Movement That Matters: Motivation, Joy, and Wellness at Every Age with Dr. Sabrena Jo
LIVE. LONG. BETTER: Live Longer, Age Better. The Not Old Better Show
Forget willpower. Motivation after 50 is about autonomy, connection, and confidence. Dr. Sabrena Jo, Senior Director at the American Council on Exercise, joins The Not Old Better Show to reveal what really helps us stick with fitness — and why it’s never too late to build strong habits.
She shares practical, science-backed insights on staying active, finding your “why,” and redefining success in movement.
🎧 Listen on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/notoldbetter/movement-that-matters-sabrena-jo
Welcome to LIVE. LONG. BETTER: Live Longer, Age Better, OUR brand-new fitness feature from The Not Old Better Show and the American Council on Exercise. I’m Paul Vogelzang, and I’m honored to be with you today.
You’re hearing that familiar intro music, and I hope it brings you right into the space we’ve created for insight, optimism, and action. Today, we’re talking about how to stay physically active—and mentally strong—as we age, and we’ve got just the guest to guide us.
Joining me is Dr. Sabrena Jo, Senior Director of Science and Education at the American Council on Exercise. Dr. Jo has spent years studying the psychology of movement, with a deep focus on older adults. She’ll walk us through the three psychological needs that keep us motivated: autonomy, confidence, and connection. And just as importantly, she’ll share how exercise helps combat loneliness, and why being part of a supportive group can make all the difference.
But that’s not all—Dr. Jo will also explore something that goes far beyond any single workout: the 6 Pillars of Wellness, and how they work together to help us live longer, and age better. From emotional health to social support, these pillars form a whole-body, whole-life approach to lasting well-being.
It’s empowering, science-backed, and full of practical ideas. Let’s dive in.
Coming up with Dr. Jo, I want to shift into the final part of my conversation with Dr. Sabrena Jo—one I think you’ll find especially meaningful.
We’ve heard so much already from Dr. Sabrena Jo—about how autonomy, confidence, and connection form the foundation of motivation, especially for older adults. We’ve talked about how group fitness can ease loneliness, how instructors shape the experience, and how the 6 Pillars of Wellness give us a fuller picture of what it means to age well.
As we head into the final part of our conversation, we’ll focus on something deeply personal: goals, perseverance, and redefining success—not by what others expect, but by what feels right for you. Dr. Jo shares why it’s okay to let go of old goals, how to honor your body as it changes, and why joy—not perfection—is the best guide forward.
This last segment is about doing what you can do best, today—and finding peace and purpose in that.
Let’s listen. Here now is more of our interview with Dr. Sabrena Jo, Senior Director at the American Council on Exercise on the LIVE. LONG. BETTER series of The Not Old Better Show.
My thanks to Dr. Sabrena Jo, Senior Director of Science and Education at the American Council on Exercise, for being with us today. Her thoughtful breakdown of the 6 Pillars of Wellness, alongside her powerful insights on motivation, movement, and connection, reminds us that fitness isn’t a solo effort—it’s part of how we care for ourselves and each other.
For more episodes in our LIVE. LONG. BETTER feature, and to access our full catalog of inspiring guests and stories, head over to NotOld-Better.com. You can also follow us on social media: we’re @notoldbetter on Twitter, and notoldbetter on Instagram.
This is a production of N.O.B.S. Studios. I’m Paul Vogelzang. Let’s keep moving, keep learning, and keep finding new ways to Live. Long. Better. I’ll see you next time.