50 • Mama of 4 • Grammy • Pinball competitor • Cat chaos manager • Midlife wellness navigator
Christy Kohtz created Wellness Whiskers Silverballs to share real-life wellness…
I’m Christy Kohtz – a 50-year-old mama, grammy, competitive pinball player, and lifelong cat wrangler navigating midlife wellness with humor and heart in Phoenix, Arizona. This space is about living a life — not training for an event — and finding movement that still counts in the middle of real days.
The current chapter of wellness starts…
In September 2025, I decided it was time to step up my game — literally and figuratively. I started focusing on my health, my energy, and my lifestyle. I’ve lost 20 pounds so far, with more to go, but this journey isn’t just about a number on a scale. It’s about feeling good in my body again, having the energy to chase my grandbaby, travel to see my kids, explore the world, and stop feeling weighed down — physically and mentally.
Wellness at 50 looks different than it did at 30. Perimenopause adds its own plot twists, and I’m learning to work with my body instead of fighting it. This blog is where I share that journey honestly — the wins, the setbacks, and everything in between.
“Kitty Forman from That ’70s Show = menopause spirit animal.” – Christy Kohtz
Wellness changed how I move through the world.
But the other surprising piece of this journey?
Pinball.
And then there’s pinball. What started in 2019 as a fun empty‑nest activity with my husband quickly turned into a passion and a competitive outlet I never expected. I found a quirky, welcoming community, joined leagues, made lifelong friends, and fell in love with the challenge. I’ve qualified for the Arizona Women’s State Pinball Championships four years in a row — and in my fourth year, I took second place overall. My next goal is competing in the open state tournament and seeing just how far I can go.
Pinball has taken us across states, into incredible arcades and venues, and connected us with an amazing global community. It’s strategy, focus, resilience — and a whole lot of fun.
And of course… the cats. Five of them. Each with a personality bigger than the last. From Mr. T, our black‑cat OG, to Monkey the tabby (equal parts loving and terrifying), to Willow the fluffy gray sweetheart, and finally Xena and Gabby — two tiny kittens I rescued straight off the road on my way to pinball league night. They were four days old, eyes closed, umbilical cords still attached, and they’ve been part of our family ever since. Chaos? Absolutely. Regrets? Not a single one.
This blog is where all of that comes together: wellness, cats, and pinball — with honesty, humor, and real life woven through it all. If you’re navigating midlife changes, chasing better health, obsessed with your pets, curious about competitive pinball, or just looking for a space that feels real and welcoming, you’re in the right place.
Thanks for being here. 🖤
“I didn’t accidentally build a system.
I built a life that produces content as a side effect.” As I keep going, come walk with me. 👣🪶
Christy Kohtz is a competitive pinball player, wellness advocate, and creator of Wellness Whiskers Silverballs, a blog about everyday wellness, cats, and life in the pinball community.