Articles

 Brevard County Woman is proud to bring you one of our stories for May-Jun 2010

The Grace and Beauty of Dawn Wells
Healthy Eating, Healthy Exercise and Being Active
By Toni Allen

 “…One can remain alive long past the usual date of disintegration if one is unafraid of change, insatiable in intellectual curiosity, interested in big things, and happy in small ways. “ – Edith Wharton, US novelist (1862 - 1937)
 
    There are many different schools of thought on what constitutes “healthy living” that run the gamut from organic foods to yoga, from high concentrates of exercise to limited amounts of sodium and sugar. But, Dawn Wells, special guest speaker at the 2010 Anti-Aging Expo, proves that taking care of oneself and keeping a positive mental attitude is key to aging with grace and beauty.
    Ms. Wells, a one-time resident of Florida some years back, is excited to return to Melbourne and speak at the conference. Well-versed in motivational speaking, Dawn, now in her 70s, is an excellent spokesperson for the subject at hand. Aging in a healthy manner has some to do with genetics, according to Dawn, but she adds that it’s all about “mental attitude and how you take care of yourself.” She attributes her good health to the simple basics. “Healthy eating, healthy exercise and being active” are the key ingredients.
    Probably known by most for her role as Mary Ann Summers, on the 60s sitcom “Gilligan’s Island,” Dawn has stayed active since those days. She has performed in over 60 theatrical productions, including works by Neil Simon and Tennessee Williams, over 120 television shows, as well as a number of movies. She has since taken on a role as producer, which she really likes, and has done several television features for CBS. She is currently working on two reality shows.
    And Dawn’s talents don’t stop there. She established the Dawn Wells' Film Actors Boot Camp near Jackson Hole, WY where in one intense week during the summer, actors learn the art of acting on camera, as well as the business of the film industry. Additionally, she started a line of clothing for those who are physically challenged, called Wishing Wells Collection, and she stresses the importance of maintaining dignity for the aging who are infirmed.
    Dawn’s newest interest is just getting off the ground, and is a new effortless hair extensions product. She is excited about the many possibilities for their use, including wigs for those undergoing chemotherapy treatments.
    She published a cookbook, a compilation of recipes including those of her mother and grandmother, who were both, in Dawn’s words, “phenomenal cooks!”
    Her mother, Evelyn Wells, was instrumental in formulating the healthy habits in Dawn’s life. Raised in Nevada, the Wells family grew much of what they ate in their own vegetable garden and seldom had prepackaged food. Fresh garden veggies to this day, according to Dawn, are her mainstay. “I can’t go a day without a fresh vegetable,” she remarks. She admits she has always had to watch her weight, but is not a fanatic about food. The crux is eating mostly what is healthy and in moderation, she comments, explaining that the problems that can arise from under-eating, like anorexia, are just as dangerous as those associated with over-eating.
    Though Dawn has some problems with her knees, she is diligent to stay active. Whether involved in regular exercise like water aerobics and yoga, or the hustle and bustle of daily activities, Dawn is constantly moving. “It’s up to you to keep your mind and body challenged” Dawn says, adding “We’re all writing the scripts for our lives.”
    With the average life expectancy in the United States at over 77, and many people living to the upper 90s or even over 100, taking care of ourselves and maintaining healthy living is growing in importance. Dawn Wells has become a quintessential example of aging with beauty and grace, and achieving it with the simplest of precepts for basic healthy living. “We are all living longer,” Dawn says “and we want to stay healthy enough to share our common interests and enjoy those years.”

For information on the 2010 Anti-Aging Convference, check out the details in the ad on page 6.