“The more active I am the better my body moves & feels, and it keeps my figure young. But it also gives me a broader social group of people of all ages and interests and professions.” – Marga Powell

The Athlete of the Week series was created to spotlight the amazing people around us who are not only moms, dads, workers and friends but they are superstar athletes as well. Being an athlete does not always mean that they are Olympic level in their sport. It doesn’t even mean that they compete, or that they would beat anyone else if they tried. It means that they have made a commitment to their health by staying active and changing their lifestyle to do so. They inspire me every day, and I hope they inspire you as well.

Every Friday, look for a new installment and a new athlete spotlight. If you’d like to be featured, just email me at curvyandfit@gmail.com!

This week’s Athlete of the Week is Marga Powell, an amazing woman who was like both a mother and a friend when I lived in Boulder. She is an incredibly inspiring climber, but there is much more to her than meets the eye. Find out about Marga’s story:

Age: 56 (yikes)

Personal Mantra:

So at age 56, I don’t really live by a personal mantra, but live by what I love to do, my passions, my choices, are all driven by a love for what I am doing.

What’s your absolute favorite activity/exercise?

I’ve got to say that while rock climbing still gives me a real high and I want to do it until I drop, I am also becoming an avid yoga practitioner. Its amazing; it really enhances my mind/body awareness in a way that I’ve never experienced before. I go to Corepower in Boulder – both north and south. They offer so many classes that something always fits my schedule. I even found a studio in Iowa while I was home and enjoyed going there a couple of times.

What makes you committed to staying active?

My commitment to staying active is multifold – it is a reward in itself. The more active I am the better my body moves & feels, and it keeps my figure young. But it also gives me a broader social group of people of all ages and interests and professions. It also opens my world to exploration – rock climbing has taken me all over the states and into other countries as well.

How do you work exercise into your busy life?

Working exercise into my life – well it does help to be semi-retired. I have afternoons and Fridays, plus weekends off, so have more time then most people to exercise. But I also make my exercise fit my lifestyle. Rock climbing, skiing, yoga, biking, all give me a great deal of pleasure and I enjoy doing them. I enjoy the outdoors, so most of my sports allow me to spend a lot of time in the mountains. And many of my friends enjoy the same sports that I do, so its a meshing of several important aspects of who I am.

Who inspires you?

Everyone inspires me! I’m inspired by all of [the] students who I’ve worked with, [their] qualities and choices in life. I’ve learned a great deal from you all. I’m inspired by people who are older than I am who have stayed interested in life and active in living their lives. But my rock climbing idol is Lynn Hill, an incredible woman who has broken through in many areas of climbing.

Do you have any words of advice for new fitness enthusiast, regarding sports, exercise, and/or life?

I would just suggest that it helps to find something that lights a passion in you AND fits your personality/lifestyle. Not every sport fits every person. Lifting weights would never be my thing and I’m not into team sports. But the sports I choose are personally competive, I strive to become better by measuring my performance against my previous preformance. I like to push myself a little (but I’m not crazy about it). Just find something that you’re curious about, fits your work schedule and don’t be afraid to be bad at it at first.

Favorite vegetable and why:

I love tomatoes, but I hear they are really a fruit. So second, I’d say carrots, because they are sweet and can be dipped in all sorts of good stuff, cooked, added to salads, taken on hikes, a very versatile veggie. I’m also pretty fond of eggplant these days.

Thanks, Marga! You are amazing!

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Click to view our past Athletes of the Week:

Lance Holter

Reu Smith

Caroline Hudnut

Love,

Sara