I was recently reading about Rita Hanscom, a 70-year-old athlete who recently won gold in the pentathlon and set an American record at the USA Track & Field Masters Indoor Championships. After taking passages from an interview with her, I knew her story was something worth sharing. It perfectly reflects what we believe in at Adam Clark Fitness—staying strong, capable, and independent for life.
When it comes to inspiring athletes, there are two key elements: the achievement and the motivation behind it.
The achievement? Winning gold in her age group.
The motivation? Something we can all relate to.
“One of my main goals is to live a healthy life. One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is to remain healthy and independent,” Rita says. “I don’t ever want to be a burden. I don’t want to be dependent on them. Staying active keeps me striving for that.”
Not everyone wants to compete in track and field, but we all want to maintain our independence, strength, and mobility as we age. That’s exactly why so many people train with us at Adam Clark Fitness—not just to get stronger today, but to set themselves up for a healthier future.
Rita, who still works part-time investigating fraud for the state attorney general’s office, has been competing in Masters events for 15 years. She even set a world record in the heptathlon back in 2009.
Her events require speed, agility, strength, balance, and endurance—all in one day. But beyond the competition, she understands something we talk about often at ACF: staying active is the key to longevity.
Even after two Achilles injuries, she has worked her way back.
“I’m probably about 95% now. People say, ‘Oh, you’ll never be back to normal,’ but I disagree. You can heal yourself—you just have to give it time.”
She also knows that being inactive isn’t the answer.
“People take a month off to deal with aches and pains, but I did that once after a big meet, and things still got sore. You still get aches and pains when you’re not doing anything.”
Rita will likely be ranked No. 1 in the pentathlon when the World Masters Athletes meet again this month in Florida. But what’s most inspiring isn’t her record—it’s her mindset.
Her main goal isn’t just winning medals—it’s staying strong, independent, and able to live life on her terms.
That’s a goal we can all work toward. Whether you’re training for competition, trying to keep up with your grandkids, or just want to feel strong in everyday life, prioritizing movement, strength, and consistency will always pay off.
At Adam Clark Fitness, that’s exactly what we focus on—helping you build the habits that will keep you active, capable, and thriving for years to come.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your fitness journey, we’re here to help. Let’s get stronger together.