AGE: 70

PROFESSION: Personal trainer and group fitness instructor

​

What is the best thing about being your age?

I think one of the best things is wisdom. You don’t have to go through the struggles of trying to find your identity or whether people like you or stress about grades…You’ve done all that. Suddenly, the wisdom to be help others who might be going through that. I like having the confidence to not have to say yes to things I don’t want to do and not worry what others will think.

​

What hardships have you endured that you feel have made you stronger?

I hate to use the word hardships as there are certainly people out there that have it much worse than I do. However, being diagnosed 12 years ago with Parkinson’s has made some things a challenge. It definitely gave me no other option, but to be stronger in times where I don’t feel as good or I can’t do maybe as much, because a symptom might be stopping it.

 

What's your favorite thing you have checked off your bucket list?

I’ve been very blessed to be able to have traveled to a lot of wonderful places. I know it’s a strange thing on a bucket list, but I always wanted to find the right partner and after my practice husband, I did. I checked off running a marathon, but I think my true bucket list was to be happy, so I guess I accomplished that.

​​

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Great meal, great friends and family, all while being happy and laughing.

​

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I think I would consider living with Parkinson’s as my greatest achievement. I don’t let it identify me. It is what it is, and I just have to learn to live with it. Being on the billboard at Times Square, being in the nutcracker as a youngster. Also being strong enough to end the marriage with a small child because I knew I could be happier.

​

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Not be so sensitive, and not worry so much about how I look, but more about how I feel. I earned these wrinkles.

​

What is a trait you are most proud of?

my sense of humor.

​

What advice would you give your younger self?

Wow, that’s a hard one. I had a great childhood. My parents were wonderful. I was a skinny lanky youngster, and I wish I’d had more confidence, but I honestly think that comes with age. I would’ve told myself to travel more before I started with a career. The advice would be: stay true to yourself, try not to be so sensitive, and if you make the wrong decision, it’s OK, things will get better. Save more and spend less…. Still a hard one for me.

​

Words of wisdom to younger women

I think to be strong, except criticism and either use that information or not. Everything is not the end of the world, shit happens. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Not everyone will like you, but like yourself. You may not have control over what people do to you, but you do have control over how you deal with them. Be bold, make mistakes and learn from them.

​