Huntsman World Senior Games Active Life

Send us a textSteve Brumwell, 67, has been immersed in sports since junior high, excelling in basketball, football, track, and cross country. A standout athlete, he earned a scholarship to UC Santa Barbara where he focused on distance running and the steeplechase. After a 37-year career as a high school PE teacher and basketball coach, Steve returned to competitive running, inspired by his youngest daughter's collegiate cross country journey. He lost over 40 pounds in seven weeks so that he could run with her. Though he now is mostly retired from road racing after competing in events like the USATF road circuit and the Boston Marathon, Steve continues to race on the track, representing the SoCal Track Club with former college teammates. Despite recent injuries and setbacks, he stays motivated by the friendships and community he's built through Masters athletics. For Steve, the true victory is in the people he meets and inspires along the way.

Send us a textLee Calvert is a vibrant 100-year-old woman from Southern California. A former actress, she later worked in international dubbing for classic TV shows like The Brady Bunch and I Love Lucy, which enabled her to travel and compete in European badminton tournaments. Her dedication to the sport earned her over 200 medals and induction into the USA Badminton Hall of Fame. After losing her home and treasured medals in the recent Palisades wildfires, she was thrilled to have her Huntsman World Senior Games awards reinstated. Following a knee replacement, Lee transitioned to table tennis, which she still plays several times a week with her son. An active community member, she received the “Arnie Wishnick” award for volunteerism and was involved with PAPA (Palisades Americanism Parade Association) and the Optimist Club. Lee's zest for life shines through her 10 nightly push-ups, love of dancing, and unwavering spirit—proving age is just a number.

Send us a textTerah Johnson, a 64-year-old Masters Track and Field athlete from Lehi, Utah, is a mother of seven and married to Eric Johnson. A graduate of San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas, she enjoys sewing, cooking, reading, singing, and painting. Terah is Utah's most decorated female Master athlete 2021-2024, holding numerous state records and earning 129 medals over four years. In 2024, she won six USATF All-American Awards across jumps and distance events and has earned 25 USATF All-American honors overall. Her 2024 season highlight was winning gold in the 800 meters and 4x800 meter relay at the USATF Masters Outdoor Nationals, plus silver in the 4x100 relay and bronze in the high jump. Her points helped the SoCal Track Club clinch the National Team title. Terah was named Utah's Best of State Female Amateur Athlete for 2022–2025.

Send us a textSeventy-five-year old Robbie Stuart is a lifelong athlete whose journey began before women's sports were widely available. In high school, she jumped at any chance to play, joining the after-school Girls Athletic Association and diving into every sport offered through parks and recreation. With a mom who taught her tennis and a dad who taught her golf, Robbie built a love of movement that never faded. She played coed and adult women's volleyball, eventually competing nationally in AAA tournaments and with legends like Olympian Patti Bright. At Long Beach State, she made Final Four appearances in collegiate volleyball and also competed in archery and fencing. Though she studied PE with hopes of coaching, her career flourished in parks and recreation, where she coached, supervised, and mentored for over 40 years. Now retired, Robbie still thrives in competition, playing golf twice a week and representing her club in Ryder Cup-style match play. Her favorite tournament, however, is at the Huntsman World Senior Games!

Send us a textTrevor Cowley is the kind of person who is all in, in all aspects of life. As a youth, he loved baseball and won the Utah state championships in Little League. As an adult, he loves to play ping pong. However, what gets him out of bed is setting and achieving goals. On January 1, 2022, Trevor challenged himself to complete a grueling 1,000-day "two-a-days" workout challenge, which he proudly accomplished on September 28, 2024. At this point, he chose to continue until the end of the year to achieve a full three years straight! For over 450 consecutive days, he began his mornings with a 10-mile run, and on March 23, 2025, he initiated his pursuit of the Guinness World Record for the most consecutive days running a half marathon.Additionally, Trevor is an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, CEO of Real Business Owners Mastermind, and host of the Real Business Owners podcast, with over 2 million downloads and counting. He loves spending his evenings supporting his kids in their goals, and Trevor believes that discipline, resilience, and personal growth are the foundation of a fulfilled life. 

Send us a textRob Henderson is dual-licensed recreation therapist and addiction counselor who specializes in behavioral health service delivery: both private practice and professional trainings and development. With a career spanning clinical, administrative, and academic roles, he has served communities across the South- and Mountain-West United States. Rob is the president and founder of four behavioral health organizations: A.R.E., a recreation and adventure therapy provider; RITE Trainings, a behavioral health training organization; Recovery Park Homes, a recovery residence for women and children; and Foundation 4 Therapeutic Recreation, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to adventure-based healing for underserved populations.Beyond his professional work, Rob is an experienced backcountry guide and adventure enthusiast. He shares his passion for the outdoors and music with his wife, Heather—his closest friend and business partner—alongside their large, lively family, often found exploring nature or enjoying homegrown jam sessions.To learn more about Rob, visit https://www.ritetrainings.org/ .

Send us a textRosemary “Rosy” Spraker is an accomplished marathoner, advocate, and mentor who found her passion for running in 2005 while raising funds for cancer research in honor of her late father. Growing up running in the Colorado mountains with six sisters and three brothers, she developed a love for endurance and competition. Inspired by Kathrine Switzer, Rosy is determined to complete 25 consecutive Boston Marathons and is one of only 88 people worldwide to have finished all seven World Marathon Majors. She recently set a new personal record with a blazing time of 3:31:21 at the inaugural Every Woman's Marathon at age 60 and won first place female in the Antarctica Marathon at the age of 61.A decorated senior athlete, she earned gold medals in the Virginia and Maryland Senior Games and four golds and two silvers in the National Senior Games for 5K and 10K road races. A retired IT Management Consultant and Electrical Engineer, she now dedicates her time to inspiring others. As a certified 261 Fearless Coach, she launched a local chapter in the Washington, DC area, empowering women through running. She continues to serve as the Board President of 261 Fearless Club DC Metro, even while she now lives in Newbury, Ohio, with her husband, Lesley.You can learn more about 261 Fearless at 261fearless.org.

Send us a textThis is part 2 of our conversation with Matt Blanchard. In this episode Matt describes what happened after a second car accident derailed his progress from the previous 15 years of recovery. He thrives in serving others in many ways, including through his organization St. George Adaptive Sports.Matt Blanchard is a Utah-based motivational speaker, devoted husband, and proud father of three. His journey is one of resilience, redemption, and the belief that life happens for him, not to him. In 2006, a rollover accident left Matt paralyzed from the waist down with a T-12 total spinal cord injury. Through relentless determination and daily therapy over a span of 15 years, he defied the odds and learned to walk again.Even beyond the physical challenges that the accident had imposed, Matt had other mountains to climb in his recovery. He struggled with an opiate addiction, which he overcame—only to face another life-altering moment in 2021 when a head-on collision with a drunk driver resulted in another spinal injury and broken bones that erased all the physical progress he had made since the previous accident. Yet, Matt views paralysis as a gift, shaping him into the man he was meant to be. As the founder of St. George Adaptive Sports, he empowers individuals with disabilities through recreation. A sought-after speaker, Matt inspires others to "DIG IN, DIG DEEP, and GET IT DONE."To learn more about Matt, visit his website at https://blanchardinspires.com/.

Send us a textMatt Blanchard is a Utah-based motivational speaker, devoted husband, and proud father of three. His journey is one of resilience, redemption, and the belief that life happens for him, not to him. In 2006, a rollover accident left Matt paralyzed from the waist down with a T-12 total spinal cord injury. Through relentless determination and daily therapy over a span of 15 years, he defied the odds and learned to walk again.Even beyond the physical challenges that the accident had imposed, Matt had other mountains to climb in his recovery. He struggled with an opiate addiction, which he overcame—only to face another life-altering moment in 2021 when a head-on collision with a drunk driver resulted in another spinal injury and broken bones that erased all the physical progress he had made since the previous accident. Yet, Matt views paralysis as a gift, shaping him into the man he was meant to be. As the founder of St. George Adaptive Sports, he empowers individuals with disabilities through recreation. A sought-after speaker, Matt inspires others to "DIG IN, DIG DEEP, and GET IT DONE."To learn more about Matt, visit his website at https://blanchardinspires.com/.

Send us a textFrom as early as 6 years old, Paula Franetti had the dream to be in the Olympics to experience the thrill of being her very best. This far-reaching Olympic experience fostered an active childhood playing a variety of neighbor pick-up sports until women's basketball became available in high school 10th grade. Paula's life revolved around the pursuit of excelling at basketball both in high school and college. When competitive basketball ended after college, Paula sought to excel at running, competing regularly in road races including marathons and half-marathons.Paula first learned of the National Senior Games when Pittsburgh hosted the 2006 Games. Not old enough to compete, she volunteered, and her pursuit of being an Olympic basketball player was re-ignited. Five National Games and two Huntsman World Senior Games later, Paula's pursuit of being her very best came to a screeching halt when a speeding driver nearly killed her. Facing a projected 2-year recovery, Paula met her greatest challenge of finding a way to become her very best again by relying on her past to start over.To learn more about her story, you can visit https://reboundplanner.com/ or purchase her book on Amazon.com entitled "Driving Force: How One Woman Rebounded from Life-Altering Injuries and You Can Too."

Send us a textSixty-six-year-old Yolanda Holder, also known as the “Walking Diva,” is a professional ultra-marathon walker and a two-time Guinness World Record holder for the “Most Marathons Completed in a Calendar Year.” She set her first record in 2010 by completing 106 marathons and ultras, then surpassed it in 2012 with 120. In 2019, she became the oldest person to achieve US Race Walk Centurion status (#94) by race-walking 100 miles in under 24 hours (23:52:17). A decorated athlete, Yolanda also holds the title of World Champion Pedestrian for finishing the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race in 51 days, 17 hours, and 13 seconds. Beyond her athletic achievements, Yolanda is a wife, mother, grandmother, inspirational speaker, author, and an advocate for Type 2 Diabetes awareness, promoting health through walking and positivity.To learn more about Yolanda, you can check out her book, "My Journey to Guinness: "Walking Diva" Walking My Way into the Guinness Book of World Records."

Send us a textFormer Army Ranger and member of the Special Forces, Dr. Alec Eror, is a cardiothoracic surgeon in St. George, Utah who is affiliated with multiple hospitals in Utah, including Intermountain Health St George Regional Hospital and Intermountain Health Utah Valley Hospital. He received his medical degree from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine and has more than 30 years of experience in the medical field, including expertise in heart valve surgery and heart bypass surgery. Dr. Eror currently serves as the medical director of cardiac rehab in the St. George Regional Hospital.As an ambassador for Red Rock Bicycle Company, Dr. Eror loves cycling and averages 10,000 miles a year. He especially enjoys gravel biking, and he has done gravel biking races throughout the world, often planning vacations around these races. He has competed in cycling at the Huntsman World Senior Games for 5 years.

Send us a textMort Friedman, 88, is a decorated senior athlete with an impressive career in bowling and softball. Over more than 30 years, he has earned 38 medals at the Michigan Senior Olympics, National Senior Games, and Huntsman World Senior Games. In 2023, he won three gold medals in bowling, setting a new state record in doubles. Despite his age, he competes at a high level, recently rolling a 227 game in league play. Mort's 549 total in singles at the Huntsman Games would have earned silver in the 55-59 age group—three decades younger than him.A former Professional Bowlers Association Senior Tour competitor, Mort bowled Michigan's first sanctioned 300 game by a Jewish bowler in 1957. He also helped the University of Michigan win the Big Ten Tournament in 1959. A longtime construction industry leader, Mort retired last year after 52 years as president of Mort Friedman Construction. With replaced knees and a healthy lifestyle, he continues to defy age, inspiring athletes of all generations.

Send us a textStan Swallow's first bike race was in 1999 when 59 years old. He has been a dedicated cyclist since then.  He established a cycling group named the Utah Velo Club in 2003 at the request of a bike shop in American Fork, Utah.  He rides about 10,000 miles a year alone and with the club.  Rides range from 35 to 100 miles and include riders of all abilities, from teens to seniors.  Stan will chat with the riders and make them feel like they are the only ones riding with him.  This former Best Overall Racer in the Nation for his age division continues to race annually in national championships and in the Huntsman World Senior Games.  On days that Stan doesn't ride, he organizes club events for winter hikes or snowshoe trips.Originally from Fillmore, Utah, Stan ran track and wrestled in high school, earned an engineering degree from UCLA, and worked 36 years for the Federal Aviation Administration.  Married to Sharon for 60 years, this former marathon runner enjoys hiking, cold showers, and sauna sessions when not cycling.  A keto diet enthusiast, Stan relies on ketones and an energy drink during rides, skipping traditional snacks.

Send us a textCarmen's 22-year journey in the Huntsman World Senior Games spans a wide variety of sports and teams, including softball, pickleball, bowling, and track and field. She has competed on multiple teams at the Games, and she has left a lasting impact on each one. Her track and field achievements include shot put, sprints, javelin, and standing long jump. A pivotal 2010 moment, hitting a walk-off grand slam, remains one of her most cherished memories. Now at the age of 85, her lifelong athleticism and positivity inspire all those around her as a passionate advocate for the Games. We were honored to induct her in the Huntsman World Senior Games Hall of Fame in 2023. Carmen is also a vital part of the Maryland Senior Olympics, the Golden Girls, and 80+ Colorado Peaches softball, and she serves as a senior sports association commissioner.

Send us a textStarting her running journey in her early 20s, Elizabeth Bille signed up for a 5K charity race in Washington, D.C., despite never having run that far. The camaraderie and joy of the event hooked her, leading to her first half marathon with her husband, a triathlon in her mid-30s after her youngest child was born, 11 Ragnar races, numerous trail races, and one full marathon in her early 40s. Though she loathed running as a child, it's now a source of physical and mental strength, inspired by her 81-year-old father, a competitive runner. She also credits “Moms Run This Town” as an instrumental part of the joy she finds in running.A former theater major, she left performing for a more practical career path as an attorney. Just recently, she rediscovered her love for dance and singing, conquering fears that had been non-existent in her younger years. A recent pinnacle triumph was performing in front of an audience. She now delights in embracing discomfort and being an example about trying challenging things to her three children.

Send us a textDr. Glynis Worthington redefined the concept of lifelong learning by earning a Doctor of Education from the University of Northern Iowa. Her groundbreaking dissertation explored the experience of adults aged 50 and older playing pickleball doubles, uncovering the sport's remarkable capacity to evoke flow—a state of complete immersion and enjoyment. Driven by curiosity, Dr. Worthington spent over 200 hours observing players, revealing that pickleball enthusiasts experience unprecedented levels of flow compared to previous studies.  Inspired by the social and psychological dimensions of the game, she aspires to use her research to promote health and well-being among older adults. Dr. Worthington's dedication to this field stems from a deeply personal place, as she honors her late father by advocating for active, engaging lifestyles in retirement. Now a self-proclaimed pickleball scientist and health advocate, Dr. Worthington shares her insights through presentations and discussions, empowering others to discover the transformative benefits of this dynamic sport.

Send us a textTom Simek, a 72-year-old Navy Submarine veteran, homebuilder, husband, father of 3 and grandfather of 2 inspires with his journey of resilience and determination. Like many of us, he has had his ups and downs with nutrition and fitness, but Tom embraced fitness seriously at 59 and hasn't looked back. From track and field events to competing on American Ninja Warrior as its oldest competitor on season 16, Tom's pursuits are fueled by his love of challenges. He was a 2024 Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete by AARP, and he excels in senior track and field in the 50m, 100m, 200m, and long jump, with national rankings in his age group. Tom's granddaughter, a track star herself, remains his greatest inspiration, motivating him to stay active and lead by example. He values consistency, clean eating, and daily training, combining bodyweight exercises, weightlifting, yoga, and sprints at high altitudes.

Send us a textResiding in Laguna Beach, California, Todd Miller works in Industrial Real Estate investing. A former USC volleyball setter in the early 1980s, Todd played in two NCAA Final Fours. His daughter also played for USC, competing in one Final Four. Since 2005, Todd has competed in USA Masters volleyball, earning four All-American honors and leading Western States Laguna to six National Championships. His team won the Huntsman World Senior Games 10 consecutive years in the 50-54 age group, and as Team USA captain, he secured gold at the 2017 World Masters Games.Retired in 2022, Todd overcame prostate cancer and now advocates for PSA testing. He co-founded Global Grins, distributing 1.5 million toothbrushes, and leads a Laguna Beach diving club removing ocean pollution. Todd is married with two adult children and one grandchild. 

Send us a textTiffany Gust holds an Applied Exercise Science and Sports Nutrition master's degree and is a certified USAT triathlon coach, US Masters swim coach, and a certified exercise physiologist. She works as an exercise physiologist at Intermountain Sports Performance and owns TG Triathlon and Fitness Coaching. Tiffany developed the High-Performance Aging Program at Intermountain Healthcare and is a national board-certified health and wellness coach. She also teaches as an adjunct professor at Utah Tech University and writes for St. George Health and Wellness Magazine. A world national Olympic distance age group qualifier, Tiffany has completed over 175 triathlons, including 24 Ironman finishes, earning the "Ironman All World Athlete" distinction. Despite facing health challenges, including strokes and heart surgery, Tiffany emphasizes balance and gratitude. Outside of fitness, she enjoys hiking, pickleball, running, and reading. Tiffany's greatest achievement is being a wife and mother of three, which she believes is the heart of her success.

Send us a textDr. Kenton Brown, the older of two siblings, grew up during a time of war. While his father was a gifted athlete, he wasn't strongly encouraged to pursue sports. Ken played Little League baseball as a child, but his true passion for sports began with tennis, which he played extensively during his youth. He continued his tennis journey at the University of Notre Dame, but as he progressed through his studies, Ken shifted his focus to pre-med courses, while still staying active through intramural sports and jogging. Jogging became his preferred way to maintain fitness during his demanding medical training, all while managing family life with four children.Throughout his career, Ken maintained his interest in racquet sports, as well as cycling, running, and swimming. After overcoming a challenging personal period, he joined a senior softball league, marking the start of a new athletic chapter. Since then, Ken has been inducted into the Texas Senior Softball Hall of Fame and has played on multiple championship teams. He also holds several sprinting records at our Games and senior world records. Now 81 and retired, Ken remains active through running, pickleball, and regular exercise.

Send us a textKathleen Fors is a health and well-being expert, author, and speaker who specializes in behavior change for high performance. With a Master's Degree in Physical Education, a minor in Biology, and expertise in the mind-body connection for optimal health and success, Kathleen brings over three decades of experience in self-improvement, coaching, and advanced certifications. As a gold medal-winning senior athlete, she excels at guiding professionals and athletes in swiftly identifying and clearing unconscious sabotaging beliefs that block progress. Using her signature Empowerment 360 Success System™, Kathleen transforms pressure, self-doubt, overwhelm, and numerous other challenges into happiness, health, and success—helping clients synergistically thrive in every area of their lives.To learn more from Kathleen and receive a free special report on clearing limiting emotions to achieve high performance and success, visit kathleenfors.com .

Send us a textAlyssa Blue is a non-practicing aerospace engineer that found the human body more fascinating than rockets. After suffering a health crisis in her early 20's, she went on a decade-long journey learning how to heal herself. Today as an FDNP (Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner), her research background shines, taking a deep dive in investigating her clients' bio-individuality and walking with them on a path back to balance. Out of a necessity to help more people than their one-on-one practice would allow, Alyssa and her partner Mike embarked on a 2.5-year journey of R&D to co-create ALIGN. It is the only Schumann Resonance tuned PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) mat on the market. This meticulously crafted art piece blends ancient wisdom and modern technology to empower more people to tap into their own innate healing potential. To learn more about the technologies Alyssa described in the show, visit myalignmat.com .

Send us a textDaniela Barnea first joined a swim team at 13 through the YMCA, and she now teaches swimming to people aged 2-72! Daniela holds many Huntsman World Senior Games records since she began her journey with our Games 13 years ago, but her excellence extends to national and international stages as well, with numerous USMS national records and most recently setting 10 USA national records, 20 Pacific records, and 4 world records at the Pacific Championships. Daniela's love for swimming is complemented by her passion for water polo, basketball, and healthy competition. Staying active evolved from a health strategy into a joyful hobby. She also enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and exploring different cultures. With a degree in graphic design, Daniela spends her free time creating art and learning new skills. She is also a dedicated mother of three and grandmother of eight.

Send us a textDr. Robert Jamieson is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who is fellowship trained in Total Joint Replacement, focusing on the hip and knee. In 2014, he performed the first outpatient total joint replacement in northern California, where the patient had a knee replacement done in the morning and was recovering at home by that afternoon. Dr. Jamieson focuses on providing a comfortable and frictionless patient experience throughout the journey with a hip or knee.Dr. Jamieson's areas of interest include narcotic-free pain control after surgery, rapid recovery, outpatient total joint replacements, anterior approach to hip replacements, and utilizing the latest technology, including robotics. Dr. Jamieson is fluent in Italian, which he learned while serving as a missionary in northwestern Italy for two years.Outside work, he finds joy in spending time with his family, engaging in sports, and, most importantly, serving the community. This dedication fosters a sense of connection and value for his patients and colleagues.

Send us a textAt age 14, humiliation from a PE teacher at Taipei First Girls' High School left a profound impact on May Chou, a young refugee from mainland China. Discouragement and self-doubt evolved to three decades of inactivity. At the age of 43, inspired by a colleague, she began jogging in her backyard and eventually on to joining a running group where she rediscovered her abilities and gained confidence after competing in her first race. This marked the start of an inspiring journey where May regularly participated in over 40 races annually, earning more than 1,000 awards over four decades. Not only did running restore her self-esteem related to activity, but in personal and professional milestones as well, and she went on to become a successful dentist in the United States. May credits her success to supportive friends, family, and a balanced lifestyle of healthy eating and activity. Approaching her 90th birthday, she competed in the Huntsman World Senior Games for the first time in 2024 and plans to compete in the World Masters Games, a triumphant return to Taipei, symbolizing resilience and the transformative power of sports.

Send us a textThis week's podcast features several guests from our Huntsman World Senior Games staff. Each was asked to share a story of someone who epitomizes active aging to them. Tune in to hear some inspiring and heart-warming stories!

Send us a textDori Tharp is a remarkable 73-year-old woman, originally from Salt Lake City and raised in Hollywood, CA. She lives a life rich in family, community, and service. Dori moved to St. George, where she and her husband raised eight children. She considers herself a professional volunteer, and just some of the organizations outside her church who benefit from her time are Historic St. George Live!, Daughters of Utah Pioneers, and RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program). Additionally, Dori has volunteered at the Huntsman World Senior Games since its inception in 1987. She has served countless athletes and guests at the information desk throughout the years, and most recently, she has loved helping in the sports lounge. In addition to cherishing the opening ceremonies, the diversity of guests, and motivational athlete stories, she also greatly values our health screenings. According to Dori, “a positive attitude keeps you young at heart.”

Send us a textRaised in the rugged landscapes of New Mexico and inspired by a tradition of faith, family, and frontier values, Kevin Shelley is a true pioneer whose career bridges technology, health, and service. Kevin's journey began with a groundbreaking project in college, the "Virtual Human," which introduced medical simulations to education. His career then expanded to develop products like protein-rich chocolates for optimal nutrition, support microfinance and therapy for underserved communities worldwide, and now, a revolutionary robotic arm for the elderly and disabled. With his dedication to health and fitness, Kevin is also a multi-medal athlete at the Huntsman World Senior Games, embodying his commitment to helping people of all ages and abilities to lead active, independent lives.

Send us a textDr. Arne Olsen, a Massachusetts native, graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and completed a general surgery residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire. He then completed a vascular surgery and endovascular therapy fellowship at the University of Florida in Gainesville. At Intermountain Health in St. George and Cedar City, Utah, Dr. Olsen has over 19 years of experience in treating all aspects of vascular disease including varicose veins, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), carotid artery disease, aortic aneurysms, and dialysis access.Outside of his professional life, Dr. Olsen is a family man with 8 wonderful children and a very hardworking wife.  He enjoys spending quality time with his loved ones. He also has a passion for music and is the keyboard player for Southern Utah's preeminent classic rock cover band, Identity Crisis.  Dr. Olsen lives a relatively active lifestyle including a love for jet skiing, jogging, weightlifting, and various sports.

Send us a textDr. Herbert (Herb) Wilkinson, father of 5 and grandfather of 24, was born in December of 1923 and is 100 years old. Born and raised in Hurricane, Utah, where his father was the town's first family physician, Herb developed a strong competitive spirit and excelled as an oral surgeon. As a freshman at the University of Utah, he helped win the 1944 NCAA National Basketball Championship, scoring the game-winning basket in overtime. He then transferred to Iowa, winning three consecutive Big Ten titles and earning All-American honors each season. Herb was also an accomplished high jumper, placing fourth in the 1945 NCAA Track and Field Championships. Despite an offer to play basketball professionally with the Minneapolis Lakers, Herb declined due to a conflict with playing on Sundays, instead choosing to serve a mission in England for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In more recent years, he has excelled as a Masters athlete, earning numerous medals in high jump, long jump, and throwing events at the Huntsman World Senior Games. Last year alone, Herb competed and won 4 silver medals despite being the oldest in his age group, and this year, he was in a class all his own.

Send us a textBorn in Wyoming and raised in Iowa, Eva Sorensen will soon be 101 years old and has two children, three grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Throughout her life, she has lived in 21 states and Okinawa, Japan and currently lives in an independent living facility in Virginia. She corrected high school foreign language papers for a teacher as a job for The National Youth Administration (NYA), a New Deal agency that provided work and relief during the Great Depression.During high school she went to work for a newly opened ice cream parlor making ten cents an hour. She mentioned this to her principal and he black-balled the parlor and got her a job at a fence factory making out bills of lading for twenty-five cents an hour. She worked there eight hours a day and spent two hours at school.Eva pursued bowling as a teenager and later became deeply involved in the sport, joining multiple leagues, including military-base leagues. She participates in the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics, National Senior Games, and the Huntsman World Senior Games and has earned numerous medals, including seven in a single year. She continues to bowl, play board games, and knit while she watches football or baseball. Eva loves adventure. After her husband's retirement, they traveled across the U.S. in a converted school bus for four years before finally settling down in a house in Midwest City, Oklahoma where they lived for more than 25 years.

Send us a textKathleen Harper-Hall, 86, has participated in the Huntsman World Senior Games since 2004 and served as athlete and team manager since 2022. She has won 104 medals across multiple track and field events, including the 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, long jump, standing broad jump, and discus. In addition to national honors from Barbados and multiple national lifetime awards, Kathy remains active on the Executive Committees of two national associations and two Caribbean Sports Associations. She is also being inducted into the Huntsman World Senior Games Hall of Fame this year.This mother of six, grandmother of nineteen, and great-grandmother of twelve enjoys dancing, running, and playing video games. She is dedicated to helping the less fortunate, working with children and at-risk youth, and volunteering as a sports administrator. 

Send us a textWe are almost halfway through this year's Huntsman World Senior Games. Kyle and Mindy give an update on some highlights from the first week of competition and festivities.

Send us a textMichelle Rohl was a 15-time All-American during her time at University of Wisconsin-Parkside and National Champion in the 1000-meter and two-mile during her college middle-distance running career. After trying racewalking for fun, she used it to train when she suffered from Achilles tendonitis. Michelle eventually switched to racewalking, qualifying for the U.S. Nationals in 1989 and finishing 10th.After having her first child in 1990, Michelle focused on racewalking, becoming a three-time U.S. Olympian (1992, 1996, 2000), winning 22 national titles, and holding every American record from 3k to 30k simultaneously. She retired in 2004 to focus on family and home-schooling, but in 2018, she returned to running, winning the 800m at the Master's Championships.In 2022, Michelle set multiple American records in distances from 800m to 10k. A concussion in April of 2023 led her back to racewalking, but it took until December for her to recover to full, healthy training. 2024 has been a monumental year where she capped the year by winning four golds at the World Championships and Pan Am Games, setting nine American records and three world records. This mother of five recently became a grandmother at the age of 58 and qualified for the Olympic Trials. She finished third, and though she did not compete in the Paris Olympics, it was the most widely publicized event from the trials.

Send us a textDr. Mike Alosco is a clinical neuropsychologist and Associate Professor of Neurology at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, where he serves as the Director of the BU Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Clinical Core. He serves as the Director of Neuropsychology at the Memory and Aging Clinic at Boston Medical Center. Dr. Alosco's career has been devoted to study methods to detect and diagnose neurodegenerative diseases, particularly CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy). He has over 200 peer-reviewed publications in this field and is the Principal Investigator of multiple NIH-funded grants. He assisted in the development and publication of diagnostic research criteria for the clinical syndrome of CTE. Dr. Alosco's research has laid the foundation for the development and validation of ways to detect and diagnose CTE during life, and he hopes his work will ultimately lead to the development of strategies to treat and prevent CTE and Alzheimer's disease.To learn more about some studies that are working to find important cures, visit bankcte.org or hitss.org .

Send us a textFrom bobsled champion to creating globally renowned sports nutrition, Sandy Kellin is an all-round authority on sport. Sandy's early background included football, boat racing, and flight instruction. At the track at the 1976 Innsbruck Olympics, the former collegiate football player stood next to the bobrun, watching bobsledders race down and he was hooked! He barely missed the 1980 Olympics after a crash injured his 4-man team. In the 90s, Sandy's focus became health and fitness, so for the next 3 decades, he traveled to over 25 countries promoting Pharmanex, EuroNutrition and Xendurance nutritional products to medical professionals and sports enthusiasts, while. At age 75, Sandy showed us all how to age by doing incline dumbbell press with 75 pound dumbbells, 20 times on his 75th birthday.To learn more, visit xendurance.com .

Send us a textLisa Lander, a mother to four physicians, grandmother, and wife of 42 years, is a certified life coach and owner of Lander's River Trips, an adventure company. She's also known for her brand "Adventures of Lolly." Lisa is a passionate athlete who advocates evidence-based changes to enhance health, happiness, and longevity. She focuses on optimizing nutrition, exercise, mindset, and sleep through discipline and lifelong learning. Exercise, particularly strength training, core stability, and cardiovascular fitness, holds a central role in her well-being philosophy. Lisa, at 63, recognizes the difference between her chronological and biological age and actively makes lifestyle choices to slow her biological clock. She wants to be an inspirational example for women in their 60s embarking on the second half of their lives, showcasing the possibilities of this stage.Amy Twiggs is a former elite gymnast who made the National Team and went on to compete at Stanford University. She is a wife and mother of four, a #1 best-selling author, and former owner of a mindset coaching business for athletes and a gymnastics facility. Amy loves learning, mountain biking, and finding ways to grow, both personally and through helping others. She, too, is a certified life coach; she and Lisa met at The Life Coach School.

Send us a textJohn Disterdick plays to win in all areas of his life: while he primarily has experience in financial services and film production, he also has a law degree, an MBA, a master's degree in financial services, and an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering. John has acting experience in over 30 commercials and film and is a national award winner in speed skiing, triathlons, swimming, rowing, and superkart racing. Other interests include motorcycling, boxing, horseback riding, and scuba diving. John is a veteran, serving in the 82nd Airborne Division, who began competing with the Huntsman World Senior Games in 2021. In that short time, he has amassed 45 medals (16 are gold) across 19 events. If that is not enough, John also creates videos for “RedefiningAging.us,” a non-profit organization whose goal is to motivate viewers toward higher levels of health and fitness.

Send us a textTravis Porter, hailing from Coalville, Utah, had a childhood deeply steeped in sports, influenced greatly by his grandfather, Francis Porter, a semi-professional baseball player. Although initially focused on baseball, Travis shifted gears after starting a family. His passion for sports persisted as he pursued spots on Olympic teams for shooting and bobsled, albeit without success. Currently residing in Brigham City, Utah, Travis serves as General Manager at Mineral Resources International, aligning with his mission to enhance people's lives through health solutions.In 2023, Travis briefly worked as a Director of Sports at the Huntsman World Senior Games, fostering a profound appreciation for the event's organizers and volunteers. His diverse career includes owning a restaurant, working with the Utah Jazz, and contributing to the United States Senate. Travis's involvement with MRI underscores his commitment to improving public health through mineral supplements. Throughout his varied career, Travis has always been dedicated to enhancing the lives of others.

Send us a Text Message.Starting golf at 10, Karen Pearce achieved a handicap of 4 by age 14 and represented Queensland and Australia in multiple championships. At the time of turning professional at the age of 22, she played off a handicap of +2, the lowest marker in Australia at the time. After 14 years as a touring professional golfer on the European Ladies' Golf Tour from 1991-2001 and LPGA in the US from 1998-2005, she also currently plays in Australia on the WPGA Tour, which she started playing on in 1991. In 2000, she received the Australian Sports Medal for her service to golf.Fifty-five-year-old Karen has also represented Australia in tennis, competing in the over-35 and over-45 World Championships. She has won 16 Individual ITF (International Tennis Federation) Seniors Singles titles since 2011, including recently when she played down 4 age groups and won the singles, doubles, and mixed events! 

Send us a Text Message.David Rosin is the Archery - 3D sports director here at the Huntsman World Senior Games. A former prison guard in California for 28 years and drummer throughout his life, David has always loved staying active. He grew up playing baseball and David's dad and brother got him into archery at the age of 13. In his late 20s, David decided to take up racquetball, which he continued for many years. However, when he moved to St. George in 2018, David acquired his current passion of pickleball, which he plays 5 days a week. Outside of sport, David has also been on the Washington County Search and Rescue ground team for the last 6 years. 

Send us a Text Message.Kimberly Melton is a seasoned registered dietitian with experience in the health and wellness industry, specializing in nutrition and wellness for longevity. She utilizes a virtual telehealth platform to reach clients of all ages and across diverse socioeconomic and health backgrounds. Her passion is enhancing quality of life, focusing particularly on digestive health, cognitive function, weight management, and challenges associated with menopause. Outside of her professional endeavors, Kimberly finds joy in outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking, cycling, and running, often with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She firmly believes that staying active and embracing life at every stage are essential to a healthy lifestyle.

Send us a Text Message.Shalee Johansen is the Vice President of Sponsorship and Partner Relations here at the Huntsman World Senior Games. Shalee has over 25 years of extensive experience in tourism and real estate. She enjoys renovating old homes and buildings and even is an alpaca farmer! As a county director of tourism in Northern Utah, a board member of The Helper Project, and executive director of a trails committee, Shalee promoted her passion for all that Carbon County and the city of Helper have to offer.Den Dutson is a co-director of sports at the Huntsman World Senior Games. He is also a world champion in Olympic Taekwondo and the former owner of Denda Academy of Martial Arts. Den studied Korean studies at Seoul National University and majored in both Korean studies and business at Brigham Young University. Den has been involved in organizing international sports events and leading programs aimed at fostering leadership and personal growth among participants. At Denda Academy, the highest quality martial arts, self defense, bully prevention, and personal development were provided to students of all ages.Michael Hale is a co-director of sports at the Huntsman World Senior Games. Michael is a Washington state native who now loves living in beautiful St. George. As a fairly recent graduate of Brigham Young University - Idaho with a degree in recreation management, Michael enjoys working in parks and recreation. He has coordinated and created programs for thousands of youth, adults, and seniors and believes the hard work is worth it when he sees the joy in participants' faces.

Send us a Text Message.DonnaJean Wilde hails from Welling, Canada in the Alberta province. She has been a teacher, coach, and vice principal in her career, and she relishes time with her 5 kids and 12 grandchildren. A runner for most of her life, DonnaJean now loves to skip, also known as jumping rope, and she and her husband work out almost daily in their home gym. She has never been the type to want to steal the spotlight, but she is now being recognized for her recent world record of holding the longest time in an abdominal plank position by a female. What started out as an exercise she could do with a broken wrist has grown to something special. The previous record was 4 hours, 19 minutes, and 55 seconds, and she surpassed it with a time of 4 hours, 30 minutes, and 11 seconds. To see the record-breaking event, visit: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rWT45cFTXXI?feature=share

Send us a Text Message.Wisconsin native Kris Rostas is a running enthusiast through and through. At 61 years old, this mother of two has chosen a lifestyle devoid of a couch or television, instead opting to lace up her running shoes every day. While she participated in cross country briefly as a youth, she took up running mostly after her grown children ventured out on their own. The Zion half marathon was life changing and fueled her desire to run more. Pushing her limits, Kris achieved remarkable milestones, including logging an impressive 132 miles in just one week. Among her favorite memories is the B2B challenge, where she conquered both the Boston and Big Sur marathons, each in under 3.5 hours, a mere ten days apart. Despite obstacles along her way, Kris remains undeterred, bolstered by the unwavering support of her running community. 

Send us a Text Message.Lara Ray excelled in track, cross country, and soccer during her youth, ultimately thriving as a fullback in the Olympic Development Program. While on a soccer scholarship at the University of California, Santa Barbara, she acquired an art degree. Lara continued her soccer career with the Southern California Blues semi-professional team until knee injuries led her to shift to marathon running, triathlons, and duathlons.Alongside a 23-year career as a highway patrol officer in California, Lara is an active philanthropist, organizing fundraisers for various causes. In her leisure time, she enjoys painting beach rocks, showcasing her artistic talent.

Send us a Text Message.Jason Curtis is a highly experienced strength and conditioning coach and bestselling author who has published over a dozen books on the development of health, fitness and sports performance. He owns and runs a strength and conditioning gym in the UK and works with hundreds of clients and athletes each week. Alongside the gym, Jason is the founder of The SCC Academy, which has qualified and upskilled over 20,000 fitness professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. Prior to founding his companies, Jason worked as a British Army Physical Training Instructor (PTI), working to prepare infantry soldiers to deploy on operations. Jason recently founded a fitness race called the Deadly Dozen that is designed to be one of the hardest yet most accessible races in the world, and hundreds of competitors are over the age of 60.For more information, you can visit https://deadlydozen.co.uk/ .

Sanjoy Bhattacharya was born in India and grew up in the Chicago area, finishing all of his education there as an MBA, CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and CFP (Certified Financial Planner). He retired at the age of 41 and moved to St. George 25 years ago. Sanjoy has not slowed down one bit since retiring: he has taken classes in 48 straight semesters at the Utah Tech ICL (Institute for Continued Learning); enjoys playing 4 sports each week: pickleball, racquetball, table tennis, and golf; volunteers at multiple venues weekly; and enjoys traveling with his wife (75+ countries so far). He is also a member of a couple of book clubs and several cards and board game groups. He is part of a team that plays pub trivia two evenings a week. Additionally, Sanjoy is a table tennis co-director for the Huntsman World Senior Games and was instrumental in bringing NeuroPong to our Games.If you have ever wondered how another paddle sport, pickleball, got started, you should listen to hear a brief summary of its history.

Dr. Gordon Larsen, M.D., FACEP is an emergency medicine specialist at St. George Regional Hospital and has over 32 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from University of Utah medical school in 1991 and completed his emergency medicine residency in Peoria, Illinois at St. France Medical Center. He also completed a wilderness medicine fellowship with the Wilderness Medical Society in Salt Lake City, UT and has been the medical advisor for the EMS and search and rescue programs for Zion National Park since 1996. Outside of work, Dr. Larsen enjoys rock climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking, and snow sports. He has participated in the Huntsman World Senior Games for the past 13 years in mountain biking and triathlon, and he is very excited for climbing this year. Dr. Larsen and his wife Debra are the proud parents of 5 children and 15 grandchildren.

Scott Nielsen is a businessman by day and an equestrian by night. He is currently a project manager and developer at the Black Desert Resort in Ivins, UT and holds an MBA from University of California, Irvine. However one of the biggest challenges of his life happened earlier this year as he completed a 10-day ultra-endurance horse race deep in the wilds of Patagonia in Southern Argentina called the Gaucho Derby. Not only does this race test your equestrian skills as each day covers 500 kilometers, but it also challenges your wilderness and navigation skills.