The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) is proud to celebrate the incredible members who continue to embody the spirit of lifelong learning, growth, and perseverance. This week, we shine a light on\u00a0Ms. Jan Romeis, a long-standing member of both TRTA and the Humble RTA, whose story reminds us that strength, both physical and mental, has no age limit.<\/p>\n
After a rewarding career in education, teaching mostly fourth grade, Jan could have easily settled into a quiet retirement. Instead, when life presented her with unexpected challenges, she chose a path of resilience.<\/p>\n
A few years ago, Jan faced breast cancer and the difficult recovery that followed. \u201cI lost muscle mass and weight, and I knew I had to rebuild my strength and get my health back,\u201d she recalls. A dear friend, Catherine Kuehn\u2014herself a remarkable 97-year-old powerlifter\u2014encouraged Jan to join her in training with a local coach.<\/p>\n
What began as a recovery plan quickly became a passion. \u201cI started seeing my trainer twice a week,\u201d Jan explains. \u201cAt first, I just wanted to regain my muscle mass, but I didn\u2019t realize how much it was going to help me beyond that. Powerlifting improves bone density, balance, brain productivity, and stress. It helps everything! Even my golf game!\u201d<\/p>\n
Soon, Jan was participating in competitions. She earned\u00a0two\u00a0gold medals: one at a United States Powerlifting Association meet in Redmond, Oregon, and another at a National Powerlifting League event this past April. In both events, she competed in the 80+ age category. \u201cI was the only one in my age group,\u201d she laughs, \u201cso really, I was competing against myself! But that\u2019s the point.\u2014It\u2019s about doing better than you did before.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her personal best? A 137.5-pound deadlift! And she\u2019s not slowing down anytime soon. \u201cYes, I\u2019m still training and plan to keep competing as long as I\u2019m healthy,\u201d she says. \u201cI\u2019ll be at nationals in December!\u201d<\/p>\n
Jan\u2019s passion is contagious, and her family couldn\u2019t be prouder. \u201cMy husband drives me to every competition\u2014he\u2019s my biggest supporter,\u201d she says. \u201cMy daughters and granddaughter come to cheer me on. My granddaughter even made a sign that said, \u2018Go Mimi!\u2019 Their encouragement keeps me motivated.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jan\u2019s motivation extends beyond her family; she credits her friend Catherine Kuehn for being the spark that started it all. \u201cCatherine doesn\u2019t compete anymore, but she still trains. There\u2019s even a documentary about her called\u00a0Strong Grandma\u2014it\u2019s a 15-minute film that\u2019s been shown at festivals and now has more than 90,000 views on YouTube. People should watch it\u2014it\u2019s so inspiring.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Jan, \u201cpowerlifting is better than medicine.\u201d And she knows staying active is the secret to a happy, healthy retirement. Her message to other retirees? \u201cKeep moving! You\u2019ve got to use it or lose it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her story is a living reminder that every day brings an opportunity to grow stronger\u2014in body, mind, and spirit. Through her dedication, positivity, and example, Jan Romeis shows that the same qualities that made her an extraordinary teacher\u2014discipline, curiosity, and care\u2014are the very ones helping her thrive today.<\/p>\n
We are inspired by Jan\u2019s journey and encouraged to embrace the same message:\u00a0stay active, stay connected, and keep lifting\u2014each other and ourselves.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) is proud to celebrate the incredible members who continue to embody the spirit of lifelong learning, growth, and perseverance. This week, we shine a light on\u00a0Ms. Jan Romeis, a long-standing member of both TRTA and the Humble RTA, whose story reminds us that strength, both physical and mental, has […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":72354,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[637],"tags":[638],"class_list":["post-72350","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories","tag-story"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n