The World’s Oldest BodyBuilder Just Turned 80! Here Are Her Secrets…

Credit: Ernestine Shepherd
Credit: Ernestine Shepherd

Have you ever seen the meme circulating which shows two elderly ladies; one fit, standing up, and seemingly happy; and another who is constrained to a wheelchair, who likely takes several medications per day?

Credit: Facebook
Credit: Facebook

The meme features Ernestine Shepherd, an incredibly inspiring woman who recently turned 80 years old. Shepherd isn’t like most elders. In fact, she’s the world’s oldest competitive female bodybuilder, and even holds a record in the Guinness Book of World Records!

Born on June 16th, 1936, the octogenarian from Baltimore didn’t start exercising until she was 56 years old. As she explains in the video below, she got started with the help of her sister. After her sister passed away from a brain aneurysm, however, Shepherd gave up caring about her health. That was, until she developed high blood pressure and decided things needed to change.

Today, she regularly wakes up at 3 am, runs about 80 miles (130km) per week, and lives off a calorie-controlled diet of boiled egg whites, chicken, vegetables, and lots of water.

Ask her what her true secret of success is, and she’ll say it’s to ‘never give up.’ Keep that statement in mind next time you think about skipping the gym.

Following is a video that relays that inspirational eighty year old’s story: 

Ernestine Shepherd recently turned 80 years old!

Credit: Ernestine Shepherd
Credit: Ernestine Shepherd

She is the world’s oldest bodybuilder. 

Credit: Ernestine Shepherd
Credit: Ernestine Shepherd

She didn’t start exercising until she was age 56!

Credit: Ernestine Shepherd
Credit: Ernestine Shepherd

But since then, she has won two bodybuilding titles. 

Credit: Ernestine Shepherd
Credit: Ernestine Shepherd

She’s even in the Guinness Book of World Records 

Credit: Ernestine Shepherd
Credit: Ernestine Shepherd

The active elder wakes up at 3 AM each morning…

Credit: Ernestine Shepherd
Credit: Ernestine Shepherd

Her former trainer is Mr. Universe

Credit: Ernestine Shepherd
Credit: Ernestine Shepherd

Happy 80th Birthday, Ernestine! 

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