Some people have such an engaging personality that they elevate the mood of anyone who is around them. They have a way of making others feel special. No matter what else is going on they take or make the time to connect with everyone they can. Ronald Puckett is that kind of person. It’s more than just the constant smile or positive attitude, it’s the spirit that is reflected in those things. His kindness comes without strings. He’s not trying to get you to like him, he’s just showing that he likes you and truly cares, even if it’s the first time you’ve met.
It takes a lot of time, experience, and often no small amount of pain to get to a place of total appreciation for others. Things that cause some people to become bitter allow others to become better. As a General Contractor, Ron has built his own successful construction company. As a husband, father, and grandfather, his family values are strong. Now he’s embarking on a journey to bring his passion for fitness to everyone, especially the over-50 crowd.
When you’ve worked hard for everything and had to believe in yourself through the most challenging of circumstances, you get used to finding the sunshine through the clouds. Ron has gone a step further and has chosen to become the sunshine in the lives of those fortunate enough to know him. Through his vision of the 50+ Fit Club, he is about to shine positivity and health down on a lot of people.
Name: Ronald Puckett – Founder, 50+ Fit Club
Occupation: General Contractor – Puckett Construction
Hometown: Richmond, California
Fit Club: Were you involved much in sports and fitness when you were younger?
Ron: I played baseball, my father was in the Negro Leagues in the south. His cousin was Kirby Puckett. He wanted me to play but I wasn’t really as interested in baseball, that wasn’t my sport, football was. . I started getting into fitness at an early age playing football. I started doing a lot of calisthenics at the age of 8-9.
My interest in fitness really grew and expanded when I was in the military. I broke some fitness records there, it just became a more serious thing for me.
Fit Club: What was it about fitness that really drew you into it?
Ron: What really made me focus on more on the fitness realm was watching my Mom deteriorate over the years from MS. I had never seen her healthy a day in my life. Watching her and finding out more about the disease, then seeing other family members who didn’t work out and watching the age, seemingly rapidly. Fitness for me was that I didn’t want to be like that. I’ve never believed that health problems are genetic, I believe that you can curb health problems through exercise and diet.
Fit Club: What keep you coming back to fitness after all the years of working out.
Ron: I still have that burning desire to want to be more as far as in shape, to be better. I want to look better and be that beacon for other people as I train to make them want to train. The biggest part for me that I enjoy about training is meeting new people that are headed in the same direction. If I can be a part of their growth, that’s a special tool for me, that makes me feel good, it keeps my fire lit and it keeps me going. I believe that we all are accountable to each other when it comes to the fitness realm.
Fit Club: What do you know now that you wish you knew before?
Ron: I wish I had known more about the nutritional side of it like eating right, and certain things like meat and so forth that are not necessarily good for the body.
Fit Club: Do you have any advice for people who have a challenging job or career but still want to be fit.
Ron: No matter what, even if you only have 20 minutes in the day to do it, it still has to be done when it comes to fitness. Because at the end of the day your life depends on it and that’s how you have to look at it. I have to do this no matter what, I have to get it in, whether it’s 10 minutes, 15 minutes, or an hour, each little bit counts.
Fit Club: What are some of your interests outside of health and fitness?
Ron: One of my main interests is helping people get past common illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol by showing people how to eat right and live a better quality of life.
Fit Club: What is the inspiration behind 50-Plus?
Ron: For those of us who are in the fitness realm who have succeeded by making it to 50 and beyond and looking good and staying in shape, we have the set the precedent for those who are following behind us. We have to show the younger generation that you can grow older but look good and be fit.
I see the 50+ Fit Club showcasing those who have graduated into that next level in age and fitness and encouraging the younger generation that they should start now to get to the same point that the older and fit generation is at.
Fit Club: What advice would you give to anyone who is currently struggling to get fit?
Ron: I would say to stay encouraged and that you’re not in this by yourself, we are all in this together. That why I always speak to people in the gym and encourage them and to let them know that they are not alone.