My personal trainer is 96-years old.  Twice a week, she runs a 30-minute stretch and strength class using a VHS developed by Steve Michalik over 20 years ago.  It’s called “Fitness after Sixty,” features big band music and mostly chair exercises with weights. You leave feeling better than when you came in. In fact, the participants feel a lot better;  I  conclude that lots of endorphins get released during the actions.

I googled the creator of the program and was sad to learn that he committed suicide last year.  I never found a proper obituary, but the Web contains numerous articles, images, and videos about Mr. Michalik’s career.  He did use steroids and drugs but later gave them up.  But according to one article, he was also stationed in Guam.  At the time I was researching Steve, I read Nod’s post about Agent Orange in Guam and a BVA win for one veteran.   So this father and grandfather, was exposed to many toxins during his lifetime.

Another 2004 article (NYT) said,

“After high school, he volunteered for a tour in Vietnam. While in the Eighth Air Force, he ignored sniper fire and did bench presses in a clearing using a cinder-block barbell.”

That may have been marketing hype but you never know.   At the end of the year, media outlets take note of celebrities who have died.  There has been little attention to Mr. Michalik’s passing outside of boby-building forums.  One wrote:

Steve Michalik Dead at 63
“John DeFendis just confirmed that Steve Michalik has died at the age of 63. He was found by his girlfriend, dead at his home of a self inflicted gunshot wound. He had just recently had a kidney transplant.”

I don’t know if his military service contributed to his decline and demise but regardless, this is sad news.  I’m grateful that he took the time to create an easy but effective low-impact video for seniors.  If you want to exercise your whole body safely, you may be able to find the workout online or in the library.