83-Year-Old Defies Age, Stays Fit at The Barclay at SouthPark

Ron Nordmann and his wife Beverly moved to The Barclay at SouthPark, a luxury senior living community, in Charlotte, North Carolina, ten months ago. The move hasn't caused the 83-year-old former college football player to skip even a beat in maintaining his lifelong commitment to fitness.

"I'm still the same weight I was in high school," says Nordmann, who works out with a personal trainer three days a week and runs four to five miles on a treadmill two days a week.

Before retiring 25 years ago, Nordmann worked as an equity analyst on Wall Street and then started his own healthcare hedge fund, which is still going strong.

"I'm pleased to say it's a great success," he says. "I'm going to New York next week to celebrate its 30th anniversary."

The couple retired first to Naples, Florida, but moved to North Carolina to be near one of their daughters who lives in Charlotte. Their other daughter lives in the Chicago area.

The Nordmanns are residents in independent living at The Barclay. Briar Creek Health Center, located on-site, offers assisted living, memory support, respite care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing.

Staying fit has always been Nordmann's passion. He played Division Three football at his alma mater, Johns Hopkins University.

Later, he became involved in running and walking and participated in half-marathons and other races around the country.

Today, Nordmann works out at the Fairmeadows Swim & Racquet Club, which is adjacent to The Barclay at SouthPark, and which residents use at no additional charge.

When he started doing his workout routine at The Barclay, Nordmann says he needed some equipment he had been accustomed to using, such as BOSU Ball, a TRX machine and stretching bands. His request for the equipment was quickly honored.

"Within a week, everything I'd ordered was in place," Nordmann says. "I was seriously impressed."

Although Nordmann, who prefers to work out on his own with a trainer that he hires himself, doesn't take part in classes, he is impressed with the variety of classes offered by The Barclay, including water aerobics, yoga and balance classes.

He also has high praise for Anna Eagle, the wellness director at The Barclay.

"She's a remarkable person in terms of running activities and classes," he says. "She's the hardest working person I know."

Part of staying fit and healthy is tied to having new experiences, socializing and challenging one's brain. The Nordmanns both participate in various other activities offered at The Barclay.

"Just last week, we took a boat trip on Lake Norman," he says. "And we do a lot of restaurant trips. You sign up, get on a bus provided by The Barclay, and you get to try some of the good restaurants in the area."

He says The Barclay's location is also ideal for finding new places to eat out.

"The SouthPark area of Charlotte is beautiful, and it's really convenient," he says.

While his focus is on physical fitness, he notes that Beverly participates regularly in Mah Jong.

"She's a Mah Jong specialist," Nordmann says. "She teaches it on Tuesdays and plays it three days a week. She's very active in that."

The couple also participates in a Senior Scholars program in which they and other residents attend via Zoom or go in person to hear lecturers speak on various topics at a local university.

"We go early so we can have coffee and visit with our neighbors," he says.

Another activity that Nordmann recently dove into was the Senior Olympics, an annual event in which residents participate in a friendly, fun-fueled competition in various athletic and mental endeavors such as speed walking in water, poker, billiards and cornhole.

Nordmann won a gold medal in a half mile walk and six silver and bronze medals in poker and other contests.

While working out is a habit for him, he says any resident—no matter their age or fitness level—can, with the help of The Barclay, get started on their own fitness journey customized to their own needs and interests.

"I'd call Anna Eagle," he says. "She’s a great teacher."

The Barclay at SouthPark

The Barclay at SouthPark is a Life Plan Community located on a picturesque campus in Charlotte, North Carolina—named as one of "America's 100 Best Places to Live" by ideal-LIVING Magazine and ranked as one of the "best places to retire in North Carolina" by U.S. News & World Report. The Barclay is conveniently located in the heart of the SouthPark neighborhood, where urban meets suburban. The Barclay offers independent living that supports a vibrant lifestyle for active seniors. Briar Creek Health Center, located onsite, offers assisted living, memory support, respite care, Medicare-certified short-term rehabilitation, and skilled nursing, thus providing a complete continuum of care. The Barclay at SouthPark is owned and operated by Liberty Senior Living, LLC, a division of Liberty Healthcare Management that specializes in senior living and retirement communities. To learn more about The Barclay at SouthPark, visit www.BarclayAtSouthPark.com To learn more about Liberty Senior Living and the communities they offer, please visit www.LibertySeniorLiving.com.