Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s personal trainer, Bryant Johnson, paid his last respects to the US Supreme Court justice by doing three push-ups in front of her casket. Ginsburg, who died last month, at the age of 87, is the first woman and first Jewish person to be laid to rest in the state at the US Capitol.
Ginsburg called Johnson “a very important part of my life,” having worked with him for over 20 years. “The two started working out together back in 1999 following Ginsburg’s treatment for colorectal cancer. Ginsburg, who worked out with Johnson twice a week, was very open about the benefits of exercise and nutrition,” said a spokeswoman from Sundt, adding that it was both exercise and supplements that kept the liberal icon so vibrant until her final days.
In fact, Ginsburg’s commitment was an inspiration for Johnson to write a book that outlines her workout regime, which included strength exercises such as planks, push-ups, and bicep and leg curls. Ginsburg’s workout routine also inspired a sketch for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” when she took Colbert for a session at the gym.
Throughout their time together, Ginsburg and Johnson only experienced a couple of periods that put a stop to their exercise regime. The first one was between 2004 and 2007 when Johnson was deployed to Kuwait, and the second came between 2009 and 2014 when Ginsburg experienced serious health issues. Even so, Ginsburg revealed that even at that time she continued to exercise. “Even in my lowest periods I couldn’t do very much, but I did what I can,” she said.
Having started her career at the high court in 1993, over the years Ginsburg became a role model for millions of American women and girls, as she tirelessly found for gender equality. “She changed the course of American law. And even when her views did not prevail, she still fought,” said Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt during the ceremony, which was attended by Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his wife. Numerous politicians, diplomats, and musicians from across the US, EU and UK have also paid their respects to the champion of law and justice.
