A really strong feminist Professor of politics and women's studies Jean Grossholtz won a silver medal at the 1994 Gay Games, and considered training for the 1998 games as a wrestler. She still works out in Kendall several times a week.
While professor of politics and women's studies Jean Grossholtz is best known as a teacher, scholar, and social activist, there is more to her than meets the eye--literally. Beneath the characteristically baggy clothes of the sixty-nine-year-old, craggy-featured Grossholtz is a body that has been toned through weight training. Although she is a familiar figure to those who pump iron at Kendall, few other members of the Mount Holyoke community may be aware that an award-winning body builder is in their midst.
Believing she was clumsy and unathletic, Grossholtz did not become involved in sports until she reached the age of fifty or so. At that point, concern about remaining healthy as she aged prompted her to begin playing softball and, later, to help form the Hot Flashes, a now-legendary softball team for which she still serves as pitcher. Over the years, coaching from her teammates helped Grossholtz gain confidence in her athletic abilities.
Consequently, when a member of the Hot Flashes suggested that Grossholtz participate in the 1994 Gay Games as a body builder, she said "why not?" Grossholtz had always thought that body building seemed "fun" and then, at the age of sixty-five, seemed as good a time as any to give the sport a try. Although she began body building largely as a lark, Grossholtz ultimately became fairly serious about her training, while retaining a sense of humor about her participation in the games.
After consulting with MHC head athletic trainer Ellen Perrella, who helped develop a training routine, Grossholtz began yoga and strength training. With the games only ten months away, time was of the essence, so she spent about an hour in the gym each day and cut back on fat in her diet. Grossholtz soon found that she was increasing muscle mass and feeling more energetic than she had in years. Perrella remains impressed with Grossholtz's determination. "Although Jean came to me for help, I think I learned more about mental attitude and discipline from her than she learned about body building from me," she commented. "Jean showed me that you can do anything that you set out to do."
The day of the competition dawned, and Grossholtz and several friends journeyed to New York for the big event. During a preliminary round, Grossholtz was a bit unnerved to learn that the other competitors were in their fifties, since no one else in her age group had entered. However, once she was on stage, her body covered with grease and one of her favorite Dolly Parton tunes blaring, Grossholtz found herself posing and flexing with confidence. The crowd went wild, and she placed second out of three contestants. The next day, before a packed house at Madison Square Garden, Grossholtz again received a fantastic response and came away from the competition with a silver medal. "Everyone seemed so empowered to see an older person out there doing this," she noted. "That was the best part of the whole thing for me."
Not one to rest on her laurels, Grossholtz still practices yoga and works out three days a week. She was considering training for the 1998 games as a wrestler, but has been hampered by a hip injury and unable to find anyone to teach her the sport. Yet there seems to be no shortage of challenges ahead. Over the next few years, she plans to try stand-up comedy, writing mysteries, and producing her autobiography while touring the country in her new RV. For Jean Grossholtz, life may begin (again) at seventy.
![[Index]](../index3.gif){kind=small}