Member: Martha Stewart-Arradondo
Featured: Spring 2023 cover story
Life continues to be busy for Spring 2023 thrive. cover feature Martha Stewart-Arradondo. She is still working as a corporate meetings and events planner, serving as a Swim Assistant at the newly constructed V3 Center, and even competing in swim meets nationwide. She is also excited to launch the Ebony Mermaids, a swim club for Black women, at the V3 Center.
Last year, Martha’s impact on local sports was recognized when she received the Breaking Barriers Award at the 2024 National Girls & Women in Sport Day, which honors individuals and groups for their contributions to girls’ and women’s sports in Minnesota. We recently caught up with her to discuss how she’s continuing to stay active and how seniors can maintain motivation.
thrive.: What are you doing these days to keep active? Are you still participating in swimming competitions?
Martha: I’m actually on my way to Atlanta to swim in the Diversity in Aquatics swim meet — it’s all of the Historically Black Colleges, and it’s at Morehouse. I’m swimming three events: the 100-meter backstroke, the 50-meter backstroke and the 50-meter freestyle. I’m also on the Minnesota Masters board and still actively competing.
I just finished my golf season — I started an African American women’s golf group 15 years ago, called Black Women on Course. I’m also playing pickleball and hope to learn how to water ski this summer.
thrive.: The V3 Center completed Phase One of its construction last year. Can you share more about the project and the goals you have for it?
Martha: Our goals are based on V3’s goals. My goal is to get Ebony Mermaids going and to get the hydrotherapy pool going, because it’s one of only three in the city.
Phase Two is where we’re going to have the 50-meter pool, because this pool we have now — we call it the learning pool — is 25 meters. The 50-meter pool was used in the Olympic trials in Omaha two years ago. They’ll also have around four basketball courts, a track, and they’ll have seating capacity for big swim meets. It’s just an unbelievable plan for that property.
thrive.: What advice do you have for other seniors who want to get involved in new activities but are hesitant to start?
Martha: Well, it’s like that old saying — it’s never too late to learn. You might have to push yourself and find different things, and there are different resources out there for seniors to get involved. But you have to know: it’s mind and body. You’ve got to get your mind focused on doing something.
Sometimes you have to force yourself, and it’s good if you have somebody to do it with. Families should also try to motivate their seniors. I think getting involved with younger people can motivate you too — you don’t always have to find someone your age to stay motivated.
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