Picture a college president in full academic regalia, covered from chin to wrists. Now picture that same woman at 71, on a bodybuilding stage in a crop top. That's Dr. Maria Cristina Sheehan. After 20 years running a college, she was watching colleagues slow down, gain weight, and develop heart problems, and a couple of them died at their desks. Her family has longevity, and she realized that a long life without health was the last thing she wanted. It was her financial advisor, of all people, who sent her to his trainer. She showed up bundled to her fingertips and worried about getting bulky. Eleven years later, she pulls 120 pounds on a cable machine where she started at 20. She also learned you can't out-train a bad diet, so she trained as a health coach and became her own first client, adopting a high-protein way of eating that finally took the weight off the table. We talk about why so many doctors aren't trained to guide women through strength and aging, and how resistance training supports muscle and bone at any age. Her Stability Solution program starts with two minutes a day, because nobody can fail at two minutes. These days she's upside down on gymnastics rings and learning a balance beam routine, and she wants to be on that beam at 90. Her line about the fear that comes with it made me grab a pen: don't let your fear interfere. As always, check with your own doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have a heart condition, osteoporosis, or a history of falls. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr. Maria Cristina Sheehan, Ed.D., spent more than 40 years in higher education, 20 of them as a college president, before she picked up her first dumbbell at 69. At 71, she won gold on a bodybuilding stage, and she went on to compete in the sports, figure, swimsuit, and bikini divisions until she was 76. Now 80, she is a certified health and fitness coach with Sheehan Health & Wellness. She helps women build strength, stability, and independence through her Stability Solution program and her book, You’re Not Too Old, and It’s Not Too Late to Begin, which is coming out soon in a second edition. She is profoundly deaf, trains on gymnastics rings, and is learning her first balance beam routine. - - - - - A Birthday Gift for Hotness Listeners! Dr. Maria Cristina’s Stability Solution gives you easy-to-follow videos, printable worksheets, and practical tips to build strength and balance, starting with two minutes a day, and you keep access for life. It’s normally $597. For a limited time, she’s giving Hotness listeners the same $80 price she offered for her 80th birthday. Get The Stability Solution for $80 with code DRLIZ at checkout: https://www.drmariacristina.com/drliz - - - - - Want to Feel Like Yourself Again? Grab my free guide, Dr. Liz's Guide to Midlife: https://drlizmd.com/hotness - - - - - Hotness with Dr. Liz Lyster, MD Website: https://drlizmd.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlizlyster/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrLizLyster LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlizmd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrLizLyster Subscribe to Hotness on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or iHeart Radio to get the tools you need to thrive in midlife. - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/channel-growth/
