathlete #mastersathletes  

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. Follow Ellen Jaffe Jones on: Facebook Instagram Twitter 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 #fountainofyouth 

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 Follow Rowdy on: Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn For more information on Growing Bolder's coverage of the National Senior Games, visit https://growingbolder.com/nsga/   #fountainofyouth #usmastersswimming

Fountain of Youth podcast, coming January, 2022