I’m in my 80s and the world’s oldest female bodybuilder – I only started when I was 56 by taking some easy first steps

THE world's oldest female bodybuilder has confessed the secrets to her major success at 86 after only taking up the sport in her fifties.

Ernestine Shepherd began to work out and eat healthily daily at 56 which led her to become confident enough to begin competing.

4

4

At the age of 71, and after some years of commitment to a healthy lifestyle, she finally entered her first bodybuilding competition.

The committed lifestyle came after her sister passed away and making a promise to stay committed to it.

“I want you to promise me that you will continue to help others to live a positive, confident, lifestyle,” Shepherd said in an interview on TODAY with hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Hager.

Now, Shephard is strict with her diet and workout plan and makes sure she finds a way to stay on track with it.

Read more on bodybuilders

NECK ON THE LINE

Moment gym-goer nearly breaks neck as he’s slammed by bodybuilding legend

REALLY DUMB-BELLS

I’m a bodybuilding legend at 67 - a popular workout move is way too risky

The TODAY show hosts then asked Shephard to break down exactly what she does to keep up with the majorly healthy lifestyle.

“To get out and exercise, I don’t let anything get in the way," Shephard said.

“My mantra is determined, dedicated, disciplined to be fit. And that is why I do the things I do.”

“Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I’m at the gym at 7 o’clock in the morning.”

Most read in Health And Fitness

COUNT SHEEP

I tried 3 sleep aids including Kourtney K's Lemme - the best helped my insomnia

MUSCLE MAMA

I lost 83lbs & became a bodybuilder, I'm an 'older athlete' at 38, I don't mind

BODY GOALS

I'm a competitive bodybuilder in my 60s - my 'road to Ms. Olympia' core workout

STAY SLIM

I'm a fitness coach - my tips will help you lose 10 lbs with just 3 hours a week

“I have done eleven marathons and three weeks ago I did a half marathon. I don’t feel like I’m 85. Age is absolutely just a number.”

She was named the world's oldest female bodybuilder by Guinness World Records at age 85.

Kotb mentioned how many people in their fifties may feel discouraged at the age to start a healthy lifestyle but said Shephard is an example of it being possible.

“A lot of people think well I’m in my fifties and I’ve never worked out. You just do think it’s actually to be in the cards for you," Kotb said.

"But yet somehow you started there and wound up getting the gold medal prize at that bodybuilding event.”

Another bodybuilder in his 80s explained a heartbreaking reason why he started competing again at an old age.

A bodybuilder who won a Mr. Olympia award in 2022 explained his story of how far he has come compared to when he used to feel uncomfortable taking his shirt off in public.

4

4