Still in the game

At 6 a.m. sharp, Bob Britz is up and moving — blending a smoothie, taking his daily supplements and heading down to his “man cave” for a 45-minute stretching session that keeps him limber and ready for whatever the day brings. That might mean a bike ride, baseball practice or planning the next community golf tournament. 
 

“I’ve kept a routine since I was a kid,” says Bob, a retired teacher, lifelong athlete and Blue Cross member. “You get up, you get moving. If you don’t use it, you lose it.” His dedication to daily movement reflects the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for older adults. Regular activity supports brain health and helps prevent chronic disease.

Now 75, Bob’s active lifestyle isn’t just about fitness — it’s how he stays energized and full of joy. For him, movement is the key to staying young and staying connected.

Strong roots, stronger mindset

Bob's story begins in Lastrup, Minnesota, a tiny town of just 85 people. One of seven kids, he grew up on a dairy farm, where days started before sunrise with chores that required hard work and grit. His father instilled a simple but powerful mantra: "If you know how to work, you'll be successful."

That work ethic shaped Bob's approach to life. In school, he juggled five sports: baseball, basketball, football, cross-country and track. And he knew he didn't want to lose that momentum after graduation.

"I watched a lot of guys quit being active after high school. I didn't want that to happen to me," Bob recalls. "I realized, you don't get old because you play; you get old because you don't play."

Today, his year-round routine mirrors the changing seasons. In the spring, he bikes 10 to 12 miles several days a week; summer and fall mean baseball games and practices; and winter is for skiing the American Birkebeiner — North America's largest cross-country race, also referred to as the Birkie. He credits a balanced approach for keeping him going: good nutrition, vitamins and supplements, staying socially connected and getting quality sleep. “At least seven to eight hours a night,” he says. “That’s when your body heals.” 

Overcoming setbacks with purpose

Bob’s journey hasn’t been without its hurdles. In 1984, he was struck broadside in a serious car accident, suffering multiple fractures in his leg, pelvis and ribs. Doctors didn’t expect he’d be able to ski the Birkie that winter — but that became his goal. With daily rehab and support from his wife, Paula, and their three children, Bob crossed the finish line that February without falling once.

“It was a slow process,” Bob says. “But sometimes you need a reason to get up in the morning and get moving. That was mine.”

“I wasn’t trying to prove anything,” he continues. “It was just a goal that gave me purpose. Something to help me heal — mentally and physically.”

A longtime educator, Bob spent more than 20 years teaching special education, math, reading and physical education. Just months after the accident, he was asked to pioneer an adaptive PE program for students with disabilities. It was the first of its kind in the district. 

Working alongside elementary PE teacher Craig Kocon, he created a program that paired students with supportive peers and helped them thrive in traditional gym classes. “The goal was always to give them confidence and help them find joy in movement,” Bob explains.

One student, born with spina bifida and unable to walk at the start of the year, was walking across the school to the office by Christmas. It was a moment Bob describes as truly unforgettable. “Helping someone find their strength, that’s what it’s all about,” he says quietly.

It’s a theme that runs through his whole life: getting people moving and helping them believe in what’s possible. 
 

Finding a rhythm

To stay active year-round, Bob Britz shifts his routine with the seasons. “There’s always something to look forward to,” he says. Here are a few ideas The Mayo Clinic recommends:

SPRING 
Low-impact: Nature walks, gardening, tai chi 
Competitive: Pickleball leagues, community softball.

SUMMER 
Low-impact: Swimming, water aerobics, outdoor yoga 
Competitive: Tennis, cycling groups.

FALL 
Low-impact: Scenic hikes, birdwatching, pilates 
Competitive: Flag football, local running events.

WINTER 
Low-impact: Indoor walking tracks, stretching, dance classes 
Competitive: Cross-country skiing, curling clubs.
 

Inspiring others on the field

Behind Bob’s active lifestyle is a deep love for community — and few places show that better than the baseball diamond. The sport has been a major part of his life for decades, fostering enduring friendships along the way.

As a member of the Minnesota Bandits and Bees senior baseball teams, Bob has helped both earn 17 national championships at annual tournaments in Arizona and Florida. 
 
“We’ve built something really special,” he says, noting that the teams strike a rare balance between fierce competition and longstanding camaraderie.

“We play hard, but we get along — no bickering, just ball.”

Known as a standout catcher and power hitter, Bob is often the one to deliver in clutch moments. According to longtime teammate and pitcher Brock Kiecker, “When the stakes are high and the team needs something, Bob brings it.” 

Bob’s Guide to staying strong

Be consistent: Make movement part of your daily routine.

Find your community: Social connections keep motivation high.

Balance competition with fun: Enjoy the challenge without losing the joy.

Adapt and adjust: Be flexible in the face of setbacks.

Prioritize rest and nutrition: They’re as important as regular exercise.

The two met playing college ball in 1970 and have shared the field ever since, building a strong rhythm and mutual respect through hundreds of games and practices.

“In college, we’d end practice by running up and down the stairs of an old gymnasium — maybe 20 laps, exhausting work,” Brock says. “Bobby would run those laps without ever stopping. He’s always been a workhorse. Even now, he gets more done in a morning than most do all day.”

That relentless drive is part of what sets Bob apart. “Whether it’s baseball or just life, Bob raises the standard,” Brock adds. “He inspires people to do more and be better.”

In May 2025, both Bob and Brock were inducted into the Minnesota Senior Sports Association Hall of Fame — honoring not just athletic longevity, but a lasting commitment to teamwork and community. 

POWER OF SOCIAL TIES
•  Boosts brain health
•  Reduces risk of dementia
•  Lowers stress and blood pressure
                •  Linked to longer life
         SOURCE: MAYO CLINIC

Staying connected, staying strong

Beyond the ballfield, Bob continues to find his purpose and connection through a variety of community-driven pursuits. He’s an active member of the Birchleggings Club, a group of skiers who’ve completed 20 or more American Birkebeiner races. Named after legendary Norwegian warriors, the club celebrates endurance, tradition and camaraderie through year-round social events and fundraisers.

One annual favorite is the Birchleggings Golf Classic, an event Bob helps organize. In 2024, tournament proceeds and a donation from the Birchleggings Club provided a combined $10,000 for ongoing development at Telemark Village, home of the Birkie.

Events like these reflect what Bob values most: community, shared energy and time well spent. “The social piece is huge,” he says. “It’s not just the activity, it’s the people. You go on a ride, then grab dinner. You go skiing, then out for coffee. That connection keeps you going.”

Research from the National Institute on Aging emphasizes that social engagement in older adults is linked to better mental health, reduced risk of dementia and greater life satisfaction.

For Bob, sharing experiences with others isn’t just a perk of staying active — it’s the whole point. 
 

Wisdom from a lifelong athlete

Bob’s advice for staying active is simple: Find what you love, and keep showing up. “It doesn’t have to be running marathons,” he says. “Pickleball, walking, disc golf — if you enjoy it, you’ll stick with it. He also emphasizes resilience. “Every day, something’s going to come up that you didn’t expect. You just have to adjust. That’s how you make it a good day.”

It’s a mindset that clearly resonates with his own family. Bob and Paula’s three children and eight grandchildren all lead active lives — a legacy of movement and momentum passed down through example.

With a steady routine, a strong community and a still-growing list of goals, Bob Britz is proof that staying active is about far more than fitness. It’s about living with joy, energy and heart at any age.