{"id":42422,"date":"2015-08-10T14:15:52","date_gmt":"2015-08-10T18:15:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=42422"},"modified":"2021-11-18T07:20:31","modified_gmt":"2021-11-18T12:20:31","slug":"monday-motivation-ernestine-shepherd-77-year-old-bodybuilder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/fitness\/monday-motivation-ernestine-shepherd-77-year-old-bodybuilder\/","title":{"rendered":"#MondayMotivation: Meet This 77-Year-Old Bodybuilder"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Ernestine
Photo: via Prevention Magazine<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We\u2019ve seen lots of success stories. But watching the unlikely 79-year-old bodybuilder Ernestine Shepherd (age 77 when she filmed\u00a0this video<\/a> for Prevention<\/em> magazine) crush her goals is nothing short of amazing. Could you imagine starting every day at 2:30 a.m., eating\u00a0the same breakfast \u2014\u00a0egg whites<\/a>, water and a handful of walnuts \u2014 and then\u00a0heading out for a headlamp-lit run? Neither can we, but that\u2019s just the typical morning routine of this Guinness record-breaking champion. Shepherd’s been competing as a bodybuilder\u00a0ever since she was 56 years old \u2014 when her sister suggested the idea to help her feel more comfortable in a bathing suit. (Basically, the ultimate proof that it\u2019s never too late to start something.)<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Train to Win: 4 Steps to Achieve Any Fitness Goal<\/a><\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not just that she\u2019s bench-pressing<\/a> 150 pounds or running<\/a> 80 miles per week as a septuagenarian that makes this story so motivating. What\u2019s really so special about Shepard is how she\u2019s affected those around her. Instead of training a select few gym rats with goals similar to her own, she started teaching a beginner-friendly fitness<\/a> class designed for her entire community. With only 10 participants initially, the class soon grew so big she had a line out the door.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t take our word for it, though: Check out a day in the life of Ernestine Shepherd. This eight-minute piece from Prevention <\/em>magazine is more than just a touching profile \u2014 it could be the small nudge you need to get up and kick some butt.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> 19 Ways to Trick Yourself Into Becoming a Morning Person<\/a><\/p>\n

And if weight lifting and long runs aren\u2019t your thing, don\u2019t worry. \u201cIt\u2019s about finding what you love to do,\u201d she says. We second that. On this Monday, and on every day of the week.<\/p>\n

Ernestine Shepherd: The 77-Year-Old Bodybuilder<\/h3>\n