Welcome back to this special series featuring the stories of the Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes as they pursue their fitness goals in 2024. You can find all of our Sponsored Athletes’ stories here.

Hello everybody, I’m Tom Simek. I am 72, and live in the forest at the end of the Sangre de Cristo mountains in historic Santa Fe, NM. A little over 10 years ago, a wake-up call from a physical exam kickstarted my wellness journey. (Read more about that here.) This journey has taken me across the country and around the world, running track and conquering obstacles — figuratively and literally! Today, I’m sharing more about my life as an American Ninja Warrior, and as a grandfather. Read on to learn how you can take YOUR next step toward living life to the fullest.

When my health took such a dramatic turn, I never imagined it would become an opportunity for me to change my inactive lifestyle — from being a construction builder and an unfit workaholic, to building a brand new life for myself. Back then, I was scared and resistant. I only knew a certain way of life, and that was MY way! Change has never come easy for me. (If we we’re all being honest with ourselves, I think most of us are scared sh–less of change!) I realized I had two choices: I could do nothing and wait for a total system shutdown and death, or get up and do something different.

A Whole New World

I am a winner just by showing up!

Getting control of my health and fitness has opened up a whole new world to me. My first step was to get involved in masters and senior track and field, competing in the 50m, 100m, 200m, and long jump events. Through this sport, I have competed nationally and internationally, and met like-minded athletes all over the country and the world. I have made lifelong friends to stay connected with, which is so important in our senior years. Even though this is a competitive sport, all the other athletes are very supportive because we all know what it takes to be out there. I am a winner just by showing up!

The next challenge I took on was obstacle course training, with a goal of submitting an audition video to the NBC show, American Ninja Warrior. When I received the phone call inviting me to compete on the show (with athletes as much as 55 years my junior), the feeling was truly indescribable!

@ninjawarrior Always impressed with our ninjas that remind us how age is no obstacle! 😱👌🏼 #ANW #ninjawarrior #AmericanNinjaWarrior #grandpaninja ♬ original sound – American Ninja Warrior

Fitness and Family

I never anticipated that this new life would include a deeper connection with family, a very active lifestyle, and a whole community of friends from every generation. Just last night, I was watching ANW — the episode that I was featured in — and they shared my story through the lens of my connection with my granddaughter.

You need a reason to wake up in the morning and be grateful!

None of this would have happened had I not accepted the challenge to change. I continue to put challenges in front of myself to keep my life interesting and exciting. This is so important, because you need a reason to wake up in the morning and be grateful!

Life Is Worth Living – Join Me!

When I found out that I was chosen as a Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete, I felt the same thrill as when I was selected for American Ninja Warrior! I only hope that I can inspire others to start on their journey, and that we can all achieve a better quality of life and enjoy our senior years together.

If you need to take that first step to change your story, I invite you to join me here on seniorplanet.org for my online presentation on July 31: Life-Enriching Workouts. I’ll be demonstrating exercises that can benefit you during your daily activities. We’ll also cover modification suggestions for different fitness levels, ensuring that everyone can participate comfortably. See you then!

In need of a little motivation to get moving? Join our daily health and wellness programs, stay tuned to the latest news and articles from SeniorPlanet.org by signing up for The Orbit weekly newsletter, and follow us on social media (Facebook | Instagram | X) to get to know these awe-inspiring athletes. Plus, check out past Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete programs on our YouTube channel. You might just find a new love for fitness along the way!

Please consult your physician or other health care professional before starting a fitness program to determine if it is right for your needs. The advice and information presented in this article are in no way intended as a substitute for medical consultation.

Photos courtesy of Tom Simek / American Ninja Warrior / Elizabeth Morris, NBC