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Masters Of The Open: Competing Against Bikini Athletes Decades Younger

Photography by Ben Yosef

In the world of fitness & Physique Competition, age is just a number for Leann Kelly, Danielle Pela, and Kari Miller—three seasoned athletes who continue to dominate the stage against much younger competition. At 53, Leann Kelly stands out as an IPL Swimsuit Model Open Pro, while 46-year-old Natural GAINZ Magazine Cover Girl Danielle Pela boasts an impressive list of titles, including 3X IPL Pro Champion and Pro Qualifications across multiple divisions like Figure, Bikini, Sports Model, and Women’s Athletic. Meanwhile, 49-year-old Kari Miller shines as an IPL Bikini Open & Masters Pro and an Athletic Masters Pro, also gracing the cover of SEAM Magazine. Together, these powerhouse women prove that experience and dedication only get stronger with age, challenging the industry’s expectations and inspiring athletes of all generations.

"I honestly don’t think about my age. I love the stage. I enjoy posing. I welcome the competition and camaraderie. With age comes greater confidence and greater power." -Leann

NATURAL BIKINI MAGAZINE: We have quite a few athletes, both male and female, in the IPL who simply will not enter the Open classes. They choose to stick to Masters and their age group. You are obviously not one of those athletes! What motivates you to continue playing at such a high level within the IPL, especially choosing to face opponents who are decades younger?
LEANN KELLY: I honestly don’t think about my age. I love the stage. I enjoy posing. I welcome the competition and camaraderie. With age comes greater confidence and greater power.
DANIELLE PELA: My motivation for competing is multifaceted. I genuinely enjoy it, and it makes me a better person because of the amount of discipline it takes to compete. I wouldn’t say that I choose to face opponents who are decades younger because I never know who I am going to be up against when I sign up.
     But I will say that if I am going to spend the time, effort, and energy to compete in the first place, then I feel I might as well compete in every class I am eligible for. The younger athletes don’t have that same opportunity, so I am grateful for that opportunity.

"I guess I just figure why not? I have nothing to lose, and if I win then more power to me, so to speak. I might surprise myself, which is just what happened." -Kari

KARI MILLER: I guess I just figure why not? I have nothing to lose, and if I win then more power to me, so to speak. I might surprise myself, which is just what happened. I do have to say I was shocked at that win. But I’m ready to do it again next week!
BIKINI: In what ways do you think your experience gives you an edge over younger athletes, and are there specific strategies or skills that you feel only come with time?
LEANN: I think that age brings with it greater confidence and less worry about what others think of you. I know myself well, and I really lean into who I am and what I bring as an individual. Authenticity and perseverance are my greatest tips for younger athletes. Never give up and always be yourself.
DANIELLE: For me, I think my experience gives me a calmness that I didn’t have when I first began to compete. While I still get a bit of a nervous excitement with each show I do, there is no more fear of the unknown. That is a fantastic feeling because I have somewhat of a Type-A personality. I love to plan and don’t care much for circumstances that suddenly cause me to have to switch gears and come up with a new plan on the fly. While I can do it and have had to deal with such circumstances before and during a show, the less nervous and anxious I am before I hit the stage, the better!

"For me, I think my experience gives me a calmness that I didn't have when I first began to compete." -Danielle

KARI: I’m not sure I have an edge over the younger athletes to be quite honest. Everything slows down as you get older, and it seems like an uphill battle. I guess an edge I would have is I’m an empty nester, so I have more time to spend in the gym than say girls with little ones at home. I don’t know how the young mothers do it honestly! Kudos to them!
BIKINI: Do you find it challenging to maintain fitness and agility at this stage in your life? If so, how so? And how has your training regimen evolved over the years?
LEANN: Recovery becomes much more important with age. Prioritizing sleep is so important! Proper vitamins and supplementation specifically for midlife are paramount. I’ve always been a yogi, but I really emphasize stretching, flexibility, and balance exercises for my clients. Maintaining flexibility is the key to longevity. The spine is our lifeline, and flexibility training prevents injuries.

"Recovery becomes much more important with age. Prioritizing sleep is so important!" -Leann

DANIELLE: I think that maintaining fitness and agility at any age can be easy or hard depending on what’s going on in your life, how you are handling it, and whether or not you choose to make/keep your fitness a priority. Having said that, as I get older, I have found that maintaining my weight has become a bit more challenging. Perhaps due to hormone shifts. As a result, I have had to take extra care to maintain healthy hormone levels so that I have the energy to maintain doing what I love, which is working out and eating! [smiles]

"I think that maintaining fitness and agility at any age can be easy or hard depending on what's going on in your life, how you are handling it, and whether or not you choose to make/keep your fitness a priority." - Danielle

     My training has evolved over the years. When I first got started, all I did was CrossFit. I have implemented a lot more weight training and have shifted my focus away from high intensity cardio training. I still do CrossFit, but my focus is on strength, form, and agility.
KARI: Yes, it is a challenge. We lose muscle mass as we get older and gave to work twice as hard for it! When I first set foot in the gym about 9 years ago I didn’t have a clue as to what to do. And to be quite honest, I absolutely hated and dreaded it. It wasn’t until I started seeing progress that I fell in love with it. And then of course feeling so much better. So, I went from barely doing anything to knowing exactly what to do and being productive while I’m there. I may have spent an hour at the gym in the past, now I’m there a good 3 hours in the morning.
BIKINI: Finally, as a female Pro Athlete competing in the IPL, how do you feel about being a role model for future generations of female athletes, especially those who may dream of competing at the highest levels well into their 40s and 50’s?

"If I can be role model and a woman my age looks at me and says, 'if she can do it, I can do it.'...Well, that would be absolutely amazing..."

LEANN: It is an honor to be a Pro Athlete in the sport that I love. I have learned so much and made the best friends while competing. I hope my journey inspires future female athletes to never give up.
     I didn’t start competing until 45. A dream knows no age barriers or limits! I hope to be an example of embracing your own vibe and personal style too! It’s a blessing to be alive, and I always approach life with gratitude and optimism!
 
DANIELLE: I am honored and humbled when I am thought of as a role model! I don’t take that compliment lightly because I feel there is a responsibility behind it to show other women that they can do this sport well into their 40’s and 50’s. Will there be challenges along the way? Undoubtedly yes, but will overcoming those challenges be worth the effort? 100% YES! This sport can change your life in so many positive ways!
KARI: Yes, this is one of the reasons I do this. I love inspiring others. If I can be role model and a woman my age looks at me and says, “if she can do it, I can do it.”…Well, that would be absolutely amazing, and it would make me feel so good. I want to help as many women as possible. Getting confidence to do what they never thought they could.  When I first started working out, I never dreamed I would be here or at this level. Never not in a million years. And if one woman changed her ways because of me then it’s not in vain. NATURAL BIKINI

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