Psychoanalyst Carl Rogers' theories on the power of human beings to positively transform themselves first inspired Janet Ishikawa-Fullmer to get a master's degree (her second) in counseling.

And anthropologist Margaret Mead's oft-repeated idea on untapped potential spurred Ishikawa-Fullmer to pursue a doctorate in psychology.

Mead "said that human beings only use 6 percent of their potential, and the other 94 percent goes to waste," says Ishikawa-Fullmer. "I was afraid that was me!"

Hardly.

A month shy of 81, Ishikawa-Fullmer is still writing entries in a long life narrative of maximized potential. And her physical health remains as impressive as her intellectual acuity.

Still in private practice with her husband, Daniel Fullmer, Ishikawa-Fullmer works — and works out — seven days a week.

"You probably don't see people in my age group at the spa every day," she concedes modestly.

Ishikawa-Fullmer was raised in Hakalau on the Big Island, where her father owned a sugar cane field. Toiling alongside her three older brothers, Ishikawa-Fullmer developed an appreciation not just for hard work and consistency of effort, but for the physical rewards they reaped.

Ishikawa-Fullmer left Hakalau to attend the University of Hawai'i, and took a teaching job at Kapi'olani Community College right after graduation. She did well, eventually getting promoted to chairwoman of the math department, but it wasn't enough. In 1965, she returned to UH for a degree in school administration.

That, too, wouldn't take her close enough to the boundaries of her imagination. Inspired by Rogers, who also taught at UH, Ishikawa-Fullmer finished her master's and then promptly enrolled in another graduate program for counseling. She would later earn a doctorate and set up a private practice with her husband.

Along the way, Ishikawa-Fullmer married and divorced her first husband (she has one child, David Ishikawa, now a consultant in Maryland), served as dean of students at Honolulu Community College and maintained the glow of health she earned working in her father's cane field.

With a reliable running partner in Fullmer, she took up distance running, completing eight Ho-nolulu Marathons before calling it quits in 1995 at the age of 70. Until Fullmer's recent stroke, the couple used to walk every day for exercise. Ishikawa-Fullmer, of course, kept on going, first on exercise bikes, and now with a daily regimen of weight-lifting.

An avid reader of healthrelated publications, Ishikawa-Fullmer is aware that weight-bearing exercise helps women retain bone density as they age. She knows that overeating is the first step to a myriad of health problems. And she knows that fitness requires consistent attention first and foremost.

Four years ago, Ishikawa-Fullmer underwent a complete left-knee replacement to relieve a painful arthritic condition. She had another surgery planned for her right knee but found a better remedy.

"It's fine now," she says. "No pain. And it's because I kept exercising."

One might expect that all of that exercise would sap Ishikawa-Fullmer's energy. Again, hardly. It feeds it.

Rising at 5 each morning, Ishikawa-Fullmer either puts in an early morning workout or if clients need attending to, saves it for midday. That, and a few sensible, sustaining meals, ensures she has enough energy to devote to her garden of roses and pikake.

"My real goal," she says, "Is to stay healthy the rest of my life."

Many will agree: She has potential.

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.