Ernestine Shepherd is proof positive that fitness looks (and feels) great at any age! She held the Guinness record for World’s Oldest Female Bodybuilder from 2000 - 2012, but at age 78 she proves age is just a number!
What’s surprising about this regal woman, is that her story
reads so much like many of ours. In her mid-50’s she was “an average
middle-aged woman,” she says on her website. She lived a fairly sedentary
lifestyle and she says she did not exercise. That is, until one day when she
went bathing suit shopping with her sister, Violet.
“While trying on suits, we found ourselves laughing at each other. Then and there we knew it was time to get in better shape,” Shepherd says.
So Ernestine and Violet joined a gym together and began
working out but, sadly, a short time later Violet developed a brain aneurism
and passed away. Devastated, Ernestine stopped going to the gym. After some
months of mourning the loss of her sister and on the advice of a friend that
her sister would have wanted her to continue what they had started, Ernestine
returned to the gym with a reignited determination to get fit.
Starting slowly and building her body step by little step, over
time Ernestine completely transformed her body and life. She says she’s never been happier.
In 2007 (at age 71) she asked Yohnnie Shambourger (former
Mr. Universe) to train her to compete as a bodybuilder. Seven months later she
entered her first bodybuilding competition. In this first contest she took
first place in her class at the Natural East Coast Tournament of Champions
bodybuilding competition – out posing women decades younger.
Nowadays she helps others work toward their fitness goals.
She trains mostly senior women five days a week and says she “live(s) to
inspire senior women to reach their physical potential.”
Bariatric Prom attendees will hear Ms. Shepherd speak about
her life, her path to fitness and living your best life at any age.
And as if that wasn’t enough, on this special night, two
more special guests have asked to help us celebrate our journeys. Shenetta Malkia (Ms. Maryland United
States) and Morgan Honey Day
(Miss Maryland InterContinental 2014) will be our hostesses. Thank you,
beautiful ladies, for helping to make our night special!
We also give thanks to our sponsors:
Diamond Sponsors:
Kae’s Kreations
Pearl Sponsors:
Ruby Sponsor:
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