Meet Bettye Sue
Age: 75
Average BHI score: 83
Motto: “Always believe in your dreams.”
Her key to keeping sharp? Lifelong learning
Bettye Sue embraces life and learning through her passion and pursuit for all things French.
C’est la vie (That’s life) At the age of 70, Bettye Sue relocated from her long time home to be near her family. A new city, small apartment and no friends brought big changes and a formidable, unsure sense of what her new future would hold. “Now what?” asked Bettye Sue of herself, as her purpose in life felt shaky and unclear.
Vouloir, c’est pouvoir (Where there’s a will, there’s a way.) An avid herb and flower gardener, Bettye Sue always loved French culture and dreamed of visiting the beautiful lavender fields and gardens of France. Her dreams became the catalyst to catapult her into active, purposeful, get-out-of-your-comfort-zone, brain healthy living.
Now, at 75, Betty Sue takes French language classes, has attended a French cooking class, joined a French social group and added aerobic exercise and core strengthening (to offset her croissant consumption) to her weekly routine. Feeling physically fit and motivated, she recently created a French-inspired patio garden for a local French cafe. Romantic, lighted topiaries and a French bicycle with a flower-adorned basket add delightful charm and a touch of Paris for customers to enjoy while sipping their cafe au lait.
Realiser vos reves (Dreams come true) This summer, Bettye Sue is traveling to France to live like “a local” in the French countryside. She intends to explore farmer’s markets, delve into French history, cooking and art, practice her French and journal about her experiences.
Betty Sue says now, after turning her dreams into actions, she is feeling great about herself – her “inner landscape” – and her new life. She stays inspired to “keep going” by celebrating her many tiny accomplishments and learning from her setbacks while gleaning wisdom and friendship from the people she has met in the pursuit of her dreams.
Bettye Sue is a beautiful example of “if you can dream it you can do it” and that’s why she is a brain health champion.
