Meet Our Model
While some people may not be looking forward to their 50s, Jennie Gentry has entered that decade with open arms. Surrounded by the love and support of her family and friends, Gentry is using this time in her life to focus on and strengthen her relationships and celebrate all of the amazing feats her body is still able to achieve. She’s also practicing staying true to herself and embracing a more spiritual journey, all of which have resulted in an increasingly vibrant life.
Photography by Lanewood Studio
HS: What do health and wellness mean to you in this decade of your life?
JG: It means that I am meeting my body where it is. I can still improve in physical fitness if I am willing to show up and do the work. But health and wellness mean more than eating my vegetables and taking the stairs. It’s all about how I treat myself and others. In this season of my life, health and wellness have become more spiritual for sure.
HS: What is your favorite way to practice self-care?
JG: I can nap like a champ, and I try to take one every weekend. I’ve always been able to nap, and I just adore it – it’s something I learned from my dad. I also find a lot of joy in the “nappuccino,” which is a small coffee immediately followed by a 20-minute power nap. By the time I wake up, the caffeine has kicked in, and I feel energized and ready to take on the rest of my day.
HS: What have been your goals for this decade, and how have you worked toward them?
JG: I am running the Chicago Marathon later this year with a dear friend who has been a constant source of encouragement. She inspires me to show up and be the best runner I can be with every workout. Pushing myself means that my body is always changing and evolving, and every race, every mile, and every year has something new in store.
HS: What are your goals for your next decade?
JG: To keep moving forward and spend more time with family. There is no louder laughter than when the Wallace sisters are together.
HS: If you could give one piece of advice to someone about to enter their 50s, what would it be?
JG: Share your talents, mentor with your experience, and freely volunteer your time. Hands are out all around us – we just have to reach out and grab them. There is no better way to stop feeling sorry for yourself.
HS: What have you enjoyed most about this decade, and what has surprised you the most?
JG: I’ve enjoyed the ability to keep trying new things, and I’m surprised by how willing I am to be true to myself. It hasn’t always been that way.
