After retiring from a distinguished academic career, Alex Rotas reinvented herself as a photographer, despite knowing next-to-nothing about photography.

Today, she’s one of the top masters photographers and has even written a book featuring her photos called Growing Old Competitively: Photographs of Masters Athletes.

Alex, who lives in the UK, recently visited the States, and we knew there was one place we had to take her — the Joe Dome, the backyard pole-vaulting pit of masters champion Joe Johnston.

Come along as Alex puts Joe in focus and talks to us about why it’s so important — and so fun — to be a beginner again. Get inspired to find your true passion in life at any age.

Click here to visit Alex’s website to see more of her photos.