Lately, the world has witnessed many inspirational stories wherein people have proved that age is just a number. One such story is of the 86-year-old female bodybuilder, Ernestine Shepherd. At the advanced age of 86, Ernie continues to live like an active bodybuilder. At one point in time, Shepherd held the Guinness World Record for being the oldest bodybuilder in the world.

She had begun her competitive bodybuilding career at the age of 71. But this brings us to the question: what made her take up bodybuilding at that age?

Of bodysuits and bodybuilding…

Back in 2012, then-75-year-old Ernestine Shepherd appeared in an interview at her training center. She revealed what prompted her to choose bodybuilding and her persistence toward the sport. According to Shepherd, exercise is the only “anti-aging pill.” She believes that “age is nothing but a number.” Talking to BBC about how it all started, Shepherd said, “When I was younger, I was never athletic in any way. At age 56, my sister and I were invited to a picnic. We were told we can wear bathing suits. Boy! We didn’t like how we looked. So, we decided to start exercising.”

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Among the two, her sister was the first one to start competing. Unfortunately, she passed away a few years later due to a brain aneurysm. While it was a tough time for Ernestine who was having severe panic attacks, it was the same sister who made a dreamy visit to Shepherd’s subconsciousness. It helped her find her footing again. “She came to me in a dream and she said that I wasn’t doing what she said we were going to do,” said Ernestine Shepherd.

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It was after this that Ernestine Shepherd began training to compete. Contrary to the general perceptions that are age-old “norms”, Shepherd took up bodybuilding in her 70s. She added, “At age 71, that’s when I decided that I was going to start bodybuilding.” Her first show was in Washington, DC. She was named the oldest bodybuilder by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2010 and 2011. When asked about what keeps her going, Shepherd revealed why she continues to train.

Ernestine Shepherd wants to inspire the world

Ernestine Shepherd claims she wants to inspire others to train and eat correctly. To do so, she practices what she preaches. This means she trains and eats healthily so that others can learn from her. At the time, she used to wake up at 2:30 am and go out to run with her group of four. The group of girls used to cover a stretch of 10 miles every day. Post that, she trained in the gym.

Shepherd clarified that when talking about inspiring others, she doesn’t mean she wants them to take up bodybuilding. Instead, she encourages people to take up a healthy lifestyle. She preaches one formula which is “health, happiness, and prosperity.”

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Now, at 86, Ernestine Shepherd is no longer a part of the competitive bodybuilding world. However, she continues to train like a bodybuilder.