All Downhill After Age 70?
Think Again.
4 Lessons on Longevity from my Great-Grandfather.
Thread:
Think Again.
4 Lessons on Longevity from my Great-Grandfather.
Thread:
Devoted Husband, Father, and Grandfather.
Record-Breaking Masters Track and Field Athlete.
Nature Appreciator.
Man of God.
Builder.
An impressive resume for anyone, but even more-so when you find out my Great-Grandfather embodied all of the above between ages 70-91.
Record-Breaking Masters Track and Field Athlete.
Nature Appreciator.
Man of God.
Builder.
An impressive resume for anyone, but even more-so when you find out my Great-Grandfather embodied all of the above between ages 70-91.
I never knew my Great-Grandfather Herb.
He passed away just a year before I was born.
I spoke to the still-alive family members who knew him well to get a better understanding of what exactly gave him so much vitality in the later years of his life.
Here's what I learned:
He passed away just a year before I was born.
I spoke to the still-alive family members who knew him well to get a better understanding of what exactly gave him so much vitality in the later years of his life.
Here's what I learned:
LESSON 1:
THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
In college, Herb was a 3 sport athlete.
He ran track/field, played basketball, & football.
After graduating he became an Ophthalmologist and dedicated his life to his family and career.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
In college, Herb was a 3 sport athlete.
He ran track/field, played basketball, & football.
After graduating he became an Ophthalmologist and dedicated his life to his family and career.
Upon retirement he decided to pick up competing again, this time in Masters Track & Field.
He was 69 when he began training.
He resided in a cabin in the Rocky Mountains at 9500ft elevation, where he worked every day to hone his athletic prowess.
He was 69 when he began training.
He resided in a cabin in the Rocky Mountains at 9500ft elevation, where he worked every day to hone his athletic prowess.
Throwing Javelin in the meadow, hurling rocks that were shaped (somewhat) like a discus, running up & down that lone mountain highway, with 200m, 400m, & 800m distances marked on the shoulder in chalk.
He made do w/ what he had, & more importantly he trained.
Every Single Day.
He made do w/ what he had, & more importantly he trained.
Every Single Day.
Herb broke records for his age group at virtually every event he competed in.
But more importantly, his training allowed him to be sound of body and sound of mind, even into his later years.
But more importantly, his training allowed him to be sound of body and sound of mind, even into his later years.
The effects of cardiovascular & resistance training on longevity are well-established
In my opinion, Herb's dedication to physical activity was the MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR in remaining vital in the years that many people deteriorate, physically & mentally.
sciencedirect.com
In my opinion, Herb's dedication to physical activity was the MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR in remaining vital in the years that many people deteriorate, physically & mentally.
sciencedirect.com
LESSON 2:
FINDING MEANING IN LIFE
Having a clearly defined purpose, especially in the later years of life, seems a difficult task.
Retired from your career, kids have left the nest, etc.
Finding meaning as an Elder isn't easy, but it is necessary.
FINDING MEANING IN LIFE
Having a clearly defined purpose, especially in the later years of life, seems a difficult task.
Retired from your career, kids have left the nest, etc.
Finding meaning as an Elder isn't easy, but it is necessary.
So where did Herb's purpose come from?
He lived in a small cabin with his wife Claire, and it wasn't quite suited for comfortable living during the harsh Rocky Mountain winters.
In order to provide a more comfortable life for his wife, he began to build a new cabin.
He lived in a small cabin with his wife Claire, and it wasn't quite suited for comfortable living during the harsh Rocky Mountain winters.
In order to provide a more comfortable life for his wife, he began to build a new cabin.
His fierce devotion to providing a better environment for his wife gave him meaning on the macro.
The day-to-day projects & labor kept him focused on the micro.
Herb hand-laid every stone, poured every Oz of concrete, and built a cabin that is still enjoyed by his family today.
The day-to-day projects & labor kept him focused on the micro.
Herb hand-laid every stone, poured every Oz of concrete, and built a cabin that is still enjoyed by his family today.
This cabin provided a safe, warm, secure place for Herb & Claire to live during the later years of their lives.
Their Grandchildren would come for a month every summer to spend time with their Grandparents.
Hard to imagine a better reward for all of his hard work.
Their Grandchildren would come for a month every summer to spend time with their Grandparents.
Hard to imagine a better reward for all of his hard work.
LESSON 3:
CONNECTION TO SOMETHING HIGHER
Herb was a devout Christian. He drove his 1962 Chevy Pickup to the Chapel every Sunday for Church.
Religion isn't the only answer, however.
Herb was also hopelessly drawn to the beauty of Nature.
CONNECTION TO SOMETHING HIGHER
Herb was a devout Christian. He drove his 1962 Chevy Pickup to the Chapel every Sunday for Church.
Religion isn't the only answer, however.
Herb was also hopelessly drawn to the beauty of Nature.
Admittedly, it's hard not to be awestruck by the Rocky Mountains. There's immense beauty at every turn.
He'd hike above timberline regularly, fish in the river just down the way, and constantly thank God for creating such a beautiful world.
He was also a fierce Sun Enjoyerπ
He'd hike above timberline regularly, fish in the river just down the way, and constantly thank God for creating such a beautiful world.
He was also a fierce Sun Enjoyerπ
Religiosity, Spirituality, Connection to Source, etc. can provide a number of measurable benefits from the perspective of health.
It's also been proven that time in nature reduces stress & decreases blood pressure, & can help with overcoming depression.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
It's also been proven that time in nature reduces stress & decreases blood pressure, & can help with overcoming depression.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
Connection to God and appreciation for Nature was undoubtedly one reasons Herb was able to remain so in-touch, especially mentally. during the end years of his life.
Hard to choose which lesson is most important, this is certainly up there.
Hard to choose which lesson is most important, this is certainly up there.
LESSON 4:
LOVE AND COMPASSION FOR LIFE ITSELF
It was a rainy Rocky Mountain afternoon when Herb heard scratching at the door.
He opened it up to see a small, scrawny shepherd mutt, clearly lost and hopelessly hungry.
LOVE AND COMPASSION FOR LIFE ITSELF
It was a rainy Rocky Mountain afternoon when Herb heard scratching at the door.
He opened it up to see a small, scrawny shepherd mutt, clearly lost and hopelessly hungry.
Without hesitation Herb adopted the dog, who he aptly named "Waif" (short for Wayfarer).
From that day Waif was attached to Herb at the heel. The two were almost never seen in separate rooms or parts of the yard.
From that day Waif was attached to Herb at the heel. The two were almost never seen in separate rooms or parts of the yard.
This is just one example of Herb's love for living things. The next example is...well, let's just say that it's a bit ill-advised.
But it was the 70s, we'll give Herb the benefit of the doubt for being *ahem* less informed.
He loved to feed the neighbors. & that ain't a big dog
But it was the 70s, we'll give Herb the benefit of the doubt for being *ahem* less informed.
He loved to feed the neighbors. & that ain't a big dog
These are just two examples of Herb's love for life. And I mean anything that had life.
He also was a devoted Husband, Father, and Grandfather to his dozen Grandchildren.
He loved them all very intensely which undoubtedly helped keep him motivated during his later years.
He also was a devoted Husband, Father, and Grandfather to his dozen Grandchildren.
He loved them all very intensely which undoubtedly helped keep him motivated during his later years.
Simply put, having a fierce love for life keeps you motivated to, well, continue living.
Finding appreciation for all living things kept Herb free from dark thoughts during a time where elderly people are more susceptible to ruminating on death, perhaps even yearning for it.
Finding appreciation for all living things kept Herb free from dark thoughts during a time where elderly people are more susceptible to ruminating on death, perhaps even yearning for it.
The biggest takeaway I want you to get from my Great-Grandfathers story is that you shouldn't look negatively at the years after you turn 70.
There's so much to look forward to if you take care of your body, find meaning, connect to something higher, and passionately love life.
There's so much to look forward to if you take care of your body, find meaning, connect to something higher, and passionately love life.
I sincerely hope you gained something from this thread. It's truly been an honor to share my Great-Grandfathers story with you
I'm forever grateful to carry his blood in me and will always strive to embody the qualities that he did, especially into my old age.
I'm forever grateful to carry his blood in me and will always strive to embody the qualities that he did, especially into my old age.
For more content on Life, Fitness, Mindfulness, Nutrition, etc. follow me @MichaelAmmons
If you found this thread impactful, please feel free to RT the 1st tweet to help reach as many people as possible.
I want Herb's story to be shared far and wide!
Wishing you a Blessed Day.
If you found this thread impactful, please feel free to RT the 1st tweet to help reach as many people as possible.
I want Herb's story to be shared far and wide!
Wishing you a Blessed Day.
Loading suggestions...