88-year-old living life to its fullest

Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio USA
Monday, October 29, 2007

88-year-old living life to its fullest 

By Jewell Cardwell Beacon Journal columnist

This exercise instructor is treated like a rock star 
Legally blind man teaches six classes a week at Falls Natatorium 

John Schadl isn't invincible. 

No one is. 

But Schadl is as close to it as anyone I've encountered in a while. 

Follow along with me as I rattle off his remarkable resume and see if you don't 
agree. 

I caught up yes, literally with the personable Schadl at the Natatorium in 
Cuyahoga Falls earlier this week where he is not only a fixture but also 
celebrated like a rock star. And with good reason. 

That's because Schadl who will turn 89 Thursday is living out his second act as 
an exercise instructor. 

He teaches six classes a week; has done so for the past 12 years with no plans 
of slowing down. 

As if that's not amazing enough, Schadl known around the gym as ''The Man'' has 
had two heart attacks and a stroke and is legally blind. Diagnosed five years 
ago with macular degeneration, he could have parked himself in an easy chair. 

Not John Schadl. 

''I can't drive, watch TV or read anymore,'' Schadl said. 

Even so, Schadl of Akron who would rather count his blessings is up and out 
early. He takes Metro Regional Transit's SCAT bus to and from work three days a 
week and another two days just to work out for himself. 

Clearly, it's a regimen that's paying big dividends. 

''I always tell people 'I don't exercise to live a longer life. I exercise to 
lead a fuller life,''' Schadl said . 

He shared his philosophy: ''Hey, we're like cars. Sooner or later a part or two 
is bound to wear out.'' 

Schadl's ''Silver Strength'' classes average 30 to 40 people; the age range is 
40 to 80. 

Penny Robinson of Cuyahoga Falls has been a regular in Schadl's class since 
May. 

''He's remarkable!'' the 59-year-old Robinson said. ''I just love coming to his 
class. 

''The first time I came to the class he told me I'd be working 66 different 
muscles, and he said I would be worn out. He was right. My body did hurt at the 
beginning.'' 

Warren Deist of Akron who often assists Schadl in class and has only good 
things to say about him laughingly refers to himself as ''the junior member'' 
at 84. 

Before landing the Natatorium job, Schadl had similar stints at other venues: 
12 years at the former Coliseum in Richfield, and jobs at The Chapel and Akron 
Jewish Center. 

He got the job at the ''Nat'' after one of the facility's movers and shakers 
observed him jumping rope during an American Heart Association benefit. 

By the way, John Schadl's first act included 40 years in the machine shop at 
Akron Standard Mold where he started at ''30 cents an hour; $12.40.'' 

''After paying $5 a week for a room and a dollar a month for bus fare, we had 
the rest to splurge on,'' Schadl said of himself and Donna, his wife of 69 
years. 

''When I decided to retire, I read somewhere that it's best to retire to 
something, not away from something,'' Schadl said. 

So, he fell back on what he's known and enjoyed all of his life: exercise. 

''From the time I was 12 years old, I ran five miles every morning,'' Schadl 
shared with the high energy those close to him have come to expect. 

Schadl has always loved athletics; never content with being just a spectator. 

The Akron South High School grad and Navy veteran played football (he was a 
quarterback) and boxed from 1934-36, winning four Golden Gloves championships 
and the boxing match at Camp Perry in 1935. 

And he played baseball fast pitch for 60 years. 

By the way Schadl, who is 5 feet 4 still weighs what he weighed back in high 
school: 135 pounds. 

If John Schadl ever wondered if his eyesight might be a factor in keeping his 
job, he ought to find great solace in a recent conversation he had with Karyn 
L. Petty, the Natatorium's program supervisor. 

''As long as people can see you, you'll always have a job here. You don't have 
to see them,'' a beaming and very reassured Schadl quoted her as saying. 

Truer words were never spoken. 

Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or 
jcardwell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
 

http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/family/10856776.html?page=all&c=y
BlindNews Mailing List
Subscribe: BlindNews-Request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "subscribe" as subject

Unsubscribe: BlindNews-Request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "unsubscribe" as subject

Moderator: BlindNews-Moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Archive: http://GeoffAndWen.com/blind

RSS: http://GeoffAndWen.com/BlindNewsRSS.asp

More information about RSS feeds will be published shortly.

Other related posts: