10 Tips on Thriving at Any Age from 'America's Got Talent' Bodybuilder Josefina Monasterio

5. Lift weights.

I put on about 40 pounds when I came to this country. Then, after I had my daughters, I ran 10 miles every day. I had just 10 pounds I could never lose until I started bodybuilding. What I do now is walk and lift weights. I also do yoga, which is the reason I don't get injuries. I stay flexible.

6. Be a role model.

I have two daughters. They always want to go to the gym. They are very fit because they grew up in that environment. I took my kids to the gym. We went to the pool.

7. Just do it.

I don't believe [that because] you're 60, you're 70, now you're supposed to stop work, now you're retired. I think, What can I do now? I got my doctorate in my 50s. I became a bodybuilder in my 60s, a writer in my 70s. I've written four books in English and Spanish. I'm going to continue in my 80s, 90s and 100s. The older I get, the better I look and feel. Take a look at me on my YouTube channel — if anybody has a doubt. Just invest a half an hour. It's an amazing journey.

8. Avoid naysayers.

I didn't accept limitations when I was young in my country. My grandmother said to me: “Josefina, how much longer are you going to go school?” I was in my 20s and my grandmother thought I should be married. I didn't listen. I didn't disrespect her; I didn't talk back. But I knew that wasn't the thing for me to do, because I had a dream. I wanted to come to the United States to get my master's degree. Eventually I wanted to get my doctorate degree. I wanted to work in the United States.

9. Inspire people to inspire yourself.

To me, the way I live my life is normal. I've been blown away by all the people who got inspired or changed their lifestyles because of me. If you go on my Instagram, [you will] see people's pictures and testimonials. Because of my books, my YouTube channel, my postings on social media, I'm getting it now. You know what it does to me? It makes me better, it makes me more powerful, it makes me want to get better. I want to show them what is possible. Don't hesitate because the joy I get with it is so amazing.

10. When one door closes, another one opens.

I'm not sorry [the America's Got Talent judges didn't send her through]. I was wondering “What am I doing here?” But the message got out. America's Got Talent has been calling me every day. I have an interview from England because people are inspired. I didn't win in the sense that we understand, but I won by helping people change their minds, to see other ways, to change their paradigm. I would do it again and again. Sometimes people learn this very late, you don't have anything to lose by going for something. Think anything is possible.