Sonia Marsh - Gutsy Living

Life's too short to play it safe

  • Home
  • About Sonia
  • Blog
    • Starting Over
    • Solo Cruising
    • Travel & Adventure
    • Peace Corps
    • Writing & Publishing
  • Books
    • Freeways to Flip-Flops
    • My Gutsy Story® Anthology
  • Media
    • Press Kit +Videos
    • Print Media
    • Awards-Reviews-Testimonials
    • Sonia’s Blog Tour
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Archives for “Paddy” Jones

If she can do it at 74 so can we.

June 2, 2011 by Sonia Marsh

Ernestine Shepherd 74-years-old
Photo credit blackfitnessblog

What’s happening to women in their seventies? It seems like more and more are entering the Guinness Book of World records, and Ernestine Shepherd is no exception.
You may recall the post I wrote called: “Is 75 the new 45?” with “Paddy” Jones, the English salsa dancer with the flexibility of a young woman.

Well now we have Ernestine, and I’m even more motivated to keep lifting weights after watching this incredible 74-year-old woman. She’s a body builder and didn’t start working out until she was 56. Her goal is to inspire and motivate others to become fit naturally. She doesn’t take supplements or steroids and believes that you need to stay determined, dedicated and disciplined. She runs ten miles a day, at 4 a.m., and follows a strict high protein diet, starting with three liquid egg whites a day.

If you’d like to see her senior fitness class, please click on another short video here. She is on a mission to help and inspire everyone, young and old alike to get fit. As a personal trainer, she even trains men in their thirties.

I’m inspired by this one Gutsy lady. Are you? Her motto is: “Don’t let life pass you by. You can be fit.”

I’m off to the gym to do another set of bicep curls, and tricep extensions, what about you?

Is 75 the new 45? Can you can do this?

March 7, 2011 by Sonia Marsh

When I first saw this YouTube video, I was told it was Ginger Rogers at 92, dancing with her 29-year-old great-grandson. I couldn’t believe it!I told my friends at the gym this morning, “You’ve got to see Ginger Rogers and how well she can dance at 92.” Of course, I exaggerated how she was flung up in the air, landing with a back-flip…etc…

I felt motivated to push myself harder, do an extra set of leg extensions and leg curls and another fifty ab crunches on the ball.

“I have to share this with everyone,” I told my husband, and then it occurred to me, “What if it’s not Ginger Rogers?” After my Google search, I discovered that Ginger Rogers died in 1995, and this was a 75-year-old, Englishwoman Sarah “Paddy” Jones who took up salsa dancing after moving to Spain some years ago. In the clip, Sarah is dancing with her dance instructor, Nicholas ‘Nicko’ Espluos.

Disappointed, I thought, well at seventy-five, this no longer seem sensational. Had it been Ginger Rogers at ninety-two, this would be spectacular, but so what at seventy-five.

Then I started thinking about some of the fifty-year-olds at my gym, the ones I used to train as a personal trainer. Many huffed and puffed their way up the stairs, couldn’t get off the floor mat without grabbing onto a chair, and I changed my mind and decided: Sonia, you’re crazy! Sarah “Paddy” Jones is 75. She deserves to be praised for her flexible body and her Gutsy attitude. So what if she’s not Ginger Rogers. She’s “Paddy” and she’s amazing.”

The first minute of the video is a teaser, so please watch to the end. I guarantee you’ll be inspired to start moving, taking a dance class, yoga, or lifting weights, if you haven’t already.

If you’re inspired, please let us know, and share with a friend or someone who could use some motivation today.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Sign up for my Gutsy Updates

Sign up to receive awesome content in your inbox, every month.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Welcome to My New Life

Welcome to My New Life

Do you feel trapped?
Let me Help You Rediscover Your Freedom.
I divorced at 58, and now belong to myself.
If I can do it, so can you!
Let me help you find your purpose and become your own best friend.

Click the cover to buy on Amazon

Recent Posts

  • Will Robots Help Us Age at Home? The Future of Robots for Seniors
  • Do You Really Want to Live to 120? The Truth About Healthspan vs. Lifespan
  • I’ve Forgotten How to Drive — My Tesla’s Drives Better Than Me

Also Available At:

Latest from the blog

  • Will Robots Help Us Age at Home? The Future of Robots for Seniors
  • Do You Really Want to Live to 120? The Truth About Healthspan vs. Lifespan
  • I’ve Forgotten How to Drive — My Tesla’s Drives Better Than Me
  • Why I Quit Dating Apps at 68—And My 35-Year-Old Son Has the Same Problem
  • Solo Cruising Doesn’t Mean You’re Alone

Top Posts

  • 11 Reasons Why "Just You" is the Best Solo Travel Company
  • "My New Life" Chapter One
  • Getting Rid of My "Stuff" For the Peace Corps
  • Why do we love?
  • Are kids copying their parents when they lie?
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in