Arlette, 61 – Celebrating Hard Work and Good Health
As one of the 2025 Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes, Arlette Godges is sharing updates on her health and wellness journey with our community this year. In the spring, Arlette wrote about her lifelong history with fitness, and the concept of “training for the future you.” A physical therapist and competitive swimmer, Arlette had the opportunity to compete at the World Aquatic Masters Championships in Singapore this summer. Today, she’s back to recap her aquatic adventures and accomplishments.
As an ambassador for Senior Planet, a physical therapist, and a lifestyle coach working with individuals over 50, I am acutely aware of the possibilities for healthy aging. Aging is a privilege, and when approached positively, it can be both exciting and enjoyable! Here, I recount a delightful celebration of hard work, focus, and commitment.
In August, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Singapore and compete in the World Aquatic Masters Championships. I emphasize “opportunity” because it requires immense commitment, planning, and dedication to even consider such an event—especially after a grueling 17-hour non-stop flight! Ultimately, it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable ten days of my life, spent with teammates and fellow swimmers from around the globe, all eager to showcase their best performances.
All Ages, All Languages, All Winners
The event attracted over 6,000 athletes, with ages ranging from 20 to 98. In those pools, every participant was a winner. Each individual had set a goal, worked diligently towards it, and showed up to compete. The act of showing up is no small feat, especially when performing in front of a crowd while wearing only a swimsuit, sans makeup, and with wet hair!
The atmosphere was electric, filled with high fives, smiles, and conversations in various languages. Some competitors were familiar faces from youth competitions decades ago, while others were new friends made along the way. The hugs and shared stories were heartwarming, even if language barriers made communication challenging. We competed fiercely but celebrated each other loudly, often exchanging gifts like t-shirts, caps, and bags.
Diving Into Each Day
Days at the pool were long and structured. A typical day began at 6 AM with breakfast, followed by a ride to the pool, where we donned matching t-shirts and packed multiple suits, caps, alternate goggles, and snacks. Upon arrival, we warmed up before putting on our race suits and preparing for the competition process, which included credential validation in the “ready rooms.” After competing, we would warm down and often participate in additional events later in the day.
There was ample downtime to reflect on our motivations, connect with fellow athletes, calm our nerves, and replay our races in our minds. Ultimately, we hoped to leave with a great swim, perhaps a medal, and maybe even a personal record (PR). Afterward, it was home for a shower and a team dinner, where we shared our experiences and celebrated our teammates.
On our day off, we explored the vibrant city, visiting museums and soaking in the local culture. We even captured some photos in real clothes with dry hair!
Results and Reminders
By now, you might be curious about my performance as a Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete. I had an amazing time and returned home with three gold, one silver, and two bronze medals! One of my team relays even set a World Record, which was an extra thrill!
This experience serves as a reminder that setting goals, following a training plan, and being part of a supportive community can be incredibly rewarding. The added benefits include staying fit, agile, and capable of undertaking long flights, navigating cities on foot, and experiencing the world.
While this story revolves around swimming, it ultimately highlights the essence of aging well—aging UP well. We achieve this by engaging in daily exercise, embracing challenges, and occasionally stepping outside our comfort zones, all while surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals who inspire us to be our best selves.
Your Turn
Are you ready to challenge yourself? I’m thrilled to wrap up this year of Sponsored Athlete sessions on Wednesday, December 17 at 1:30 PM EST. Mark your calendars and stay tuned to seniorplanet.org/fitness for the latest updates.
If you missed my initial presentation on chair exercises for older adults, you can watch it below. Don’t forget to subscribe to Senior Planet on YouTube for more on-demand content. Looking forward to seeing you soon!
In need of a little motivation to get moving? Join our daily health and wellness programs, stay updated with the latest news and articles from SeniorPlanet.org by signing up for The Orbit weekly newsletter, and follow us on social media (Facebook | YouTube | Instagram) to connect with these inspiring athletes. You might just discover a new passion for fitness along the way!
Images courtesy of Arlette Godges. Learn more about Arlette and her Age Up Well initiative at ageupwell.com and @ageupwell on Instagram.
As one of the 2025 Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes, Arlette Godges is sharing updates on her health and wellness journey with our community this year. In the spring, Arlette wrote about her lifelong history with fitness, and the concept of “training for the future you.” A physical therapist and competitive swimmer, Arlette had the opportunity to compete at the World Aquatic Masters Championships in Singapore this summer. Today, she’s back to recap her aquatic adventures and accomplishments.
As an ambassador for Senior Planet, a physical therapist, and a lifestyle coach working with individuals over 50, I am acutely aware of the possibilities for healthy aging. Aging is a privilege, and when approached positively, it can be both exciting and enjoyable! Here, I recount a delightful celebration of hard work, focus, and commitment.
In August, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Singapore and compete in the World Aquatic Masters Championships. I emphasize “opportunity” because it requires immense commitment, planning, and dedication to even consider such an event—especially after a grueling 17-hour non-stop flight! Ultimately, it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable ten days of my life, spent with teammates and fellow swimmers from around the globe, all eager to showcase their best performances.
All Ages, All Languages, All Winners
The event attracted over 6,000 athletes, with ages ranging from 20 to 98. In those pools, every participant was a winner. Each individual had set a goal, worked diligently towards it, and showed up to compete. The act of showing up is no small feat, especially when performing in front of a crowd while wearing only a swimsuit, sans makeup, and with wet hair!
The atmosphere was electric, filled with high fives, smiles, and conversations in various languages. Some competitors were familiar faces from youth competitions decades ago, while others were new friends made along the way. The hugs and shared stories were heartwarming, even if language barriers made communication challenging. We competed fiercely but celebrated each other loudly, often exchanging gifts like t-shirts, caps, and bags.
Diving Into Each Day
Days at the pool were long and structured. A typical day began at 6 AM with breakfast, followed by a ride to the pool, where we donned matching t-shirts and packed multiple suits, caps, alternate goggles, and snacks. Upon arrival, we warmed up before putting on our race suits and preparing for the competition process, which included credential validation in the “ready rooms.” After competing, we would warm down and often participate in additional events later in the day.
There was ample downtime to reflect on our motivations, connect with fellow athletes, calm our nerves, and replay our races in our minds. Ultimately, we hoped to leave with a great swim, perhaps a medal, and maybe even a personal record (PR). Afterward, it was home for a shower and a team dinner, where we shared our experiences and celebrated our teammates.
On our day off, we explored the vibrant city, visiting museums and soaking in the local culture. We even captured some photos in real clothes with dry hair!
Results and Reminders
By now, you might be curious about my performance as a Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete. I had an amazing time and returned home with three gold, one silver, and two bronze medals! One of my team relays even set a World Record, which was an extra thrill!
This experience serves as a reminder that setting goals, following a training plan, and being part of a supportive community can be incredibly rewarding. The added benefits include staying fit, agile, and capable of undertaking long flights, navigating cities on foot, and experiencing the world.
While this story revolves around swimming, it ultimately highlights the essence of aging well—aging UP well. We achieve this by engaging in daily exercise, embracing challenges, and occasionally stepping outside our comfort zones, all while surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals who inspire us to be our best selves.
Your Turn
Are you ready to challenge yourself? I’m thrilled to wrap up this year of Sponsored Athlete sessions on Wednesday, December 17 at 1:30 PM EST. Mark your calendars and stay tuned to seniorplanet.org/fitness for the latest updates.
If you missed my initial presentation on chair exercises for older adults, you can watch it below. Don’t forget to subscribe to Senior Planet on YouTube for more on-demand content. Looking forward to seeing you soon!
In need of a little motivation to get moving? Join our daily health and wellness programs, stay updated with the latest news and articles from SeniorPlanet.org by signing up for The Orbit weekly newsletter, and follow us on social media (Facebook | YouTube | Instagram) to connect with these inspiring athletes. You might just discover a new passion for fitness along the way!
Images courtesy of Arlette Godges. Learn more about Arlette and her Age Up Well initiative at ageupwell.com and @ageupwell on Instagram.
