Active seniors, aged 70 and above, have no regrets in life, being healthier, happier, and sharper at any age.
The phrase "70 is the new 50" was popularized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2025, citing research that showed a person's physical and cognitive abilities have improved significantly over the decades, making 70-year-olds today as healthy and sharp as 53-year-olds were in the year 2000. The IMF used this phrase to support its argument that older workers should be encouraged to work longer to help offset the economic challenges of an aging global population.
PICKLEBALL
Pickleball originated in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, when Congressman Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell improvised a game for their bored children. They used a badminton court, wooden paddles, and a plastic ball to create a fun activity. Barney McCallum helped develop the game's simple rules for inclusivity and accessibility. Bill Gates has been playing pickleball for 50 years; his dad knew the inventors of the sport.
David Robert Lambert, known to his students as “Coach Dave” and to friends as "Pickleball Dave," is proof that a passion for the game can grow from playing ping-pong in his family's basement to the kitchen (non-volley zone) line when playing pickleball. In the heart of Maryland’s thriving pickleball scene, Dave stands out not for winning tournaments but for tenacity, patience, and a knack for turning newcomers into confident players.
Dave’s love for racquet sports traces to his childhood ping-pong battles. “My father never played down to us,” Dave recalls. “I didn’t beat him until I was 35!” That relentless, practice-driven attitude shows through in how he lives his life. He found ping-pong always nearby and more accessible than tennis, laying down a foundation of eye-hand coordination and strategy that translated naturally once he encountered pickleball in 2017.
Encouraged by his wife’s coworker, Dave showed up at the Montgomery County Rec Center on Falls Road. He quickly discovered that the thrill of a perfectly placed shot and the camaraderie of quick-fire rallies matched everything he’d loved about ping-pong, but on a larger stage.
The sport swept him up instantly. “I immediately became attached to the game and quickly became an assistant volunteer coach at the Potomac Rec Center,” Dave says. He began playing several times a week on indoor courts. During the pandemic, he played outdoors at Stepanek Park in Rockville, building his skill while drawing on decades of teaching experience in both sports and the tech industry. The pandemic years only intensified his passion; by 2024, with pickleball exploding from 3.1 million players nationwide in 2017 to nearly 20 million, Dave joined Dill Dinkers, a fast-growing indoor pickleball franchise, and became a certified coach. “I’m not especially competitive; I play pickleball to have fun and get some exercise,” he admits. Whether he is eliminated in the Maryland State Senior Olympics by nationally ranked players or teaching clinics for beginners, his energy is infectious, and his lessons are built on encouragement and technique.
Dill Dinkers, a national franchise with a mission to “spread the joy of pickleball,” is the perfect match for Dave’s style. His clinics blend instruction with insight drawn from nearly every stage of his life: patience for learners, tenacity honed from playing ping-pong, and a simple enjoyment of the sport. “It’s nice to have someone else pay me to get my exercise,” he jokes. But more than that, Dave finds purpose in fostering the same lively community that first drew him to the game, fulfilling a lifelong thread as both student and teacher.
According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), pickleball is experiencing growth across all age groups, with notable increases in both youth (ages 6-17) and seniors (65+). Coach Dave found an Eyewitness News ABC7, New York, story in which Stacey Sager reported that Joe Gaeta, a 96-year-old World War II veteran, is teaching pickleball to his fellow seniors.
With plans to help even more players discover the finesse of a soft dink, the thrill of a sharp volley, and the joy of the game, Pickleball Dave is truly living proof that it’s never too late to pick up a paddle and play.
When not playing pickleball or writing articles for Potomac Lifestyle Magazine, "Chef Da-Vid" enjoys cooking in his and his wife Deborah's kitchen, equipped with a 6-burner Viking gas range and a Sub-Zero refrigerator.
VOLLEYBALL
Jo Ann Pessagno is a standout athlete who has made her mark playing volleyball in the Senior Olympics, also known as the National Senior Games. At 74 years old and standing five feet tall, she exemplifies the spirit and enduring athleticism that defines senior sports. Pessagno first began playing volleyball at age 32 and has gone on to become a national champion, demonstrating remarkable dedication throughout her decades on the court.
Jo Ann has competed in multiple Senior Olympic events, including the Volleyball Women's 70+ and 73+ divisions, earning top placements with her teams such as Volley-Hi in Wilmington, Delaware; Keystone Electric in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Texas Ladybug in Lometa, Texas. Her teams have consistently finished in respectable positions, including fourth and fifth place in recent National Senior Games competitions.
She resides in Rockville, Maryland, and has balanced her volleyball career with professional work as a Community Association Manager, showing versatility and commitment in multiple areas of her life. Jo Ann represents the vitality, determination, and camaraderie found in senior athletics, offering a model of lifelong fitness and perseverance.
TENNIS
Michael Morgenstern proves that age is just a number when it comes to chasing your dreams and staying active. After turning 70, Michael didn’t slow down. Instead, he picked up his tennis racket and kept competing on a world stage. He has won bronze medals in the famous Maccabiah Games in Israel, first in the Men’s 65 division, and again in the Men’s 70 division several years later.
Michael’s love for tennis started with his father and continued with his own family. Even after taking a long break from the sport for work and raising children, he came back stronger than ever. Michael’s son, Akira, shares his passion for tennis. They have played together as a father-son team and even walked into an Israeli stadium side-by-side when they both competed at the Maccabiah Games. For Michael, being able to compete at such a high level alongside his son is truly special. It’s a moment he always dreamed about.
The road hasn’t always been easy. During a key match, Michael considered quitting after hurting his ankle. But his son, who was cheering from the sidelines, told him to take a medical break. Thanks to that advice, Michael kept playing and helped his team win the bronze medal that year.
Michael and his son, Akira (captain of Georgetown (‘25) men’s tennis team) play USTA national tournaments. In 2024, they won a silver ball in the National Senior Men’s Father-Son Tournament. They are currently ranked #6 in the country.
Today, Michael trains at the Edgemoor Club in Bethesda, Maryland, where he enjoys challenging workouts and the chance to meet fellow athletes his age. He has balanced a legal career, family life, and his love for sport, showing that determination can help anyone achieve their dreams, no matter how old they are. Michael’s story shows what’s possible when you never give up and always keep moving forward.
EXERCISE
At 77, Sharron Silva maintains an exercise routine that might rival those half her age. Each week, she attends Pilates four or five times, takes Zumba classes twice, and walks two miles through her neighborhood whenever the weather allows.
Her fitness journey began at 73 when her daughter encouraged her to try Pilates. What started as curiosity quickly evolved into a passion. “I thought Pilates might be too hard for me,” she says, “but I discovered it actually gives me energy and makes me feel capable.” She enjoys the variety of classes, taking level-one sessions to refine her form and more advanced classes to challenge her strength. The supportive instructors and welcoming studio atmosphere keep her motivated.
Zumba adds a lively balance to her week with a burst of music, movement, and fun. “It’s impossible not to smile when you’re dancing,” Sharron says. “The music lifts my spirits, and the group energy keeps me going.”
Beyond the workouts, Sharron has noticed lasting improvements in her posture, balance, and confidence. She moves with ease and feels years younger. Her story shows that vitality isn’t defined by age. It’s a mindset, fueled by movement and joy.
Deborah Lambert was having back pain and went to see a physical therapist. They prescribed core-strengthening exercises, which she is now doing faithfully. No special equipment was needed except for a resistance band and a soft rug or exercise mat. In addition to the stretching exercises, she, like Sharron, walks through her neighborhood most days.
Deborah’s renewed commitment to core-strengthening exercises has brought meaningful changes. She said, “After a few months of doing the exercises, the pain in my back was totally gone.” She proves that consistency and willingness to try new approaches are key to staying active, regardless of age.
Whether it’s pickleball, volleyball, tennis, Pilates, Zumba, or any other activity, staying physically active helps seniors maintain muscle tone, flexibility, and independence. Exercise boosts mood, improves balance, and keeps daily life vibrant. That’s proof that it’s never too late to embrace health and vitality at any age, and that every walk around the block or stretch on the living room rug is a step toward a stronger, happier future.
Sharron said, "I would love it if this article encourages someone to try to increase their exercise schedule. I see so many older people who could be doing better if they moved more. And it can be so much fun!"
Bill Gates has been playing pickleball for 50 years.
PICKLEBALL
Pickleball originated in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, when Congressman Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell improvised a game for their bored children.
VOLLEYBALL
Volleyball, initially called Mintonette, originated in 1895 when YMCA physical education director William G. Morgan created the game as a less physically demanding alternative to basketball.
TENNIS
Tennis was introduced to America in 1874. The game quickly gained popularity among the upper echelon of society. The United States National Lawn Tennis Association was founded on May 21, 1881. After dropping "National" in 1920 and "Lawn" in 1975, it is now called the USTA.