AGE AND FITNESS AND WHAT I’VE LEARNED AS AN ATHLETE

I want to talk about the elephant in the room: Aging.

Have I peaked? Am I an anomaly? (I’ve been called an alien more than once), Rare? Good genetics? Not sure, but I’m stronger than I’ve ever been. And since turning 48 I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been asked when I’m planning on slowing down. Or, if I’m “okay” doing what I’m doing. Or, wow Laur, I thought you were like, 35…how many good years do you think you have left!? GOOD years left? Honestly, I’ve been at this for so long I feel like I’m just hitting my stride. People’s comments always take me by surprise because I feel even better now than I did at 30... and of course I’m still 28 in my mind.

For those of you that don’t know me: I cheered my entire life and was a Division 1 cheerleader at the University of South Carolina. I tore my rotator cuff in a high flying stunt and rehabbed it with Pilates. I chose to retire but I never had surgery. I fell in love with Pilates, started teaching, but ultimately became bored. I really missed the physicality, athleticism of cheer— And my incredible physique, so I incorporated cheer choreography and conditioning into Pilates and created my own method: Cardio-Cheer-Sculpting in 2005.

As an athlete, I challenge my body everyday using my mind. We’re taught that we have a timeline. The truth is, we all age (and it's a privilege) but that doesn’t mean we have to stop moving. Our bodies can truly adapt to anything. Even age.

Physical decline is a really slow process, it's not a trap door. In my opinion, you don't stop living at 40, 40 is a total step up. You're more intelligent and wise then when you're in your twenties and thirties and with proper mindset, wellness, diet and training you can be even stronger. I truly believe you have two options. 1. You can train your body and your brain to believe in yourself and to keep going and it will, or 2. You can act like you have one foot in the grave and in turn that physical decline will happen faster.

Unfortunately, in our society, age is commonly used as an excuse or talked about as a handicap. I hear so many of my clients say that they can no longer jump, dance or do a See Saw because they are 40. The problem is that excuses reinforce the mindset of having one foot in the grave for so many people, versus allowing them to reach their full potential. I have always hated to see my clients stop believing in their potential because they’ve simply turned 40. And it drives me crazy to see how the media portrays athletes who excel at 40+. They’re only FORTY. They are still in their prime physically as an athlete because they consistently work hard and prioritize their health and wellness. When I see the media talk about Lindsey Vonn, Tom Brady, or Serena... there’s always a number attached. This repeatedly reinforces the mindset that age is a handicap and makes it harder for most people to believe in their own abilities.

Fitness is almost entirely mental. Your body won’t go where your mind won’t push it. Train your body and your brain to believe in yourself to keep going, and never give up and you will.