
My client and friend, JoAnn Sampson, a vibrant 83-year-old, is not only a mother of three, grandmother of three, but also a great grandmother of three. Retiring in 2000 after 35 years of teaching with the Miami Dade County Public School system, she renewed her teaching certificate for another 5 years due to her love for education. At 62, she embarked on a new path, becoming a senior athlete and joining the senior games in 2002, specializing in the 50m, 100m, and 200m sprints. Despite an impressive career, her last year involved overcoming a heel injury and the loss of her longtime coach and love, John F. Her recent gold medals at the Florida Senior Games State Championships mark a historic comeback, demonstrating her resilience and determination. As we celebrate Black History Month, I honor JoAnn Sampson, a remarkable African American woman who overcame adversity and continues to inspire. Happy Black History Month!
-From Marcel Desir (Personal Trainer)
My Journey Across the United States - All the National Senior Games I've Attended
Hamptons Road, Virginia 2003
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 2005
Louisville, Kentucky 2007
San Francisco, California 2009
Houston, Texas 2011
Cleveland, Ohio 2013
Bloomington, Minneapolis 2015
Birmingham, Alabama 2017
Albuquerque, New Mexico 2019
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 2022
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 2023