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PODCAST · health

Aging Athletically

by Hilary Cairns

Hosted by long-time endurance athlete Hilary Cairns, Aging Athletically explores what it means to pursue performance as we age. Through conversations with athletes and experts across sports, the podcast challenges the idea that aging equals backing down. This show is about resilience, reinvention, and continuing to compete at any age. You can also find Aging Athletically on YouTube and Instagram, both under @agingathletically. Feedback welcome through these channels or via email at [email protected].

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Oct 16, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. Episode 34: Hilary Granat, PT, DPT, MS; Owner of Core Total Wellness & Core Physical Therapy in DC

    In this episode, Hilary Granat discusses the importance of adapting fitness and health strategies for women in midlife and beyond, focusing on strength training, mobility, and overall wellness. The conversation emphasizes the need for women to understand their changing bodies and the necessity of…

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  2. Episode 33: Sharlene Brunjes, Canadian Record Setting Powerlifter and Competitive Dragon Boat Racer

    In this episode of the Aging Athletically Podcast, host Hilary Cairns interviews Sharlene Brunjes, a 73-year-old Canadian masters athlete who excels in both powerlifting and dragon boat racing. They discuss Charlene's journey in athletics, the importance of strength training for older adults, and...

  3. Episode 32: Damon Blakemore, Masters Track and Field American Record Holder and USATF Hall of Famer

    In this episode of the Aging Athletically Podcast, host Hilary Cairns interviews accomplished masters athlete Damon Blakemore, who shares insights from his extensive track and field career. The conversation covers his experiences at the World Masters Championships, his evolution as an athlete…

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  4. Episode 31: David Stewart, Founder of AGEIST, Super Age, and the Super Age Games

    David Stewart, founder of AGEIST and Super Age, discusses the upcoming Super Age Games, to be held in NYC on November 7th. The games focus on eight trainable markers connected to health span, including endurance, strength, balance, cognitive performance, and social connection. David shares his...

  5. Episode 30: Indoor Rowing World Record Holder Nancy Peck Cook

    Nancy Peck Cook, a lifelong endurance athlete, shares her journey from marathons to indoor rowing and the impact of athletic reinvention on her life. She discusses her training, competition, and the motivation behind her rowing streak, highlighting the importance of variety and adaptability in...

  6. Episode 29: My Foot is Busted!

    Hilary shares a quick (or sort of quick) update on her foot and all that goes along with moving in the world much more slowly. Also included are a few reflections on the most recent guests and a preview of what's to come. Chapters 00:00 Injury and Recovery 03:21 Challenges of Physical Recovery...

  7. Episode 28: Triathlon Coach and 30+ Time Ironman Finisher Lloyd Henry

    Lloyd Henry, a longtime triathlete, shares his journey from a late start in running and swimming to becoming the first African American to complete an Ironman on six continents. He discusses the evolution of the sport, his training approach, and the importance of recovery and strength training as...

  8. Episode 27: British Team Slalom Skateboarder Darren Miles

    Darren Miles, a 60-year-old skateboarder who is representing Great Britain this year at the World Skate Games, shares his journey from early skateboarding as a hobby to competitive slalom skateboarding starting in his late 50s. Weaving around cones at upwards to 40 miles per hour (!), Darren…

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  9. Episode 26: Therapist and Performance Coach Neal Palles

    This episode features therapist and coach, Neal Palles. Based in Colorado, Neal shares his athletic background and discusses the combination of mental health work and endurance sports. The conversation delves into the psychological challenges for older athletes, realistic goal-setting, and...

  10. Episode 25: Author, Raw Food Educator, and Marathon Runner Axay Shah

    In this episode Axay Shay, author of "In Nature We Trust," shares his journey embracing a new lifestyle through marathon running and a raw food diet. We explore the impact of marathon running on his health, motivation, and endurance, as well as the loss of a running partner. The conversation…

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  11. Episode 24: Solo Go #2--Does anyone know Reggie Miller?!

    Hilary provides updates on the podcast, shares feedback from listeners, and discusses her approach to guest selection and outreach. She also talks about social media engagement, audience feedback, training and recovery strategies, and her personal injury and recovery journey. And... she's in…

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  12. Episode 23: Cycling Champion, 98-year-old Carl Grove

    Carl Grove shares his amazing journey starting in Elkhart, Indiana, which included a paper route by bike that earned him 18 cents per week. His dad bought Carl his first bike for $1.25! Carl recounts his experiences in the Navy and the U.S. Navy Band, as well as his transition to a world-class...

  13. Episode 22: Ironman World Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist Michellie Jones

    Michellie Jones, a legendary triathlete, shares her remarkable journey in the sport, from her early days to her continued success as a competitive athlete in her 50s. She discusses the evolution of triathlon, the impact of technology, and the importance of data in training and racing. Her…

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  14. Episode 21: Professional Golf Teacher and Player Wayne DeFrancesco

    Wayne DeFrancesco, a highly respected golf instructor and award-winning player, shares his journey of perseverance, adaptation, and passion for golf despite battling injuries and setbacks. His experience offers insights into the physical demands of golf, the evolution of the sport, and the...

  15. Episode 20: Board-Certified Sports Dietician and Endurance Athlete Claire Shorenstein

    Board-certified sports dietician Claire Shorenstein shares extensive wisdom on fueling as we age, common misperceptions, aging athletes' ingrained focus on leanness over strength, and what to focus on nutritionally as the years pile up. Claire breaks down some of the mystery around supplements…

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  16. Episode 19: What My Guests (So Far!) Have Taught Me About Aging Athletically

    Host Hilary Cairns shares insights on the podcast journey so far, plus some updates on her foot injury, race decisions, and her daughter's marathon experience. She discusses adapting to injury, health updates, and lifestyle changes, and reflects on a long-ago childhood dream. Hilary also reflects...

  17. Episode 18: Elite Masters Triathlete Julie Billingsley

    Julie Billingsley, a lifelong endurance athlete, shares her journey from swimming to triathlon, highlighting the early days of the sport and her transition into triathlon. She discusses her endurance and resilience, the 50 State Quest, her training approach, and the definition of success in her...

  18. Episode 17: Elite Masters Track & Field Athlete Mark Williams

    Mark Williams, a nationally accomplished master's runner, shares his journey of consistency, competition, and motivation. From the start of his unintended running streak to the impact of strength training, Mark's dedication to short distance races and the significance of his running streak are...

  19. Episode 16: Olympic Swimmer Gabby Rose

    Gabby Rose, a two-time Olympian, shares her remarkable journey of retiring from elite swimming, returning to the sport in her mid-40s, and achieving personal bests. Her training, mindset, and motivation reflect a unique approach to athletic longevity and success. The conversation with Gabby…

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  20. Episode 15: Mountain Bike Legend Ned Overend

    Ned Overend, a legendary mountain biker, shares insights on his career, training, and motivation. He discusses his evolution from mountain running to mountain biking, his success in triathlons, and his take on training and competition. Ned reflects on the impact of aging on his performance and…

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  21. Episode 14: Mother Daughter Time!

    Solo host Hilary Cairns sits down with her daughter, Page Lester, to discuss her athletic journey from a young athlete to a competitive long-distance runner today. Page shares her thoughts on competition, what sport means to her, what Division 1 running was like and how running for herself feels...

  22. Episode 13: Conversation with heart expert, Dr. Ankit Shah

    Our first expert episode features Dr. Ankit Shah, a renowned sports cardiologist who delves into the relationship between exercise and heart health. We explore topics including atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, max heart rate, and the impact of exercise on heart disease. We also touch...

  23. Episode 12: Masters Track & Field Athlete Alice Greene

    Hear about Alice Greene's journey into track and field competition in her 50s, her training routine, and her achievements in senior games and national events. Alice shares her experience as a senior athlete, discussing her family's involvement in sports, her motivation, and her approach to…

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  24. Episode 11: Checking in with the Hosts

    Join Hilary Cairns and Michael Wardian as they catch up on recent adventures, training, and insights from their latest interviews. They share personal stories, training tips, and reflections on staying active and motivated as they age.

  25. Episode 10: Chat with Vegan Powerlifter Tammy Albanese

    Sixty year-old Tammy Albanese shares her journey from dance and cheerleading to bodybuilding and now powerlifting. She discusses the ins and outs of powerlifting, how she has set records, and the impact of injuries on her training. Tammy shares what motivates her, how she transformed herself…

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  26. Episode 9: Wisdom from the Great Gene Dykes, World Record Holder Marathoner

    Gene was a self-described mediocre runner in college, but he started racing again in his 50s and proceeded to get faster and faster. He improved his marathon times throughout his 60s, eventually running the fastest marathon ever by a 70 year old, a mind-blowing 2:54, which is 6:38 per mile for...

  27. Episode 8: Racing and Training Updates from Michael and Hilary

    In this episode Michael and Hilary recap their races at Cherry Blossom--the USA Track & Field 10-Mile Championship--along with some other races and training. They also touch on coaching, books, and what's on their horizons.

  28. Episode 7: Chat with CEO, Ultrarunner and Author Nick Thompson

    Nicholas Thompson is the CEO of The Atlantic, an accomplished ultrarunner, and proof that getting older doesn’t mean backing off big goals. In this episode of Aging Athletically, Nick talks with us about balancing high-level work and high-level training, what still drives him to compete, and how...

  29. Episode 1: Getting to Know the Hosts (Part 1!)

    Welcome to Aging Athletically! In this first episode we introduce ourselves and talk about a little of this and a little of that. Michael is a pro ultrarunner and Hilary is a long-time competitive endurance athlete in triathlon, running and most recently, Hyrox. Thanks for joining us at the...

  30. Episode 2: Getting to Know the Hosts (Part 2!)

    In this episode we go more in-depth on who we are and some goals for the year.

  31. Episode 4: Pacers Running Owner Chris Farley

    We interviewed our longtime friend and pillar of the DC running community, Chris Farley. We discuss Chris's history in the sport, what running means to him, how he keeps at it, while also learning about the growth of Pacers Running.

  32. Episode 3: Winter Olympian, Curler Rich Rouhonen

    In this episode we interview Rich Rouhonen and learn how he defied expectations by competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics at age 54. He shares the physical, mental and strategic approach that has sustained his elite athletic career alongside a demanding role as a trial attorney. From curling...

  33. Episode 6: Elite Hyrox Athlete Amy Bevilacqua

    Today we interview Hyrox star and coach Amy Bevilacqua. Amy shares the athletic journey she started as a young girl all the way to her current passion at age 52. In addition to being an elite athlete, Amy is a mom of 5! We discuss all things Hyrox, training and taking on new challenges.

  34. Episode 5: Check-In with Hilary and Michael

    After the release of 4 episodes and time for some listener feedback, we check in about how the podcast is going, what's going on in our lives, and what's coming up.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Hosted by long-time endurance athlete Hilary Cairns, Aging Athletically explores what it means to pursue performance as we age. Through conversations with athletes and experts across sports, the podcast challenges the idea that aging equals backing down. This show is about resilience, reinvention, and continuing to compete at any age.

You can also find Aging Athletically on YouTube and Instagram, both under @agingathletically. Feedback welcome through these channels or via email at [email protected].

HOSTED BY

Hilary Cairns

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Aging Athletically have?

Aging Athletically currently has 34 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Aging Athletically about?

Hosted by long-time endurance athlete Hilary Cairns, Aging Athletically explores what it means to pursue performance as we age. Through conversations with athletes and experts across sports, the podcast challenges the idea that aging equals backing down. This show is about resilience, reinvention,...

How often does Aging Athletically release new episodes?

Aging Athletically has 34 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Aging Athletically?

You can listen to Aging Athletically on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Aging Athletically?

Aging Athletically is created and hosted by Hilary Cairns.
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