Mar 14, 2022

Meet 100-year-old Edna: The fabulous fitness fanatic from Melbourne

Edna 100yo fitness fanatic
Photos: 9News.

The fitness centre held a party for Ms Sheppard to mark her centenary, and presented her with a cake and snacks, along with the special gift of life membership.

Ms Sheppard attends several classes a week at Broadmeadows, including aerobics, weights, tai chi and zumba. 

Originally a dancer, she has been dancing since she was three.

Fitness instructor Jan, who has been teaching Ms Sheppard for 36 years, said the centenarian is “inspiring”.

Ms Sheppard told 9News, going to the gym makes her feel “really good … like I’ve done something for the day”.

Jan said she’s never seen Edna in a bad mood, and revealed she “loves the guys”.

Approaching her weights companion, Jimmy Ishoo, Ms Sheppard asked, “You don’t mind doing it with me, do you?” with a twinkle in her eye.

“Age is just numbers,” Mr Ishoo told 9News.

Edna Sheppard receiving her life membership at the leisure centre whilst they celebrated her 100th birthday. Photo: 9News.

Centre manager, Michael Bzdel, said, “Edna brings a very positive energy to our centre. 

“She’s always got a smile on her face. 

“She’s very cheeky, greets everyone, treats everyone with respect and love, and is like a mum and grandmother to everyone,” Mr Bzdel added.

Her life advice is perhaps unsurprising. 

“I think [it’s] best to get active, and keep walking and doing exercise – what I’ve done all my life. And I think that’s what got me through so far.”

She added, “Try and forget what little problems you’ve got. Get out and do something for yourself.”

Wise words, from someone who really knows how to maintain their motivation and discipline. What an inspiration! 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. So proud of my Aunty Edna. Her older sister (my Mum)who passed away 1 month prior to her 101 birthday would be so proud of her. Go Aunty Ed xx

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Go Gentle Australia: The Right to Choose What Happens in the End

Polls show that more than 75% of Australians support voluntary euthanasia and would like to see the introduction of new laws regarding it. Which is why television and radio personality Andrew Denton has founded the advocacy group “Go Gentle Australia”. “Go Gentle Australia” believe that it is the “right of all Australians to have a... Read More

50-Something Women: Coming Into Their Own

This morning, in my email inbox, I found that two people who know of my interest in ageing issues had sent me a link to the same article, one that had just appeared in the online Guardian: The salt-and-pepper pound: where are all the fiftysomething models? | Fashion | The Guardian In it, the very articulate British-based... Read More

Is it better to be boldly old, or perennially young at heart?

Lately, I’ve been coming across phrases about ageing that I’m finding bothersome. For example, there is a birthday card that promises “You’re not getting OLDER, you’re getting WISER. And not so long ago there was a public health forum on ageing, chaired by a “Senior Old Age Psychiatrist”, and whose headlined subject was “I’m OLDER,... Read More
Advertisement