Turning 100 is no small feat, but Geraldine “Jerry” Leo didn’t just celebrate with cake and candles—she marked the milestone by doing something that would challenge people half her age: a five-minute plank.
On April 11, Jerry officially became a centenarian. Just days before, she surprised everyone at the Great South Bay YMCA in Bay Shore, Long Island, by holding a plank far longer than anyone else in her fitness class. While the group tapped out at two minutes, Jerry held her position with steady determination and flawless form—eventually reaching the five-minute mark.
“She makes the rest of us look bad, including me,” joked her friend and classmate Marion Saturno.
Jerry’s strength and resilience have made her a beloved figure at the YMCA, where she’s been a regular since 1991. Her late husband, Dominick, had encouraged her to join when the facility first opened, and she’s been showing up and showing out ever since.
“Jerry is one of the strongest women I know,” said Despina Tenedorio, the YMCA’s health and wellness director.
Though she usually takes a Friday weightlifting class, she took this week off to celebrate. The YMCA and the mayor of Babylon honored her birthday with special tributes, recognizing her not only for her age but for her incredible energy and spirit.
“Jerry motivates everyone around her,” said her instructor, Elizabeth Grant. “She’s a true inspiration.”
Jerry’s advice for longevity? “Stay consistent, keep a positive outlook, and never stop moving.”