Game Changers

Denise Lawson is a first-time competitor at the National Senior Games – but her journey to Des Moines is anything but typical. A lifelong runner who rediscovered her passion for track in her 50s, Denise has turned personal setbacks into fuel for an inspiring second act in athletics.

A high school track athlete turned dragon boat paddler, Denise returned to running after experiencing a series of health challenges, including multiple injuries and a cardiac procedure. Through it all, she remained fiercely active – sometimes running half marathons just weeks after surgery. Her training is smart, intuitive, and joyful – she sprints across open fields with her retired sled dogs, finding inspiration in their natural exuberance.

Denise’s love for animals is more than a hobby; she’s deeply involved in rehoming retired sled dogs from Alaska, many of whom are senior athletes themselves. These dogs not only keep her company on the trails – they’ve helped shape her philosophy of movement, perseverance, and mutual support. Whether she's mushing through the Yukon wilderness or doing wall pushups while her coffee brews, Denise is a living example of how aging actively, mindfully, and with joy can transform your physical and mental well-being.

Now retired from his career as a structural engineer, Dilip has reconnected with his favorite childhood sport – table tennis. When Dilip turned 70, he became a table tennis referee at the 2011 National Senior Games in Houston to help him ease back into the rhythm of the game. Since then, he’s taken lessons, purchased a table and Robot for home practice, and now plays four to five times a week.

He began actively competing in 2012 at the Texas Senior Games and, by 2015, participated in his first National Senior Games. Dilip has remained a dedicated competitor, participating in every National Senior Games since.

As a prostate cancer survivor who manages osteoarthritis in both knees, he credits his “mind over matter” philosophy for allowing him to compete at his best.

When he’s not at the table, Dilip stays active through yoga, weight training and Bollywood dancing at his local senior citizens’ association. He also prioritizes his cognitive health through his work as a realtor and by focusing on his spirituality. He even started a table tennis tournament for younger kids at his temple, where he is deeply involved.

To stay motivated as an athlete, Dilip embraces three key principles of success: determination, dedication, and discipline.

Ellen began her running journey at 60, after raising three children. What started as a goal to improve her health quickly turned into a passion. She joined a marathon training group in Los Angeles, initially as a walker, and gradually built up her stamina and speed, eventually qualifying for - and completing - the prestigious Boston Marathon four times. Over the years, Ellen has completed more than 50 marathons around the world, including in Antarctica, India, France, and Canada, and she has proudly participated in the Los Angeles Marathon for 25 consecutive years.

Once Ellen turned 80, she cut back from running full marathons to half marathons. While she acknowledges that her speed has changed with age, staying active remains her top priority. Ellen finds inspiration in those older than her and is proud to serve as a source of motivation for her younger running peers, who often tell her she encourages them tostay active.

Outside of athletics, Ellen supports her cognitive health by channeling her energy into teaching and creative pursuits. She teaches an iPhone photography course (ages 50+) at UCLA, a role that keeps her mentally sharp and engaged with new technology.

She also teaches a course titled "How Lifestyle Changes Can Prevent Dementia," emphasizing the critical role of physical activity in maintaining cognitive health. When not at the university, Ellen trains her brain by playing board games, memory games and doing puzzles with her six grandchildren.

Gail fell in love with basketball at an early age. By sixth grade, she was already practicing with the varsity team – a sign of the passion and drive that would shape her future. She went on to play for a college travel team and, after graduation, turned her focus to coaching high school basketball. Now, that same passion fuels her next challenge: competing in 3x3 basketball at the National Senior Games.

Throughout the years of raising her family, sports remained a central thread in Gail’s life. She coached all three of her daughters in basketball and softball, instilling in them the same love for the game she grew up with. Of her four children, three of them went on to compete at the collegiate level, a testament to the athletic values she supported at home.

Now a proud grandmother of 13 and great-grandmother of 8, Gail remains active for both herself and her family of athletes she helped shape. Gail’s athletic accomplishments wouldn’t be possible without the support of her biggest fan – her husband of 66 years, Richard – who encourages her to stay active, no matter how bold the adventure.

Whether it's basketball, pickleball, swimming, or simply yardwork,she makes movement a part of her everyday life – even after undergoing two knee replacements, two hip replacements, and ankle surgery. To support her cognitive, mental, and spiritual well-being, she also enjoys puzzles and board games, keeping her mind as sharp as her competitive spirit.

After undergoing triple bypass heart surgery just two years ago – along with two knee replacements and a hip replacement – Air Force veteran Jeremiah Hollis Jr. discovered a new passion that would redefine his retirement: pickleball. What began as a way to rehabilitate physically soon became a lifeline. Today, Jeremiah credits the sport not only with helping him rebuild strength and stamina, but also with giving him joy, purpose and a renewed commitment to heart health. That journey has now led him to capture 16 pickleball medals to date, and compete in two major national competitions: the National Veterans Golden Age Games and the National Senior Games in Iowa.

A proud University of Michigan graduate and retired auto manufacturer employee, Jeremiah has seen firsthand how physically demanding careers can impact long-term wellness – his own father passed away just a year into retirement after 54 years in Detroit’s factories. That personal history, combined with his own health scare, reshaped Jeremiah’s perspective and motivation. He now champions the importance of living fully and staying active, rather than simply working through life. He encourages others, especially within the Black community, to embrace the physical, mental, and social benefits of staying active with sports like pickleball.

Off the court, besides being an avid golfer, Jeremiah keeps his mind sharp through reading, puzzles, brain games, and active engagement in his local community. Known for his charisma and resilience, he’s always eager to share his story with anyone looking for inspiration to get moving. He has a favorite saying: “He who has no fire in himself cannot warm others.”

Jim Hutchinson comes from a long line of runners. His grandfather set the U.S. high school one-mile record back in 1914, and his father was an accomplished 440-yard dash runner. Inspired by their achievements, Jim set out to follow in their footsteps at age 12. He went on to compete in track and cross country throughout high school and college.

After earning a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s in Business Administration, Jim built a successful career as an entrepreneur in building construction. He then spent more than 30 years in various corporate roles across IT, finance, and supply chain management. Throughout it all, Jim continued running, even persevering through a meniscus tear in his 40s with physical therapy and strength training.

Jim runs not only for physical fitness but also for the mental health benefits it provides. He is a longtime volunteer with the IRS VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program, providing free tax services to low-income individuals, and also enjoys doing Sudoku to keep his mind sharp. His advice to beginners is simply to get out and get moving in any way you can because the rewards are well worth it.

Jim discovered the National Senior Games in his 70s and never looked back. He has competed in three previous Games, but a broken foot and high ankle sprain kept him sidelined in 2023. Now, he’s making a strong comeback in 2025, competing in the 200M and 400M sprints in Des Moines, Iowa.

Like many young football players in Wisconsin, John White once dreamed of playing for the Green Bay Packers. Although his NFL hopes didn’t last forever, another passion took hold: swimming. A sport that has stayed with him for decades and still is today.

John swam in high school and worked as a lifeguard. Later, he took up Master’s swimming, where he enjoyed the camaraderie and exercise.  Over time, he found himself eager for a new challenge. In 1991, a friend recommended the triathlon. Training for three different sports – running, cycling, and swimming – proved to be the ultimate challenge!

Since discovering the triathlon, John has competed in more than 115 triathlons and 275 road races. In 2001, he completed his first Wisconsin Senior Olympics (WSO) triathlon and has participated every year since, even branching out into other sports like corn hole, cycling, golf, horseshoes, road race, shuffleboard, swimming and track & field. In 2003, he qualified for his first National Senior Games (NSG) competition and has competed in every NSG since!

His dedication led him to become WSO President in 2012, and the following year, he was inducted into the Wisconsin Senior Olympics Hall of Fame. He also served on the National Senior Games Association (NSGA) Board of Directors and was honored with induction into the Milwaukee County Senior Citizen Hall of Fame in 2016. In 2017, the NSGA recognized his commitment and service with the prestigious Harris Frank Distinguished Service Award.

In addition to his athletic accomplishments, John dedicated more than 30 years to education with Milwaukee Public Schools, serving as a teacher, coach, counselor, director of athletics, and administrator. He has spent his life promoting health and fitness, inspiring countless others to get active and stay engaged. When he’s not training, John enjoys reading about sports, health, and fitness, as well as making travel itineraries, all of which help keep his mind sharp. He and his wife, Mary, travel around the country running road races, visiting relatives and friends, and attending Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packer away games. This year, he will compete in his 12th consecutive National Senior Games!

Joni Neidigh, a psychotherapist and hypnotherapist by trade, is a passionate runner and advocate for active aging. Her running journey began in 1983 when she joined coworkers in the Gate River Run 15K, training with the help of her older brother. After his passing later that year, Joni continued running both to honor his memory and to help process her grief.

Although she wasn’t naturally drawn to exercise, that experience sparked a lasting love for the sport, especially for its emotional healing and the sense of community it offers.

After a long hiatus due to an injury in 1992, Joni returned to running in 2011, driven by the desire to reclaim her physical and mental well-being​. Since then, Joni has become a powerful example of resilience and personal transformation. Now President Emeritus of her local running club, she actively competes in road races and is excited to participate in the National Senior Games for the first time. Running has helped her lose 27 pounds, improve her cardiovascular health, and gain greater physical and mental strength than she had in her younger years.

Joni also practices mindfulness and self-hypnosis and maintains asharp mind through daily puzzles, reading, and journaling.

As a sports hypnotherapist, Joni helps other athletes strengthen their mental game, using visualization and mindset training to build confidence and reduce performance anxiety. She encourages others, especially seniors, to challenge cognitive distortions about aging and discover the joy and empowerment of staying active. Through regular media appearances and public speaking engagements, Joni uses her platform to inspire others to redefine what’s possible at any age.

Madelaine Cazel (A.K.A. Tiny) is a vibrant and dedicated athlete who has been a fixture at the National Senior Games for more than two decades. A resident of The Villages, Florida, Tiny began competing in the games in 2003 after helping launch a women’s softball team and a track and field club in her community. Since then, she has participated in 10 (possibly 11) National Senior Games, consistently proving that age is no barrier to athletic achievement.

Tiny’s love of running began as a personal health practice while raising two children, jogging before sunrise at a local high school track. That same determination has fueled her lifelong commitment to staying active.Even now, she trains several times a week, splitting her time between running, field practice, and strength training at the gym to maintain muscle tone and mobility.

Now 87 years young, Tiny brings unmatched energy to track and field, regularly competing in events such as the 50m and 100m sprints, long jump, shot put, discus, and javelin.

Beyond athletics, Tiny is a passionate advocate for healthy aging andcommunity involvement. She helped pioneer women’s recreational sportsprogramming in her area and has inspired countless others to get involved, regardless of experience.

Whether she's tossing a discus, standing on the medal podium, or lifting weights at her local gym, Tiny continues to show that with the right mindset, every decade can be your strongest yet. Her advice for staying healthy is simple but powerful: stay active, stay curious, and surround yourself with support.

Pamela DeLoatch discovered pickleball by chance – but it quickly became a major part of her life. What started as a casual outing with a friend soon grew into a passion, offering the perfect mix of physical activity, social connection and mental challenge. Today, she competes in leagues and tournaments and is thrilled to make her debut at the 2025 National Senior Games.

A professional writer and lifelong learner, Pamela credits pickleball with helping her stay strong, energized, and engaged. She balances it with strength training, rowing, cycling, and stretching to support her overall wellness. Off the court, she sharpens her cognitive skills through crochet, travel, and conversations with people of all ages and backgrounds.

Equally passionate about inclusion, Pamela founded 'Black Girl Magic Pickleball,' a Raleigh-area group that now boasts more than 120 members. The group offers a welcoming space for Black women to learn and play pickleball, and build community through drills, events and meetups.

For Pamela, pickleball isn’t just a sport – it’s a joyful, empowering community. As she steps onto the court at her first National Senior Games, she hopes her journey inspires others to get in the game.