Life’s Changes Are Inevitable, God’s Love Is Forever: Sister Jean Schmidt and Tara Sun.
Story by Charlotte Hilton Andersen
Thousands of fans around the country know “Sister Jean” for her enthusiastic
support of the Loyola University men’s basketball team, having gone viral at age 100 with her cheerleader-level antics. But Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt is so much more than a Catholic nun who loves basketball, and who for years has served as the team’s chaplain.
As Sister Jean looks to turn 104 years old this summer, her first book, Wake Up with Purpose! What I’ve Learned in My first Hundred Years will be released on February 28, just in time for March Madness. In the memoir, “the basketball nun” shares her greatest lessons from working as a teacher, volunteer and spiritual leader for more than 80 years.
Sister Jean Interview – YouTube gave The Healthy @Reader’s Digest a sneak peek of what she recommends in the book for good health and a long, happy life.
23 Celebs Share the Self-Care Secrets They Never, Ever Skip
Sister Jean’s secret to happiness at 103 years old
“I can tell you the secret to living a happy life,” Sister Jean told us.
“Everyone needs to know what they have done well, a pat on the back.
Tell other people what they do well, and then do that for yourself, too.”
She says that every night, the last thing she thinks about before she goes to sleep is one thing she did well that day—something she’s proud of or feels good about. “Too many people go to bed thinking about everything they did wrong and then they wake up sad, and that’s heartbreaking,” Sister Jean says. “This way I fall asleep happy and I wake up happy, every day. You can choose happiness, and being happy helps you be mentally healthy.”
People Who Did This One Thing at Age 50 Were the Healthiest at Age 80
Sister Jean’s tips to a healthy life
St. Jean’s infectious smile and sense of humor are evidence of her ongoing joy
and love of life. But she has other healthy living tips, as well.Prioritize nutrition
Growing up during the Great Depression, Sister Jean learned her mother’s way of making nutritious meals that don’t cost a lot of money. “Always have a protein and a vegetable at every meal,” she says.
Eat dinner with loved ones
Turn off the TV and put down your phone, and eat at least one meal a day with your family or friends. “Spending time with your family each night is an opportunity to eat together and to talk about your day,” she says.
Follow a schedule
Every day, no matter what, Sister Jean goes to sleep at 8 p.m. and wakes up at 5 a.m. She says following this routine for sleep, meals, and activities keeps her motivated and on task.
I Took Magnesium to Help Me Sleep for a Month—Here’s What Happened
Keep fun, active hobbies
Sledding was her favorite activity as a child and she still enjoys it (safely!). “Make at least one of your fun activities be active,” she says. “I’m a huge fan of sports, obviously, and playing sports is so good for children. It teaches life skills, exercise, nutrition, and sociality.”
7 Gentle Exercises to Tone Your Lower Body
Eat breakfast
“I have eaten hot mush, like oatmeal, every day for breakfast since I was a small child,”
she says. “It’s filling and delicious and has lots of fiber.” She also drinks coffee (which research has shown is good for the heart, liver and more) and a small glass of cranberry juice.
Take a walk outdoors every day
Even during frigid Ohio winters, Sister Jean’s parents took the children for a daily walk outdoors—a tradition she still enjoys. “Get outside every day, no matter
the weather. The cold is good for you. Just bundle up and you’ll be fine,” she says.
One Major Effect Walking Has on Your Dementia Risk, Says Research
Enjoy the occasional treat
Don’t be fooled: She doesn’t always eat a perfectly healthy diet. “Good pizza is, well, really good!” Sister Jean laughs, adding that she adores the Loyola cafeteria’s mac-and-cheese and eats sweets in moderation.
I Ate Cheese Every Day for a Week—Here’s What Happened
Help others
A large part of Sister Jean’s life as a nun and chaplain is service to God and to others.
She says each day, she looks for someone she can help and is well-known at Loyola for
offering a listening ear and sympathetic advice to generations of students.
5 Science-Backed Reasons Volunteering Is Actually a Powerful Way to Feel Healthier
Pray daily
Having daily spiritual rituals, including reading her Bible, praying and meditating, help her feel centered and start her day off right. “Every morning, I wake up and immediately pray, thanking God that I’m still here,” she laughs.
Don’t be afraid of a do-over
Life, like sports, can feel competitive—but, Sister Jean says, just like there’s always
a new game to be played, there’s always a new day. “When I taught eighth grade, one day the class came in and they were too excited, lots of arguing and talking. And I got a little frustrated,” she says. “So I told them to be quiet for 30 minutes.
I calmed down and after the 30 minutes was up, I stood up and greeted them just like it was the beginning of the school day! I told them that today was a do-over day and we could start fresh.” She says the experience taught her that any of us can decide to have a do-over day at any moment.
With her infectious spirit, unwavering faith, and avid sportsmanship, Sister Jean has captured hearts worldwide and we’re excited to see what she does next. Perhaps also a sequel is in the works? “Absolutely,” she says. “When I’m 200, I’ll write the next one.”
Sister Jean, BVM (born Jean Dolores Schmidt,[1] August 21, 1919), is an
American religious sister of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
and also chaplain for the Loyola Ramblers men’s basketball team of
Loyola University Chicago.[2][3][4]
Early life
Jean Dolores Schmidt was born in San Francisco, California, and raised in the Eureka Valley neighborhood.[5][6][7][8] She first considered becoming a nun while she was in third grade.[9] As a student at St. Paul’s High School, she played on the girls basketball team.
After graduating from high school in 1937, she entered the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary convent in Iowa. In 1941, by then a sister, she returned to teach in California.[6] Sister Jean completed her B.A. at Mount St. Mary’s College (now Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles) in 1949 and M.A. at Loyola University of Los Angeles, now (Loyola Marymount University) in 1961.[5]
Sister Jean Bobblehead
Career
Sister Jean began teaching at St. Bernard School in Glassell Park, California and then in 1946 taught at St. Charles Borromeo School in North Hollywood, California.[10] Several students from her teaching days at St. Charles later entered religious life, including Cardinal Roger Mahoney, Fr. Thomas Rausch, S.J. and Sister Mary Milligan, RSHM.[10] Sister Jean moved from California to teach at Mundelein College in Chicago in 1961.[11]
During the mid-1960s, she was active in the civil rights movement.[12]
She was hired by Loyola in 1991 when Mundelein was merged into Loyola.[9] She has worked as the team chaplain for the Ramblers men’s basketball team since 1994.[13]
In 2016, she was presented with an honorary doctorate from Loyola.[14] Providing a mix of spiritual and scouting support, Schmidt inspired her own bobblehead doll in 2011 and was honored with a “Sister Jean Day” on December 1, 2012.[9]
Sister Jean gained overnight publicity beyond the Loyola community after the Ramblers‘ upset of Miami in the 2018 NCAA tournament. Her fame continued to grow after the team upset Tennessee in the round of 32, sending Loyola to their first Sweet 16 appearance in 33 years.[15][16] The then-98-year-old nun quickly became a star in the tournament;[15] her bobblehead sold for more than $300 on eBay.[17] Loyola ultimately advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 1963,[18] but they were defeated by Michigan in the semifinal game.
Sister Jean again drew national attention when Loyola appeared in the 2021 tournament. After reaching the round of 32 as an 8-seed, she incorporated a scouting report into her opening prayer for the game against the top-seeded Illinois Fighting Illini, a team she was reluctant to play against because she did not want to root against another team from the same home state. The Ramblers went on to upset the Illini, 71–58. She had initially been barred from appearing at the tournament but was later cleared after she received a COVID-19 vaccine.[19]
Sister Jean will turn 104 on August 21, 2023.
She maintains an office in the student center on campus.[6]
As of 2020, she was living at The Clare,[20] a senior living residence in downtown
Chicago that describes itself as “reinventing the luxury retirement community.”[21][22]
She made an appearance at the 2022 tournament after Loyola qualified for the tournament, with USA Today noting she was still in good health.[23] On August 21, 2022, the plaza outside the Loyola CTA station was dedicated to Sister Jean in commemoration of her 103rd birthday.[24] Source: Sister Jean – Wikipedia
Brain Connection: ADHD & Alzheimer’s Link – Bing video
More than six and a half million people are living with Alzheimer’s in the U.S. More than six million children have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Could the two actually be linked
Puzzles & Games Cut Dementia Risk—But Socializing with Friends & Family Barely Helps,
The “Happiness Diet”: How Eating These Foods Can Affect Your Mood (msn.com)
13 Foods You are Eating That Are Gradually Destroying Your Brain (frenzhub.com)
The #1 Best Workout for Dementia Prevention, According to a Neurophysiologist
Men over 60: These 15 hobbies will keep you entertained & active (msn.com)
27 Surefire Warning Signs You’re Dangerously Low on Vitamin D (msn.com)
The Most Popular Junk Food In Every State, Says New Study (msn.com)
Study Unlocks Secrets to ‘Super Agers’ Better Brain Health (msn.com)
20 Easy High-Protein Dinners for High Blood Pressure (msn.com)