Last fall, Blue Goji’s Active Aging Week Challenge wasn’t just about racking up miles. It was a testament to elevating well-being for better living through movement and pushing personal limits. And no one embodied that spirit more than Westminster Bradenton resident Fred Cornell. He excelled, pedaling an incredible 292 miles on a CyberCycle in the community’s fitness center throughout the week.
This remarkable feat not only earned him the top spot among 891 riders but left the second-place finisher a staggering 91 miles behind.
“I was trying to hit 300,” Fred admitted, a testament to his dedication.
Fred’s achievement resonated deeply with the team at Blue Goji. In his honor, they’re launching the “Ride Like Fred Challenge,” kicking off May 12th. This challenge isn’t limited to CyberCycle bikes in senior living communities, it’s open to all Blue Goji riders, spanning gyms, YMCAs, JCCs, schools, universities, hotels and more. This means thousands of individuals, from teenagers to active older adults nationwide, can join in celebrating Fred’s powerful example.
“We would’ve celebrated the winner no matter what, but we weren’t prepared for just how moving Fred’s story would be,” said Kasey Werner, Director of Marketing at Blue Goji.
The driving force behind Fred’s wellness journey and his commitment to such challenges is his wife, Maria. After a car accident left Maria paralyzed from the neck down, she demonstrated incredible resilience in relearning everyday tasks and overcoming immense challenges.
“She’s overcome obstacles in her life, and she inspired me,” Fred said. “Most people give up if they have a condition she had, but she never gave up. She always kept going.”
“All CyberCyclists inspire us with their commitment to staying active and aging well, but Fred raised the bar for what a rider spotlight can be,” Kasey said. “From supporting his wife through decades of paralysis to overcoming his own serious heart health challenges, Fred’s story is one of resilience, love and purpose.”
Fred’s journey to becoming a cycling champion wasn’t always smooth. In the 1990s, while working as a postal worker, he found himself less active and heavier than his younger days. A wake-up call came from his son, a cross-country runner, who cautioned, “Dad, you better start running or you’re going to have a heart attack and die.”
Taking his son’s words to heart, Fred laced up his shoes. “When I started running, I couldn’t even make it around the track,” he recalled. But he persevered, running daily and gradually increasing his distance, eventually shedding almost 70 pounds. “I get obsessed with things like that,” Fred chuckled,” My son got me into it, and I was getting obsessed with it.”
After Maria and Fred relocated to Bradenton from Ohio, Fred continued his running routine, right up until he underwent open-heart surgery in 2012.
“In fact, the day before my surgery, I ran 5 miles,” Fred said. His surgeon even noted that his consistent running had strengthened his heart despite his underlying condition, underscoring the long-term benefits of prioritizing well-being.
Following the surgery, Maria recounted, “The cardiologist told him that it would be good for him to stay in shape.” For both Fred and Maria, incorporating movement into their daily lives has been crucial for their respective recoveries.
“That’s the secret – moving,” Fred said. “You’ve got to keep moving and doing things.”
Now, Fred’s inspiring 292-mile achievement has sparked the “Ride Like Fred Challenge,” running May 12-18. The team at Blue Goji emphasizes that this challenge is about embracing consistency, showing up for yourself and pushing your boundaries, no matter how small the increment.
Fred’s advice to participants is simple yet profound: “Just go slow and keep at it. Take your time and do what you can do.”
Inspired by Fred’s dedication to well-being? At Westminster Communities of Florida, we share that commitment. Our fitness centers feature Blue Goji’s CyberCycle bicycles, along with diverse wellness classes, all focused on your well-being and happiness. Visit WestminsterCommunitiesFL.org to discover the perfect community for your vibrant lifestyle and explore how you can live well and be happy with us.
