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Senior certified as personal trainer at 80-years-old

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – When former President Ronald Reagan proclaimed August 21 to be National Senior Citizens Day, the designation was meant to recognize the value elderly people have in families and society.

One woman’s contributions will be celebrated in the workplace, too, at the Benjamin Harrison YMCA on the east side of Indianapolis.

Two years ago, Terry Zoubul retired the idea of age limitations when she worked to become a certified personal trainer at 80-years-old.

A director at the YMCA encouraged the career choice considering Zoubul’s experience as an instructor in the center’s “Active Older Adults” programs.

“It’s really a dream that I’ve wanted but I needed somebody to tell me that age wasn’t a factor,” Zoubul said.

Instead, age turned out to be an asset according to Zoubul who quickly learned her availability in the gym broke barriers for some members who had been too intimidated to train one-on-one with others.

Paula Cox, 75, is a client of Zoubul’s who suffered debilitating injuries in a vehicle crash. Working with her trainer allowed Cox to strengthen enough to transfer from the use of a walker and cane to needing no assistance.

“People really respect her. She’s an inspiration to a lot of people,” Cox said of Zoubul. “We look at her each day thinking ‘if she can do it, we can do it.’”

Zoubul lives an active life by example, averaging seven or eight 5K races yearly.

“I’m trying to encourage everyone, especially seniors that age isn’t a factor, training is,” Zoubul said.