I want to thank everyone for their continued support. Due to a not so balanced work life balance I had taken sometime off. After completing a 50k (31 miles) I have completed a course correction and will be traveling to Manchester, TN to participate in A Race for the Ages. It has the distinction of having an average age in the 60's with oldest participant this year at 90.

My plan over this year is to resume search for the Fountain of Youth. I hope will be willing to take a 1 mile walk with me. #onemilechallenge #weatheredathletesrule #mymilesR4 discovery

Thanks

Pete Barusic

Today I am honored to be joined by Doctor Tamieka Howell or as she is known on the football field “Doc”. At 46 years young may be just out of the normal Weathered Athlete guidelines. But I dare you to find another physician taking up women’s tackle football in her mid 40’s. She offers a great perspective at what it takes to step outside of one’s comfort zone and try something that most may think is crazy. As she said she has been pushing the boundaries her whole life.

To learn more about or help provide financial support please visit www.thecarolinaphoenix.com and the Women's Football Alliance https://wfaprofootball.com

Bio: Born in Phoenix, AZ, Dr. Howell is a board certified family physician. She holds a bachelor's degree in Physiological Sciences from The University of Arizona. She moved to North Carolina for residency training at Moses Cone Family Medicine after completing Medical School at New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY. In her 15 years in clinical practice with Novant Health, she worked in urgent care, served as Lead Clinician, and then started a family medicine practice where she cared for patients from newborn to end of life. She currently works for Wellcare of North Carolina assisting with medical necessity reviews while continuing to see patients part-time with Novant Health. Dr. Howell has several years of experience in advocacy work related to healthcare. She has spent time visiting lawmakers in Raleigh and Washington, DC advocating on behalf of patients, colleagues and the community. She serves on the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Commission on Members and Member Services. Also a past president of the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians, Dr. Howell continues to sit on their board as an alternate delegate to the AAFP Congress of Delegates. She plays defensive end for the Carolina Phoenix women's tackle football team and enjoys swimming, triathlon, tennis and spending time with friends and family.

I am honored to be joined by 83 y/o Jack Welber, I had the pleasure of meeting Jack during a practice open water swim in Boulder 3 weeks ago. He was preparing to participate at Sprint Triathlon Nationals in Milwaukee. He is co-author of Not Dead Yet: World Triathlon Champions 75+ offer tips for thriving & flourishing in later life, available at Amazon and on Audible

Jack graduated from the University of Florida in 1959 with a BA in Economics and a minor in Philosophy. He earned 100% of his college tuition and expenses playing jazz saxophone at college events. After 2 ½ years of military service, Jack began a career in business where he spent 27 years at Johnson & Johnson in middle and upper management. In 2004 at the age of 66, he formed the executive search firm, Wimbledon Group Inc specializing in recruiting oncologists for the pharmaceutical industry. Clients included Pfizer, Bristol Myers, Quintiles and Johnson & Johnson.

Jack’s love of sports started with high school basketball and track and continued throughout his adult working life. He ran 5K’s, 10K’s, half marathons and several full marathons.

Back injuries caused Jack In 2004 to switch to triathlon. He hired a coach and began competing in local events on the west coast of Florida where he lived. Starting in 2012, Jack began competing on a national level and ITU Worlds where he had 7 starts and 3 podium finishes including a win in Rotterdam. With heart felt recognition to his good fortune for genetic inheritance, Jack would humbly like to compete in the 85-89 age group next year in Milwaukee.