Grandparents Who Inspire: Who Motivated Lindsey Vonn, Kevin Duran and Victor Cruz

By: Virginia Davies

Did you watch the viral video of 106 year old Virginia McLaurin celebrating Black History Month at the White House with a lively dance? My hope – and suspect most viewers of the video share this hope – is that I will still be dancing at 106 years old. Her joyfulness and energy reminded me of another Virginia. My grandmother – Vergine Mouradian Garabedian. I was blessed to live near my grandmother and saw her every day. She had a significant positive influence in every aspect of my life and instilled many values and principles by which I live my life.

Grandparents as Inspiration

As a grandparent you have an extraordinary opportunity to influence your children’s values and interests whether you are one of the 25% of American grandparents who are regular caregivers to their grandchildren or interact with your grandchildren on a less frequent basis. Children are little sponges. If they see those they love exercising and eating healthily they will want to do the same. Doing so will be good for you and good for them. While your grandchild may not become an Olympian or a professional athlete your good example will set them on a healthy course. Here’s a look at a few of America’s famous athletic personalities who were inspired by their grandparents:

Victor Cruz

After leading the New York Giants to their victory in Super Bowl XLVI, Cruz’s popularity has continued to grow. He’s a hero to millions of fans but what many didn’t know is that his favorite heroines are his mother and grandmother. Growing up in a neighborhood dominated by gangs and drugs, he was kept on the right side of the law and encouraged to pursue his interests in football, eventually becoming one of the most popular receivers in American football history.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant is a household name in the basketball sports niche. He has won many high-profile awards in his career, including the 2008 NBA Rookie of the Year and an Olympic team god medal in 2012. Durant has a very close relationship with his grandma, and often talks about the appreciation he has for grandparents who work hard to provide for their grandchildren. In a famous text message screenshot that he shared with the world, we can see how his grandma affectionately keeps him in line!

Lindsey Vonn

As the most successful female alpine racer in the history of the FIS World Cup, Lindsey Vonn is a force to be reckoned with. She is close with bother her paternal grandparents (Don and Shirley Kildow) and her maternal grandparents (Herb and Mary Krohn). The Olympic champion has cited their care and love as her inspiration to perform well on the ski slopes. Her grandparents often follow her athletic career with great interest, and know that their precious granddaughter will always “beat the odds.”

Inspiring Your Own Grandchildren

None of these accomplished athletes have grandparents who are Olympians or professional athletes. But just as Virginia McLaurin’s energy inspired First Lady Michelle Obama to declare, “I wanna be like you when I grow up”, the example set by grandparents for their grandchildren and for the grandchildren of others will lead to inspiration in those grandchildren in untold ways – including health and fitness.

Hope you will write me and let me know what you are doing with your grandchildren to encourage them to live a healthy, fit life.