At 67, She’s Proud to Make People Say, ‘Look at That’

At 67, Debbie Allen is living proof that aging doesn’t have to mean decline.

She hikes, skis, and plays with her grandson. She’s passionate about healthspan — not just how long she lives, but how well. And twice a week, she shows up to a small group training tailored for adults 50 and older.

“I think one of the best ways to help people is to just be that person that we all want to be, as far as fitness goes,” Debbie says. “They look and say, ‘Wow, she’s 67 years old, and look at that.’”

Debbie is part of a growing movement of older adults who refuse to accept poor health, frailty, and prescriptions as the norm. When she signed up for Medicare at 65, the agent was shocked to learn she wasn’t on any medications. “He told me the average person at 65 is on 10 prescriptions. I was the first person he had met with none.”

She credits her health to consistent movement, a nutritious diet, and a deep curiosity about how the body works. She reads widely, stays current on fitness and nutrition trends, and jokes that she’s an “amateur biohacker.”

Debbie has become a vocal supporter of local small group training as she and other members sought more age-appropriate training. It’s been successful enough that the program continues to grow.

There is a spirit that embodies the growing interest in functional fitness among adults over 50. Strength training becomes even more important with age, as we begin to lose muscle mass — a process known as sarcopenia — around age 40. Without intervention, this leads to frailty, falls, and loss of independence. But resistance training can slow or reverse that decline.

Debbie’s message is clear: Strength training is not about looking like a bodybuilder. It’s about being able to get off the floor, carry groceries, and keep skiing into your 70s.

She says she’s never feared “bulking up” from lifting weights, a common but ungrounded concern among some women. “That’s ridiculous,” she says. “We’re not built like that. What you will do is get stronger and feel better.”

It would be great if this message got out to more people.   Debbie knows that many adults her age are reluctant to join a gym or some type of exercise program and don’t realize the difference it can make in their quality of life.

“It’s not about looking good,” she says. “It’s about what your healthspan looks like. What can you keep doing?”

For Debbie, that includes everything from traveling and hiking to simply playing with her grandson — all with confidence, strength, and energy.

Do you want to become legendary in your healthy lifestyle after 50, as well? Call me now and I’ll get you started on your journey.