Women deserve the freedom of thriving in our butterfly era. To do that, we must focus on creating an effective healthspan plan. As The Geriatric Gymnast, I like to share out the things that I've learned through the metamorphosis.

There’s always room for controversy. Even in adult gymnastics. 

Is it possible for adults to start gymnastics? The simple answer is a firm, but cautious YES. But I think I should qualify that answer just a bit with some wise perspective. Here's The Geriatric Gymnast's guide to taking the leap.

In November, I committed to training for my first competition season. In January, I signed up to compete in the Masters World Cup. After training hard for six months to perform on a world stage, the day finally came and went. Here's the story.

Our menopause transition is not our mother's. Today, we have many more options to optimize our health from the moment our estrogen starts to drop. This is about the choices I've made to maximize my life experience.

In 2020, we lost our spring show to COVID. That pandemic almost cost us our theater program. Six years later, hope springs eternal. ANNIE brought Thespian Troupe 721 the magic of victory.

Had to pause on the gymnastics videos to work on my day job as dance teacher and theater director. This is our upcoming production. Super proud of my Thespians!!

My first gymnastics meet experience was everything I wanted it to be. I couldn't have asked for a better initiation.

For most people in their fifties, shying away from new experiences that challenge your sense of fear is the norm. This Geriatric Gymnast has decided that running towards it and challenging the fear itself is the better part of valor.

It's now been six months since I've started the GLP-1 chapter of managing my perimenopausal weight. Slow and steady like the tortoise, I have achieved the weight loss I sought. Here's the update.

After pulling a back muscle just over a week ago, I’m easing back into practices. It’s also REALLY cold. Not fun for older muscles and joints. #thegeriatricgymnast #thisis54

Practicing my new floor routine.

On one of my recent TikTok posts of my work on bars, someone commented: What’s your goal? Very impressive. I liked that question. Made me think for a minute. I think the answer deserves some space.

2025 was the year of recovery. My Achilles tendon at gymnastics two weeks before the new year, and I spent the next twelve months healing and rehabilitating. My goal was to return to the "normal" version of myself as soon as possible. One year later, I think I can safely say I've achieved that goal.

2025 has been quite a year! Enjoy the wrap up of my Geriatric Gymnastics escapades in recovery and rebuilding mode.

Oh, what a difference a year makes. 12 months ago, I was laid up on the couch in a cast. Today, I have 365 days worth of recovery stories. This is my end-of-year recap.

We interrupt the usual flipping posts to bring you some Christmas cheer through music. The link is to a playlist from an event I sang recently. Enjoy! www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

I've seen so many people awaken their inner child in my adult gymnastics classes. If you need to make a case for starting gymnastics, this is it.

Working on springboard punch #fronttucks. 11 months post #achillesrupture. I’ve come a long way. #thegeriatricgymnast #thisis54 #recoveryispossible

Persistence over time is the key to unlock new skills. It’s rarely a “one and done” effort. Especially in your 50s. Keep trying. Improvements happen slowly. #thegeriatricgymnast #thisis53 #handstands

Time for a little update about my recent midlife therapeutic interventions.

This was nice to wake up to! Just reached 1k subscribers on YT. If you’re one of them, THANK YOU SO MUCH! My mission is to continue to encourage adults to step into the stuff of their childhood dreams. If you want to do it, DO IT!! The time is NOW! With love, #thegeriatricgymnast

So many things to think about during #trampoline combinations! #thegeriatricgymnast #thisis53

Ask and ye shall receive. This encapsulates some of the incredible feedback I received from the beta reading team for my upcoming book, Geriatric Gymnastics: Flipping, Recovery an Defining Life on Your Terms.

Once in a while, it’s nice to get all gussied up!!

Some straddle warmups and Russian-style #fronttucks on #trampoline. #thegeriatricgymnast #thisis53

The reality of perimenopause: it just gets harder to maintain a healthy weight as the years pass, as the hormones wane, and as I go out and do more adult-y things (like eating at restaurants). This article is about my decision to try the GLP-1 route.

There’s a new sound in my teaching universe that has become my new happy sound at work. It’s not a song. It’s literally just a sound.

Training advice of the day: Embrace failure. That’s how we learn. #thegeriatricgymnast

I’m on Substack Now! Do I really need ANOTHER social media platform to keep track of? I suppose I do...

What I Learned From Genetic Testing Genetic testing for cancer markers feels like a big deal. It's like walking a tightrope of wanting and not wanting to know what the future might hold. This is my experience.

Tuesday night #trampoline session. Worked on all sorts of stuff. #thegeriatricgymnast #thisis53 #gymnastics #progressisntlinear

Working on upper body #strength on floor. #thegeriatricgymnast #thisis53

Got some #inversion work in today. It’s a good opportunity to develop shoulder #strength and #stability. #thegeriatricgymnast #thisis53

Decided to bring back #roundoffbackhandspring back drop drills and #layouts on #trampoline. #thegeriatricgymnast #thisis53

Help Shape Geriatric Gymnastics: Join Our Beta Reading Team I'm seeking beta readers for my upcoming book, "Geriatric Gymnastics: Flipping, Recovery and Defining Life on Your Terms". Interested in joining the GG team? Read on!

Straddle #frontrolls are not in my usual rotation. I might be sore tomorrow. 😬 #thegeriatricgymnast #adultgymnast #workinprogress

First week, new studio Sometimes, you need a little jump start in your career. This year, I received a huge one. Read on to see why after 30 years, I'm still excited to go back to work.

Working on holding #handstands with some back support. Tough on the wrists, but good #strengthtraining. #thegeriatricgymnast

Working in front bounder combinations on #trampoline. #thegeriatricgymnast #workinprogress #adultgymnast

Long, but entertaining. Working on a levelup #walkover drill. #thegeriatricgymnast #thisis53 youtube.com/shorts/OiHN0...

I found an old blog post I wrote when my kids were young. It made me yearn for the days when they were small, discovering, and exploring the world through their smaller eyes. It recalls one of those lovely moments that are so easy to forget. Fortunately, I had the presence of mind to write it down.

#achillesrecovery is all about baby steps. All those tiny steps, over time, take you very far. Don’t let impatience distract or discourage you. Do the work and you will make your way back to health. #thegeriatricgymnast #adultgymnast #gymnastics #thisis53 youtube.com/shorts/UPjTO...

Practicing #walkover drills. So hard! #thegeriatricgymnast #CapCut

New Beginnings: a Dance Studio Transformed Sometimes, life throws you something unexpected. While it may be uncomfortable at first, the unexpected can turn into something beautiful. This is a story of another evolution in my career as a dance teacher. staceytirro.com/2025/08/30/n...

New Beginnings: a Dance Studio Transformed Sometimes, life throws you something unexpected. While it may be uncomfortable at first, the unexpected can turn into something beautiful. This is a story of another evolution in my career as a dance teacher.

Tips from #thegeriatricgymnast. You are more capable than you give yourself credit for. Watch the video for more feel-good inspiration. You’ve got this!!❤️

How many sticks in a series of punch #fronttucks? 8 months #Achillesrecovery #tyegeriatricgymnast #thisis53

8 months #achillesrecovery: working #roundoff #backlayouts on #trampoline. Good progress!#thegeriatricgymnast #thisis53

Looks like "someday" is today!