YOUR
RBC Family
SPECIAL LIFE AFTER 50 EDITION
Senior Moments
that have nothing to do with forgetfulness!
There is a growing group of people in their 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s…even their 90’s… who refuse to
give into age. They are finding creative ways to stay active, competitive and excited about life. They
are anything but sedentary.
Once a year they meet in the red-rock-enshrined valley of St. George, Utah to compete in The
Senior Games.
50+ Softball Champion Game
The LA50 Generation
They came from all over the world. Many of them devoted
the better part of 18 days to this trip. Some used
vacation time. For others, now that they are retired,
it’s just another stop on their journey.
They are not getting paid. Most of their
victories and losses will barely be noticed.
Their injuries and bruises will not be
discussed on tomorrow’s sports talk
shows. The paparazzi are not following
them. The media is not quoting their
every cliché. Star-struck kids, who have
never met them, aren’t seeing their
picture and saying, “that’s who I want to
be when I grow up.”
In many cases the washboard abs are long
gone. Thundering grunts have displaced their
lightning quick reflexes. While their hearts still
beat for the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat has
lost some of its intimidation.
Who are these baby booming gladiators? They are the Life
After 50 Generation. They are in St. George, Utah with one common
goal: to pursue their passion for competition…and age will not deter them.
Going Back to School…
after 50
The games are for all ages – as long as you are over 50! You can participate with your own team or go
into a pool for assignment to a new team. The Huntsman tries to help you find a level of competition
appropriate for your age and skill level. The Global Cup, which is by invitation only, features some of
the top volleyball players from around the world, and is nearly as competitive as the Olympics. In fact,
this year’s finals were between perennial long time protagonists Russia and the USA.
Who are these people? There is a 79-year old
volleyball player, a 91-year old person participating
in the track and field events, retirees, 60-year
old empty nesters who are enjoying a rebirth of activities, a 53-year old goldminer who works 3 months out
of the year so he can play
the other 9 months.
What are their messages
for us?
“Life and fun doesn’t have to stop at 50.”
“Get off your couch and get out and play.”
“I’m a 64-year old housewife, a mother and now a grandmother…you
can’t retire from those jobs…but I have learned to take some time out
for me… I’m in the best shape of my
life. I competed in the 60+ women’s volleyball and met some great new friends. I’m
having the time of my life.”
“I feel like a teenager again.”
“You’ve got to keep moving…or you won’t keep moving.”
“I couldn’t wait to turn 50 because all of my friends were
having too much fun playing in all these tournaments.”
One of the Global Cup contestants, who’s competitive drive still burns hotly, said, “As you get
older you are going to hurt, you might as
well hurt from doing something you enjoy.”
During our youth, competing in sports was
about the thrill of victory and the agony of
defeat. We thought a 1-point loss was a
matter of life or death. The seniors have
a different perspective. They think it is
not so much about winning as it is about
competing. The thought of not competing
seems demoralizing.
With so many people struggling with health problems, immune issues,
terrible diets and just unhealthy lifestyles, I wanted more knowledge, more
understanding. I wanted to be able to help people make better choices. I was
now at a stage of my life that I could do something about it.
I began researching for an in-depth certification training in the Wellness field. It was an intensive
program that had “live” – not on-line – classes. This was an answer to my prayer - this was the
program for me! After two years of waiting for the right timing, in May, 2010, I joined with many
others in Indianapolis, Indiana to receive my Certified Natural Health Professional which includes:
Nutrition, Body Systems, Iridology, Body Work and Practicum. They call it intensive for a reason – class
began early in the morning and ran into the evening but I loved every minute of it!! I took a lot of
NeuroBright to help me think, learn and remember!!
My first client was a lady in her 60’s undergoing chemo for uterine cancer. During my initial
visits…she never got out of her recliner, her eyes were always heavy with no energy, her
feet were swollen and elevated, dry mouth, very overweight, labored speech, just sick…you
understand this picture.
I recommended an RBC protocol and a new diet to improve her health and help her endure five weeks
of radiation treatments.
Now three months later and after following our recommendations…this is what I found: I was greeted
at the door with a bright smile, smiling eyes and a big hug!! She is so excited, feels so good, lost 35
lbs., she’s even had the energy to start cleaning out closets!! Even with the radiation, she breezed
through with her increased nutritional support. Her oncologist calls her a “miracle patient”!!!
I am thankful to Mr. Howard for all the sacrifices he made to give us such wonderful, life changing
nutritional supplements. My husband, Paul, and I have been a part of the RBC Family since 1995.
And I'm thankful to be on a new journey of helping others.
“I’ve been playing volleyball for nearly
70 years…it only got better at 50.”
I couldn’t wait to turn 50 because all my
friends were having too much fun…
They are very convincing until to you ask
them about their record at The Senior
Games. Suddenly, their eyes light up with
an extra sparkle and they speak of exceeding expectations, of breaking barriers, of achieving
personal bests, of making improvements, of winning a medal … of creating unforgettable,
senior moments.
Gold In The Hand
As part of the RBC family, we have such an
interesting life…sharing our health mission with
others…listening to their stories, challenges and
opportunities. It brings us into contact with so many
interesting and inspirational people.
Mike Bonnell is one of those people. He plays
volleyball for Team USA - which endorses Triple FX®.
In addition to the healthy alternative energy drink,
Mike likes Microhydrin® and Spirulina.
That makes him like a lot of us. What makes him different is that his family owns the mineral rights to
a huge lake somewhere in Canada. He’s rather secretive as to the exact location.
“Being out in the bush with nobody out there to look after you – you have to look after yourself. So,
I’ve been a self-healer plus I trained in acupressure holding points, muscle balancing and kinesiology.
Of course, nutrition goes hand in hand with my studies. Staying healthy when you are out doing stuff
where there isn't any civilization can be a matter of life and death."
The Huntsman
World Senior Games
Three months out of the year, Mike mines for gold and finds enough in those three months that he
can enjoy life the rest of the year.
St. George is a 2-hour drive northeast of Las Vegas. St. George's trademark is its geology – red bluffs
make up the northern part of the city with two peaks covered in lava rock in the city's center. The
northeastern edges of the Mojave Desert are visible to the south. Zion National Park can be seen to
the east, and the Pine Valley Mountains loom over the city to the north and northwest. The climate has
more in common with the Desert Southwest than the rest of the state, with scorching hot summers
and mild, mostly snowless winters. The city has recently developed into a retirement destination.
Now that is almost as good as network marketing.
In 1987 a small event was held in St. George, Utah for a hundred
or so senior athletes. Now two and a half decades later, the event
has welcomed more than 10,000 athletes from over 60 different
countries. It’s grown to host the single largest senior softball
tournament in the world. It has become the largest annual multisport event for athletes 50 and over.
The Opening Ceremonies included a Parade of Athletes, a Flag
Extravaganza, fireworks as well as incredible singing and dancing.
Appropriately enough, the headliner was disco superstar, Gloria
Gaynor, singing, “I Will Survive.”
The First Stop for the Russians
after each Victory was the
Triple FX Energy Shot booth.
What is Pickleball?
Paul Elert played racquetball, tennis, table tennis and badminton for most of his life. When he heard
about a game that combines features of all four, it was a match made in racquet-sport heaven.
That game is pickleball. Played on a badminton-sized court, with tennis-style net 34 inches high, pickleball players volley a perforated plastic ball. “I've played racquetball for about 35 years. This isn’t quite
as fast, it’s not quite as strenuous, but it’s still real active, and you need fast reactions,” said Elert, 57.
Four time Olympic Athlete, Shelia Taormina spoke of her incredible journey. It was not the “rise to
the top quickly and make millions story.” It was the “get an education, work the best you can with
what you have, and never give-up” story. Sheila learned about technique, efficiency and the keys to
success. Applying those throughout the years, she became an Olympic champion in one sport, world
champion in a second sport, and the world cup standings leader in a third sport!
The Senior Games include: volleyball, softball, track and field, bowling, basketball, badminton,
soccer, triathlon, horseshoes, archery, race walking, tennis, table tennis, cycling, mountain cycling,
golf, race walking, cowboy action shooting, hill climbing, lawn bowling, swimming, racquetball, bridge,
chess, square dancing and one of the most popular sports – pickleball.
The goal of the games is to foster worldwide health, friendship and peace. Maybe next year …
2004 – World
Championships
– Triathlon
Pickleball is a simple game designed for all ages and any athletic ability level. In fact it was first played
in a backyard where there was a dog that
loved to chase and carry away the ball. The
first players soon found themselves calling
the dog, named Pickles, to bring back the
ball. Hence the name: Pickleball.
While this sport has been around since the
mid 60's, it started gaining popularity over
the last 5 years or so. It is most popular
among seniors, although more schools
and colleges are adding it to their physical
education programs in recent years.
Pickleball players in action
How Not To Work A Show
Did you ever leave a discussion and think, “Man, I should have said ….” Or leave the store and think, “I
should have picked up some bananas …” Or left a Trade Show and thought, “I should have taken a picture of the NuSkin booth … it would have been such a great example of what not to do at a trade show!
First, let me tell you about the people attending the Senior Games. It’s
populated by thousands of men and women, over 50, still competing
and having fun. You could call them the Still Booming, Baby Boomers.
They are wearing t-shirts with slogans like: Aged to Perfection, Heart Is
Everything, or Aging…The Ultimate Extreme Sport. In other words, they
are our kind of people – the perfect fit for us.
The Triple FX booth had:
• an eye-catching, energy-inspiring backdrop
• free samples of the very popular Triple FX Energy drink
• a high energy, volleyball video playing
• an attractive product display
• people working the booth who were anxious to share the RBC story
Gloria Gaynor
2004 – ITU
World Triathlon
Championships
Victory
Shelia Taormina
2008 - Olympics
Pentathlion
Swim Start
Next to our booth was the NuSkin booth. It had:
• a few, letter size, unappealing signs stuck up with tape
• some product on display with a label so poorly designed that a person would have to pick it up and
closely examine it to have any idea about the name or use of the product
• one guy working (?) on a computer – not interested in anything going on around him
You’ve probably already guessed the end of this story. The RBC booth was considered to be the most
popular booth at the show. It had a constant flow
of people stopping by, asking questions, seeking
information, buying product. Many names and
leads were generated. A number of people
actually signed up at the show.
How about the NuSkin guy?
Packed up and went home early - probably telling everyone what a terrible show it was.