Couple inspired by being inspirational
When I decided to write my 2020 client success series, it was an absolute no-brainer that I include Miriam and Ron Davidson, who are both 87. At this point, they’ve become my two longest-serving clients and I am immensely proud of all that we’ve been able to work through together over the years. I only hope that I will be as active, engaged and full of life as them when I get to their age. Here is (part of ) their story:
Q: Why did you start working with me?
A: Miriam: I’d had a knee replacement, but was having trouble with it and had found out that I was going to have the replacement replaced. I was looking for help in getting my legs as strong as possible before the second operation.
Ron: For me, all things lead back to golf. I was hoping that you could help me to increase my flexibility which would lead to a better golf swing.
Over the years, Ron and Miriam have engaged in a wide variety of programs with me. We’ve worked out together in their home as well as in my private training studio and their workouts have focused on two distinct areas: management of medical issues (aside from the knee replacement, Miriam has suffered from back pain, had a stroke and is a cancer survivor, while Ron has had two heart attacks) and performance enhancement. They’ve worked on training programs for golf, skiing and hiking and have done everything from weight lifting to circuit training and lots of body weight posture and core exercise.
Q: What do you notice when you are in training?
A: Miriam: I get strong really quickly when I’m working out. My pain levels are much more in control, my energy and endurance is better, I walk better and I just feel really strong.
Ron: Working out has helped me to keep occasional back pain under control and has helped me to golf at a high level well into my 80s. I’ve given up the game this year, but I was shooting scores under my age right up until the end of last season and feeling great after walking 18 holes.
Q: What have been your biggest challenges?
A: Miriam: In 2014, I had a stroke and lost a great deal of strength. My gait was greatly affected and I had very low energy. It was really hard to keep exercising. That was a hard time, but when I was able to get back to consistent workouts with my trainer, I was able to make progress relatively quickly. Lately, the biggest challenge has been just sticking with my exercise plan without our regular trainer sessions. Without consistent guidance, I tend to lose steam.
Ron: After having a second heart attack in September 2020, I fatigued quickly and was often short of breath. It made it hard to stay active.
Q: Is there anything that you are particularly proud of when it comes to your exercise history?
A: Miriam: When I was working out at your studio, I was constantly being told by other members and trainers that I was inspiring and that people looked up to me because of how strong and fit I was.
Ron: Just like Miriam, people at your gym were always telling me that I was doing amazing things ‘for my age.’
Q: What is your current status?
A: Miriam: Unfortunately, I’m feeling pretty crummy lately as I’ve slacked off on my regular fitness routine as a result of the COVID lockdown situation. Without my regular workouts, I’m noticing a decline in my energy and strength and that I’m relying more on my walker. I’m really happy that we’ll be back on again shortly.
Ron: My shortness of breath has been improving and I’ve actually been quite consistent with my exercise program. My recovery is better and I feel particularly good after workouts. Q: Any advice or tips?
A: Miriam and Ron: Stay as active as possible for as long as possible. Do this by cultivating younger friends, getting involved in things and by volunteering
Ron, a retired pediatric geneticist, has been tutoring young kids in a reading program for more than a decade since retiring. He describes it as “the greatest thing he’s done in his life” Until the COVID-19 restrictions, Miriam had been cooking and feeding the homeless with the local “Out of the Cold” program. At the same time, they’ve both never stopped learning and take online general interest classes and belong to groups like PROBUS (a social group for retired business professionals that presents educational lecture series).
While the Davidsons have both encountered their share of health issues, they maintain an attitude of simply “taking things in stride” and the value they’ve placed on maintaining a consistent, organized fitness regimen has allowed them to keep doing many of the things that they love to do.