It’s been a while since I interviewed someone for the Women of Grace series, a series on The Age of Grace featuring fabulous ladies over the age of 50 who possess a certain je ne sais quoi. Today, the latest Woman of Grace is Meet Fitness Guru Sheila Agnew McCoy.
You may recall some Women of Grace beauties: my best friend, Cynthia; the singer, Lesley; the seamstress, Anita; the minister of style, Cathy; and the former model pilot, Sheree.
Sheila fits the Women of Grace profile. She is a woman of faith, over 50, and aging gracefully. She’s fit, healthy, and fabulous. Sheila Agnew McCoy is a Chicago native currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband; they have five adult children.
This feature is another virtual connection. Let’s get up close and personal with Sheila, shall we?
I see you have a lifestyle blog, Sheila’s Fit 50 Plus, and a plethora of senior and women’s fitness certifications. Has fitness always been your vocation?
I am a certified personal trainer, senior fitness specialist, and women’s fitness specialist. Fitness has always been a part of my adult life. As I grew older, health and fitness became more critical, and I made it a point to exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
In 1999, I was chosen as one of the top ten entries in Heart and Soul magazine from over 400 entries and received recognition with a photo in the January issue 1999-2000. From that feature, the editors of Cooking Light magazine featured me in their magazine, which turned into a 3-4-page spread. I enjoyed the 15 Minutes of Fame, but I liked most that young and older women found inspiration from a woman over 40. That feeling remained dormant as I continued running my business.
My background is in entrepreneurship. I spent over twenty-five years in the special events industry in Chicago and Columbus, Ohio, decorating and planning events. I worked on many projects and was a premier event decorator for events and organizations, both local and national.
I continued in that field until 2007, when I wrote my first book and returned to school for my MBA in business leadership. I did consulting work for a non-profit organization and had a couple of contracts to keep me going in the interim.
In 2010, after a five-year long-distance relationship, I married my sweetheart and moved to Atlanta. In Atlanta, I became a background artist in the thriving entertainment industry. This work led me to obtain representation by an agent. In addition to background work, I have booked local commercials and small acting parts.
I continued my fitness workouts throughout all my lifestyle changes, and after joining a fitness center in 2015, I started introducing some of my friends to the gym. One of the personal trainers who noticed asked me if I had considered being a trainer because the gym had a large older adult clientele. I had not thought about it until his mention. After researching the possibility, I thought it was a great follow-up to what I was already doing. I enrolled in NASM (National Association of Sports Medicine), became certified in January 2016, and started working at the same gym in March at 62.
I also teach group balance and low-impact aerobics at an active adult community center and will produce fitness videos for older adults in 2019. As long as the wheel keeps turning, you can reinvent yourself repeatedly.
You are a silver-haired beauty; I admire how you opted not to color your hair. When did you decide not to wash your gray away?
I started greying in my early twenties. It was a few small strands, so I didn’t pay much attention. By the time I reached my early thirties, my hair had streaks of grey strands mingled evenly into the black strands, which were more of a conversation piece. I received so many compliments; I just never colored it. As time passed, I eventually had a full head of grey hair, and now I just went with the flow. After having long hair all my life, seven years ago, I decided to cut it because it was thinning. As a younger woman, I have always admired women with short, grey hair.
In the early days, I got my inspiration from Nancy Wilson and Camille Cosby, two of the few women who defied Hollywood’s taboo on women with grey hair. While it’s nice to see so many women embracing their grey, I believe women should choose freedom regarding their hair. If natural is your thing, do it naturally. If the weave is your thing, do it artificially. If grey is not your thing, color it. Currently, I switch from straight to curly, depending on the projects I am on, but the color remains grey.
Your blog mentions that you are a breast cancer survivor. First of all, congratulations, what a blessing to live and tell your journey; tell us your story.
When I talk to people about Cancer and Survival, I always let them know that Cancer has no friends. I thought I was living a healthy and fit life, but in December of 2016, I was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. While the news was devastating, because of my education, knowledge, previous support of organizations, and friends’ diagnosis of the disease, I did not panic. I remained steadfast in my faith and asked God how we would handle this challenge. Prayer and faith kept me grounded. I decided on a lumpectomy and radiation treatments. I did not go through my diagnosis and treatment via social media.
That was a personal choice because I wanted to reveal my story in my own way. I had tremendous support and prayer warriors, which I needed. I did not alter my life except for taking two months off from very supportive training clients. I stayed active with yoga and walking, which I attribute to helping me return to my normal activities expediently. I scheduled my radiation appointments in the afternoons to continue training clients after my surgery. I am now a two-year survivor and continue to support organizations and individuals inflicted with breast cancer.
Ironically, I was booked on a commercial print job with the American Cancer Society last spring and an advertisement for wealth management. Upon finding out my survivor status, one director apologized for having me go through some of the reenactments for the commercial. I told him I was proud to be a part of a project that provided education and information to the public, encouraging proper treatment and care.
Sheila, you are a coach, a motivator, and a published author. All About the Vets, A Sharing Experience for Women of Honor, your first book in 2007, and Dear ____, Are You Missing Your Calling in 2013. Do you tell me how these publications came into being?
While living in Columbus, OH, I co-produced a women’s program for ten years. We aim to inspire women in health, education, finance, spirituality, relationships, and professional and career development. We met so many great women and achieved success with our goals. Some of those experiences stood out in my mind, and I was drawn to the women who felt discouraged by their age or some of the circumstances they were involved in with family and careers. This became the impetus for me to write my first book, All About the Vets: A Sharing of Life Experiences for Women of Honor. In this instance, vets depict women with long-life experiences.
I wanted to speak to women, specifically those over 40. I wanted to share inspiration and motivation to encourage them to succeed despite change, challenge, adversity, and age. I wrote about confidence, acceptance, health, relationships, finance, menopause, and dating. The feedback I received was great because women liked reading something that spoke to their experiences.
I am a self-published author and learned a lot through my research of writing and publishing a book. While there are advantages to being picked up by major publishing companies, you are still responsible for many of your marketing and self-promotions.
Fast-forward 2013. The older you get, the closer you understand your purpose and calling. At least, that is what I believe. God extends an invitation for all of us to live a life of use, but sadly, some people express regrets. I wanted to explore the purpose and calling in Dear _____, Are You Missing Your Calling? In doing so, I also gained a deeper understanding of my mission. In this book, I provide a guideline to understanding your calling and invite readers to explore their past and current life events to hopefully gain a greater understanding of the calling in their lives. If the _____fits, fill in your name.
Your website offers graphic tees with the term Mo’ Better. This saying aligns perfectly with your brand. Are you the mojo behind the marketing?
I started using the term Mo’ Better for fun, and it stuck with some people who call me Ms. Mo Better or Mo Better. However, Mo’ Better started with my first book. I used marketing terms like, “You are Mo’ Better than you think you are” or ‘I know better because I am Mo’ Better.” I have some other thing I am working on, but it’s hard shaking my Mo’ Better. Maybe that’s the way it should be.
How would you describe your preferred style? Is there any style or trend you won’t wear?
My mom recently said that I always had flavor with my style. Years ago, she saw a lady on the train platform from a distance and thought her attire stood out. It turned out to be her daughter. I am not over the top or even couture. I love wearing beautiful clothes that make me feel good and accentuate my body type. Borrowing from twentieth-century author Zora Neale Hurston, “Those that don’t get it can’t show it. Those that got it can’t hide it.” My clothes follow the contour of my body.
Because of my work in the last few years, I have worn a lot of workout outfits. I like comfy workout gear I can wear on the street when I leave the gym or for weekend errands. For business meetings, church, or social events, I prefer dresses with prints and color as opposed to pants. I still have an affinity for seventies-style pants and have a collection of bell bottoms (newer versions) with bold prints.
My husband loves to shop for me and selects many of my dresses. His favorite online store is Joseph Ribkoff. He first saw the brand in a boutique at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas several years ago and has been buying them for me ever since. I will come home, and a dress will be on the bed. I named him my stylist.
I’m not a trend or fad buyer of clothes. I prefer quality and still like to shop the racks in stores. I don’t want to look like my granddaughter when I go out, so I won’t wear styles that I know are not age-appropriate, like super short dresses and low-cut tops.
Last summer, I asked one of my granddaughters where she purchased a particular dress. She acted surprised that I didn’t know of the online store where she bought it, so I looked it up. The clothes were too millennial for me, but I did buy four pairs of cute pants. When they arrived, I kept one pair and sent the others back. I know when to stay in my lane.
Although I wear two-piece bikinis on vacation and shorts during summer, I won’t wear booty shorts or string bikinis, regardless of how well I maintain my body. My advice for older women is “Do You.” We all have mirrors in our homes. You represent your brand, so ensure you are appropriate when you walk out the door or post a social media picture.
What are your thoughts on mature women wearing the same fashions as millennials?
I answered most of this in question 6, but some fashions are interchangeable. I think mature women should dress youthfully, not young. For instance, I never considered buying ripped jeans, but my husband convinced me to get a pair when we were out shopping. I have worn them twice, but I don’t feel they’re my style. However, I have seen older women who have styled them and look nice on social media. I’m just not one of them.
Tell me about your beauty routine. Has anything changed over the years? Are there any must-have products or must-do procedures?
My beauty routine is and has always been pretty basic. I understand the importance of caring for your skin, and we should train our daughters in that manner. I cleanse and moisturize my face in the morning and repeat this before I go to bed whether I wear make-up or not. Most days I do not wear make-up, just eyeliner, darken my brows because they are so thin and lipstick. Once a week, I give myself a facial; my primary drink has been water for years. I rarely drink juices or sodas and occasionally wine. Proper hydration helps your skin to glow.
My hair routine is ordinary. I opt for natural products as my hair has thinned quite a bit in the last five years. I’m not good at styling my hair, so I visit a salon twice a month for upkeep. I don’t use much heat on my hair anymore. Generally, I sit under the dryer with shallow heat. Occasionally, I will flat iron my hair when I want to change it. Between salon visits, I use tea tree oil to give it sheen and moisture or wash and go.
Currently, I use Lancome products for my facial regimen, Iman make-up, and John Masters for at-home hair care. I have been researching other products to update my skincare regimen. We may not be able to control some things that come with aging, but drinking lots of water and pampering will undoubtedly help.
Since you book fitness consultations and coach customers, what’s your key to helping clients stay motivated?
My goal with providing fitness training to older adults is to motivate and encourage them to live a better life through complete wellness applications. I assist my clients by helping them feel good about the work they are putting in and always compliment them on their improvements and accomplishments, even the small ones. One client recently told me I give her hope that she can overcome her physical challenge. Some of my clients had or are experiencing physical difficulties such as knee and hip replacements, arthritis, diabetes, and osteoporosis. I prepare for each and understand that training older adults differs from training younger clients.
I know the spouse’s names, children, and even grandchildren. That personal touch helps them when they struggle to get through an exercise. It’s comforting when I can talk about something that matters to them while they are working out. I make my clients feel important. I check on them when they miss appointments or are out due to illness. I was proud when they gave me a doctor’s improvement report. With older adults, it is not always about being body beautiful. They want to look good but, more importantly, feel good.
You have to know what works for your clients, and motivating older adults helps them achieve their goals with confidence.
I captured the scripture, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” from your blog. Tell us how your faith helps to encourage yourself, your clients, family, and friends, especially when they aren’t believers.
Faith is, without a doubt, the number one thing in my life. I am nothing without my faith, and God is the center of my life. My belief in my work, blog, and social media posts is part of who I am. The scripture “I am fearfully and wonderfully made..” is used in my books and on my website. I wake up each morning and ask myself how to make a difference in someone’s life. How and who can I inspire? I ask God to show me the way and lead me to serve others. That’s just who I am. That’s what people see in me. It’s not about me or what I may post or write in a blog or on social media.
Everything I do or write is God inspired. I know some people who are not believers. That does not stop me from speaking of my faith. I hope what I do and how I will inspire others on their journeys. When you walk in the light, the light illuminates. I was created with a purpose—each part of my body is individually designed. I am a unique individual. That way, I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Sheila, thank you for the opportunity to connect and share your faith story with other like-minded women. You can learn more about Sheila by following her blog, Sheila’s Fit 50 Plus, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and Twitter.
Thank you for reading. Have a fabulous week.
