CUTLINE: Bruce Wasson, 63, of Amherst is seen in portrait after a lifting session at Gold’s Gym Oct. 21 in Nashua.

THOUGHTS: This photo was used during my year-long project Senior Class at the Nashua Telegraph. I’ve been following seniors for the last year because I’m showing the community visually that they count. I’m also showing that they are just as human as the next person in their “golden years.” I think post WWII decades there has been a shift on how we perceive the elderly. This is my humble attempt to provoke change one week at a time.

My impressions on Bruce were impressive. Such a class act kind of guy. After being a witness to his physical and mental demeanor, I know he’s proof that old age or the phrase, “I’m too old.” Is 90% mental. I hope to only some day be as half as good as shape when I’m 63.

The following is the story I wrote on Bruce:

When Bruce Wasson, 63, attends a body building competition, you could say he’s alone at the top. That’s because he’s almost always the oldest to enter his division. And because there are usually no competitors in his age category, he has to bump down a class.

For the past nine years, he’s been lifting and winning against considerably younger entrants.

“It’s like a piece of candy, I couldn’t stop doing them,” Wasson said. Five years ago he came in first place at a competition in Manchester and has placed multiple times along the way. “At my age, everybody should have a hobby,” Wasson said. “Some go golfing, some go fishing. Me? It was coming to the gym.”

However, it wasn’t always looking up for Wasson’s health, for years he was out of shape and a small 133 pounds. To make things worse, small flakes appeared on his nose that would turn out to be diagnosed as lupus, a treatable connective tissue disease that causes his joints to ache considerably. In talking with a doctor, he was weaned into the gym to help fight the disease. When he got back, after a 20-year absence, he reconnected with an old friend. “It’s a second home; if you treat it good, it’ll treat you good. Just don’t try to be a hero and lift 1,000 pounds,” Wasson said. Now, a stout 153 and with the body of a 40-year-old, he has more bounce in his step.

Wasson’s wife, Betsy, “loves it.” His five children? Always support him 100 percent. They all cheer him on at shows. However, this looks like it will be the last year of competition for the old
iron man. But that doesn’t mean he’s going to stop lifting. “It just takes a lot out of you,” Wasson said.

In the end, the Souhegan High School building supervisor, who strives for improvement, wants to train others.

“I just want to enjoy it. It’s not a headcase thing where it’s ‘Wow look at me,” Wasson said. “It’s just that it’s good for you. And I’m going to keep doing it until I can’t do it anymore.

My impressions on Bruce were impressive. Such a class act kind of guy. After being a witness to his physical and mental demeanor, I know he’s proof that old age or the phrase, “I’m too old.” Is 90% mental. I hope to only some day be as half as good as shape when I’m 63.

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