90-Year-Old Figure Skater Will Warm Your Heart with Her Amazing Talent | Short Film Showcase
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- Опубликовано: 18 мар 2017
- Yvonne Dowlen discovered a lifelong love of figure skating the moment she stepped on the ice. Her passion led to a career as a touring performer with the Ice Capades that lasted almost 50 years. Still skating competitively at the age of 90, Dowlen shares her inspiring story in this touching short from Balcony Nine Media and reminds viewers that, “what you do with your life and what you find enjoyable with your life is up to you”.
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Credit: Katie Stjernholm and Jonathan Hiller (www.jonathanhiller.co/)
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90-Year-Old Figure Skater Will Warm Your Heart with Her Amazing Talent | Short Film Showcase
• 90-Year-Old Figure Ska...
National Geographic
/ natgeo
it's kinda sad when you figure she's not here anymore . Her smile at the end , it's touching !
She probably had the same smile in her last seconds of life
33 Why do you need to be so vulgar? It's kinda pathetic, actually.
here or her?
here i guess. she passed away as far as i know
Fernanda T. My middle name is fernanda!!!!
While we're all complaining about having to wake early, and then just hit with, "I like waking up. It means I have another day."
Proof that staying athletic will give you a longer life.
And a better quality of life.
But not everyone don't live with bad pain like I do. I use to skate both, roller and ice. But I have degenerative joint disease and screws in both chins and a back injury when I was 34. I so wish I still could . Sweety I'm very proud of you. Please skate for me. Ty
Your so right, unless it's not in your DNA
Not necessarily....My grandmother is pushing 91, feeling fine and looking good - and she spent her life sitting on a couch 😁
Yvonne was my teacher when I was 25 and she was 70. She was an amazing skater. I stopped skating and finally started back up when she was 90. I got the honor of introducing her to my daughter at the ice skating rink. She really was a legend.
"Some people direct their lives, but I kind of just let mine, happen." This is how I aspire to be, what an inspiration to us all.
When she said that, I knew exactly what she meant...I am the same way...I just let it unfold.
Hope Brighton I
Iroa
Hope Brighton exactly I just let life be and just leave for the moment
Hope Brighton vv
@@annemacpherson8403 hay bb
As a figure skater, this had really brought me to tears. God bless her.
Guinea Pig Apple Pie I got tears too
Guinea Pig Apple Pie haha I'm watching this before going to my stroking test it's really hard because I have rockers and counters in it
me too. sad to hear she is no longer with us. I hope that when I am her age, I'm still as committed to skating as she is.
Same here....RIP...
Guinea Pig Apple Pie same (:
I cried. Thank you Nat Geo for this amazing story. She can say she lived a great life. Writing this I’m hiding back tears. Thank once more Nat Geo as a figure skating lover this inspires me. Love you Yvonne
Same 🤧😭❤
@@palacsintafank5181 Me too gees!
Did you see the JOY in her eyes when she spoke? Even when she was just talking, there was joy in her face! She did not look 90...she looked much younger and her mental sharpness was all there! Amazing what exercise and doing what you love can do for one's health, longevity and appearance! She is an inspiration! :)
"I like waking up in the morning because I know I have another day." So true
...and I quote, "I like waking up in the morning coz I know I have another day..." #TearyEyed
Junjie Clemente yes!
:”)
Junjie Clemente such a special lady! I will definitely look her up when I get to Heaven
That's right! Me too ;) I'm only 72..mom is 92. Each day is a God given blessing...
I'm glad she could say she had a great life! 😊💕 I'm so happy for her! This made my day
She had a happy life. I envy her. She had so much fun. She lived it to the fullest.
This is so, so inspirational. I have a chronic disease. It caused me to drop out of high school, and lose my way. But during this time of being sick, I’ve learned that I want to become a figure skater. But it’s so hard, because I always feel like I’m running out of time. Running out of my chance to do it for more than just a simple hobby. I’m 19, and I’ll be 20 in August. Even so, I keep trying to do my best to get healthy enough to train. I swim when I can, I exercise with weights in bed, I stretch and eat healthy. Watching this gives me so much hope. She looks so beautiful on the ice. So alive. I hope that one day I can feel that too.
Thank you so much for sharing Christen. I created the film hoping that Yvonne's story would inspire folks like you. I'm so touched by your vulnerability, as I too have struggled with chronic illness in my life. It is those of us who have known great suffering that also know the greatest depths of compassion.
I wish you luck ❤❤
Sending you so much love ♡♡♡♡
How are you in 2020?
Think of Joni Erickson Katona..she broke her neck at age 17. She's a quadriplegic. ..married, painter, speaker etc. Check her autobiography...cancer twice & she still keeps ..keeping on. We often don't understand God but later...wow! We count our blessings.
When she went on the ice I couldn't hold my tears.
Old people man... making me cry left and right
I can say she had lived a great life. ;-;
I took up inline skating at 60. I skate round my local town and people love to see it, especially skating backwards with a few transitions. Even the surly youths call me a dude, hahahaha. The most common question is 'How old are you"? When I started skating I joked I have twenty years good skating in me, well perhaps I do.
RIP, Mrs Yvonne Dowlen and thank you for sharing your story with the world. It's still inspiring us.
So beautiful! I'm a teen and tired of life already and she was a 90 year old who could say "I like waking up in the morning". There's so much to learn from that. RIP 😢
Same here
If you love life, you can't be old inside. I am over 50 and I still watch cartoons, as I am an artist with a strong interest in animation.
+Pink Lady good for you
Being a teen is tough. It gets better! (I'm almost 50 now).
I was pretty tired of life at 17/18/19/20. Suicide was a consideration, often.
And then it changed.
42 now and loving life more and more with every passing day (and have done for over 20 years).
I hope to age as gracefully as she did! SHE'S A LEGEND!
Amen!
Those Bayer commercials were right when they said "A body in motion stays in motion". Don't stop moving and you may just age gracefully.
Also, do things to stimulate your mind..crosswords, memorize things, meditate,,,
I can really relate to this video, because as a skater I understand the ice. I understand that even if you got injured and you walk slowly and humbling, on ice in changes. The ice is a world we’re all the pain is forgotten from outside, and only joy and happiness stay with you.
Thank you for this special interview and to the daughter sherry who brought it to everyone's attention. We have so much to learn from our elders. I wish I had interviewed my grandfather who served in both world one and two. My mom decided at age 19 that she wasn't ready to be a mom and dropped me at his door step. He had retired at age 70 by less than one week and there I was, his new project in life.. lol. There are no words to describe how much I loved and respected him. I weighed only 2 lbs. at birth in 1962, I ended up being in good health other than being deaf. It was me and him against the world and not once did he ever complain. I miss him and think of him every day. He lived to be nearly 100 yrs. old because of the love he had for me. When he was asked what his secret was to living a long life his answer was never to fret or worry about things you can't change. It does nothing but cause stress so just let life happen naturally. The only thing he ever worried about was leaving me.. and the toughest thing I was ever faced with was telling him I'd be okay and giving him permission to go when he was ready. He passed away the very next day after our heart felt conversation. I'm not a particularly religious person but if there's one thing I'd like to believe is that I will see him again some day. Please be respectful of our elders, they were young once too... and thanks again for posting this short documentary... I loved it! 😊
Thank you for this nice story❤️
i already cried watching the documentary, now i cried reading this too. very phenomenal
Wow. This actually made me cry. Wow. I miss my gramps too. I was his favorite, and he tried poorly to hide it. Lol.
Shine/Sherry, What a beautiful story
And I couldn't leave peacefully without telling you that you may have an opportunity to see him again one day according to what it says in the holy scriptures at John 5:28-29, There will be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous. Do your research and know that God doesn't not lie.Thanks for Sharing 😊
Beautiful story! 💖
of curse its sad that she is dead, but she lived such an amazing and full live, i think she was able to die in peace
michelle Al skycape
Michelle Maier you kind of made me realise that i'm wasting my life, my youth by being sad, i suffer from depression, and i feel that i'm not living my life to the fullest.
"It's sad that she's dead, but she lived such an amazing and full live" you said, you made me realise that i feel dead and i'm missing out on life and that i should do something about it.
I know u weren't expecting such a reply but , hey! Thank you
@@lacri9397
What do you like to do? What activities make you happy?
2degucitas honestly, i can't remember what made me happy
@@lorraineharris2246 she died on 2nd of May 2016...
what a beautiful and inspiring person
It's so great to see people so passionate and devoted to what they do. As I member of a more recent generation, I see people just going through life simply because they have to. They do only what they have to do to get by. This is an example of someone who has TRULY lived life to fullest. She didn't let anyone or anything stop her from doing what she loves. I hope we can ALL take something away from this woman.
I feel exactly the same. I've seen that lately, people in their fourties or fifties trying disciplines or hobbies that are actually quite difficult really, and doing good and enjoying what they do. It is an inspiration, a way to show that life is life, and it's such a good thing to make it happy.
Celia Eagen Hay bb
Get your kids involved in skating. Good sport don’t believe the hype. It’s so wonderful!
Now you can skate on the most beautiful, smooth ice rink of all over at the other shore. You Yvonne, will no doubt continue to be an inspiration for many more years than you lived. People like you never really die, they live forever in hearts and memories ❤
Born to make history
Sveva itsjoke
Sveva you don't have to be so rude....😠
YURI ON ICE
I see what you did there
yap
when i imagine a 90 year old i imagine a person who can barely talk and stays on the bed all day, then i see her...
brutalcrush And she's just amazing isn't it
brutalcrush I'm happy your inspired!
brutalcrush no, you're describing me ....land I'm in my early twenties...
brutalcrush She is right, skating is all about edges
She is magnificent
Watching her skate in that sparkling dress, listening to her inspirational words, that smile, that incredible joy….oh, I wish we still had her with us. She was a true teacher of life. How wonderful she was.
I'm also a figure skater and she is a huge inspiration to me. It just shows me that no matter how old, no matter how good you are, you will make it to the end, and your dreams will come true.
I am a competitive figure skater too and at the end (7:43) it had a medal showing the "Dallas 2015 ISI Holiday Challenge", I did that competition! I don't remember seeing her but it warms my heart knowing I competed at the same competition as her!
KitCatLovesKittens - You should try more things then! I'm in Middle school and for the longest time I would not do anything. I'd sit in my room, watch youtube, anime, read... but then I started drawing, and saw my library had art events and "anime nights." Even if it's something simple your into such as "cartoons" or "video games" find that passion, take that passion, and use it! ^-^
Rebecca i skated that competition to i had the honor of seeing her skate and i got to talk with her she was amazing.
HEY REB
She competed at most worlds comps. I met her at the 2013 comp and she was so nice.
Rebecca German
Very inspiring story. She lived a long, happy life. This is what we all should do.
That's how I wanna be when I'm 90!!!
90... oh wow such an amazing lady. We need role models like this. Life is only short when you stop appreciating what you have. Love and celebrate who you are. Yvonne lived like everyday was a gift.
I'm in awe. This was one remarkable lady, who leaves us with the simple message: Never give up.
Wow, this woman really inspires me. I'm a junior skater and I'm competing next year in the junior Olympic figure skating games... I just know there's more to life than me being stuck in my room and then going to an ice rink for an hour... This brought tears to my eyes. Life is a beautiful thing...
WolfyDraws :3 There is no junior olympics... 😐
Thisismyfirstname Thisismylastname u know what I mean, not olympics junior figure skating. It's a part of a competition that takes place in many places.
Thisismyfirstname Thisismylastname there are the youth Olympics ;-)
WolfyDraws :3good luck!! :)
WolfyDraws :3 same. It's just that I'm not so good like you and that I had 3 years ago a bad accident which kept me from figure skating for 2 years...But I'm back and she inspires me to keep doing what I love, even when I'm already been put in the "hobby skater" class because I'm too old to start in the preliminary class at competitions lol.
Watching her skate, brought tears to my eyes. She was so beautiful, both young and old. You could see the grace she carried with her.
When she was talking about “try this! Try that!” It’s pretty much how it went for me with ice skating, now I’m going back to it at 25 and she reminds me to do the thing you love no matter what. She’s amazing! She seems like she lived fully. Also I don’t know why my eyes are wet.
She is so amazing! To me, her smile and her eyes means hope and resolution. Just one word - AMAZING!!!
Saida Spulginaitė h
Yes... Wow!
I wish I could put 1000 thumbs up. Congrats Nat Geo that was super inspiring. I wish If I ever reach her age, to have the strength and persistence to do such things. Awesome video by all means!!!
Marieta Tsoukoukou I will drop a like for you☺️
Marieta Tsoukoukou if you could give 1000 likes, other people can give 1000 dislikes 😂 but I get what you mean
Amazing lady!
She’s breathtaking!! I just came across this story and although I never was blessed to meet her.....I miss her. 🕊RIP🕊
I have never been so inspired in my entire life, this woman is something else. With everything she’s gone through, 90 years and on Ice Skates! I can even give her enough accolade! She’s fabulous, beautiful and amazing. Watch this video! 💞💙💞💙💞💙💞
"Your life... I don't know... I guess some people can direct their life, but I kind of just let mine happen"
Damn.
Hi Sherry, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your mom was fantastic!!! She was a special wonderful person who touched everyone's lives. It was great to see the family photos! I skated in a competition with her in Denver a few years ago --memorable!. Lucinda
Wow
Wow
Wow
Wow
wow
Can we all just appreciate those matching outfits at 3:15! Totally killed me to find out she passed already but she had an amazing life and certainly lived it to the full!
Her story proves that when athletes ( competitive or not) can avoid injuries either from over training or by accidents they are able to stay in great physical condition even at a very old age. What impressed me was Yvonne legs. Though she had osteoporosis, something that is normal for a woman in her nineties, her legs were strong and flexible something that is good for elder people and makes them having a better life quality.
Amazing skater and I'm happy that she lived her life doing what she loved most.
even for her age, her skating and her movements were so agile and graceful. I'm in tears, this is so beautiful
ellieisnotonline me to... 😢
This really warms my heart! My grandma is 92 right now, and she's givin up living and started existing. And when I look at this lovely grandma - damn! she's still living!! When I grew old, I just want to be like her, go out and live my hobbies instead of sitting infront of my window, bored, waiting for my kids to come visit me...
My father will be 89 soon and he lives his passion out too. People like them warms my heart.
How can people press dislike for this beautiful lady.she is so beautiful and elegant
Hirok Saikia
Could it be that they fear getting old? We all will. Bless her and may she carry that beauty with her to the heavens.
I adore stories like this. she passed away doing what she loved the most. living life unapologetically and facing Life's curve balls even when it was tough.
What an amazing woman! Good for her, she didn't let aging keep her from what she loved!
I love this age doesn’t matter just because you get older doesn’t mean you should stop! Keep going! And live a life you always wanted!
Her smile is the prettiest thing ever⭐️ bless this woman❤️💕
Good for her!! My mother wanted and got for her 80th birthday a flight on a microlight and she loved every minute of it. She too was a very spunky lady who lived life to the full! She died at the age of 83 and left instructions that she wanted 83 colored balloons released at her funeral, one for each year of her life. This was done with much clapping and cheering to a life well lived.
So lovely. I can just imagine the beautiful balloons xx
Thank you. It was a sight to behold. L
That is touching 💚❤
just follow your dreams people and do what makes you happy. Only way to be happy is to live life the way you want it. Not by how your friends want you to live your life, not by how your parents want you to live your life.. only how you want it.
BruceAeroustile I like dancing but my parents keep on trying to get me into theatre programs even though I don't like it. I told them I want to go to dance programs but they won't listen 😞 they keep on forcing me to do theatre and when I mention dance then they act like they don't hear me
KitCatLovesKittens Talk to a trusted family member, teacher or school counselor and see if you can help set up a meeting with them and your parents. Some parents have dreams for their kids to succeed in what they can't do or to have a respectable, high paying position, even if it's in something their kids hate doing. This is when you put your foot down and say you are a unique individuals, someone different from your parents, with your own talents and likes. Hopefully by doing so, your parents can see reason and understand and help you, better.
What a valiant woman! This made me cry! I'm 68, and I'm starting to feel old, but just look at Yvonne! She was amazing!
What a wonderful way to go through her life. My mom just turned 96 and is as full of energy and life as when she was 30. She was never in a place where she could skate but she was a walker like it was a sport. She would do 5 miles a day rain or shine until she was 88 and all of her walking buddies had passed away. She still gets around amazingly but she can use an friend to walk with for when she hits her “mystery spots “ where balance gets funny.
She’s proved to me that you use it or you loose it.
Her story left me tears....
*She is amazing*
Her heart gave out while ice skating and she died on the ice, what an absolute legend doing what she loved till the end. I’m sure her spirit kept skating for hours hitting back to back quad salchow ❤
I'm crying.... this is so wonderful! She left a legacy bigger than the one we will ever leave, and that warms my heart
this is the quality content i have been searching for
This literally brought tears to my eyes, the good kind. What a stunning inspiration and role model! Did you notice that in all the photos and video clips she’s always smiling?
So beautiful. Stunning. She looks like she's flying ❤. I am so happy she got to enjoy skating again 😊. Love this video
Tried not to cry like a baby.
When I saw that she passed that just changed my whole mood. :(
R.I.P Yvonne.
Amazing story, beautiful and very talented person, so sad that she is not here anymore.
inna172134 Instead of being sad, I'd rather be inspired by how much joy she managed to seize from her life. 😁
She died 😭😭😭
Yes, that's touching, the honoring of our elderly. There's a lot of them where I live.
What a beautiful woman, Yvonne, with her courageous soul. "Just do it" kind of
approach with a lot of joy. I love her clear eyes, the liveliness of her movements
and voice. 90? You're never to old to be young ;) Thank you for this inspiration.
Soul-vitamin!
What an inspiring story! May Yvonne rest in peace. Her dedication & passion for skating made me reevaluate my life & make what I want possible. Our happiness & life fulfillment should be #1! Make every moment count.
There's something so beautiful about aging...I really don't know why people are afraid to get old. Just live and get old with style!💁✌❤❤❤
She's so elegant and graceful even skating at 90
She is so beautiful inside and out. I hope that if I make it to be that age I can be as happy and as beautiful too.
" I like waking up in the morning, cause I know I have another day" that was so inspiring I felt happy that she said that until I saw the 2016 under her name :''''((
what a great and beautiful woman. in every picture und video she's smiling.
This is gorgeous . She's skating with the angels now. :') I hope to be a skater in my next life, it looks so beautiful.💙
Incubus Grey she did pass away unfortunately. on May 2nd of 2016. at the end, it mentions her death - "she died as she lived, on the ice."
MagicalMusic34 why not be a skater in this life? you're never too old to start!
Life is too short be there for the present and injoin the moment.
What a lady. Lived her life to the fullest, that's why she lived so long. Beautiful to see that and hear her say that she liked waking up each day. Thank you Yvonne.
These elders i see that show up on the news interviews just something about themselves they have to share is inspiring it shows that we youngsters of this generation should do more than what we do. do more things in our younger lifes im only 18 born as a millennium am enjoying my teen life
I was not expecting that ending… and at least she died doing something she loved. May she rest in peace 💕
She's such an inspiration :')
Very inspiring story. I am 68 and was wondering whether I could take up ice skating again. This story says "YES!".
literally 1 of the best story I've ever seen on RUclips
RIP, Yvonne.
You're the best thing I've heard about this week. Thank you.
This woman is amazing she taught me how to skate when I was little and I love her!!!
Great story. I am also getting up in age and have skated since age 43. It is amazing what you can learn if you try hard enough. May Yvonne Dowlen rest in peace and thank you for the legacy.
by the way, for anyone wondering, the gorgeous music in the background from around 5:29 is called 'Nightsky' by Tracy Chattaway. the whole album is truly breathtaking, do go and check it out! ♡✩⡱
aquaticflames
I checked out her album. Fantastic!
Thanks for the tip.
I don't know what I like. I have no hobbies, no interests, no talent. Nothing.
Then you should try out more things! I was the same until someone got me interested in drawing, writing and sounddesign! Just try a lot things and you will eventually find something you like! =) Good luck and have a nice day !
Rawan Rahwan I suggest you start with what makes you happy. I used to put on talent shows with my dolls as a kid and I remember pretending to be the people I seen in movies. I found out my passion is performing arts and telling stories. Find your light.
Rawan Rahwan Everyone is born with a talent, sometimes it just takes time and effort to find it
Keep trying new things, one day you will hit on something that brings you joy; my grandfather didn't discover his talent for woodworking til he was 70!
i was in the same position. but dont trust yourself when you say that because i found what i love now! theatre! im still on a really long journey there but i will get there#
Lovely lady! RIP!
She is so inspirational and heart-warming, thank you for sharing her story!
Beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.
yes no joanne!!! Queen
I pray that I find my joy one day.
Rest in peace, sweetheart❤️
What a beautiful story that made me cry. She died doing what she loved. RIP beautiful lady. 🐱
She's beautiful,her life was beautiful
26 people must had a seizure while watching and accidentally pressed the dislike button. God bless them
That's It! I am 73, and I am now going to start back into roller skating. I got married on roller skates, and I actually made a living doing magic shows on skates. YESS!!
This is the proof that is simple to find happiness in life!!!!
What an amazing inspiration!
It put a smile on my face and
a tear in my eye! It isn't sad to
me that Yvonne is no longer
here because her story
absolutely lives on!!
Frank Gavin Moratalla Absolutely... We aren't guaranteed anything in life. I love her story, that she actively squeezed as much joy into her life as possible... It inspires me. You're never too old to love your life. 💙
😂 What talent and inspiration. Bet her family misses her dearly. What a smile!
I went from watching figure skating to watch a powerful 90 year old legend skating, i'm crying.
Thankyou so much. I am returning to the ice after a 15 year lay off. I am 66 years old. Skating will always be my first and forever love.
This really moved me, such a lovely video, when she said she liked waking up in the morning I was crying she just loved life so much! 💜