Dealing with stiff, weakened shoulders after hitting 60? Discover how a trainer’s wall exercises can restore your shoulder strength and agility.
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Having healthy shoulders can significantly enhance daily activities, making tasks like reaching for a mug in the kitchen, buckling up your seatbelt, slipping into a cozy jacket, or hauling bags of groceries much smoother. Yet, once you pass the age of 60, these simple moves can turn challenging as shoulder muscles progressively lose strength, particularly when they’re not routinely engaged. As someone who trains older adults, I often notice a common misconception: people tend to immediately go for heavier dumbbells. However, the key often lies in first nurturing stability and control before introducing additional weights.
While the shoulder stands as the body’s most flexible joint, this mobility also renders it less stable. Thus, simply hefting heavier weights doesn’t guarantee more robust shoulder health. Instead, wall exercises can help establish correct movement patterns by fortifying the muscles that support the shoulder blades and safeguard the joint through its entire motion range. Improved mechanics almost invariably translate to improved strength.
Throughout my years assisting adults over 60, I’ve witnessed remarkable recoveries in pain-free mobility and enhanced confidence in their upper body strength. Those who see the quickest improvements usually don’t start with hefty weights. They focus on basic exercises that enhance posture, coordination, and shoulder stability first. The following five wall exercises target the entire shoulder complex and are gentle enough for most fitness levels. By integrating them into your routine a few mornings a week, you’ll cultivate stronger, healthier shoulders that will support you seamlessly every day.
Wall Push-Ups
Whenever someone asks me how to rebuild shoulder strength safely, wall push-ups become my first recommendation. Every repetition strengthens the chest, shoulders, triceps, and core while allowing the shoulder blades to move naturally against very manageable resistance. I encourage clients to perform slow, controlled repetitions because quality movement builds healthier shoulders than simply doing more repetitions. Many notice reaching overhead and pushing doors open feels easier within a few weeks. It’s one of the safest ways to restore upper-body strength after 60.
How to Do It
- Stand facing a wall.
- Place your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Step your feet back comfortably.
- Bend your elbows as you lower toward the wall.
- Push back to the starting position.
- Perform 12 to 15 repetitions.
Wall Angels
Rounded shoulders become increasingly common after years of sitting, driving, and looking down at screens. Wall angels strengthen the muscles between the shoulder blades while improving mobility throughout the upper back and shoulders. I prescribe this exercise frequently because it helps restore proper posture without placing unnecessary stress on the joints. Clients often tell me they stand taller and experience less neck tension after practicing wall angels consistently. Better posture creates stronger shoulders.
How to Do It
- Stand with your back against a wall.
- Bend your elbows to 90 degrees.
- Press your arms gently into the wall.
- Slide your hands upward.
- Return slowly.
- Complete 10 to 12 repetitions.
Wall Slides
Wall slides strengthen the muscles responsible for upward shoulder movement while improving control throughout the entire range of motion. I often use them with clients who struggle reaching overhead because they reinforce healthy movement patterns without heavy resistance. Keeping the forearms in contact with the wall encourages excellent shoulder positioning from start to finish. Clients frequently notice smoother overhead movement after adding wall slides to their routine. Small improvements in shoulder mechanics often produce significant improvements in everyday comfort.
How to Do It
- Stand facing a wall.
- Place your forearms against it.
- Tighten your core.
- Slowly slide your arms upward.
- Lower with control.
- Perform 10 to 12 repetitions.
Wall Shoulder Taps
I like this exercise because it combines shoulder strength with core stability and balance. Supporting your body against the wall while alternating shoulder taps forces the stabilizing muscles around each shoulder to stay active throughout the movement. Clients often underestimate how challenging it feels until they begin moving one hand at a time. The exercise also improves coordination, making everyday reaching and carrying feel more controlled. It’s an excellent progression once wall push-ups begin feeling comfortable.
How to Do It
- Stand facing a wall.
- Lean into the wall with straight arms.
- Lift one hand and tap the opposite shoulder.
- Return your hand.
- Alternate sides.
- Continue for 30 to 45 seconds.
Mother Pleads Guilty After 4-Year-Old Found Unresponsive Outside Dairy Queen
Displayed above: From left, Dante Campbell’s image from GoFundMe, Charlotte Kurek and Devario Cruz’s booking photos from the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office. In the background: West Allis police officers on scene after discovering a child unresponsive outside a Dairy Queen in West Allis, Wisconsin, as reported by WTMJ/YouTube.
In a tragic turn of events, a Wisconsin mother confessed to ignoring her 4-year-old son’s distress by playing loud music instead of shielding him from alleged abuse by his father, leading to the boy’s untimely death.
Thirty-one-year-old Charlotte Kurek pled guilty to charges of child neglect resulting in death and chronic child neglect, according to court documents. Her sentencing has been slated for September 29.
Meanwhile, Devario Cruz, Kurek’s partner and the father of young Dante Campbell, continues to face grave charges, including first-degree reckless homicide, repeated acts of physical abuse of a child causing death, bodily harm through repeated abuse, and neglect. His upcoming court appearance is scheduled for September 11.
The associated criminal complaints reveal horrifying details of sustained abuse. As noted by a law enforcement official within the court files, “These are the most extensive and severe injuries observed on a child in my experience.”
Cruz woke up in West Allis, a Milwaukee suburb, around 7 a.m. on Oct. 18 and went into Dante’s and his twin sister’s bedroom. Dante was “stiff,” and when his father picked him up, he said he looked “unreal.” Cruz reported that the boy had fallen down a flight of stairs the previous evening, noting that the child “smelled bad,” per WITI.
The child was “blue” and let out a final gasp as Cruz picked him up, the affidavit states.
Cruz told Kurek, “I don’t think [the victim] is alive, I think he is dead,” according to authorities. Kurek is said to have begun screaming and said they needed to go to a hospital, but neither adult called 911.
As Law&Crime previously reported, after 8 a.m., Cruz and Kurek drove to a friend of Kurek’s — leaving three children “home alone” — and dropped off the twin girl. They kept Dante in the car, and Kurek finally called 911. Because they were near a West Allis Fire Department station, the 911 operator asked them to pull over so help could come to them.
As they waited for first responders, Cruz allegedly said, “I killed my kid, I want to kill myself.”
The couple drove into the parking lot of a nearby Dairy Queen, where emergency personnel and then police arrived. Dante was found “stiff,” and his gums were “bone white,” indicating to police that he had been without oxygen for some time.
He was brought to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators found “substantial bruising” on the child’s body, and his clothes reeked of urine, according to court documents.
Kurek told investigators that Dante fell down the stairs of their home, with bikes and other items tumbling on top of him. But officers were skeptical, not believing that his injuries matched such a sequence of events.
She later admitted that she lied “out of fear for her own safety,” authorities said, “despite earlier denying any previous domestic violence” by Cruz. She also allegedly made a startling comment: “My son looked like he got his a— beat by a grown man.”
Kurek would also allegedly admit that Cruz was “heavy-handed” but believed she had “addressed the issue” with him. Despite the alleged abuse, she never called police to report her boyfriend. Instead, she would crank up the music to drown out Dante’s cries for help, police said.
“Defendant Kurek watched Defendant Cruz abuse the twins and did not call the police or threaten Defendant Cruz in order to try and get Defendant Cruz to stop,” cops wrote. “It appeared as Defendant Kurek cared more for Defendant Cruz than the twins.”
Dante had been in the care of other family members until shortly before his death, when he was returned to his parents’ care, local NBC affiliate WTMJ reported.
Child Protective Services knew the parents, with Kurek having a CPS worker in her phone as “CPS b—.”
A former neighbor of the couple claimed that there was a pattern of abuse. The parents would leave their twins “home alone” during the night, and the young kids would cry out for their parents, according to the criminal complaints. There were guns in the home, and Cruz was also believed to be selling marijuana from his car parked outside the residence.
Kurek and Cruz lived at home with the twins as well as three children from Kurek’s previous relationship who would spend alternating weekends there.
Dante’s twin sister was also interviewed — and seen with her own injuries. She had a bandage over her right eye, and when an officer asked her what happened, she responded, “Daddy hurt me.” Her eye appeared to be swollen and she had several scratches on her face, as well as bruises throughout her body.
In the hallway of the home, investigators found “children’s shoes with a red substance on one of the shoes that appeared consistent with blood,” per the court documents. Investigators also found more than a pound of marijuana in the home.
Detectives believe Cruz beat his son the day before he and Kurek called 911. When they asked the father how hard he had hit Dante, “on a scale of one to 10, with 10 being the hardest Defendant Cruz could possibly strike another human being, Defendant Cruz admitted that it was ‘a 7 or 8,'” the affidavit stated.
When shown the photos of Dante’s injuries, he began to breathe heavily, authorities said, and stated, “I only used my hands.”
A GoFundMe for Dante said, “he was taken from us over this last weekend by the very people that were supposed to keep him safe in what we can only compare to a true crime documentary.”
“Dante was a happy and loving boy that deserved so much better than what happened to him,” the remembrance said. “He loved life and had the most amazing smile and laugh. His memory will forever live on with those of us who truly loved and cared for him.”
Conrad Hoyt contributed to this report
The post ‘Smelled bad’: Mom of 4-year-old boy found ‘stiff’ outside Dairy Queen after she played music to drown out toddler’s cries pleads guilty first appeared on Law & Crime.
Savannah Guthrie’s Exciting Comeback on ‘Today’ Show
Savannah Guthrie has returned to her spot on the Today show after taking a brief hiatus to work on her new Wordle-inspired project.
“I’m glad to be back,” Guthrie, 54, expressed during the Today show’s Monday broadcast on August 10 while sharing a moment with cohost Craig Melvin. She graciously welcomed the audience, thanking them for “beginning your week with us.”
During the lighthearted exchange, Melvin mentioned the show’s absence was felt during Guthrie’s assignment and added some humor related to the $905 million Powerball jackpot.
He jestingly remarked, “You might not see me again if I strike it big with the Powerball—I’m playing tonight. If it’s a win for me, SG, it’s been a wonderful journey.”
In related developments, Savannah Guthrie is set to embark on an exciting new project, a game show inspired by the popular New York Times puzzle, Wordle. Meanwhile, her family is still dealing with the mystery of her mother Nancy Guthrie, who has gone missing. NBC revealed plans for this Wordle-themed show on Monday, May 11, which offers a thrilling challenge of deciphering a five-letter word in six attempts or fewer.
Guthrie announced last month that she would be taking time away from the morning show to work on the network’s new Wordle game show, executive produced by Jimmy Fallon alongside The New York Times.
“We’re going to shoot the whole season, and we’re super excited,” she said on July 16. “Cannot wait for everyone to see it.”
Savannah Guthrie Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
Guthrie’s brief step back from Today came amid the ongoing search for her mother, Nancy, who was reported missing in Arizona in February. Nearly six months into the investigation, Guthrie issued a new plea to her mom’s kidnappers.
“Our family is in agony. We are in a nightmare that will not end. Nothing about our situation has changed. … The world can be a cruel and unforgiving place, and I know that you have tried to do things the right way,” she said in an Instagram video on July 27. “So I’m asking you, begging you to do the right thing now. Make the right choice. Help us find her. Tell us where to look for her. I truly believe it is never too late to do the right thing. … Please make the right choice.”
She captioned the clip, “Bring her home 💛.”
Savannah Guthrie is back on Today after a four-day absence from the show. “So glad that Savannah’s back in Studio 1A,” Today cohost Craig Melvin said, kicking off the Tuesday, July 14 broadcast. “Had some much-deserved time off.” Guthrie, 54, was all smiles for her return, sporting a red and pink floral dress. The journalist […]
Days later, Guthrie shared another emotional post about her family’s heartache.
“This is our beautiful Mom,” she captioned a photo of Nancy, 84, on August 1. “Six months ago, someone took her out of her bed in the dead of nightWe have lived every moment, every breath, and every heartbeat in agony and despair ever since. Every day, we wake up and try to be strong and go on because that’s what our joyful and resilient Mom taught us to do, but make no mistake — our hearts are in ruins.”
Guthrie added that her loved ones would “never stop looking for answers,” reminding followers that “the reward is available” for information about Nancy’s whereabouts.
“We will always be hoping and praying and believing in the best of our world — in spite of circumstance,” she added. “This is what our faith makes possible. Please. Bring her home.”
Guthrie previously took time away from the Today show after her mother disappeared, returning in April. Since then, she has made rare remarks about the case on camera.
“I don’t have any comment on this story. I’m not involved in our coverage, but I can’t pretend I’m not here,” she said in June, referencing reports that an alleged ransom note alluded to Nancy’s death. “Since I am, I just wanted to take the opportunity to ask people — really, to beg people — to come forward.”
She added, “Somebody knows something. This is a news story today that is on your radar, because this is the life my sister lives, that I live, that my brother lives and our extended families live, that our children live every day. We are in agony. We cannot be in peace.”
Arabella Chi Embraces Motherhood: Glows with Beauty in Stunning Pregnancy Photos
On Thursday, Arabella Chi turned to Instagram to proudly showcase her blossoming baby bump, announcing that she is now halfway through her pregnancy journey.
The 38-year-old Love Island alum, who is eagerly awaiting the arrival of her first child with partner Billy Henty, flaunted her bump in comfy low-rise pajamas and a matching set of underwear.
With her long blonde locks styled into elegant waves, Arabella gazed lovingly at her belly while gently cradling it, embodying the serene beauty of impending motherhood.
The reality TV star shared that she and Billy are thrilled about the upcoming gender reveal of their baby, which is set to happen later this week.
In her heartfelt post, she expressed, “Halfway through my pregnancy—20 weeks of nurturing and cherishing you, with a lifetime of love ahead.”
‘2 days until we find out if you will be a little princess or prince and we can’t wait.’
Arabella Chi showed off her growing baby bump as she revealed she is ‘half way’ through her pregnancy on Instagram on Thursday
Last month, Arabella revealed she is expecting a child with her boyfriend Billy, just two months after the couple confirmed their romance.
The model shared the news with a bikini-clad clip on Instagram as her hunky partner cradled her blossoming bump.
Arabella looked sensational in the tiny two-piece as she beamed, proudly displaying her baby scan picture and positive test.
Unable to wipe the smile off her face she wrote ‘May 2025’ in the sand, confirming the tot’s due date.
She captioned the post: ‘Dreams do come true … Baby Henty due May 2025’.
‘You already make our hearts full and we can’t wait to meet you little one’.
Fans and famous friends rushed to share their congratulations, with Ferne McCann writing: ‘Wowwwwwwwww congratulations darlings wonderful news.’
While Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu said: ‘Omg you kept that quiet!!! Congratulations.’
The Love Island star, 38, also revealed the couple are excited to find out the gender of their baby later this week
Last month, Arabella and boyfriend Billy Henty revealed they are expecting their first child together, just two months after they confirmed their romance
Arabella looked sensational in a tiny black-and-white bikini as she beamed, proudly displaying her baby scan picture and positive test
Billy is co-founder of a company specialising in biohacking and regenerative medicine, with clinics in London, Canada and Greece.
In October they looked more loved up then ever as they made their red carpet debut at the UK premiere of Venom: The Last Dance, just weeks after going Instagram official.
The pair had previously jetted off on a lavish holiday to Santorini and Arabella took the opportunity to share a photo of them together on social media for the first time, captioned: ‘Making memories with you’.
The couple had reportedly been dating secretly for months in private, with sources telling The Sun at the time: ‘Arabella has made no secret of wanting to find the one and it looks like Billy could be that man.’
‘He’s clever, handsome and has a jet setting lifestyle, which she loves. It was a big step putting him on her socials – she didn’t tag him but she’s happy for people to see her happy and in love.’
Arabella previously confessed she was looking to find true love and her ‘happily ever after’, wanting to get married and have kids.
She told The Sun on Sunday: ‘Last year was probably my unluckiest when it came to finding the one. I’ve been so unlucky in love. I’ve dated people I thought at the time were the one, which was a mistake I’ve since learnt from.’
‘What I’ve learnt from dating last year is that you think you know someone but you don’t really know them at all. I dated people that perhaps, looking back, weren’t best suited to me.’
She added: ‘I’ve been fortunate enough to hang out in Hollywood circles but I have still not found love. I’ve never felt more ready to settle down.’
‘All I’ve ever wanted is true love and that fairytale dream. I’m 32, I want to get married and have babies.’
The couple made their first red carpet together at the UK premiere of Venom: The Last Dance after reportedly dating in secret for months (pictured in October)
The start of the year saw Arabella face a string of heartbreaks, after first being dumped by footballer Rúben Dias (pictured in July) following a New Year’s break
She then appeared on Love Island All Stars in January, and struck up a connection with Adam Maxted, but they split just five weeks after leaving the villa (pictured on the show)
‘I haven’t got lots of time left and I know more about myself now than ever. This is my last shot to find my happily ever after.’
The start of the year saw Arabella face a string of heartbreaks, after first being dumped by footballer Rúben Dias following a New Year’s break.
The blonde beauty and the ex Manchester City player were at the heart of romance rumours for several months and were said to have begun dating in September last year.
In November, The Sun reported that Arabella had been regularly jetting from her home in Ibiza to spend time with Rúben in the UK.
They added the Portuguese hunk had been ‘showering’ the stunner with gifts, but that the couple were trying to keep their romance at the time under wraps.
They were also seen at Manchester Airport on New Year’s Day, heading off on holiday together.
However, Ruben reportedly dumped Arabella soon after they returned to the UK, leaving her heartbroken.
She then appeared on Love Island All Stars in January, and struck up a connection with Adam Maxted, but they split just five weeks after leaving the villa.
Hilary Duff Honors Late Ex Aaron Carter at Philly Concert
In a heartfelt onstage tribute, Hilary Duff paid homage to her late ex-boyfriend, Aaron Carter, evoking fond memories of their past.
Making a poignant fashion statement during her Lucky Me World Tour in Philadelphia on Sunday, the pop sensation donned a vintage T-shirt adorned with the image of the former child star, who had faced numerous challenges throughout his life.
The T-shirt showcased a youthful Carter in the early stages of his career, captured nostalgically wearing jean overalls paired with a white and red shirt.
Duff and Carter’s youthful romance began in 2000 when they were both merely 13, marking the start of a relationship that would see its share of ups and downs.
For three tumultuous years, the couple oscillated between being together and apart, eventually parting ways due to a widely publicized love triangle involving Lindsay Lohan.
“I just got a little bored, so I went and I started getting to know Lindsay, dating Lindsay,” the “I Want Candy” singer admitted on CNBC’s “The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch” in 2005, adding that Duff “really got her heart broken,” which he felt “sorry” about.
After the “Lizzie McGuire” alum grew up and started a family years later, Carter continued to express regret over how he had treated her.
“I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to better myself to get back to her,” he wrote in a since-deleted tweet in 2014. “I don’t care what ANY of you think.”
The “Aaron’s Party (Come Get It)” crooner eventually moved on and got engaged to Melanie Martin in 2020. They welcomed a son named Prince in 2021.
However, the former child star — who was the younger brother of Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter — struggled with addiction and family trauma in the final years of his life.
He was found dead on November 5, 2022, in a bathtub at his California home at age 34.
“Aaron worked very hard towards the end of his life in recovery, to be a good father and to make amends with his family,” his rep told Page Six at the time.
Shortly after his death, Duff, 38, paid tribute to her ex in a sweet Instagram post.
“For Aaron- I’m deeply sorry that life was so hard for you and that you had to struggle in-front of the whole world,” she penned. “You had a charm that was absolutely effervescent … boy did my teenage self love you deeply.”
Duff concluded her message by telling Aaron to “rest easy” and “sending love” to his grieving family.
She also continued to defend Aaron after his tragic passing. In November 2022, Duff publicly slammed the publisher of the “Crush on You” singer’s posthumous memoir, which claims the former flames “lost [their] virginity to each other” when they were pre-teens.
“It’s really sad that within a week of Aaron’s death, there’s a publisher that seems to be recklessly pushing a book out to capitalize on this tragedy without taking appropriate time or care to fact check the validity of his work,” the “Younger” actress told the Daily Mail.
“To water down Aaron’s life story to what seems to be unverified click-bait for profit is disgusting,” she continued.
“In no way do I condone shedding any light on what is so obviously an uninformed, heartless, money grab.”
Husband Believes Missing American Woman in Grenada Drowned After Swimming Offshore
A North Carolina woman who vanished during a Caribbean getaway with friends may have tragically drowned, her husband revealed.
Elizabeth “Liz” Waddell, 43, disappeared from Grenada on July 22. According to her husband, her last known location was in the ocean, spotted by a group of jet skiers.
Cailen Waddell, Liz’s husband, provided an update on FindLiz.com. He mentioned that the jet skiers attempted for several minutes to persuade her to board a jet ski instead of staying in the water.
Elizabeth “Liz” Waddell, 43, disappeared from Grenada on July 22. (Cailen Waddell)
Cailen detailed, “They spent five to ten minutes engaging with her, encouraging her to accompany them back to shore on a jet ski rather than remain in the open sea. Reportedly, she assured them, ‘I’m a good swimmer,’ and gave a thumbs-up in response.”
He has been releasing information on his wife’s case using the website her family created.
Liz Waddell and her husband Cailen Waddell pose together for a photo during a trip. (Cailen Waddell)
The conversation with the jet skiers allegedly happened around 5:30 p.m. on July 22, the day she was reported missing to the Royal Grenada Police Force.
“I am grieving her absence and the loss of her in my daily life right now, understanding that it is incredibly likely she is gone and hoping that the investigation will offer more clarity as to what happened,” Waddell said.
Liz Waddell disappeared in Grenada after appearing to go into the water. (Jan Wehnert/Getty Images)
Waddell traveled to Grenada to join search efforts to find her two days after she was reported missing. He returned to the U.S. a week later, following an unsuccessful search.
Surveillance video from a nearby Airbnb property recorded the possible moment Liz entered the water that day; a person appearing to be Waddell is seen walking near a pool and holding a towel.
Liz Waddell of North Carolina vanished in Grenada. (Royal Grenada Police Force)
Next, she appears to jump in the water off of a dock, then swims out of frame.
Despite drones, dive teams and dogs, search efforts by law enforcement for any trace of Liz have come up dry.
Shot of St George in Grenada. (iStock)
Police are still treating her disappearance as a missing persons case. Her husband is still holding on to hope.
“If Liz walked out of the jungle tomorrow and said, ‘Hey, where’s my passport?’ I’d not be surprised and obviously get on a plane and go get her in a heartbeat,” he said.
Renowned Climbs End Tragically: Record-Breaker Dies at 30
In a tragic turn of events, the climbing community mourns the loss of Jake Whisenant, renowned for his lightning-fast ascent of Yosemite’s legendary El Capitan. He passed away at the young age of 30.
The untimely accident took place in the Sierra Nevada on August 3rd, as confirmed by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.
Details surrounding Whisenant’s passing, a native of Mammoth Lakes in California, remain sparse at this time.
Tributes have been paid by the likes of Bailee Moore, Whisenant’s ‘lifelong friend.’ She wrote on social media: ‘It is with an impossibly heavy heart that I share the passing of my lifelong friend and confidant – Jacob Daniel Whisenant.
“Our family is utterly heartbroken at this news,” shared a family representative, “but we find comfort knowing Jake was in his element when he left us, amidst the breathtaking Sierra Nevada.”
Social media was overwhelmed with heartfelt condolences and tributes. “I’ve been in tears all day,” one message read, while another admirer added, “Jake was truly one of my most cherished friends.”
‘Many of my favorite days in the mountains were with him. I so admired his strength, his grace, his thoughtfulness, and relentless optimism. Can’t believe he’s gone.’
Jake Whisenant, a climber who scaled Yosemite’s El Capitan, has died at the age of 30
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Whisenant died in an accident on August 3
Whisenant scaled the Lurking Fear route in just two hours, 55 minutes and 32 seconds
El Capitan is an iconic summit in Yosemite National Park which stretches 3,000ft into the sky
Whisenant hit the headlines in October 2024 when, alongside Brant Hysell, he took on El Capitan – the iconic summit in Yosemite National Park, which stretches 3,000ft into the sky and features the world’s tallest exposed vertical face of granite.
Whisenant and Hysell scaled the Lurking Fear route in just two hours, 55 minutes and 32 seconds.
Together they broke the previous speed record – held by Yuji Hirayama and Nick Fowler – by nearly ten minutes.
‘A truly magical day that I’ll never forget,’ Whisenant said at the time on social media. ‘We both tapped into a flow state, fully committed to our plan, and most importantly, had an absolute blast on our favorite rock.
‘We had perfect weather for a shirtless ascent and the entire route to ourselves.’
The 30-year-old detailed many of his adventures on Instagram and as recently as July 15, Whisenant was posting pictures from his climbs in the Sierra Nevada.
Noah Fox, who scaled El Capitan with Whisenant in May, wrote on Instagram: ‘I had the privilege of climbing with Jake these past few months and these are memories I will cherish for the rest of my life.’
According to Fox, he and Whisenant ‘claimed an El Cap speed record’ and ‘climbed from the ground to the summit twice in 14:38.’
Moore responded to his tribute with a poignant message of her own. ‘Based on what I saw, he cherished that time too,’ she wrote. ‘Take care of yourself and never stop doing your thing in his honor.’
In one of Whisenant’s final social media posts, he documented a trip to the Kings-Kern Divide
‘I had a truly life enhancing experience out there,’ he said of his skiing and climbing trip
In one of Whisenant’s final social media posts, he documented a recent trip to the Kings-Kern Divide, a six-mile-long ridge in California, where he spent four days skiing, climbing and sleeping alone in ‘raw, rugged, classic High Sierra terrain.’
‘I had a truly life-enhancing experience out there, gaining confidence with each new ridge scrambled, basin traversed, and ski line descended,’ he wrote on social media at the time.
In a series of photos and videos, the 30-year-old showed off spectacular sunrises and scenery as well as his sleeping bag laid out beside a rock in the darkness.
‘By the end of my short stay, I summited [eight] 13,500+ peaks via new-to-me scrambles, and skied a fun line off each.
‘I felt sad hiking out, wishing for more time to explore and enjoy the simple mountain lifestyle.’
Allie Eklund Exposes McBee Jr.’s Messages: A Stand for Women’s Empowerment
Allie Eklund’s unexpected dive into the world of reality television through Bravo’s The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys came with unforeseen twists. Initially unaware of the turbulence ahead, Eklund’s romance with series star Steven McBee Jr. came to a dramatic end as he falsely accused her of infidelity at Stagecoach. Forced to defend herself, Eklund released their text message exchanges, revealing McBee’s harsh and troubling tone. “I felt I had no choice,” Eklund confessed. “I needed to set the record straight against his unfounded accusations.”
Though Eklund and McBee have parted ways, they find themselves revisiting their early relationship days on The McBee Dynasty Season 3. Surprisingly, Eklund harbors no ill will towards McBee and his family. “Reflecting on those times, I am grateful for the experiences we shared,” Eklund shared. “We created some lasting memories.” As she watches the series unfold, she notes intriguing revelations. “Viewers will witness the moment my eyes opened to truths I believe were concealed from me,” Eklund hinted as the season advances.
Thankfully, Eklund stays occupied, steering clear of past turmoil. Her commitments to the family’s EEE Ranch consume much of her time, as does her burgeoning apparel and home goods line. Alongside her sister, Eklund has launched The EEE Mercantile, a passion project born out of a family hobby. “We realized our products had a demand,” Eklund explained. “The merchandise line is growing, and so is our dedicated team.”
Eklund recently visited the Decider studio for a candid conversation about the season, addressing a “confusing” rumor involving her former flame and his sister-in-law, Kacie Adkison, among other topics.
DECIDER: Allie, it seems like you’ve packed a lifetime of experiences since the filming of The McBee Dynasty Season 3. How do you view that time in retrospect?
ALLIE EKLUND: I feel like I’ve lived several lives in general, but definitely a few since filming [laughs]. I try to look back at everything with appreciation and gratitude for the experiences.
Your family has a successful private ranch: the EEE Ranch. Did that prepare you for visiting the McBee Farm?
One of the things that Steven and I originally aligned on was that we both grew up on the ranch and farm owned by our families. It was really important to both that we understood the lifestyle. My time on my family’s properties definitely prepared me for going into the McBee Ranch.
True to your entrepreneurial spirit, you have an apparel and home goods line tied to your family’s ranch. Can you give us an update on how things are going?
That’s something that we’ve been working on for the last five or six years. I started my career in online sales and social selling. This passion project was a natural extension of that. This started as a hobby with my family—my sister specifically— but we quickly realized that there was a market for our product line. It has expanded, and our team is growing. We’re also located in a couple of ACE Hardware stores across Texas. It’s been very exciting.
I’m glad you have something to keep you busy with all the drama that’s been going on. A lot has been said about your team negotiating your contract before you even stepped foot onto the McBee farm to visit Steven. Looking back at everything that happened, do you feel vindicated?
Yes. Prior to my going to the McBee Farm, Steven had visited me in Nashville multiple times. We had been talking for a month or so at that point, but then he had to jump into filming. He wanted me to come visit. Naturally, with any new sort of business venture, I have a team that needed to be consulted. I had pre-existing businesses that I had to protect.
After Steven publicly accused you of cheating on him at Stagecoach, you took to Instagram and posted those text messages he sent you. Why did you feel it was important to share them on your social media?
He made his post about me prior to our having a real conversation. I had around $50,000 in brand deals that were on the line and in danger of being dropped because of all of the drama circulating online. I released the messages specifically responding to the claims that he made about me because I felt that it was important to show my side of the situation.
My hands were tied. I didn’t have any other option at that point. I had to respond and prove that his accusations were false. I would encourage my sisters, my friends, my family, or any other woman to defend themselves by any necessary means. Steven isn’t used to women sticking up for themselves. I had put my foot down. Looking back, I’m happy that I did.
People have called you an “opportunist,” but wouldn’t an opportunist have insisted on a percentage of Kacie’s and Steven’s tallow business? What do you have to say about that?
You would think so! [Laughs] If I were an opportunist, I could have easily had 25% of that business. I’d still be hanging around like Galyna [laughs]. Though, I don’t put my name on or back anything that I don’t believe in or don’t use myself. I don’t do business with people if I don’t know how they do business. So, it was really important to me to take the time to understand the business and how they operate. It was clear to me that they still had a lot of work to do [laughs].
I do not doubt that Kacie will be successful. I believe in her 100%, and I was happy to help. I planned multiple photo shoots and helped with multiple ads—all for free. Their business just wasn’t a fit for me.
You were blindsided—as was the audience—about the rumor Alli McBee allegedly started that Kacie’s and Steven’s relationship was “inappropriate.” Were that rumor and the text messages Steven sent Kacie the first big red flags you saw?
That rumor wasn’t the first red flag I saw, but it was really confusing for me and still is to this day. There were a lot of conversations surrounding that rumor. It’s not my place to reveal the details of that rumor, but it was pretty shocking.
I don’t see Alli as a dramatic person. I believe her because Alli doesn’t just pull things out of her ass. I was asked to get involved—along with Cole—and help mediate a conversation between Steven and Kacie, but I didn’t know the reason until after. My reaction that you saw in the episode was genuine. I was learning about everything going on in real time. To this day, that rumor is still pretty confusing to me. It’s pretty layered too.
It’s clear to me that you’re a genuine person. You really wanted this relationship with Steven to work. You were so excited to be in Vegas and to bond with the McBees. Do you have fond memories of your time with them?
I do. We made some great memories together. The trip to Vegas is one of them. It’s going to be the hardest episode to watch back because it was so special. I was so honored to be a part of this memory and to be at Cole’s and Kacie’s wedding.
After your experience on The McBee Dynasty, would you ever do more reality TV?
I always say that I’m open. I don’t consider myself closed off in any area of my life unless I am provoked or pushed. If someone offers an opportunity, I’m willing to listen. If you think about it, reality TV has been a natural extension of what I’ve already been building over the last 10 years with an iPhone camera, right? So, what’s another camera added? As long as I can continue building my businesses and working with my friends and family, then I’m open to cameras being there.
You don’t need to be married to be a Real Housewife these days, and I would personally love to see you on a new iteration of Real Housewives of Dallas someday. Would that interest you?
Oh my gosh, imagine that. If it was a natural extension of what I had going on, then that could be cool. Again, I am always open [laughs].
Lastly, what can you tease about the rest of the season?
You’re gonna see my eyes opening to some of the things that I believe were being hidden from me. We’re gonna watch that play out together [laughs]. It’ll be interesting to look back on.