We had the good fortune of connecting with Helen Fritsch and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Helen, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I turned 55, I realized that turning 60 was just around the corner! As a lifelong competitive athlete, I decided that I wanted to “test my limits “. I wanted to get into the best shape of my life before I turned 60. After speaking with some personal trainers, I was told that I should look into Bodybuilding… And so I did! But it was a quick look. After seeing the strict diet, no sugar and no wine for at least 12 weeks I decided to shelf that idea. You see, I’m a certified wine specialist and Wine is my hobby. I was working at a wine shop at the time and sampling wine every day with customers, distributors and my boss was a common occurrence that I did not want to give up. However, the Universe had other plans for me. About six months later, I walked into the gym to train with a friend who just happened to be a competitive bodybuilder/coach. She was finishing up with another client who was training for a bodybuilding show. Her client asked me if I was a competitor and I told her no I was not. She said I should be and before I knew it, the two of them talked me into committing to train for a show a month away. I was very naïve at the time and did not know what Bodybuilding entailed. So, I quit drinking wine, consuming sugar and started eating a super clean diet pronto! I was, needless to say, flabbergasted at my transformation in just a months time! A month later, At 56, I stepped on stage with several other 35 year old bikini competitors and came in third at that show… And I have never looked back. On my 60th birthday, I won a big national show and turned pro and to this day, at 65, I still compete at the Pro level in the masters bikini category. I had several women reach out to me asking me how I did all this and I decided that I needed to share my information and knowledge and inspire other women in their 50s and beyond to Take that leap of faith and go after the body that they’ve always wanted. I became an online fitness and nutrition coach and started a podcast called Age is Irrelevant where I interview women 40, 50, 60 and beyond who have achieved amazing things in life! It’s never too late to start anything new and I am living proof of that!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a full-time 36 year flight attendant. I started online fitness/nutrition coaching when I turn 60. I won a big national bodybuilding show and turned Pro. Several women reached out and asked how I did it. I decided I needed to share my knowledge and started an online fitness and nutrition coaching business along with a Podcast called Age is Irrelevant Interviewing women 40, 50, 60 and beyond who are motivational, inspirational and transformational to help motivate women get fit at any age! There were bumps in the road along the way. I was diagnosed with Leukemia, My father unexpectedly passed away. I got Covid which turned into pneumonia and I was out of work for almost a month. Despair, heartache, pain became a daily occurrence but I was finally able to dig deep and pull myself out of this rut! Living one day at a time with a positive outlook and positive mindset worked wonders for me physically as well as mentally. I’ve learned that you can achieve anything you want at any age if you have the right mindset! Age truly is irrelevant and I’m living proof at 65! Today, I’m living my best life

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

The Phoenix/Scottsdale area,by far, is the best place I have ever lived! I have lived here for two years and I am still in awe of its beauty. When my friends come to town Hiking/sightseeing is definitely at the top of the list! Depending on their hiking comfort level I’ll take them to Pinnacle Peak, Tom’s Thumb, Browns Mountain Trail Loop or Papago Park. I also love going on one day adventures with Soaring Eagle Adventures AZ to Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
A trip to the Phoenix Botanical Gardens is also a must! Incredibly beautiful sanctuary housing thousands of cactus, trees and flowers. If they’re during a specific time of the month, I also love taking them to the OdySea Aquarium for Fish and Sips happy hour. The array of beautiful fish never cease to amaze me!
Food: Some of my food favorites that we might check out are: Hermosa Inn,
True Food, Culinary Drop Out. Roaring Fork, Dough Birds, Postino ,Flower Child, Maple and Ash, The Vig, El Chorro, Rehab Burger Therapy, Toca Madera, Francine.
If we want to go Shopping? Old Town is a must and shopping at Kierland is another favorite! My Sisters Closet for great consignment finds
Sunsets are beautiful at the JW Marriot with a glass of wine.
Workouts at Made To Move Performance and Mountainside fitness round out the week!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shout out goes to the NPC/IFBB bodybuilding league and all my masters bikini bodybuilding sisters! If it wasn’t for the support of all my girlfriends that I have met through this organization I wouldn’t be where I am today. They have helped me celebrate my wins and also helped raise me up during my losses. They have helped me during my tough personal times and have been fantastic companions during my most fun times They are definitely my ride or die And I am blessed to have them all in my life!

Website: www.Ageisirrelevant.com

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/helenfritsch_ifbbpro

Facebook: www.facebook.com/helen.fritsch

Image Credits
James Patrick Stacey Poterson NPC News Online

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