Be Your Personal Best…FOR LIFE!
There’s another definition of “personal best” that anyone can achieve. It’s not about a peak time or distance in sports; it’s about overcoming obstacles, staying motivated throughout your life and inspiring others by your example. This results in greater longevity and a healthy, active lifestyle – and that is your Personal Best!
Click Here to learn more about the purpose of the Personal Best health and wellness initiative.
Use the search box to find athletes by name or year of feature.

From “Misfit Farm Kid” to Super Senior Athlete

By Del Moon, NSGA Storyteller Don Phillips, 94 Sioux Falls, South Dakota Some people assume that most National Senior Games competitors are lifelong athletes. In reality, we estimate that over half of Senior Games athletes either returned to a sport or took up new ones in midlife, and some discover hidden abilities as they progress.

An older woman with sits smiling. Her arms are held up with numerous sports medals draped across them.

P is for Perseverance…and Patsy

By Del Moon, NSGA Storyteller Patsy Lillehei, 81 Edina, Minnesota Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. Some people face more obstacles than others, and it’s easy to give in and leave dreams and goals on the shelf. Not Patsy Lillehei. This might have been a lifetime athlete story as evidenced by her intense

Digging Out

By Del Moon, NSGA Storyteller Monique Wilson, 61 Redondo Beach, California Any parent will tell you that losing a child is one of the most difficult tragedies to overcome. Finding a pathway to return to everyday life is complex and can bring depression and other health issues. Monique Wilson’s family was devastated when her son

A Cycling Champion Spins Off a Family Legacy

By Del Moon, NSGA Storyteller Luigi Fabbri, 89 Eva Fabbri, 82 Lake Worth, Florida Gabriella Fabbri, 60 Riviera Beach, Florida Those who know Italian-born Luigi Fabbri will agree that cycling is at the heart of his being. He has been competing and raking in medals and championships internationally for 45 years, and he is still

Headshot of Vincent Pearson smiling into the camera.

Surviving the Roller Coaster

By Del Moon, NSGA PR Specialist Dr. Vincent Pearson, 60 Owings Mills, Maryland Dr. Vincent Pearson has a long list of accomplishments and passions, highlighted by a busy career as a pharmacist and a solid family life. The successful bowler has won amateur events, earned Senior Games medals, bowled on a PBA regional tour and

The Fine Art of Running

By Del Moon, NSGA PR Specialist Norma Minkowitz, 86 Westport, Connecticut Norma Minkowitz has drive. She doesn’t know why or how she got it, but it pushed her from modest beginnings to attain world recognition as a fine artist. It also manifested when she took up running in midlife, found her way to masters track

“The Indian Runner” Meets His Destiny

“The Indian Runner” Meets His Destiny By Del Moon, NSGA PR Specialist Mark Woommavovah, 56 Lawton, Oklahoma It’s not that unusual to see a runner carrying a flag or banner in a race. But there was something about Mark Woommavovah’s proud demeanor and spirit as he proudly hosted the colorful flag of the Comanche Nation

A Three Generation Legacy

Dwight Smith, 94 Terry Smith, 74 Christi Smith Daigle, 51 Baton Rouge, Louisiana The theme for the 2023 National Senior Games presented by Humana is “Bridging Champions Through the Ages,” placing a spotlight on the intergenerational impact of Senior Games on families and society. The idea came from seeing so many children of senior athletes

Reversed Roles

Jody Smith, 61, Atlanta, Georgia Jody Smith should have been named Jody Sports. It’s been her passion for as long as she can remember, and basketball was her favorite pastime. She was a standout player in high school and college and has been inducted into her college hall of fame. Jody and her husband Mark

Making Space for Sports

Larry DeLucas, 72 Birmingham, Alabama There are many singular achievements that can be made in sports, but only Larry DeLucas can say he once slam dunked a basketball weightless more than 250 miles above Earth. That’s one of the interesting facts discovered when we followed up on the rumor that there was an astronaut playing