You may not have pegged her as a grandmother at first glance but 55-year-old Sharon Simmons definitely is. This fabulous (and fabulously in shape) granny has decided to try out for the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders.
Simmons is a grandmother of two, competes in fitness competitions and works as a personal trainer and nutritionist. She started the fitness competitions when she was 50.
“I don’t see a number,” she told ABC. “If I do, it’s just a number. It’s not that I can’t keep up with [younger women] in the physical part of the training.”
“Simmons, who [also] works in commercial real estate, first began dreaming of becoming a Cowboys cheerleader when she was a cash-strapped single mother in her 20s,” writes ABC. “She had planned to try out, and even had her mother take some photos of her to submit with the application, but she lacked dance training. And, ultimately, Simmons didn’t have the courage to apply. ‘Now,’ she said, ‘I’m not afraid. I’m more mature. I know what to do.'”
Simmons with one of her grandchildren at her 55th birthday party.
From her website:
I have pursued a healthy lifestyle for over thirty-five years, and I believe “Fitness is for Any Age, and Age is Simply a State of Mind.” With a firm belief in yourself, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. It takes pride, passion, and commitment and a burning sincere desire to succeed. It will be an incredible excitement just knowing what you have accomplished. We all have our struggles and “stories” of why we haven’t paid much attention to our health, but basically opportunity presents itself in one form or another. We have to make a decision to make it happen. It won’t happen by itself.
“The oldest woman ever to dance with the Cowboys cheerleaders was Linda Badami, a 37-year-old mother of four from Kansas, according to Kelli Finglass, who directs the squad. Grandmothers and women in their 50s have auditioned in the past, but none have been chosen for the squad.”
“It says something about women and their success stories,” said Finglass. “I’d give her accolades for her preparation and look forward to her audition.”
To Simmons, going for the coveted cheerleading spot in Texas is just like preparing for any other competition. “There are steps to take to prepare, which is exactly what I’m doing,” she said.
(via ABC, image by Dave Allen via Simmons’ website)
