Meet Angela Butler-Hackett | Recreation Therapist, Yoga & Fitness for Older Adults, Bodyworker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Angela Butler-Hackett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Angela, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Since my business is Aging Is Not 4 Sissies, the balancing act between work and life has evolved into basically listening to what my body can handle. I am wellness & fitness focused and have been most of my life. As a Recreation Therapist, I make sure that I incorporate all 7 of the wellness dimensions in my life. Those wellness dimensions are physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, vocational, social, & environmental. So thinking about balance, my week needs to have a little bit of activities from all those aspects. For example, environmental is getting out in nature and being mindful in the outdoors. Activities can also be interconnected with various dimensions at once. For example, getting physical exercise outdoors and learning about medicinal plants and allowing yourself to relax while outdoors. As you get older, maybe you can’t do everything that you used to do physically or mentally, but there are always modifications to meet those needs. Maintaining a positive mindset of your abilities and being willing to adapt is a wonderful way to keep balanced. Although I am not working in a corporate type setting anymore, the wisdom of all those years are beneficial to share with others. I love to refer to older adults as “living libraries”. Sharing your wealth of knowledge is important for you and others. Furthermore as your work life balance fluctuates, don’t be afraid of change. Change is good, no matter what your age. Just remember about the wellness dimensions and as I always say “listen to your body and do what is right for you”. A little positive self-talk never hurt anyone!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love that I am still working in the profession that I got my Bachelor’s Degree from University of Georgia in Recreation Therapy some 36 years ago! Although I have worked in a variety of settings from Head Injury Community Re-entry programs, Physical Rehabilitation hospitals, Long Term Care for Neurological patients, Independent & Assisted Living Communities, I have remained in Activities/Recreation Therapy throughout. I’ve had the opportunity to be a General Manager, a Corporate Fitness & Wellness Director, personal trainer, yoga/fitness instructor and all of that experience has provided me the background for my own business. I have always enjoyed working with older adults. I can’t tell you the number of times they have told me, “Honey, aging is not for sissies”! How true it is! I wanted my own business for years and registered it as Aging Is Not 4 Sissies, LLC to help pay tribute to all those residents that told me that. My focus is to provide fitness & wellness, yoga instruction & bodywork to help everyone regardless of age or abilities. It has been a challenge over the years to work in the healthcare field and loose so many residents that you become friends with due to illness or just living a life well lived. But being able to share what you learn from them is invaluable. Everyone is special in their own way. Beginning my own business just before the Pandemic started has been a challenge to say the least. Trying to hold in-person classes for older adults doesn’t work during a Pandemic. So you become versatile and offer virtual classes as well as hybrid classes. You try things, like certain Social media or marketing, and if that doesn’t work, you try something else. Sometimes my health has not cooperated with me, for example , auto-immune problems, arthritis, osteoporosis, back problems, etc. Hopefully others are able to learn from my ailments and the modifications & techniques that help me. Aging Is Not 4 Sissies and my goal is to be a resource for others to learn tools for Balance, Strength, & Vitality.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Hopefully they are visiting in the Spring to go to a Braves game. But any time of the year is fun to go to Shakespeare Tavern for a play or the Fox Theater for a show/concert . The High Museum of Art is an excellent experience. We would go to Fado’s Irish Pub for some Irish grub and drink. Go shopping at Avalon and then make sure that we go to Alpine Bakery in Alpharetta to finish off the evening. Atlanta has got some excellent trails like the Silver comet Trail. but I would have to take them on a day trip up to Amicalola Falls to hike some of the Appalachian Trail. Then run into Spirits Tavern in Dahlonega for the best burgers. There are a lot of Wineries up in North Georgia but that might have to be another whole week in itself.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The International Council on Active Aging, www.icaa.cc, has been a valuable resource for me over the years. Working with Parc Communities Independent Living in the past has been a huge building block for me to grow. The residents in various Independent Living, Assisted Living & Long Term Care Communities where I have worked for many years are the real “Living Libraries”. Their love, support & wisdom dwells deep in my soul. The students at Kennesaw State University & University of North Georgia that I have had the honor of providing intergenerational activities with older adults deserve a huge shoutout! What an inspiration they have been to me and so many! Of course, my supportive family(husband & daughter) and growing up in a household of wellness focus with my parents laid the groundwork. The support of my husband to encourage me to try my own business, and the brains & ongoing encouragement of my daughter to assist me with all of the social media/website technology is so appreciated! I am blessed to have a wonderful support system.

Website: www.agingisnot4sissies.com

Instagram: @agingisnot4sissies

Linkedin: Aging Is Not 4 Sissies, LLC

Facebook: www.facebook.com/agingisnot4sissies

Image Credits
Celestial Studios in Gainesville, Fox Gradin for some photographs of Angela