Super-Fit at 71: What “Golden Bachelor” Contestant Diane Firmani Can Teach Us About Staying Young

Diane Firmani isn’t your average 71-year-old. The retired librarian from Alaska plays ice hockey, competes in triathlons, and even bikes the snowy Iditarod trail for fun. And this year, she added another unexpected adventure: joining the cast of The Golden Bachelor.

She applied “as a lark” a few years after her husband passed — and found a group of women who were just as active, energized, and committed to living fully as she is.

“All the women were physically fit there,” Diane says. “It was a common thread.”

And honestly? That tracks. People who stay active also tend to stay social, optimistic, and open to new experiences — whether that’s auditioning for reality TV or signing up for a race they’re not quite ready for.

Here are a few of Diane’s simple, powerful reminders about staying vibrant well into your later decades:

1. Move with friends who lift you up.

Diane says being around other active women made everything more fun — and kept everyone showing up. Community is fuel. At Fitness Options Personal Training Studio, that’s the magic we see every day: the people around you matter just as much as the workout itself. Whether you try personal training with a friend (2:1 Buddy Training), participate in our Small Group Training, or are just held accountable by your personal trainer and others around you, everyone at Fitness Options will lift you up!

2. “Sign up and show up.”

Diane's motto is simple: commit to something, then honor that commitment. Register for the spring 5K, join a fitness class, book the training session… and follow through. You’ll build confidence and good habits faster than you think, and you might even discover something you love.

3. Confidence is a side effect of exercise.

Diane recently traveled to Hawaii for her son’s wedding and felt great about how she looked and carried herself. That’s one of the underrated perks of consistent movement — it shows up in your posture, your energy, how you look in your clothes, and your willingness to step into joyful moments.

And while staying active through Alaska’s cold, dark winters isn’t easy, Diane keeps her perspective grounded:

“Everything is a choice. You can be miserable, or you can get out there and enjoy it.”

That mindset works anywhere — Vermont included.

If you want to feel younger, more confident, and more capable of saying “yes” to the things that make life fun, we’re here to help. Whether you’re just getting started or leveling up, Fitness Options Personal Training Studio is the perfect place to find your people, move with purpose, and build the strength that keeps you young.