NASHVILLE, Tenn. — For Sandra Elliott, becoming Ms. Tennessee Senior America 2026 wasn’t simply about earning a crown. It was the culmination of a lifetime spent overcoming self-doubt, changing her relationship with health, and proving that some of life’s biggest accomplishments can happen well after retirement.

The Mt. Juliet resident, retired educator, wife and grandmother spent decades believing she simply had to accept many of the physical changes that came with aging.

“I had struggled with being 20 to 30 pounds overweight my entire teen and adult life,” Elliott said. “I had done every diet and every exercise program out there with little to some success.”

As she entered her 60s, she began experiencing aching joints, inflammation, weight gain around her midsection and declining energy. Like many women, she assumed it was simply part of getting older.

“I thought, ‘Well, this is just what happens,’ because I saw it happen to my mom,” she said.

That mindset changed after discovering research on healthy aging and strength training for women. Inspired to invest in her long-term health rather than simply lose weight, Elliott committed herself to a new wellness journey centered on nutrition, daily movement and resistance training.

She began walking every morning but soon realized building strength would require more.

“I knew I had to build muscle,” Elliott said.

After visiting several local gyms, she ultimately chose Planet Fitness in Mt. Juliet.

“It was the cleanest and brightest facility I visited,” she said. “The employees were friendly and welcoming, and it truly is a Judgment Free Zone®. I don’t wear makeup and often don’t even fix my hair before I go, and no one cares.”

She also appreciated the variety of equipment, recovery amenities and, most importantly, having access to Certified Fitness Trainer Robert Jackson Jr.

“When Sandra first joined, what stood out immediately was her determination,” Jackson said. “She knew exactly what goal she wanted to reach.”

Jackson brings his own story of perseverance to his role as a trainer. After being diagnosed with kidney failure in 2019 and spending four years on dialysis, he received a kidney transplant in 2023. His experience deepened his passion for fitness and helping others improve their health, ultimately leading him to become a certified trainer at Planet Fitness.

Rather than following a generic workout plan, Jackson worked with Elliott to develop a personalized fitness program tailored to her goals.

“We sat down and discussed what she wanted to accomplish, and together we created a written workout plan,” he said.

Today, Elliott follows a consistent routine focused on cardiovascular endurance and strength training. She typically spends one day completing incline treadmill work followed by upper-body resistance exercises, then returns later in the week for StairMaster intervals and lower-body strength training.

Over the course of the past year, that consistency has transformed far more than the number on the scale.

“I first noticed my muscles,” Elliott said. “I could actually see them in my arms and shoulders and truly feel them in my legs. I noticed I could go up stairs without getting winded. I had more energy, more stamina and overall just felt stronger and leaner.”

She has now lost 32 pounds, dropped from a size 12-14 to a size 6-8, eliminated the joint pain and inflammation that once plagued her and says she sleeps better than she has in years.

Working with Jackson also helped fine-tune her strength, mobility and exercise technique.

“We’ve talked about fitness and women’s health multiple times,” Elliott said. “He has helped me with my cardio targets, my form and exercises using the TRX Suspension Trainers.”

Jackson believes Elliott’s transformation sends an important message. “Anyone can start at any age,” he said.

His philosophy with older adults focuses first on education.

“I like to show people around the gym, explain the equipment, talk about why strength and mobility are so important, then create a workout program they feel confident doing,” he said.

For Elliott, the physical transformation became the foundation for another lifelong dream.

Growing up, she watched the Miss America Pageant every year with her family.

“Just like every little girl watching, I wanted to be Miss America,” she said. “But I was the chubby kid. I never fit the mold of a pageant girl, so I never entered one.”

That changed after an acquaintance encouraged her to compete in the Ms. Wilson County Senior Pageant shortly after turning 60.

She won.

Her success led her to the Ms. Tennessee Senior America competition, where she placed third and earned the Miss Congeniality award during her first appearance. The following year, she finished as first runner-up.

Rather than becoming discouraged, Elliott viewed each competition as an opportunity to improve.

“I decided it was my time,” she said. “So I went to work on my fitness, my interview skills, my pageant walk, my philosophy of life and my gowns.”

Fitness became one of the biggest differences heading into her third attempt.

“Working out gave me a confidence in my appearance that I never thought I would have at 63,” she said. “Even though there are some ‘saggy’ parts of my body, I’m not embarrassed by them because I’m healthy and in shape.”

Her workouts even became part of her pageant preparation.

“Walking on the treadmill wasn’t just cardio, it gave me time to practice my pageant walk,” Elliott said. “And as an opera singer, working out helped improve my breath control and consistency.”

This year, that preparation paid off.

Elliott captured the title of Ms. Tennessee Senior America 2026 and will represent Tennessee this October at the national Ms. Senior America Pageant in Atlantic City.

The title carries deeper meaning than a crown.

“My platform is ‘Aging with Purpose: Wellness, Potential and Possibility at Every Stage of Life,'” Elliott said. “Everywhere I go, I want to empower seniors to maintain good health, discover new passions and live with purpose.”

She believes retirement should be viewed as a beginning rather than an ending.

“I’ve found and shared with anyone who will listen that retirement and being over 60 can actually be the best time of our lives,” she said. “We’re not done after 60. If we work to keep our bodies and minds healthy, we can have quality life to the very end.”

Her advice for anyone who believes it’s too late to begin exercising is simple.

“It is never too late to start working out,” Elliott said. “Strength training helps us stay independent, stronger and safer. It improves balance, protects our bones, reduces fall risk and helps us enjoy a better quality of life. Why would anyone say no to those benefits?”

As she prepares to compete on the national stage this fall, Elliott hopes her story inspires others to stop putting limits on themselves.

“I truly believe confidence and hard work helped me win this pageant,” she said. “I’m honored to represent Tennessee, but even more honored if my journey encourages someone else to believe that their best years may still be ahead of them.”

Planet Fitness Mt. Juliet is open and staffed Monday: 5:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., Tuesday through
Thursday: midnight to midnight, Friday: midnight to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Free fitness training is included in all memberships.

To learn more, visit their website or call (615) 988-5400.

Author: Tala Shatara