Rob Taylor is closing in on age 70.  He’s a great-grandfather and cancer survivor.  He overcame skin cancer in 1999 and then tonsil cancer in 2003.  Four years later, the tonsil cancer returned.  This time it was worse, as it had spread to the lymph nodes in his neck.  He struggled through chemotherapy and repeated radiation treatments.  He even lost his saliva gland.

Rob has certainly been through a lot.  He doesn’t sit around and mope about the circumstances however.  On the contrary, he remains as active and strong as most men half his age.  He isn’t a lifetime lifter though.  Rob didn’t begin powerlifting until he was 64 years old.

Yet, despite the late start, cancer didn’t stop him from getting back into the gym before his hair had time to grow back.  It also didn’t stop him from becoming a record breaking lifter for his age group.  He’s already pulled over 450 pounds and has his eyes set on 500.

Rob’s story is one of true inspiration.  He’s overcome repeated battles with cancer and continues to defy age.  He doesn’t sit around feeling sorry for himself.  He’s too busy taking care of his family and busting ass in the gym.  Hats off to him.  I wish him continued success and health.

Throughout this blog’s history, I’ve highlighted several age related stories.  These entries are often visual reminders of George Bernard Shaw’s priceless wisdom.

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”

Many of the older athletes that I’ve featured have been training for longer than I’ve been alive.  These men and women are not growing old in the traditional sense.  They continue to thrive and often improve.  For example, Fred Peterson can be seen below pulling 640 pounds at 70 years old.

Fred can also be seen within this video pulling 680 pounds.  He speaks briefly at the 4:35 mark and then prepares for the lift at approximately 5:00 into the video.  While speaking, he mentions that he’s been lifting for 56 years.  It’s great to see someone remain passionate about training as they advance in age.

Below is yet another tremendous display of older strength.  Larry Wallen pulls 705 pounds at 60 years old.

Keep Living

I’m not posting these videos in hope that you sign your grandfather up for a powerlifting meet.  I’m posting these videos to remind you that life isn’t over until it is over.  You can remain passionate about training regardless of age.  These strength displays are incredibly inspirational to me.  I’m amazed at the strength of these men in their 60’s and 70’s. I can only hope that I’ll be as active as them when I approach their current age.

Larry Wallen and Fred Peterson are two clear examples that the body is much more capable than many realize.  It is amazing what can be accomplished with years of consistent and diligent work.  It is also worth mentioning that you can still do very well despite starting at an older age.

Either way, the possibility always exists for one to remain passionate.   The past is the past.  It’s over and we can’t change it.  You don’t need to be defined by what you did or didn’t do. If there is something that you want to do, get up and get busy.

In the words of Chuck Palahniuk,

“You have a choice. Live or die. Every breath is a choice. Every minute is a choice. To be or not to be.”

Below is a video of a recent track and field record breaker.  Records are not new to Frank Levine though.  He currently holds two world records.  What makes his accomplishments so impressive isn’t his lightning speed however, but rather his age.  Frank is 95 years old and still going strong.

He recently broke the 5000 meter world record for his age group (95 to 99).  Imagine that there are men and women a third of his age who could not even run 5000 meters.   Meanwhile, Frank gets outside to run every other day.  He also performs pushups and even works out on a punching bag.

Frank did not begin competing as a runner until age 65.  He’s run 18 marathons in the time since.  Not too shabby for a senior citizen.   Meanwhile, I’ve had people in their 30’s email me about feeling over the hill.  Here is a man who started a new sport at 65.

In Frank’s own words,

“The easiest person to fool in the world, to mislead, is yourself because you can talk yourself into anything.”

Frank’s advice can be taken two ways.  You can talk yourself into sitting down and letting life pass you by or you can talk yourself into getting up and making things happen.  It’s never too late.

I’ll do my best to follow Frank’s lead.   He’s a true inspiration.

Following my last entry, I’ve seen comments from men and women of all ages and abilities who were amazed at the strength and endurance displayed by Crystal West.  Her accomplishments are amazing for anyone, but the fact that she is a 44 year old woman make it that much more impressive.

Fortunately, Crystal isn’t alone.  As seen throughout the age-related category, age is often just a number.  Below is another 40+ year old female example.  Within the video, you will see Tara Scott demonstrate several challenging pushup exercises.

Her Youtube channel is filled with many more low-tech workout ideas (often outdoors).  She mixes bodyweight exercise with weights, odd objects, and more.  You can certainly find some interesting ideas within her channel.

There is more to learn from Tara than the mere exercise examples however.  In a past blog entry from her, I read where she had trained 766 consecutive days.  Yes, that is right, not one day off.  She may have even surpassed this number.  I happened to read an entry on the day she hit 766.

How does she do it?  What does she do for programming?  Periodization?  She must have a complex plan, right?

Wrong…  In her own words,

“Some days I go light, others heavy, and then others somewhere in between.”

She goes on to say,

“There are two fundamental ideas that I am aware of as I approach my playout. First, make sure that I am having fun. As my teacher says, ‘Fun is Fundamental.’ Secondly listen to my body that day and let it tell me what is right for me.”

I like her use of the word playout as opposed to workout.  When you enjoy what you are doing, you tend to be much more passionate about the work.  I also like the fact that she (like many) has gone against the grain in terms of what is considered proper by many of the conventional training groups.  She’s exercised her body every day for more than 2 consecutive years.  In some ways, her story reminds me of Mark Covert’s running streak (he’s run every day for over 40 years).

There are athletes and trainers out there who wouldn’t believe it was possible.  Ironically, many from this crowd are the same people who are unable to match the performance of those they criticize.

So often, we are told what we cannot do or shouldn’t do.  I don’t believe in this approach.  No one knows the potential of another man or woman.  It’s up to the individual to decide.  When you enjoy what you are doing and are passionate about your work (or play), the possibilities are literally endless.

In the words of Dr. Howard Thurman,

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

Below is a video that was recently posted to my forum.  Within the video, you will see a 44 year old woman (Crystal West) work through a freestyle pull-up session.

Perhaps even more impressive than the video above is her 39 consecutive pull-up demonstration.

If you still need pull-up inspiration, Crystal once performed 1,210 reps in 80 minutes.  That’s at least a thousand more pull-ups than many will perform in an entire life.

Crystal’s pull-up strength is obviously impressive.  It is much more impressive however when you consider that she is a 40+ year old woman.  Most women are unable to perform a single rep on the bar.  Here is a 44 year old who is just shy of 40 consecutive reps.

In the past week, we’ve seen a heavyweight on the bar and now a woman.   Both are often assumed to be unable to perform reps on the pull-up bar.  Clearly, these assumptions are false.  There is no excuse to let the pull-up bar collect dust.  Get your hands on the bar and get busy.

In his late 50’s, Marco Olmo won what many consider the most challenging race in the world (Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc). Perhaps even more impressive than his age is that he won the race two years in a row (2006 and 2007). The specifics of the race vary each year, but it averages between 150 and 160 kilometers with almost 9000 meters of elevation gain throughout. Each year hundreds of competitors fail to complete the course. Meanwhile, Marco Olmo earned back to back victories.

He attempted to win again at age 60 but was unsuccessful. A documentary was filmed as he prepared for the event. I have not seen the full film, but was intrigued after watching the brief trailer (thanks to Ramón for passing it along):

Within the clip, you will see that Marco is a regular working class man. He isn’t like many modern athletes who have specialists and sponsors to take care of every last detail. Marco works out by himself and has succeeded without any trainers or dietitians. He briefly speaks on this topic within the clip below (different from the trailer above).

I like this story for many reasons.  It’s obviously great to see someone in their late 50’s compete at the highest level in the world.  It is even better when the individual is just a regular person.  Marco has succeeded on his own.  He has figured out what works for him.  There aren’t specialists preparing his meals or periodizing his workload.  Marco thrives on the basics.  He is consistent, diligent, and persevering.

As has been said before, simplicity often trumps complexity.  Marco Olmo is living proof of this concept…