Who are Slowpoke Divas?
Slowpoke Divas are women primarily over 40, out of shape or over weight looking to live a healthy, active lifestyle. We focus on walking, bicycling, triathlon, and functional fitness.
Meet Bonnie Parrish-Kell, Founder & Chief Diva
As I approached my 50th birthday, I wanted to do something to mark this milestone. After decades as a marketing communications professional stuck at a desk in front of a computer for hours on end, I yearned to be the athlete I always thought I was.
So I chose to do a triathlon. No, not an IRONMAN® triathlon but a simple “sprint distance.” That’s the type where you swim a little ways, bike a ways down the road, and then finish it all off with a short wee run.
How hard could that be? How much fun would that be?
Little did I know how incredibly life-changing and life-enhancing it would be!
My nine-month journey to the finish line of the Vancouver Triathlon sprint race in Canada was a mix of frustration and fun, challenges and camaraderie, disappointment and delight, self-doubt and self-discovery. Best of all, I met and made so many good friends — we helped each other stay on course and realize our goals.
I soon discovered a thing called “senior games” — sports competitions for people ages 50 or better — with a national championship event held in a different U.S. city every two years. That’s when I tried race walk, and discovered power walk, cycling time trials and criteriums. Yes, I could even sign up for triathlons!
This opened up a whole new world of fitness, friendship, and volunteerism for me!
Slowpoke Divas is Born
During those early years so many maturing women (even as young as mid-thirties) would stare at me wide-eyed amazement. They’d say “Oh, I could never do that!” Their reasons ranged from having no time to being too “old” or too “fat” to fear what family or friends would say. They viewed me as either courageous or crazy to even think of doing a triathlon…at my age or hefty weight.
The thought of “never doing” is an alien concept for me. What stops me from trying are my self-limiting expectations, thinking I lack the time or resources, not feeling the deep desire to actually do the thing, and so on. Did I ever think I *might* not accomplish a goal like finishing that first triathlon or half marathon? Heck yeah, and I had to dig deep to keep moving…especially during the event.
That why I started the Slowpoke Divas blog in 2013 to encourage women — to give them permission! — to try a fitness activity or sport so that they, too, could enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle.
You Are a Slowpoke Diva!
Our bodies change as we age. Menopause is not a disease! Our bodies are simply evolving to a new state of being. Physical activity and good food choices play a critical role in the quality of that new life!
You’re not too old or out-of-shape to walk fast, bike farther, swim with little fishies, dance like no one is watching, or play serious ball with the kids and grandkids! Speed and athletic ability are not requirements! So what if you’re dead last because you walked a 5K run? You got your money’s worth from the event fee! Most importantly, you’re rockin’ and rollin’ toward making life fun and improving your health!
So join me as a Slowpoke Diva walker, bicyclist, triathlete, or Diva tossing her “weights” around the gym to stay strong and physically mobile. Together we’ll enjoy this journey of fun and fitness!
I’d love to hear your story and your hopes and dreams. Drop me a line or connect with me via Slowpoke Divas on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X or YouTube!
Updated: August 10, 2023