Barre with Justine

If you have ever felt like your best days have passed, this post is for you.

Many of the headlines around this year’s American gymnastics team focus on the “older” women competing, of which Simone Biles – at 27 – is the oldest. According to the Washington Post, Biles has “has transformed gymnastics from a girls’ to a women’s sport.” USA Today’s headline reads: “How US Olympic Gymnastics Team shattered age stereotype – Simone Changed that.”

Simone Biles is probably my favourite athlete of all time. She is incredibly skilled, confident, and wise enough to know when to put her health first. Even if she wasn’t breaking expectations around age, I would love her! The fact that she is redefining what is possible for an athlete (similar to this 61-year old Olympian!) is something that I appreciate as a fitness instructor and as a 45 year old woman. I believe that we can be happier and healthier in our bodies as we get older, IF we are consistent in movement and nutrition.

I grew up taking ballet and was lucky to have a body that responded well and had the flexibility to move and ‘fit’ the traditional ballet aesthetic. In high school I began taking group fitness classes and in my early twenties became a fitness instructor. I’ve always enjoyed moving my body and eating healthy food. There were times when I restricted food and overdid the cardio, trying to be extra thin, but I have maintained a pretty consistent shape over the years.

So what, you might ask? What I want to share here is that I’ve never felt happier and more comfortable in my body than this current decade of life. My forties are the first time that I feel confident wearing a bikini and happy with the strength of my muscles. I’m not sure what was wrong with my mindset in my teens, twenties, and thirties but pleased that I’m at this point now. (I don’t even think I have more than 5 pictures of myself pregnant!)

My body is far from perfect but I’m proud of the consistency and strength that I’ve built over the years. I love new challenges and saying yes to things like the Mud Girl Run this past June, joining the alumni dance at my daughter’s recital (first time on stage in over 25 years!), new fitness certifications, and always reading the research on health and wellness. My goal as an instructor is to encourage people to enjoy movement and experience the benefits that it can bring to any point in your life.

So Simone Biles is an inspiration not just because she’s at the Olympics competing as a 27 year old woman, but that she is showing us that what our bodies can do and feel doesn’t have an expiry date! Accept a new challenge, sign up for a race, and wear that bikini! Don’t ever believe that your best days are gone.