The 90 Year Old Run Coach
Georgeta's company, and her cakes, improve the wellbeing of her care home run coaches
August 04, 2025
How does a 90 year old in a care home become a running coach? We call the isolated older people we support our ‘coaches’. They give us a reason to run, walk and cycle and so, become our coach.
Finding the right coach for you
Unsually, Georgeta has 2 coaches, Ms D* and Ms W*. Ms D, is in her 90s, living in a care home and loves sharing stories from her childhood, they fascinate Georgeta so much so she regularly braves poor weather to cycle from Maidenhead to Windsor to visit.
Visiting Ms D and Ms W gives Georgeta a sense of purpose and fulfilment
Ms W on the other hand is visually impaired and has mobility issues - Georgeta has become her window into the world. Ms W is always excited to hear what Georgeta gets up to with GoodGym. Georgeta finding the process immensely rewarding and relishes the opportunity to brighten Ms W’s day with tales of her good deeds.
Georgeta says her visits offer a sense of purpose and fulfilment that allows her to reflect on what GoodGym is all about: doing good.
Building a relationship
Despite being able to visit less, Ms D says how relieved she is to have a friend in Georgeta - someone willing to sit and listen even when it's not easy. She described Georgeta as a friend in a time she desperately needs one. Ms D struggles with her memory and on occasion, can't place exactly who Georgeta when she arrives. Georgeta says her visits are about being present for someone that needs it rather than talking world news, as is often the case with Ms W.
Georgeta visits Ms W every week. They talk about what’s happening in the world, in Georgeta’s life, and their shared love of animals. But there's another reason the pair look forward to their catch ups... cake! Georgeta, fonding known to many as 'The Cake Lady' thanks to Ms W, is an avid baker, rarely visiting without something sweet to share.
Sadly, Ms W’s memory isn’t what it used to be yet she constantly impresses Georgeta with her ability to recall details about Georgeta’s life and hobbies - like running and photography. Their conversations flow easily and time often runs away from the pair.
The impact of GoodGym coach visits
Georgeta knows her visits make an immeasurable difference to Ms D and Ms W. Not just because they say so, but because of the genuine connection, gratitude and positively she feels at the end of every visit.
Georgeta knows her visits make an immeasurable difference
When asked why she does it, Georgeta recalls she was unable to be there for her father after her mother passed away - Georgeta living in the UK and her family in Romania. Georgeta says her visits allow her to reflect on her own life, allowing her to recognise how fortunate she is to be happy, healthy and surrounded by people who care. Georgeta strongly recommends everyone do a Social Visit because of how rewarding they are, stating they give her a sense of pride, satisfaction, fulfilment and perspective unlike anything else.
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*GoodGym works with vulnerable people and so has protected their identity