Ernestine Shepherd: The 75-year-old bodybuilding grandma

10 June 2012 Last updated at 19:15 ET Help

The world's oldest female bodybuilder wakes up every day at 02:30 to fit in a 10 mile (16km) run before hitting the gym.

But 75-year-old Ernestine Shepherd insists that "age is nothing but a number".

"Miss Ernie", as she is known in the world of competitive bodybuilding, began training at the tender age of 71.

She says her true calling in life, however, is helping others to follow a more healthy lifestyle.

The BBC caught up with her at an exercise class at her church in the US city of Baltimore, Maryland, to find out why she started bodybuilding.

Produced for the BBC by Leigh Paterson.

First Person

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