BIOGRAPHY
If you ever wanted real-world proof that age is nothing but a number, meet Ernestine Shepherd. With her flat stomach, toned arms and excellent health, you’d never guess that this female bodybuilder is in her late 70s. But she is — 78, to be exact.
As impressive as her physique is, one of the most incredible parts of Ms. Shepherd’s story is that she didn’t even start working out until she was 56.
Shepard had been a model in Baltimore for years, but at age 56 she and her sister Mildred Blackwell went to try on swimsuits and found their bodies were out of shape. They then started taking aerobics classes. The sisters set their sights on becoming two of the oldest female bodybuilders. Her sister began competing in bodybuilding shows under the name Velvet, and Ernestine followed under the name Ernie. However, her sister died in 1992 of a brain aneurysm. When Mildred died, the devastated Shepherd ended up with high blood pressure, panic attacks, acid reflux and depression. Then, Shepherd says her sister appeared to her in a dream, urging her to follow through with the bodybuilding dream they had conceived together.
Shepherd did, and was declared the World’s Oldest Performing Female Bodybuilder by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2010. (Edith Wilma Conner now holds the title.) Since age 56 she has won two bodybuilding titles, as well as run nine marathons.
Also Shepherd says her health had dramatically improved. “I do the same thing day in and day out,” she says on an episode of “Oprah Prime” that also featured Sharon Stone. “No high blood pressure medicine. No medicine for panic attacks. No medicine for acid reflux. By me running and walking, the depression and anxiety just left me.”
Part of Shepherd’s everyday routine includes waking up at 2:30 a.m. and reading devotions from her Bible. In addition to running and working out, her diet consists of 1,700 calories a day, mostly from boiled egg whites, chicken, vegetables and a liquid egg white drink, and she runs about 80 miles a week. She does not take supplements. She is trained by former Mr. Universe Yohnnie Shambourger and also teaches classes at her Maryland gym, Energy Fitness.
“I started my class with 10 people in the class. That class has grown — some mornings everybody can’t get in the room,” Shepherd says.
For her students, Shepherd encourages exercise in any shape or form. “Not everybody wants to be a bodybuilder. Not everybody wants to be a runner,” she explains. “But find what you like to do. I say to my senior ladies — and the men — ‘Don’t forget: Age is nothing but a number and you can get fit.'”
In a video produced by Prevention magazine and shown on the Oprah Winfrey’s OWN television network, it highlights Ernestine’s success as a trainer. Plus, Shepherd shares the age-defying mantra that helps keep her motivated
which for the past 20 years has been “Determined, Dedicated, and Disciplined – To be fit for life.”
HIGHLIGHTS
Television appearances in 2013 and
2014: Oprah, Katie Couric,
Anderson Cooper, CNN and Prevention Magazine Online.
Currently featured in “Ripley’s Believe it or Not!” book as Granny’s Six-pack.
Guinness World Records Winner as “Oldest Female Bodybuilder”, received award in Rome, Italy March 2010.
Appeared on ABC News Good
Morning America Show, Inside Edition, 700 Club and The Mo’Nique Show.
Model in numerous fashion shows. Competes in seven 5K, 10K and marathon runs coming in first place for age group.
Featured in Essence Magazine in 1991, Jet and Ebony Magazines 2009 – 2010.
Motivational speaker for various organizations citing the benefits of healthy living and being physically fit.
Tickets are available at a donation of $90 each at: http://dgosf3awards.eventbrite.com/