Inspiring Women and Vibrant Aging: Phyllis Ring and Beth Eves
Updated: Jun 29
In May I had the opportunity to sit down with Phyllis Ring and Beth Eves to talk about vibrant aging. It was a fun conversation filled with laughter, inspiration, and ideas. If you want to continue to age well, maintain your independence and laugh, listen to our StoryCorps interview here: https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/inspiring-women-vibrant-aging/
What I find the most inspiring is that Phyllis and Beth are happiest when they are working out in really hard classes. Both women intentionally pay attention to their health so that they will live long healthy, happy lives.
I met Phyllis in danze class and then in Thursday evening Pilates classes with her husband Bob. We would talk and I love Phyllis’s amazing smile. One day I saw both Phyllis and Beth coming out of their 12th class of the day and I asked, “How many classes do you all take each day?”
Not surprisingly, they confirmed they often enjoy 2-3 classes each day. And these are challenging classes. I’ve seen Beth in Warrior Sculpt (she’s IN the class; I’m coming in for danze). Only the bravest of the Warriors do this class! When I mentioned this, they both said, “That’s what we call ourselves: Warriors.”
I asked if we could sit and talk about vibrant aging and being inspirational. When I mention this during our interview they both giggle.
As an aside, we are sitting in Life Time in St. Louis and we have company on our couch. There is also background music and people chatting. It’s a lesson in concentration.
Like many friendships at Life Time, Phyllis and Beth met in group fitness classes.
I started by asking: What do you do at Life Time and why?
Phyllis: Pilates. My hips were feeling stiff and doing Pilates I have seen great improvement. Diane is inspirational and makes us feel young. We also dance, lift weights, and one of my favorite classes is Strike with Angie.
I know about. Strike is a hard class! I’m petrified of this. And here they are doing it! And loving it.
Beth: Every Monday I go to the Life Barre class. After hip replacement, this is like continued physical therapy. It’s helped get mobility back and improved overall being. It feels like I’m getting the old Beth back-I can move like I used to before I had surgery. After Life Barre, I go into barbell strength class.
For me: it’s all about being in the best physical shape I can be as I age to keep up with my grandchildren. I also love Strike-the pace is so fast, and the music gets you going! There’s something about the energy in the room!
I realize that none of this is easy! And that yes, we do hard things.
I mention to them, “You are doing really hard things each and every day when you come in here.”
As they nod yes, Phyliss adds, “Beth talked me into yoga! We do a Vinyasa class on Fridays -we like to move! It’s a medium heat class and we love it.”
Beth also shares that she comes to the Maxout Core class on Sundays as “Balance is so important in our age group. Falls are the biggest danger for us.”
I asked, “How has your relationship with fitness and movement changed over time?”
They agreed that movement makes them feel healthy. And when they feel healthy with movement, it makes a difference in their life.
Phyliss shares that she used to be a runner, “Every work-out I do is comparable for me to running. I also like using the elliptical.”
Beth says, “I’ve always been active-always a member of a gym. I started here at 68 when I retired. For me, keeping up mobility is priority. I want to remain independent as long as I can. I don’t want any limitations! I’ll keep up my strength and stamina because I’m going to fight this as long as a I can.”
I wondered how they viewed longevity:
For Beth: Independence and mobility, in order to do the things I want to do.
For Phyliss: the social component, and accountability is good for longevity. There are such nice people here. Brad, Jimmy, Ashley, they set the tone for Life Time. And I’ve made the nicest friends here.
How important is friendship that you’ve made here?
Phyliss and Beth met at Life Time and their now husbands know each other. “It was a surprise for me- the ease of making friends here. Classes are much more fun when your friends are here! Instructors help gel these friendships. It is definitely unexpected and a gift.”
Beth says, “I’ve met a lot of people in the same stage of life and our goals all meshed. Our friends are like-minded wanting to stay stronger, build muscle mass, and concerned about bone density. We are aware of trying to maintain certain levels of fitness. We are all in the same headspace.”
And they both say that when they have to cancel a class there is accountability. Friends want to know where you are! The club supports these friendships, offering space and programming for members of all ages.
I asked about vibrant aging and the biggest turning point in their life.
Phyliss, “Retiring after a busy thirty-one-year career as a college instructor and then I had all this time. I love the high-quality classes I’m able to take here, they are the best classes I’ve ever had.”
Beth, “Each decade there were turning points: In my 30’s I had kids, in my 40’s we moved, at 50 there was a job changes and I took on more of a leadership role. In my 60’s I retired and had a hip replacement. Retirement was huge: I had to find a new purpose. Getting back to being strong, meeting friends and asking what should I focus on? I also found new things came my way and I went with it. Like yoga and Strike class.”
Both Phyliss and Beth attend our Arora classes which are for members over 55. However, most of their classes are not Arora. They mix it up.
Both agree that there is great scheduling, which is masterminded by Ashley, the Group Fitness Lead. “It is masterful what she does including the training of instructors.” I agree, we have the best of the best. Modifications are often given in class and we’ve all heard, “You do you,” which empowers us to make choices. The instructors also try to get to know us, which makes us feel seen.
Both Phyliss and Beth can see the progression and growth as they continue to try new classes, lift heavier and rehab anything that needs to be rehabbed.
As an observer, I was impressed with both women. “You are living your best life here at Life Time. And that’s the mission: to live our best life. You are both vital and vibrant as you can be.”
Have you seen a change: is it easier to be who you are and try new things?
For Phyliss, there is no anxiety when taking new classes.
For Beth, the encouragement of and for one another helps her to keep trying new things. They ask themselves: should we try this class? And they do.
They also believe they were meant to meet one another in a rather small world story (listen to the interview to find out).
Life Lessons from these ladies:
Stay as active you can. For longevity, stay as healthy as you can.
Go for it. You don’t have to shy away from hard stuff. You don’t have to shy away from life.
Laugh a lot. (their smiles are proof of this!)
Take advantage of the time to improve your health.
Find your happy place.
Stay independent, strong, vibrant.
Find and maintain social connections. Then get together and laugh!
When I asked: What keeps life interesting? They both laughed.
They agree: traveling, spending time with children and grandchildren, bible study.
Their secrets for aging well:
Beth: Getting adequate sleep, trying to eat well, sometimes it’s hard, and make sure you laugh a lot!
Phyliss: Learning, staying vibrant and connected.
Phyliss also likes the available classes on demand and Experience Life, the Life Time publication which provides information about nutrition, exercise, and health issues.
As Phyliss says, “This is my happy place,” and Beth and I agree.
Thank you to Phyliss and Beth for being who you are~ and these smiles!
What they both reminded me is that it might be about how to live life…it’s also about finding vibrancy, staying happy, healthy, vital, inspiring, and inspired. I know this is sage advice as it is evident in their lifestyle, their smiles and how they interact with people!
Thank you, Life Time!
Expect good. Defy gravity. Sparkle on! Stay young, healthy, and vibrant!
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