Aging Athletically

In this episode of the Aging Athletically Podcast, host Hilary Cairns interviews Sharlene Brunjes, a 73-year-old Canadian masters athlete who excels in both powerlifting and dragon boat racing. They discuss Charlene's journey in athletics, the importance of strength training for older adults, and how her experiences in both sports have shaped her life and resilience. The conversation explores Shar...

In this episode of the Aging Athletically Podcast, host Hilary Cairns interviews accomplished masters athlete Damon Blakemore, who shares insights from his extensive track and field career. The conversation covers his experiences at the World Masters Championships, his evolution as an athlete, and the importance of recovery and mindset in maintaining high performance as he ages. In this conversati...

David Stewart, founder of AGEIST and Super Age, discusses the upcoming Super Age Games, to be held in NYC on November 7th. The games focus on eight trainable markers connected to health span, including endurance, strength, balance, cognitive performance, and social connection. David shares his personal athletic journey, including overcoming knee injuries and a knee replacement, and emphasizes the...

Nancy Peck Cook, a lifelong endurance athlete, shares her journey from marathons to indoor rowing and the impact of athletic reinvention on her life. She discusses her training, competition, and the motivation behind her rowing streak, highlighting the importance of variety and adaptability in athletic pursuits. Now a world record holder in indoor rowing, she talks about how the rowing community i...

Hilary shares a quick (or sort of quick) update on her foot and all that goes along with moving in the world much more slowly. Also included are a few reflections on the most recent guests and a preview of what's to come. Chapters 00:00 Injury and Recovery 03:21 Challenges of Physical Recovery 07:15 Adapting to New Physical Limitations 12:16 Engaging with the Community 15:28 Podcast Updates and Ch...

Lloyd Henry, a longtime triathlete, shares his journey from a late start in running and swimming to becoming the first African American to complete an Ironman on six continents. He discusses the evolution of the sport, his training approach, and the importance of recovery and strength training as he continues to compete at a high level. Lloyd shares his his favorite race, how he plans his race sch...

Darren Miles, a 60-year-old skateboarder who is representing Great Britain this year at the World Skate Games, shares his journey from early skateboarding as a hobby to competitive slalom skateboarding starting in his late 50s. Weaving around cones at upwards to 40 miles per hour (!), Darren shares insights into his training, competition experience, and the supportive community in skateboarding. D...

This episode features therapist and coach, Neal Palles. Based in Colorado, Neal shares his athletic background and discusses the combination of mental health work and endurance sports. The conversation delves into the psychological challenges for older athletes, realistic goal-setting, and addressing fear and risk-taking in athletic pursuits. Neal shares insights into managing fear, values, the im...

In this episode Axay Shay, author of "In Nature We Trust," shares his journey embracing a new lifestyle through marathon running and a raw food diet. We explore the impact of marathon running on his health, motivation, and endurance, as well as the loss of a running partner. The conversation covers his transition to a raw plant-based diet, the impact of raw food on health, the role of diet in heal...

Hilary provides updates on the podcast, shares feedback from listeners, and discusses her approach to guest selection and outreach. She also talks about social media engagement, audience feedback, training and recovery strategies, and her personal injury and recovery journey. And... she's in search of someone who knows someone who knows someone who can help her get Reggie Miller on the show! We'd...

Carl Grove shares his amazing journey starting in Elkhart, Indiana, which included a paper route by bike that earned him 18 cents per week. His dad bought Carl his first bike for $1.25! Carl recounts his experiences in the Navy and the U.S. Navy Band, as well as his transition to a world-class biker late in life. Carl's journey is remarkable: he became a record-setting cyclist at the age of 90 and...

Michellie Jones, a legendary triathlete, shares her remarkable journey in the sport, from her early days to her continued success as a competitive athlete in her 50s. She discusses the evolution of triathlon, the impact of technology, and the importance of data in training and racing. Her insights on longevity, resilience, and the joy of competition provide valuable lessons for athletes of all age...

Wayne DeFrancesco, a highly respected golf instructor and award-winning player, shares his journey of perseverance, adaptation, and passion for golf despite battling injuries and setbacks. His experience offers insights into the physical demands of golf, the evolution of the sport, and the emotional strength required to excel. Wayne's dedication to the game and his coaching philosophy reflect his...

Board-certified sports dietician Claire Shorenstein shares extensive wisdom on fueling as we age, common misperceptions, aging athletes' ingrained focus on leanness over strength, and what to focus on nutritionally as the years pile up. Claire breaks down some of the mystery around supplements, the importance of movement overall, and changing needs of female athletes in particular. Find Claire on...

Host Hilary Cairns shares insights on the podcast journey so far, plus some updates on her foot injury, race decisions, and her daughter's marathon experience. She discusses adapting to injury, health updates, and lifestyle changes, and reflects on a long-ago childhood dream. Hilary also reflects on common themes from podcast guests including defying expectations, consistency, strength training, c...

Julie Billingsley, a lifelong endurance athlete, shares her journey from swimming to triathlon, highlighting the early days of the sport and her transition into triathlon. She discusses her endurance and resilience, the 50 State Quest, her training approach, and the definition of success in her races. The conversation covers the role of coaching in triathlon, the importance of community and social...

Mark Williams, a nationally accomplished master's runner, shares his journey of consistency, competition, and motivation. From the start of his unintended running streak to the impact of strength training, Mark's dedication to short distance races and the significance of his running streak are evident. His training routine, favorite event, and coaching experience at Blair Academy provide insights...

Gabby Rose, a two-time Olympian, shares her remarkable journey of retiring from elite swimming, returning to the sport in her mid-40s, and achieving personal bests. Her training, mindset, and motivation reflect a unique approach to athletic longevity and success. The conversation with Gabby covers a wide range of topics, including recovery and wellness, training and injury prevention, motivation a...

Ned Overend, a legendary mountain biker, shares insights on his career, training, and motivation. He discusses his evolution from mountain running to mountain biking, his success in triathlons, and his take on training and competition. Ned reflects on the impact of aging on his performance and the importance of balance and recovery along with his approach to competition, what keeps him racing at s...

Solo host Hilary Cairns sits down with her daughter, Page Lester, to discuss her athletic journey from a young athlete to a competitive long-distance runner today. Page shares her thoughts on competition, what sport means to her, what Division 1 running was like and how running for herself feels today. Page touches on getting older and what's ahead, friendship, goals, training, nutrition and her o...

Our first expert episode features Dr. Ankit Shah, a renowned sports cardiologist who delves into the relationship between exercise and heart health. We explore topics including atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, max heart rate, and the impact of exercise on heart disease. We also touch on training, sleep, and aging, providing insights into maintaining heart health as aging athletes. Enj...

Hear about Alice Greene's journey into track and field competition in her 50s, her training routine, and her achievements in senior games and national events. Alice shares her experience as a senior athlete, discussing her family's involvement in sports, her motivation, and her approach to training and competition. Alice is living proof that it's never too late to start exercising and competing in...

Join Hilary Cairns and Michael Wardian as they catch up on recent adventures, training, and insights from their latest interviews. They share personal stories, training tips, and reflections on staying active and motivated as they age.

Sixty year-old Tammy Albanese shares her journey from dance and cheerleading to bodybuilding and now powerlifting. She discusses the ins and outs of powerlifting, how she has set records, and the impact of injuries on her training. Tammy shares what motivates her, how she transformed herself after potentially career-ending injuries and other health issues resolved through hard training and a vegan...

Gene was a self-described mediocre runner in college, but he started racing again in his 50s and proceeded to get faster and faster. He improved his marathon times throughout his 60s, eventually running the fastest marathon ever by a 70 year old, a mind-blowing 2:54, which is 6:38 per mile for those of you wondering. In addition to his marathon prowess, Gene has set multiple age group records in u...