At 96 years old, Jean Stewart is a testament to the power of staying active and determined. After struggling with increasing frailty in her 80s, Stewart decided to take matters into her own hands and joined a CrossFit gym, becoming the oldest client at the time.
For the past 15 years, Stewart has been training rigorously, pushing herself to new heights. What began as simple exercises to aid her daily life, such as getting up and down from the ground, has evolved into an impressive fitness regimen. Stewart can now perform full-body push-ups, hold planks, and even deadlift 70kg – feats that have astounded both her trainers and peers.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Stewart says. “I thought it was light.”
Stewart’s journey has not been without its challenges. A bout of MRSA and a serious car accident interrupted her progress, leaving her with nerve damage and a broken hip. But the determined nonagenarian refused to let these setbacks stop her.
“I continued with exercise and got the strength back,” she says. “I’m stubborn.”
Today, Stewart’s fitness sessions include elevated push-ups, kettlebell squats, and pushing a weight-loaded sled. Her trainer, Cheryl Cohen, recalls a story of Stewart defiantly carrying a heavy pail of cat litter, refusing help from onlookers.
“Without strength training I wouldn’t be alive,” Stewart declares, emphasising the vital role fitness has played in maintaining her independence and quality of life. Now, she is evangelical about the benefits of exercise, encouraging her friends and younger people to make time for it.
“Do what you need to do to live longer,” is her simple advice.
At 96, Jean Stewart is a shining example of how age is no barrier to staying strong and active. Her unwavering determination and commitment to her fitness journey have transformed her life, allowing her to regain the independence and capabilities she had feared losing. Her story is an inspiration to us all, proving that it’s never too late to defy the effects of ageing through the power of exercise.
