Cheryl Shiver
"My Life 2024"
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Copa: Where are you from?
Cheryl: I'm Cheryl Shiver. I'm originally from Los Angeles, California. My mantra is "Living great at 69." Copa: At what time did you seriously focus on your health?
Cheryl: At the age of 63, I made a decision that would change the way I viewed myself, my body and my life. I decided I wanted to be fit, more specifically, I wanted a fit bikini body. it was time to prioritize myself. The idea of a "bikini body" was symbolic to me. It wasn’t just about how I looked; it was about reclaiming my strength, confidence, and vitality. I wanted to prove to myself that age didn’t define what my body could do. So, I took the plunge and hired a trainer, Shawn Lewis. Every day brought new progress, whether it was adding more weights, completing one more rep, or simply feeling stronger and more confident in my own skin. It wasn’t just about fitting into a bikini—it was about learning how to respect and care for my body in a way I never had before. Then, one day, Shawn saw the dedication in me and suggested something that changed the course of my life: he encouraged me to compete in the bodybuilding arena as a Bikini competitor. At first, I was hesitant—after all, I was 63, and this was a world that I thought was reserved for younger women. But Shawn believed in me, and that belief lit a fire inside me. I decided to take the leap, and from that moment on, my life has never been the same. Through hard work, consistency, and countless hours of training, I went on to win seven first-place medals in the Bikini Masters 60+ category. My most recent victory was in June 2024, when I competed at the age of 69. That day, I realized how far I had come—not just in terms of fitness, but in my overall outlook. 
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Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles. California
Copa: Please tell our readers about "The Bikini Body."
Cheryl: The idea of a "bikini body" was symbolic to me. It wasn’t just about how I looked; it was about reclaiming my strength, confidence, and vitality. I wanted to prove to myself that age didn’t define what my body could do. So, I took the plunge and hired a trainer, Shawn Lewis.Every day brought new progress, whether it was adding more weights, completing one more rep, or simply feeling stronger and more confident in my own skin. It wasn’t just about fitting into a bikini—it was about learning how to respect and care for my body in a way I never had before. Then, one day, Shawn saw the dedication in me and suggested something that changed the course of my life: he encouraged me to compete in the bodybuilding arena as a Bikini competitor. At first, I was hesitant—after all, I was 63, and this was a world that I thought was reserved for younger women. But Shawn believed in me, and that belief lit a fire inside me. I decided to take the leap, and from that moment on, my life has never been the same. Through hard work, consistency, and countless hours of training, I went on to win seven first-place medals in the Bikini Masters 60+ category. My most recent victory was in June 2024, when I competed at the age of 69. That day, I realized how far I had come—not just in terms of fitness, but in my overall outlook. |
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Copa: What does the future hold for the wonderful life of Cheryl Denise Shiver?
Cheryl: I hope to be a role model to others—especially women, showing them that it’s never too late to start. My message is simple: age is not a limitation. It’s an opportunity to continue growing stronger, mentally and physically. And for anyone thinking that it’s too late to make a change—I’m living proof that it’s never too late to live your best life.
Through my experience, I want to show that being fit is not just for the young. It's for everyone, regardless of age. I want to break the stereotype of what a woman in her 60s “should” look like and redefine what it means to be healthy, strong, and vibrant at any stage of life.
As I approach 70—wow, even saying it gives me goosebumps!—my goals are continuing to evolve. I'm excited to venture more into modeling, something I’ve always been interested in but never fully explored until now. I’ve signed with a couple of small agencies—VDINX LLC and Soul Studios—and I couldn’t be more thrilled to see where this new path will take me.
One of the highlights of 2025 will be walking in the AC Bikini Fashion Show, hosted by Angel Competition Bikini. This will be my fourth time walking in this show, and I’m beyond excited. The motto of the show--“showing the world strong is beauty”-- resonates deeply with me. It’s a perfect reflection of everything I stand for: strength, resilience, and the beauty that comes with it.
To me, beauty isn’t just about appearance. It’s about the strength you carry in your body, the confidence you wear, and the spirit you radiate. I want to continue sharing this message with the world: strength and beauty are not bound by age. As I step onto that runway in January 2025, I’ll be carrying with me the powerful message that we’re all capable of redefining what aging, strength, and beauty look like.
Through my experience, I want to show that being fit is not just for the young. It's for everyone, regardless of age. I want to break the stereotype of what a woman in her 60s “should” look like and redefine what it means to be healthy, strong, and vibrant at any stage of life.
As I approach 70—wow, even saying it gives me goosebumps!—my goals are continuing to evolve. I'm excited to venture more into modeling, something I’ve always been interested in but never fully explored until now. I’ve signed with a couple of small agencies—VDINX LLC and Soul Studios—and I couldn’t be more thrilled to see where this new path will take me.
One of the highlights of 2025 will be walking in the AC Bikini Fashion Show, hosted by Angel Competition Bikini. This will be my fourth time walking in this show, and I’m beyond excited. The motto of the show--“showing the world strong is beauty”-- resonates deeply with me. It’s a perfect reflection of everything I stand for: strength, resilience, and the beauty that comes with it.
To me, beauty isn’t just about appearance. It’s about the strength you carry in your body, the confidence you wear, and the spirit you radiate. I want to continue sharing this message with the world: strength and beauty are not bound by age. As I step onto that runway in January 2025, I’ll be carrying with me the powerful message that we’re all capable of redefining what aging, strength, and beauty look like.
