Evelyn Cook was raised in a bustling, multigenerational household in Indianapolis, Indiana, where her grandparents raised 13 children and helped raise 14 grandchildren. As a child, she was a competitive and active tomboy, running, biking, and finding her stride on the track. Known as “Super Cricket” for her long legs, she was encouraged by her coach to take on hurdles. Evelyn attended the University of Utah, where she worked as an athletic trainer for the football team and practiced sports massage.

Later, Evelyn became a mother of five and devoted herself to raising her family, stepping away from her athletic identity for more than two decades. Over time, she lost both confidence and physical health, eventually reaching a point where even stepping off her front porch was painful. When her son was scouted as a runner late in high school, Evelyn made a quiet but powerful decision: to support him, she needed to move too. What began as a short walk to the bottom of her front stairs grew into neighborhood walks, then running again after a 24-year break. At 50, Evelyn set a goal to compete in track and field at the Huntsman World Senior Games. She is now a passionate advocate for movement and credits the Games with saving her life. Her motto: “Successful people do what others won’t.”

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Ronnie Figueroa has not had an easy life full of confidence. However, in his fifties, after hitting rock-bottom, he made the conscious choice to break through his insecurities and challenges and transformed his life from the inside out. At 69, Ronnie stepped into the world of DEKA Strong, a high-intensity, 10-event fitness challenge under Spartan, and placed third in the world in his age group, all after years away from athletic competition. Now at 72, he is no longer on any medications and channels his energy into indoor rowing and senior athletics while dedicating his life to helping others heal through a four-fold way of life as a holistic therapist. After overcoming addiction, serious health challenges, and a near-death experience, Ronnie now teaches a powerful message: it’s never too late to believe in yourself, rebuild your life, and thrive.

Learn more about Ronnie on his website at ronniefigueroa.com.

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Mike Kelley has played basketball his entire life, and his passion for the game has only grown stronger with age. A former college athlete at Fort Lewis College, he now competes at the highest level of senior athletics, helping lead Geezer Nation to multiple 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 championships at the Florida Senior Games, the Huntsman World Senior Games, and the National Senior Games. He has also played with and against elite NBA talent and represented the U.S. internationally through Federation of International Maxibasketball in Greece.

After a hip replacement and a period of personal struggle, Mike rebuilt his health and is now six years sober, using basketball as both motivation and outlet. Off the court, he spent 15 years as an elementary teacher and 5 as an assistant principal, and now works in senior care with his wife, helping older adults maintain independence and setting an example for his two kids.

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