On July 18, 40-year-old IDEA member Terri Rivero will compete for top honors at the U.S. National Aerobic Gymnastics Championships in Las Vegas. A former aerobic gymnastics competitor and athlete, Rivero will go up against competitors half her age.

“Age doesn’t mean a whole lot to me,” she says. “They say 40 is the new 30. I agree. I love being 40. By taking care of myself, eating healthy and training smart, I can keep up with the 18- and 20-year-olds. I think I have what they don’t: experience.” Rivero currently works as a personal trainer in Petaluma, California.