Athlete of the Week: Dee Wanger

Posted by: curvyfitness on: September 23, 2011

In: Athlete of the Week | Blog posts | Fort Collins Personal Trainer | Inspiration | Real People Fitness
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“Do what you love. Its ok to start small; there is no shame in beginning.” – Dee Wanger

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 Dee Wanger, owner of Ridekick.com, a great new company that features a new design for a bike power trailer. She is also a mom, a wife and a long-time member of the Fort Collins community. Dee has been an inspiration in my life for a long time. She faces challenges with a confidence I aspire to, and she is always moving and finding new ways to keep herself and her family as healthy and happy as possible. Here is Dee’s story (and a video of her too!):

Age: 54 and happy for it!

Personal Mantra: I’ll try anything. Believe you can do anything in a new challenge.

What’s your absolute favorite activity/exercise?

Volleyball- I don’t play enough now, but I played from the time I was 14 until 44 regularly. I love hiking and mountain biking, and usually prefer single-person activities over group activities. Its just easier and more accessible than calling 8 people to get together at the same time.

What makes you committed to staying active?

Health, and wanting to defy stereotypes around aging. The mantra of “believing I can” led me to climbing Mt. Kilamanjaro, and I hope to do it again at 65.

How do you work exercise into your busy life?

I schedule it. My husband Mark is a startup founder working often 9am to midnight daily, and he still plays squash at the club in the morning, even when he goes to bed at early hours of the morning. I have a commitment to myself to workout at least once a week at the gym, but the days I get exercise are often. I walk, play softball, bike as much as possible, and garden. Any activity counts, if you find the exercise “angle”.

Who inspires you?

My friend Kathy. She is always moving under the guise of “play”. She is always saying “let’s go do something”. She goes skiing, biking, and works out at the gym. She is determined to move, and not let an injury keep her from constantly playing and having fun in every situation.