Masterlete

Jon Pearce

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HEALTH & FITNESS

Stories of Masters Athletes

JAN 26

Movement, Meaning, and Midlife Power

What does it mean to keep getting stronger, more connected, and more alive as we age? In this episode of The Masterlete Podcast, Wendy Lutter sits down with lifelong mover, master rower, and award-winning storyteller Gretchen Sage Martinson for a conversation about movement, community, and healthspan. From team sports in her youth to discovering competitive rowing at age 50, Gretchen shares how being “in the boat together” — literally and metaphorically — has shaped her physical health, mental resilience, and sense of purpose. Gretchen opens up about the power of team-based movement, why individual fitness never fully worked for her, and how rowing became both a physical practice and a form of presence. She reflects on aging, menopause, recovery, and the often-overlooked reality of women navigating healthcare as older athletes — including a powerful personal story about advocating for herself after a serious accident. The conversation also explores storytelling as a form of community care. Gretchen shares the origin of Herd, the women-centered storytelling collective she co-founded after winning a MOTH competition, and why creating spaces where women are truly seen and heard is essential for well-being at every age. This episode is a reminder that healthspan isn’t just about living longer — it’s about staying engaged, capable, connected, and curious for as long as possible. Topics covered Discovering competitive rowing at 50Why team sports and shared practice matter in midlifeMovement as mental and emotional regulationAging, menopause, and recovery without resignationAdvocating for yourself as a female athlete in healthcareCommunity, storytelling, and the birth of HeardWhat it really takes to keep moving — better and longerThis episode is perfect for anyone who believes movement is more meaningful when it’s shared — and that the second half of life still holds plenty of power.

35 min
JAN 6

From Never Moving to Building a Movement with Connie Sheehan

In this episode of the Masterlete Podcast, host Wendy Lutter sits down with Connie Sheehan, founder of Push Fitness, for a deeply human conversation about movement, purpose, and community—especially later in life. Connie shares her remarkable journey from someone who “never moved” in her youth to becoming a fitness instructor in her 40s, a triathlete who once couldn’t swim, a marathon runner, and ultimately the creator of a fitness space designed to be welcoming, inclusive, and empowering—particularly for women and people of color. Along the way, she reflects on the pivotal moments that changed her relationship with movement, including a powerful encounter during her first triathlon that reframed fear into purpose. The conversation explores why representation matters in fitness, how community can be the difference between quitting and showing up, and why strength training is essential—not for aesthetics, but for function, confidence, and independence as we age. Connie also discusses the role of purpose in sustaining long-term movement, the mental and emotional benefits of running and training with others, and what it means to keep doing hard things well into your 50s, 60s, and beyond. This episode is an inspiring reminder that it’s never too late to start, that movement is for every body, and that building healthspan is as much about connection and meaning as it is about physical strength.

44 min
12/22/2025

Sustainable Growth—in the Gym and in Business

In this episode, Masterlete founder Jon Pearce sits down with healthcare entrepreneur, strength athlete, and lifelong “do hard things” advocate Thompson Aderinkomi for a wide-ranging conversation on strength, aging, entrepreneurship, and the mindset required to sustain all three over decades. Thompson shares his approach to lifting heavy well into midlife—from prioritizing compound movements and lower-body strength to why leg day never gets skipped. He opens up about chasing ambitious powerlifting goals, the injury that forced him to slow down, and how recovery, mobility, and rest have become non-negotiables as he ages. Beyond the gym, the conversation dives deep into parallels between strength training and building companies in healthcare. Thompson reflects on ego, fear, and unrealistic growth expectations—both under a barbell and in venture-backed startups. He explains how injuries and setbacks have sharpened his discipline, reshaped his relationship with rest, and reinforced the importance of long-term durability over short-term wins. This is an honest, grounded discussion about aging strong, adapting without quitting, and learning to play the long game—whether you’re lifting 400 pounds or building a company that lasts.

52 min
11/20/2025

Old? Watch Me Ride: Redefining Aging with My 86-Year-Old Masterlete Mom

In this warm, story-driven episode of The Masterlete Podcast, co-host Wendy Lutter sits down with a very special guest: her mom, Judy Mahle Lutter—a true Masterlete in every sense of the word. Judy was part of the first wave of women runners in the 1970s, carving out space in a world where there were no women’s running shoes, almost no women on starting lines, and even people yelling from car windows, “Are you a girl?” She shares the very human story of how her running journey began on a cold March night as a stressed grad-school mom of three—and how, by “day three,” running had already become part of her identity. Wendy and Judy laugh and reminisce about sub-3:00 marathons, the early women’s running scene, founding the Melpomene Institute for Women’s Health Research, and groundbreaking studies on running and pregnancy that helped shift the conversation for generations of women. Judy also tells behind-the-scenes stories of support from icons like Joan Benoit Samuelson and Billie Jean King. Now 86, Judy is still biking thousands of miles a year, returning to triathlons after a shattered ankle, and using movement to navigate grief, aging, and joy. This candid mother-daughter conversation is a living example of healthspan in action—and a deeply encouraging reminder that it’s never too late to move, belong, and redefine what “old” looks like.

42 min
11/05/2025

What is Masterlete? A conversation with Founder Jon Pearce

Join guest host Wendy Lutter as she sits down with Masterlete founder Jon Pearce to redefine aging through an “unbounded” mindset. From healing through running to the science of healthspan vs. lifespan, Jon shares how purpose-driven goals, smart training, curated labs, and a trusted community can help anyone—new movers to seasoned athletes—put more life in their years. If you’ve wondered where to find credible guidance, age specific coaching, and gear insights tailored to bodies over 35, this is your starting line.

42 min
05/06/2025

Fitness Culture with Masterlete Paul Anderson

In this interview, Jon chats with preventative and occupational medicine MD, Paul Anderson about competitive cross country skiing, his research on fitness culture and how it supports longevity, and what race day at the legendary American Birkebeiner looks like.

44 min
03/11/2025

Coach's Corner with Jeff Burkart

In this interview, Jon chats with his coach, Jeff Burkart, owner of Brave Chicken. They discuss the differences between the aerobic and anaerobic systems and their own experiences as Masters Athletes. Connect with Jeff at: https://www.brave-chicken.com/ or coachburkart@gmail.com

47 min

7 Episodes

Stories of Masters Athletes

Creator

Jon Pearce
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

7
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Masterlete
Show Website

Masterlete