Today I went to a networking breakfast called, "A Breakfast with Margo." Marjorie "Margo" Bates was the speaker and will be 100 years old this coming November. I was lucky enough to interview her before the breakfast and get an insight into her life and all that she has accomplished over here near century on earth. Her most proud accomplishments are her 15 World and National records from competitive swimming, along with 198 gold medals. She is the only woman in the world to complete the backstroke in the 95 age group bracket. She was part of the opening ceremony in the 2009 Sydney world games, part of the competition taking home seven gold medals, and was asked back to be a part of the closing ceremony as well. BTW, did I mentioned she learned how to swim at the ripe young age of 80? Before then she only knew how to doggie paddle...
One of her favorite sayings is, "Don't ever call me old unless there is a G in front of it," and she has a ritual of painting her finger and toe nails sparkly gold before swim competitions.
This woman is so full of life and there is nothing she can't do or isn't willing to at least try. After 100 years on earth, she believes in living each day to its fullest potential and most of all she believes in herself. Talk about an inspiration! And she's funny too!
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