The program, which premiered on national British television recently, was filmed entirely at On Top of the World Communities, 8395 SW 80th St. in Ocala. It features the adventures of two couples from this active-adult community who mentor two pairs of what the show’s producers describe as “20-something slackers.”
During the 10-day shooting schedule last summer, residents Jack and Bobby Roeder, and Dottie and Don Doenges took the four young Brits – selected for various bad habits ranging from smoking and heavy partying to complete lack of exercise – into their homes to show them the benefits of healthy diets, daily exercise and community service. They were filmed virtually around the clock.
The four “pensioners” – the British term for retirees – were selected by BBC producers for their “extremely positive attitudes, healthy lifestyles and impressive exercise regimens.”
The hour-long program culminated in a physical competition between the four On-Top-of-the-Worlders and the four young Brits in a steeplechase (called a peoplechase) competition at the Ocala Horse Park.
About On Top of the World Communities
On Top of the World Communities is a 12,900-acre master-planned community offering sustainable, high-performance homes and state-of-the-art amenities for 21st century active adults.
Named to the list of America’s 100 Best Master-Planned Communities by Where to Retire magazine and Best Neighborhood for 55+ by Ocala magazine, On Top of the World Communities has built about 4,500 homes in 14 neighborhoods in this central Florida location since construction began in the 1980s.
The community has two recreation centers with two outdoor and one indoor swimming pools. It has a state-of-the-art fitness programs with certified trainers, six tennis courts, an arts-and-crafts building and more than 200 clubs and organizations.
On Top of the World Communities boasts three par-72, 18-hole golf courses, including Candler Hills Golf Club, which opened in 2005.
One of the community’s most compelling features is the Master the Possibilities Education Center, where 600 classes, lectures, presentations and film series are taught by a professional faculty
All On Top of the World homes are steel-reinforced concrete block construction, and every home exceeds ENERGY STAR™ standards ... verified by independent inspectors.
On Top of the World Communities
Ocala, Florida
