Amazing Over 50’s – Terry Corwin

Once again I am excited to introduce another guest to my series:

Amazing over 50’s

I am inviting and featuring ‘Mid-lifers’ who are enjoying life over 50 and who are happy to shout out about great health, fitness, lifestyles, work or their achievements etc, but more importantly who are embracing this time of their lives with pride and open arms.

This month I’m happy to introduce Terry Corwin as my fifteenth guest.  Terry is an inspiration when it comes to positivity and fitness after 50, especially as a ‘CrossFitter’.

Let’s get straight into finding out more about her…

Welcome to Loving The Fifty Something, Terry

Can I ask you to tell us a little about yourself?

I’m Terry Corwin, live in Laguna Beach, California, and have been happily married to my husband, Clay, for 28 years. We have two adult sons, Garrett and Spencer. We also have a cute little Bichon Frise named Baxter, (although he’s really my dog.) I have a blog about fitness over 50, called Skinny Bitch.  I’m 57 and proud of it!

Before having children, I was a commercial property manager. I then stayed home to raise the boys, but was heavily and happily involved in volunteer work related to their schools and our small community. I was the PTA President of my oldest son’s school when he was in first grade. I was also the Executive Director for a public-school foundation, Education for the Children, for five years where we raised money for our local public schools. I headed up golf tournaments, galas, and events to raise money.

When Spencer was going into 7^th grade, I started a non-profit organization, Lion’s Heart. I wanted him (and eventually his little brother) to volunteer in the community. I couldn’t find any organizations that helped kids get into groups and volunteer together, so I started one to do just that. It has now grown into chapters in 35 states, and its teen members have volunteered well over 1 million hours to their communities!

Wow, Terry that sounds to be a wonderful organisation and achievement!  Do you remember what turning 50 meant to you and how you feel now in relation?

I thought it was a turning point to stop caring what people thought and stepping away from negative people and drama. I thought “I’m too old for this” and at the same time I thought “I’m not going to spend my last quarter putting up or do anything I don’t want to deal with.” Looking back seven years, that attitude has served me well. I have no regrets walking away from those friends. Hard at the time. Now in the rear-view mirror!

Brilliant! That alone is a great message to all!  Do you like to stay fit and healthy?  If so how?

When I was in my forties and early fifties, I absolutely loved doubles tennis at our local golf and racquet club. I was in two leagues and played 3-4 days a week for twelve years. Loved the competition, the comradery and the clothes! After too many wrist and elbow injuries, along with the fact that Lion’s Heart was growing like crazy, I quit tennis to work full time for Lion’s Heart. 

When Lion’s Heart was fourteen years old and growing not just in member count and volunteer hours, but staff size, I decided it was time to retire and hand the reigns to someone else. I immediately started into CrossFit! I was thin but extremely out of shape and flabby due to working so much and not playing tennis or exercising at all, I knew I had to do something – and fast.

My husband, Clay, is a world-class CrossFit athlete competing at the highest level in the 60+ age category. He has had serious health challenges himself and he never let any of those issues slow him down or used them as an excuse. I had no excuses. At first, I was scared, but found a community of young and old athletes who welcomed me, encouraged me, and cheered for me. I did the same for them. I love this now, and go 5 days a week. I’ve also fallen in love with Olympic lifting, which is a small part of CrossFit.

I have to admit, I knew absolutely nothing about CrossFit until I found and started following you, Terry.  

What are the things you are most proud of achieving after turning 50?

I’m proud of the growth of the non-profit organisation I started and building it with a talented and passionate staff and giving volunteers across the U.S. It’s very satisfying and I’m extremely proud to know that something I started has positively affected so many people. I’m happy I had the wisdom of knowing when to step away. I’m proud as a mother to see our two boys graduate from college. I’m also proud I have decided not to slow down and use my age as an excuse not to do anything. I became much more athletic and goal oriented after I became 50. I saw my parents and my friends’ parents get older and weaker, and eventually become burdensome to their loved ones, and see their quality of life get worse. I strive to become stronger, not weaker – for me, my husband and our boys.

You’ve already said so many inspirational things within your post Terry.  Are there any specific messages or advice you’d like to give to people who are about to turn 50?

Don’t disappear! Now is your time to try new things, forgot what people say or think, and shine! Now is the time to be selfish! If not now, when??? You’ve raised or almost raised your kids, fulfilled your commitments to the kids and your career, and have a vast amount of knowledge and experience. Do something unexpected! Make your friends laugh, and say “Really?” Yes, surprise them all with your next chapter!

Another piece of advice I have for mothers. My friends who are the happiest are the ones who have a life and an identity away from being a mother. As our children grow into adulthood, they do not need their mothers nearly as much. You simply cannot live your life through your children. They need to grow, bloom and become who they are going to become. Think of the same for yourself.

Lastly, I used to play country club tennis in my gated community with plenty of people exactly like me. Now, I do rope climbs, box jumps, hand stand walks, and Olympic lifting with a whole lot of awesome people who are nothing like me – and you know what? It’s fantastic, exhilarating, and every day is a new day. Never, ever let your age deter or define you! That’s just an excuse because you can do anything you want!

Oh! Buy and use a magnifying mirror regularly. Hair starts sprouting where it didn’t before. Be the first to know. Not the last. 

Oh wow, now there’s some amazing advice from Terry!! (The last one I have already experienced! Magnifying mirror already bought and used regularly!!)

Thank you so much Terry for being an awesome ‘Amazing over 50’s’ guest on my series.

If you’d like to know more about Terry or if you’d like to follow her journey, then you can find Terry’s links below:

Skinny Bitch Blog

Twitter

Instagram

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 ‘Amazing Over 50’s’