Podcasts about huntsman world senior games

Jeff Asay has spent the past 14 years competing in multiple sports at the Huntsman World Senior Games, including softball, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and pickleball; in fact, one year, he did all of them! Jeff served a church mission in England, where he learned to love cricket, and he was a basketball walk-on at Blue Mountain Community College. Jeff coached high school tennis for 10 years and balances athletic competition, business ownership, and an active lifestyle, which is essential for managing his Type 2 diabetes and maintaining both physical and mental health. Despite injuries over the years ranging from a ruptured ACL to a torn bicep tendon, he competes with enthusiasm and humor. Jeff is not the only family member who participates at our Games; his parents have volunteered in transportation for multiple years, and his mom has played pickleball for the last few. They all love the Games' tradition of volunteering, competition, and connection.Send us Fan Mail

What if aging was not about slowing down, but about discovering new strength, new community, and new reasons to keep playing?In this episode, we talk with Kyle Case, CEO of the Huntsman World Senior Games, the largest annual multi-sport event in the world for athletes age 50 and older. Kyle shares how he first fell in love with the idea of amateur sports and event management as a college student, and how that passion grew into a career devoted to active aging, meaningful competition, and creating opportunities for people to keep doing what they love well into later life. Under his leadership, the Huntsman World Senior Games now welcomes more than 12,000 athletes to St. George, Utah each year to compete in over 40 sports, including pickleball. Kyle talks about why pickleball has been such a powerful part of that growth, from its low barrier to entry to its ability to welcome players across generations and skill levels. He reflects on the inspiring athletes he has watched over the years, including competitors in their 80s, 90s, and even over 100 years old, and shares why the Games are about so much more than medals. They are about purpose, connection, joy, and proving that it is never too late to begin something new. Along the way, he also shares his own experience competing in the senior games and the life lessons he has learned from decades of watching people redefine what aging can look like. This is an inspiring conversation about pickleball, the Huntsman World Senior Games, active aging, senior athletes, longevity, community, resilience, fitness, purpose, lifelong sports, and the life lessons that remind us not to stop, not to count ourselves out, and never to believe it is too late to start. https://seniorgames.net/

Evelyn Cook was raised in a bustling, multigenerational household in Indianapolis, Indiana, where her grandparents raised 13 children and helped raise 14 grandchildren. As a child, she was a competitive and active tomboy, running, biking, and finding her stride on the track. Known as “Super Cricket” for her long legs, she was encouraged by her coach to take on hurdles. Evelyn attended the University of Utah, where she worked as an athletic trainer for the football team and practiced sports massage.Later, Evelyn became a mother of five and devoted herself to raising her family, stepping away from her athletic identity for more than two decades. Over time, she lost both confidence and physical health, eventually reaching a point where even stepping off her front porch was painful. When her son was scouted as a runner late in high school, Evelyn made a quiet but powerful decision: to support him, she needed to move too. What began as a short walk to the bottom of her front stairs grew into neighborhood walks, then running again after a 24-year break. At 50, Evelyn set a goal to compete in track and field at the Huntsman World Senior Games. She is now a passionate advocate for movement and credits the Games with saving her life. Her motto: “Successful people do what others won't.”Send us Fan Mail

Mike Kelley has played basketball his entire life, and his passion for the game has only grown stronger with age. A former college athlete at Fort Lewis College, he now competes at the highest level of senior athletics, helping lead Geezer Nation to multiple 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 championships at the Florida Senior Games, the Huntsman World Senior Games, and the National Senior Games. He has also played with and against elite NBA talent and represented the U.S. internationally through Federation of International Maxibasketball in Greece.After a hip replacement and a period of personal struggle, Mike rebuilt his health and is now six years sober, using basketball as both motivation and outlet. Off the court, he spent 15 years as an elementary teacher and 5 as an assistant principal, and now works in senior care with his wife, helping older adults maintain independence and setting an example for his two kids.Send us Fan Mail

Linda Sappington has spent a lifetime building her community through service, leadership, and storytelling. A past Utah Rotary District Governor, she was the first female member of Rotary in Southern Utah when she joined St. George Rotary in 1993. In the workplace, she served for 16 years as Director of the Southern Utah Volunteer Center Network, overseeing six impactful programs involving seniors, youth, and families across the five-county region.A gifted writer and communicator, Linda worked as a public relations consultant, co-authored *The Insider's Guide to Southern Utah*, and edited multiple personal histories for family members and friends. She has been a dedicated volunteer with the Huntsman World Senior Games for over a decade, overseeing Welcome Bag assembly, managing volleyball refreshments at the Dixie Center, and recruiting home hosts for an average of 65 BYU health science students performing health screenings at the Games. Today, she continues service as a grant writer and active Rotarian, while most proudly embracing her role as a wife, mother of eight, grandmother to 23, and “great” to 11.Send us Fan Mail

Terry Monda grew up on a quiet street where days were spent playing every sport imaginable. This passion for athletics earned him a basketball scholarship at a local college in Washington. As an adult, Terry played city league basketball and softball, even while having multiple knee surgeries to fix cartilage, but he abstained from most racquet sports to avoid ACL reconstruction. From picking up golf at 50 to owning a CrossFit gym in his 60s, he built the strength and stability that now allow him to compete in, and truly enjoy, pickleball. Terry continues to push his limits and plans to register for a wide variety of events at this year's Huntsman World Senior Games. Driven by a desire to inspire his five children and ten grandchildren, he loves the connection, resilience, and fun that comes with an active life.Send us Fan Mail

Kim Washington built a successful career in public and higher education, including serving on President Barack Obama's Presidential Inaugural Committee and supervising White House interns during President Obama's administration. Her life later took a dramatic turn when she developed an autoimmune disease, gained significant weight, and faced serious health challenges, including liver fibrosis, diabetes, and mobility limitations that at one point required her to use a wheelchair. At her lowest point, 380 pounds and on multiple medications, Kim began rebuilding through water aerobics, cardio, and strength training, eventually leading to weight loss surgery. When progress stalled, she dug deeper, learning to address metabolism, hormones, and inflammation through nutrition counseling and management, intermittent fasting, hormone replacement therapy, and later using GLP-1 medication as a supportive tool rather than a shortcut. Today, Kim has maintained her goal weight since 2022, eliminated major health conditions, and competes in various senior games, earning two silver medals and a gold in cycling at the Louisiana State Games (all in one day) and placing fifth in the 20K time trial race at her first Huntsman World Senior Games.Send us Fan Mail

From an upbringing in Central California to life now in northern Utah, Bill Baker has spent decades chasing adventure outdoors: road and mountain biking, climbing iconic spots like Yosemite National Park and Joshua Tree National Park, and living all-in on movement. In addition to his career in pharmaceuticals most of his life, he was a private pilot for 35 years. However, in early 2025, everything changed. After a spinal complication left him unable to walk,  Bill didn't back down. He set bold goals that he has already surpassed, defied expectations, and fought his way back onto a bike, eventually competing at the Huntsman World Senior Games in a 25-mile gravel biking race at just a fraction of his strength. Bill continues to rebuild, push, and chase new goals along with his wife, three sons, and four grandsons.Send us Fan Mail

Rich Marquez, AKA “Pono,” was diagnosed with stage 3+ pancreatic cancer, a diagnosis where only 15-20% of patients are even eligible for the life-saving Whipple procedure. Through what he calls a series of miracles, strong medical care, unwavering faith, a disciplined approach to nutrition and prehab, and constant care and encouragement from his wife, Rich not only endured the strongest preventive treatments with virtually no side effects, he kept living. Two weeks after finishing 12 rounds of chemotherapy infusions, he was on a plane to Hawaii to play softball. Months later, Rich was competing at the Huntsman World Senior Games, where the team earned a bronze medal. Today, his labs are clear, he's cancer-free, and he's preparing to take the field again. This year, Rich's team gave him the nickname “Pono,” a Hawaiian word and name meaning righteousness, balance, and integrity, and he wears the name with honor. Send a text

Dale Huckabee became a professional Quarter Horse jockey at 16 and later set a world record in mule racing at the Aspencade Stakes in New Mexico that stood for decades, traveling 350 yards in 21.03 seconds. When health forced him to step away from horse and mule racing, he rebuilt working ranches, managing horses, and eventually rising through the ranks at Coca-Cola, where he now serves as a security investigator helping reduce company losses across the western United States. At 68, Dale cycles over 150 miles a week, competes at the Huntsman World Senior Games, and loves cross-training with his wife.Send us a text

Janette “Pink” Johnson has been living an active life since childhood, from competitive volleyball and basketball in college to earning her first-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do at age 62 and competing in bowling against people across the nation. Pink also enjoys pickleball and hiking. After a health setback several years ago with a dramatic increase in fatigue, Pink tried several homeopathic options to reclaim her energy including Hormone Replacement Therapy and acupuncture, which both provided temporary relief; however, she found that proper nutrition made the biggest impact in her battle with fatigue. Now at 69, she is once again competing full-time in volleyball tournaments and can't wait for her annual team reunion at the Huntsman World Senior Games in 2026.Send us a text

Stephen Matakovich, better known as "Tako" in the Senior Softball circuit, grew up just outside Pittsburgh as a proud Pitt fan and someone who still builds his daily life around staying active. He was a die-hard baseball player growing up, dreaming of playing in the big leagues and winning the state championship in high school. He also enjoyed football, basketball, and martial arts in his youth. However, the sport that has remained during his life is the one Stephen found in the military: softball. Over the years, it has helped him mentally and physically get through hard times.No longer involved in law enforcement and working in heating and cooling, Stephen trains year-round, works with a hitting coach, and credits a healthy lifestyle, supported by his wife, who is devoted to holistic nutrition, for keeping him competitive with fellow senior players. He has played at the Huntsman World Senior Games, traveled to tournaments with his family, and says nothing compares to the camaraderie and fun of senior softball.Send us a text

Isabel Eliashev grew up in Venezuela and came to the United States as an international student, eventually earning a track scholarship at the New York Institute of Technology, all before becoming a U.S. citizen. She went from learning English through her track coach to building a lifelong career in education. Today, in addition to teaching Spanish and coaching cross country, she serves as the Head of School at Alpharetta International Academy in Georgia.Isabel's impact reaches far beyond the classroom. She was the first Latina to run with the historic New York Pioneer Track Club and now honors her late coach through the annual Ed Levy 5K. At 52, she competes around the world in masters track, from Sweden to the Huntsman World Senior Games, while inspiring her students, her children, and her community to stay active.Send us a text

A 75-year-old Army veteran and lifelong outdoorsman, Michael Sharkey spent years hiking, fishing, and skiing. More recently, he has taken up trap shooting, and he recently earned a silver medal at the Huntsman World Senior Games, hitting 80 out of 100 clay targets. Michael is also an avid gravel and road cyclist, traveling across the country and even Europe to compete. He finds cycling to be more than a sport; it is also therapeutic for his back.Through reinvention, marriage, and curiosity, Michael has embraced a life full of adventure, from skiing three times a week to learning trap shooting from world-class instructors. Retired after years as ski patrol, a carpenter, and a watchmaker, he continues to challenge himself, stay active, and share his love of adventure with his wife.Send us a text

Vera Koo is a first-generation Chinese American woman whose life reads like an adventure in courage and reinvention. She is a 79-year-old wife, mother of three and grandmother of six, author, entrepreneur, and retired professional athlete who broke barriers in action pistol shooting. Through her adulthood, she has enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities, including snow and water skiing, equestrian, windsurfing, and rucking and camping. Action pistol shooting is where she really excelled: Vera has been the national and world titleholder in the sport and won the Bianchi Cup women's championship eight times. She now competes in shotgun sports, specifically in sporting clay shooting, at the Huntsman World Senior Games.Vera's memoirs, “The Most Unlikely Champion” and “Wisdom and Things: Essays from an Unlikely Champion,” share her remarkable journey from China and Hong Kong to the U.S., her family's entrepreneurial success, and the resilience that carried her through loss, faith, and unexpected triumph. Vera continues to mentor others with the hope that we all discover the “unlikely champion” within ourselves.Send us a text

At just eight years old, Margie Mettenet survived a devastating car accident that left her in traction for months. Once she could walk again, she learned to run and didn't stop: competing in track in the Junior Olympics, high school, and college. Margie also competed in high school basketball and volleyball at BYU, but after college, her 45-year love affair with high-level tennis began. A broken arm nine years ago changed everything, however. Too painful to hold a tennis racquet, Margie picked up a pickleball paddle, “just to stay active,” and got completely hooked. Now 70, Margie plays every day, holds her own against athletes in their 20s and 30s, and is a 12-year veteran of the Huntsman World Senior Games with 11 medals in basketball, tennis, and pickleball. Margie has coached high-school tennis state champions, taught at Club Pickleball USA, and raised a sports-loving family of five kids and nineteen grandkids. Send us a text

Former Junior Olympian and college football player Tim McMahon has been a masters track athlete since age 32, having competed nationwide in sprints, hurdles, long jump, and decathlon. He recently expanded his athletic pursuits by competing in masters swimming for the first time at the Huntsman World Senior Games. Just three years ago, Tim was diagnosed with stage-3 lymphoma, and he also underwent a total knee replacement last year at the age of 65. However, this New Jersey decathlete, ocean lifeguard, and lifelong competitor continues to shine bright. Now in remission and cleared to sprint again, he's rebuilding strength, working through residual neuropathy, and training to return to world-class form. Send us a text

At 70 years old, Bee Kilgore is proof that adventure doesn't come with an expiration date. A retired trauma ICU nurse of 20 years who completed three international medical missions, she's also a mountain climber and a regular on 100-mile cattle drives. Bee began competing in tennis at age eight and was a highly-ranked player from the ages of 8-21 before transitioning to pickleball five years ago. Since then, she has embraced the sport as another avenue to live boldly, traveling the world to play, compete, and teach in places including Japan, Mallorca, and England. Her achievements include three national titles, six U.S. Open titles, and the 2024 English Open Women's 65's Singles Championship, and she is currently ranked #6 in the Masters Senior Pro Women's Doubles division. Here at the Huntsman World Senior Games, she competed at the top level and earned gold in all three doubles events in the combined 60's to 70's. Pickleball has given Bee new purpose, lasting friendships, and an ever-widening world to explore.Send us a text

Send us a textMerilee Bingham is a first-year gift shop superstar at the Huntsman World Senior Games and a passionate, certified group fitness instructor who has turned her own journey into inspiration for others. While helping her children through some struggles, she realized she too should make some changes; as a result, she erased an unhealthy habit and replaced it with fitness, community, and purpose. Fitness is her anti-drug. Now, with more than eight years of sobriety, she brings her contagious positivity to every UpBeat Barre class at the St. George Recreation Center, helping others find balance, fun, and freedom through movement.

Send us a textBorn in New York and raised in Texas, Joe Gray, has spent a lifetime blending passion for competition with dedication to teamwork. A lifelong ballplayer, he started on the baseball diamond and never really left it, transitioning into softball, where he's been part of two senior national championships, a senior world championship, and countless regional titles. At the Huntsman World Senior Games, his teams have earned two silvers and a gold, and while he's now spending more time coaching than playing shortstop, his competitive spirit still shines. He's also added pickleball to his repertoire, even finishing sixth at Nationals in Indian Creek, California.After retiring from a long and distinguished career with the Department of Defense and later as a university instructor, he's found renewed purpose in senior sports, where camaraderie, sportsmanship, and family always come first. For him, winning is a byproduct of doing things the right way, and the real reward comes from the friendships, teamwork, and lifelong memories made along the way.

Send us a textJames Pauley has dedicated his life to mastering the art of shooting a basketball. Widely regarded as the world's top-ranked active free throw shooter, regardless of age, James has made over 3,000 free throws in a row twice and more than 100 three-pointers consecutively on 29 occasions, with a personal best of 283 straight. He has held every basketball shooting record at the Huntsman World Senior Games, including a perfect score in the Free Throw/Three Point Challenge, the Overall Champion shooting record with 117 points in two minutes, and a 62-point Hot Shots performance in just one minute.A lifelong student of the game, James honed his skills in creative ways as a child and now coaches young players on proper form and fundamentals. Since 2010, he has competed in senior games nationwide and serves as a private shooting coach. Each year, following the age division competition, the Games partner with the National Basketball Shooters Association to crown the World Senior Free Throw Champion, which James has won five times!

Send us a textAt 86, Florence Anderson is an inspiring mother of six children, grandmother of 24, and great grandmother of 38! She runs every morning, a practice that began in 1973 when she started jogging laps around a high school track to reclaim her fitness. With determination and a neighbor's encouragement, her first marathon was completed barely under the five-hour cutoff, but over time, Florence built her way up to running the Boston Marathon in 3:17 at age 42 after qualifying with a 3:29 in Salt Lake City. Over the years, Florence completed 14 marathons, carried the Olympic torch in 2002, and earned multiple medals in 5Ks and 10Ks, even sprinting in her 80s. Running helps her manage stress, and she credits it with preserving her mental health and patience. She runs for her father, who was disabled, and for herself because she can. Florence is thrilled to run in the Huntsman World Senior Games for the 19th time this year and be only 1 year away from earning the coveted 20-year watch!

Send us a textUniversity of California Berkeley graduate and U.S. Army Reserve veteran Walt Becher built a successful career spanning public service, corporate leadership, and entrepreneurship. At age 65, he joined a boutique consulting firm where he continues to work today, helping companies align talent with opportunity. Since relocating to St. George nine years ago, Walt embraced new challenges by taking up bench rest shooting—a precision sport he had never tried before. Thanks to the mentorship of fellow enthusiasts, he became a six-time competitor in the Huntsman World Senior Games. Beyond medals, Walt finds fulfillment in teaching others, building lasting friendships, and volunteering at shooting events. 

Send us a textDr. April Flynn is a passionate advocate for healthy aging. At 55, she is in her second year of a Master's degree in Innovative Aging (aka Gerontology) at the University of Florida, researching ageism and writing about Senior Games culture. A retired chiropractor of 22 years, April's commitment to wellness runs deep—she ran through two pregnancies right up to the end! Born in Canada, she was a competitive figure skater in Windsor, Ontario before earning a track scholarship to chiropractic school in Atlanta. After the pandemic canceled marathons in 2020, April shifted to sprinting and quickly found success, earning six gold medals in her first Huntsman World Senior Games. She prefers Masters competitions for their balance of athleticism and community. April believes the key to healthy aging lies in real-world social connection and purposeful living.

Send us a textSteve Heck is a lifelong swimmer who was hooked on the Huntsman World Senior Games at age 50 and looks forward to competing for the 15th time in 2025. A former AAU (Amateur Athletic Union), high school, and college swimmer at Georgia Tech, he returned to the sport at 41 through Masters Swimming after a 20-year break. He also ran road races from ages 27 to 44, including one marathon. Steve recently attended the USMS National Championship meet and received 4 individual golds, 1 individual silver, and 2 gold medals in relays! He also had his best meet ever at the 2025 YMCA National Masters Meet where he set 4 records and won 9 gold medals! Beyond the achievements, what Steve values most is the camaraderie and connections he's made with fellow athletes from around the world, including Australia, Russia, Ukraine, and even Mongolia. Utah's national parks sparked a passion for camping, hiking, and photography, making his annual trips to the region as much about adventure as athletic achievement.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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. 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 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.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.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.

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.

Sandra Checketts, widowed mother of 5 and grandmother of 10, has always enjoyed running, including as a cross country and track competitor at Utah State University. She is full or part owner in several health and wellness businesses and enjoys activities like snowmobiling, swimming, and hiking. Her purpose now for staying healthy is to be able to be active with her grandkids. When she first competed in the Huntsman World Senior Games, she entered 7 events and medaled in each! Sandra attributes a lot of her fitness to blood flow restriction bands and the assistance they provide for her. Visit sandrachecketts.com for more information.

Jason and Heather Ranoa are the Cycling and Triathlon directors for the Huntsman World Senior Games. We are fortunate enough to have had them for the past 3 years. Jason and Heather coach a non-profit Junior Developmental Cycling team based out of St. George. This team helps develop the future for American talent. Jason and Heather also time and run cycling races at the highest level throughout the West Coast. Both are Army Veterans and served with distinction in the mighty 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers. Jason and Heather have coached and mentored many top athletes to include national and world champions.