My new hero

Her names is Ernestine ("Ernie") Shepherd.  She lives in Maryland.  She's 76 years old.

When she was 56 years old, she was a sedentary, well padded, school secretary.  She and her sister went bathing suit shopping one day and got inspired to improve their physiques.  Unfortunately, Ernie's sister died of a brain aneurism soon after, but Ernie went on to fulfill the dream for the two of them.
 
Ernie "changed," all right.  At age 56 she took up weightlifting for the first time, got a personal trainer, shed pounds, gained muscle, and became the world's oldest female champion bodybuilder.  Just a few years ago she took up running.  She's completed eight marathons, and she's still going strong.

What an inspirational figure of grace, femininity, strength and accomplishment!  Read her bio here:
http://ernestineshepherd.net/?page_id=2

and look forward to hearing more about--and from--Ernie, my new hero and role model!