Matt Blanchard is a Utah-based motivational speaker, devoted husband, and proud father of three. His journey is one of resilience, redemption, and the belief that life happens for him, not to him. In 2006, a rollover accident left Matt paralyzed from the waist down with a T-12 total spinal cord injury. Through relentless determination and daily therapy over a span of 15 years, he defied the odds and learned to walk again.
Even beyond the physical challenges that the accident had imposed, Matt had other mountains to climb in his recovery. He struggled with an opiate addiction, which he overcame—only to face another life-altering moment in 2021 when a head-on collision with a drunk driver resulted in another spinal injury and broken bones that erased all the physical progress he had made since the previous accident. Yet, Matt views paralysis as a gift, shaping him into the man he was meant to be. As the founder of St. George Adaptive Sports, he empowers individuals with disabilities through recreation. A sought-after speaker, Matt inspires others to "DIG IN, DIG DEEP, and GET IT DONE."
To learn more about Matt, visit his website at https://blanchardinspires.com/.
From as early as 6 years old, Paula Franetti had the dream to be in the Olympics to experience the thrill of being her very best. This far-reaching Olympic experience fostered an active childhood playing a variety of neighbor pick-up sports until women’s basketball became available in high school 10th grade. Paula’s life revolved around the pursuit of excelling at basketball both in high school and college. When competitive basketball ended after college, Paula sought to excel at running, competing regularly in road races including marathons and half-marathons.
Paula first learned of the National Senior Games when Pittsburgh hosted the 2006 Games. Not old enough to compete, she volunteered, and her pursuit of being an Olympic basketball player was re-ignited. Five National Games and two Huntsman World Senior Games later, Paula’s pursuit of being her very best came to a screeching halt when a speeding driver nearly killed her. Facing a projected 2-year recovery, Paula met her greatest challenge of finding a way to become her very best again by relying on her past to start over.
To learn more about her story, you can visit https://reboundplanner.com/ or purchase her book on Amazon.com entitled "Driving Force: How One Woman Rebounded from Life-Altering Injuries and You Can Too."
Sixty-six-year-old Yolanda Holder, also known as the “Walking Diva,” is a professional ultra-marathon walker and a two-time Guinness World Record holder for the “Most Marathons Completed in a Calendar Year.” She set her first record in 2010 by completing 106 marathons and ultras, then surpassed it in 2012 with 120. In 2019, she became the oldest person to achieve US Race Walk Centurion status (#94) by race-walking 100 miles in under 24 hours (23:52:17). A decorated athlete, Yolanda also holds the title of World Champion Pedestrian for finishing the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race in 51 days, 17 hours, and 13 seconds. Beyond her athletic achievements, Yolanda is a wife, mother, grandmother, inspirational speaker, author, and an advocate for Type 2 Diabetes awareness, promoting health through walking and positivity.
To learn more about Yolanda, you can check out her book, "My Journey to Guinness: "Walking Diva" Walking My Way into the Guinness Book of World Records."
Former Army Ranger and member of the Special Forces, Dr. Alec Eror, is a cardiothoracic surgeon in St. George, Utah who is affiliated with multiple hospitals in Utah, including Intermountain Health St George Regional Hospital and Intermountain Health Utah Valley Hospital. He received his medical degree from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine and has more than 30 years of experience in the medical field, including expertise in heart valve surgery and heart bypass surgery. Dr. Eror currently serves as the medical director of cardiac rehab in the St. George Regional Hospital.
As an ambassador for Red Rock Bicycle Company, Dr. Eror loves cycling and averages 10,000 miles a year. He especially enjoys gravel biking, and he has done gravel biking races throughout the world, often planning vacations around these races. He has competed in cycling at the Huntsman World Senior Games for 5 years.
Mort Friedman, 88, is a decorated senior athlete with an impressive career in bowling and softball. Over more than 30 years, he has earned 38 medals at the Michigan Senior Olympics, National Senior Games, and Huntsman World Senior Games. In 2023, he won three gold medals in bowling, setting a new state record in doubles. Despite his age, he competes at a high level, recently rolling a 227 game in league play. Mort’s 549 total in singles at the Huntsman Games would have earned silver in the 55-59 age group—three decades younger than him.
A former Professional Bowlers Association Senior Tour competitor, Mort bowled Michigan’s first sanctioned 300 game by a Jewish bowler in 1957. He also helped the University of Michigan win the Big Ten Tournament in 1959. A longtime construction industry leader, Mort retired last year after 52 years as president of Mort Friedman Construction. With replaced knees and a healthy lifestyle, he continues to defy age, inspiring athletes of all generations.
Stan Swallow’s first bike race was in 1999 when 59 years old. He has been a dedicated cyclist since then. He established a cycling group named the Utah Velo Club in 2003 at the request of a bike shop in American Fork, Utah. He rides about 10,000 miles a year alone and with the club. Rides range from 35 to 100 miles and include riders of all abilities, from teens to seniors. Stan will chat with the riders and make them feel like they are the only ones riding with him. This former Best Overall Racer in the Nation for his age division continues to race annually in national championships and in the Huntsman World Senior Games. On days that Stan doesn’t ride, he organizes club events for winter hikes or snowshoe trips.
Originally from Fillmore, Utah, Stan ran track and wrestled in high school, earned an engineering degree from UCLA, and worked 36 years for the Federal Aviation Administration. Married to Sharon for 60 years, this former marathon runner enjoys hiking, cold showers, and sauna sessions when not cycling. A keto diet enthusiast, Stan relies on ketones and an energy drink during rides, skipping traditional snacks.
Carmen's 22-year journey in the Huntsman World Senior Games spans a wide variety of sports and teams, including softball, pickleball, bowling, and track and field. She has competed on multiple teams at the Games, and she has left a lasting impact on each one. Her track and field achievements include shot put, sprints, javelin, and standing long jump.
A pivotal 2010 moment, hitting a walk-off grand slam, remains one of her most cherished memories. Now at the age of 85, her lifelong athleticism and positivity inspire all those around her as a passionate advocate for the Games. We were honored to induct her in the Huntsman World Senior Games Hall of Fame in 2023. Carmen is also a vital part of the Maryland Senior Olympics, the Golden Girls, and 80+ Colorado Peaches softball, and she serves as a senior sports association commissioner.
Starting her running journey in her early 20s, Elizabeth Bille signed up for a 5K charity race in Washington, D.C., despite never having run that far. The camaraderie and joy of the event hooked her, leading to her first half marathon with her husband, a triathlon in her mid-30s after her youngest child was born, 11 Ragnar races, numerous trail races, and one full marathon in her early 40s. Though she loathed running as a child, it’s now a source of physical and mental strength, inspired by her 81-year-old father, a competitive runner. She also credits “Moms Run This Town” as an instrumental part of the joy she finds in running.
A former theater major, she left performing for a more practical career path as an attorney. Just recently, she rediscovered her love for dance and singing, conquering fears that had been non-existent in her younger years. A recent pinnacle triumph was performing in front of an audience. She now delights in embracing discomfort and being an example about trying challenging things to her three children.
Dr. Glynis Worthington redefined the concept of lifelong learning by earning a Doctor of Education from the University of Northern Iowa. Her groundbreaking dissertation explored the experience of adults aged 50 and older playing pickleball doubles, uncovering the sport's remarkable capacity to evoke flow—a state of complete immersion and enjoyment. Driven by curiosity, Dr. Worthington spent over 200 hours observing players, revealing that pickleball enthusiasts experience unprecedented levels of flow compared to previous studies.
Inspired by the social and psychological dimensions of the game, she aspires to use her research to promote health and well-being among older adults. Dr. Worthington’s dedication to this field stems from a deeply personal place, as she honors her late father by advocating for active, engaging lifestyles in retirement. Now a self-proclaimed pickleball scientist and health advocate, Dr. Worthington shares her insights through presentations and discussions, empowering others to discover the transformative benefits of this dynamic sport.
Tom Simek, a 72-year-old Navy Submarine veteran, homebuilder, husband, father of 3 and grandfather of 2 inspires with his journey of resilience and determination. Like many of us, he has had his ups and downs with nutrition and fitness, but Tom embraced fitness seriously at 59 and hasn’t looked back. From track and field events to competing on American Ninja Warrior as its oldest competitor on season 16, Tom's pursuits are fueled by his love of challenges. He was a 2024 Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete by AARP, and he excels in senior track and field in the 50m, 100m, 200m, and long jump, with national rankings in his age group.
Tom’s granddaughter, a track star herself, remains his greatest inspiration, motivating him to stay active and lead by example. He values consistency, clean eating, and daily training, combining bodyweight exercises, weightlifting, yoga, and sprints at high altitudes.
Residing in Laguna Beach, California, Todd Miller works in Industrial Real Estate investing. A former USC volleyball setter in the early 1980s, Todd played in two NCAA Final Fours. His daughter also played for USC, competing in one Final Four. Since 2005, Todd has competed in USA Masters volleyball, earning four All-American honors and leading Western States Laguna to six National Championships. His team won the Huntsman World Senior Games 10 consecutive years in the 50-54 age group, and as Team USA captain, he secured gold at the 2017 World Masters Games.
Retired in 2022, Todd overcame prostate cancer and now advocates for PSA testing. He co-founded Global Grins, distributing 1.5 million toothbrushes, and leads a Laguna Beach diving club removing ocean pollution. Todd is married with two adult children and one grandchild.
Tiffany Gust holds an Applied Exercise Science and Sports Nutrition master’s degree and is a certified USAT triathlon coach, US Masters swim coach, and a certified exercise physiologist. She works as an exercise physiologist at Intermountain Sports Performance and owns TG Triathlon and Fitness Coaching. Tiffany developed the High-Performance Aging Program at Intermountain Healthcare and is a national board-certified health and wellness coach. She also teaches as an adjunct professor at Utah Tech University and writes for St. George Health and Wellness Magazine. A world national Olympic distance age group qualifier, Tiffany has completed over 175 triathlons, including 24 Ironman finishes, earning the "Ironman All World Athlete" distinction. Despite facing health challenges, including strokes and heart surgery, Tiffany emphasizes balance and gratitude. Outside of fitness, she enjoys hiking, pickleball, running, and reading. Tiffany's greatest achievement is being a wife and mother of three, which she believes is the heart of her success.
Dr. Kenton Brown, the older of two siblings, grew up during a time of war. While his father was a gifted athlete, he wasn't strongly encouraged to pursue sports. Ken played Little League baseball as a child, but his true passion for sports began with tennis, which he played extensively during his youth. He continued his tennis journey at the University of Notre Dame, but as he progressed through his studies, Ken shifted his focus to pre-med courses, while still staying active through intramural sports and jogging. Jogging became his preferred way to maintain fitness during his demanding medical training, all while managing family life with four children.
Throughout his career, Ken maintained his interest in racquet sports, as well as cycling, running, and swimming. After overcoming a challenging personal period, he joined a senior softball league, marking the start of a new athletic chapter. Since then, Ken has been inducted into the Texas Senior Softball Hall of Fame and has played on multiple championship teams. He also holds several sprinting records at our Games and senior world records. Now 81 and retired, Ken remains active through running, pickleball, and regular exercise.
Kathleen Fors is a health and well-being expert, author, and speaker who specializes in behavior change for high performance. With a Master’s Degree in Physical Education, a minor in Biology, and expertise in the mind-body connection for optimal health and success, Kathleen brings over three decades of experience in self-improvement, coaching, and advanced certifications. As a gold medal-winning senior athlete, she excels at guiding professionals and athletes in swiftly identifying and clearing unconscious sabotaging beliefs that block progress. Using her signature Empowerment 360 Success System™, Kathleen transforms pressure, self-doubt, overwhelm, and numerous other challenges into happiness, health, and success—helping clients synergistically thrive in every area of their lives.
To learn more from Kathleen and receive a free special report on clearing limiting emotions to achieve high performance and success, visit kathleenfors.com .
Alyssa Blue is a non-practicing aerospace engineer that found the human body more fascinating than rockets. After suffering a health crisis in her early 20's, she went on a decade-long journey learning how to heal herself. Today as an FDNP (Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner), her research background shines, taking a deep dive in investigating her clients’ bio-individuality and walking with them on a path back to balance.
Out of a necessity to help more people than their one-on-one practice would allow, Alyssa and her partner Mike embarked on a 2.5-year journey of R&D to co-create ALIGN. It is the only Schumann Resonance tuned PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) mat on the market. This meticulously crafted art piece blends ancient wisdom and modern technology to empower more people to tap into their own innate healing potential.
To learn more about the technologies Alyssa described in the show, visit myalignmat.com .
Daniela Barnea first joined a swim team at 13 through the YMCA, and she now teaches swimming to people aged 2-72! Daniela holds many Huntsman World Senior Games records since she began her journey with our Games 13 years ago, but her excellence extends to national and international stages as well, with numerous USMS national records and most recently setting 10 USA national records, 20 Pacific records, and 4 world records at the Pacific Championships. Daniela's love for swimming is complemented by her passion for water polo, basketball, and healthy competition. Staying active evolved from a health strategy into a joyful hobby. She also enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and exploring different cultures. With a degree in graphic design, Daniela spends her free time creating art and learning new skills. She is also a dedicated mother of three and grandmother of eight.
Dr. Robert Jamieson is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who is fellowship trained in Total Joint Replacement, focusing on the hip and knee. In 2014, he performed the first outpatient total joint replacement in northern California, where the patient had a knee replacement done in the morning and was recovering at home by that afternoon. Dr. Jamieson focuses on providing a comfortable and frictionless patient experience throughout the journey with a hip or knee.
Dr. Jamieson’s areas of interest include narcotic-free pain control after surgery, rapid recovery, outpatient total joint replacements, anterior approach to hip replacements, and utilizing the latest technology, including robotics. Dr. Jamieson is fluent in Italian, which he learned while serving as a missionary in northwestern Italy for two years.
Outside work, he finds joy in spending time with his family, engaging in sports, and, most importantly, serving the community. This dedication fosters a sense of connection and value for his patients and colleagues.
At age 14, humiliation from a PE teacher at Taipei First Girls' High School left a profound impact on May Chou, a young refugee from mainland China. Discouragement and self-doubt evolved to three decades of inactivity. At the age of 43, inspired by a colleague, she began jogging in her backyard and eventually on to joining a running group where she rediscovered her abilities and gained confidence after competing in her first race. This marked the start of an inspiring journey where May regularly participated in over 40 races annually, earning more than 1,000 awards over four decades. Not only did running restore her self-esteem related to activity, but in personal and professional milestones as well, and she went on to become a successful dentist in the United States. May credits her success to supportive friends, family, and a balanced lifestyle of healthy eating and activity. Approaching her 90th birthday, she competed in the Huntsman World Senior Games for the first time in 2024 and plans to compete in the World Masters Games, a triumphant return to Taipei, symbolizing resilience and the transformative power of sports.
This week's podcast features several guests from our Huntsman World Senior Games staff. Each was asked to share a story of someone who epitomizes active aging to them. Tune in to hear some inspiring and heart-warming stories!
Dori Tharp is a remarkable 73-year-old woman, originally from Salt Lake City and raised in Hollywood, CA. She lives a life rich in family, community, and service. Dori moved to St. George, where she and her husband raised eight children. She considers herself a professional volunteer, and just some of the organizations outside her church who benefit from her time are Historic St. George Live!, Daughters of Utah Pioneers, and RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program). Additionally, Dori has volunteered at the Huntsman World Senior Games since its inception in 1987. She has served countless athletes and guests at the information desk throughout the years, and most recently, she has loved helping in the sports lounge. In addition to cherishing the opening ceremonies, the diversity of guests, and motivational athlete stories, she also greatly values our health screenings. According to Dori, “a positive attitude keeps you young at heart.”
Raised in the rugged landscapes of New Mexico and inspired by a tradition of faith, family, and frontier values, Kevin Shelley is a true pioneer whose career bridges technology, health, and service. Kevin’s journey began with a groundbreaking project in college, the "Virtual Human," which introduced medical simulations to education. His career then expanded to develop products like protein-rich chocolates for optimal nutrition, support microfinance and therapy for underserved communities worldwide, and now, a revolutionary robotic arm for the elderly and disabled. With his dedication to health and fitness, Kevin is also a multi-medal athlete at the Huntsman World Senior Games, embodying his commitment to helping people of all ages and abilities to lead active, independent lives.
Dr. Arne Olsen, a Massachusetts native, graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and completed a general surgery residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire. He then completed a vascular surgery and endovascular therapy fellowship at the University of Florida in Gainesville. At Intermountain Health in St. George and Cedar City, Utah, Dr. Olsen has over 19 years of experience in treating all aspects of vascular disease including varicose veins, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), carotid artery disease, aortic aneurysms, and dialysis access.
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Olsen is a family man with 8 wonderful children and a very hardworking wife. He enjoys spending quality time with his loved ones. He also has a passion for music and is the keyboard player for Southern Utah's preeminent classic rock cover band, Identity Crisis. Dr. Olsen lives a relatively active lifestyle including a love for jet skiing, jogging, weightlifting, and various sports.
Dr. Herbert (Herb) Wilkinson, father of 5 and grandfather of 24, was born in December of 1923 and is 100 years old. Born and raised in Hurricane, Utah, where his father was the town’s first family physician, Herb developed a strong competitive spirit and excelled as an oral surgeon. As a freshman at the University of Utah, he helped win the 1944 NCAA National Basketball Championship, scoring the game-winning basket in overtime. He then transferred to Iowa, winning three consecutive Big Ten titles and earning All-American honors each season. Herb was also an accomplished high jumper, placing fourth in the 1945 NCAA Track and Field Championships. Despite an offer to play basketball professionally with the Minneapolis Lakers, Herb played a modified season and then quit due to a conflict with playing on Sundays, instead choosing to serve a mission in England for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In more recent years, he has excelled as a Masters athlete, earning numerous medals in high jump, long jump, and throwing events at the Huntsman World Senior Games. Last year alone, Herb competed and won 4 silver medals despite being the oldest in his age group, and this year, he was in a class all his own.
Born in Wyoming and raised in Iowa, Eva Sorensen will soon be 101 years old and has two children, three grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Throughout her life, she has lived in 21 states and Okinawa, Japan and currently lives in an independent living facility in Virginia. She corrected high school foreign language papers for a teacher as a job for The National Youth Administration (NYA), a New Deal agency that provided work and relief during the Great Depression.
During high school she went to work for a newly opened ice cream parlor making ten cents an hour. She mentioned this to her principal and he black-balled the parlor and got her a job at a fence factory making out bills of lading for twenty-five cents an hour. She worked there eight hours a day and spent two hours at school.
Eva pursued bowling as a teenager and later became deeply involved in the sport, joining multiple leagues, including military-base leagues. She participates in the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics, National Senior Games, and the Huntsman World Senior Games and has earned numerous medals, including seven in a single year. She continues to bowl, play board games, and knit while she watches football or baseball. Eva loves adventure. After her husband’s retirement, they traveled across the U.S. in a converted school bus for four years before finally settling down in a house in Midwest City, Oklahoma where they lived for more than 25 years.
Kathleen Harper-Hall, 86, has participated in the Huntsman World Senior Games since 2004 and served as athlete and team manager since 2022. She has won 104 medals across multiple track and field events, including the 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, long jump, standing broad jump, and discus. In addition to national honors from Barbados and multiple national lifetime awards, Kathy remains active on the Executive Committees of two national associations and two Caribbean Sports Associations. She is also being inducted into the Huntsman World Senior Games Hall of Fame this year.
This mother of six, grandmother of nineteen, and great-grandmother of twelve enjoys dancing, running, and playing video games. She is dedicated to helping the less fortunate, working with children and at-risk youth, and volunteering as a sports administrator.
#535 Get Your Socks On - Featuring Matt Blanchard, Part 1
25:50
#534 Bounce Back with The ReboundPlanner - Featuring Paula Franetti
25:50
#533 Ultra-Marathon Walker is the Walking Diva - Featuring Yolanda Holder
25:50
#532 Cardiothoracic Facts and Gravel Cycling - Featuring Dr. Alec Eror
25:50
#531 From Pro to Senior Bowling - Featuring Mort Friedman
25:50
#530 Leading the Way in Cycling - Featuring Stan Swallow
25:50
#529 Human Hall of Sport - Featuring Carmen Campbell
25:50
#528 From Loathing to Loving New Pursuits - Featuring Elizabeth Bille
25:50
#527 Find Your Flow: Is It Pickleball? - Featuring Dr. Glynis Worthington
25:50
#526 Track Your Progress and You'll Progress on the Track (and Everywhere) - Featuring Tom Simek
24:24
#525 Pro PSA, Prehab, and Philanthropy - Featuring Todd Miller
25:50
#524 Aging with High Performance - Featuring Tiffany Gust
25:50
#523 Benefiting from Senior Sports - Featuring Dr. Kenton Brown
25:50
#522 Behavior Change for High Performance - Featuring Kathleen Fors
25:50
#521 Cellular Cleansing with Infrared Heat and PEMF - Featuring Alyssa Blue
25:50
#520 Swimming: That Looks Fun! - Featuring Daniela Barnea
25:50
#519 The Ins and Outs of Arthritis - Featuring Dr. Robert Jamieson
25:50
#518 Running Transformed My Life - Featuring May Chou
25:50
#517 Active Aging Role Models - Featuring Games Staff
25:50
#516 Volunteer from the Beginning - Featuring Dori Tharp
25:50
#515 Innovation and Invention in Healthcare and Beyond - Featuring Kevin Shelley
25:50
#514 What is Vascular Health? - Featuring Dr. Arne Olsen
25:50
#513 Hoops and Jumps for a Hundred Years - Featuring Dr. Herb Wilkinson
25:50
#512 A Century and Counting of Thriving - Featuring Eva Sorensen
24:50
#511 Our Barbados Connection - Featuring Kathy Harper-Hall
25:50