A few years later, I followed up with another post titled Life in my Forties. By that point, I had a little more experience under my belt and could say with confidence that nothing had changed. I was still training, still moving, and still enjoying the process.
Now almost a decade later, the same philosophy still applies.
Not Today
I wake up each day with the same mindset that I’ve carried for years.
Today I will not lose ground.
That may sound simple, but it’s something I challenge myself to each day. Whatever strength or fitness I had yesterday, I’ll work hard to keep today. At face value, that might sound crazy, and it probably is. But I’m actually a big believer in being a bit crazy, defiant, and stubborn. Normal is boring. I’m not here to abide by conventional wisdom. I don’t want to be like everyone else.
My goal each day is to hold on to what I’ve already built. I’m not worried about chasing breakthroughs or setting world records. Instead, I focus on preserving the strength, conditioning, and habits that have been built through years of work.
And oddly enough, when you focus on not losing ground, you often end up moving forward.
Consistency Still Wins
If there’s one lesson that has remained true throughout my 40s, it’s that consistency is a superpower.
There’s no secret workout. No magic routine. Just years of showing up and doing the work.
Some days the training is intense. Other days it’s lighter. But movement is always part of the day. The body responds well when you use it regularly.
Step away for weeks or months at a time, and age suddenly becomes much more noticeable.
Keep moving, and the years tend to blend together. This doesn’t mean you won’t age, but when you do it’s gradual. You are never away from the gym long enough to notice much of a difference.
As I’ve said many times before, maintenance is progress. The ability to hold on to what you’ve already built is a victory in itself.
Training Without Ego
Another lesson that has become more clear over time is the importance of leaving your ego at the door.
When I was younger, I was constantly chasing bigger numbers and tougher challenges. There’s nothing wrong with that mindset, but eventually you realize that longevity matters more than any single workout.
These days I’m grateful to be strong, move well, stay healthy, and continue doing what I love. That doesn’t mean I’m not still trying to improve. It’s more about enjoying the journey rather than obsessing over the result.
If I hit a personal best on an exercise, that’s great. But it’s also fine if I don’t, because I know I’m still working hard to become today’s best version of myself. And when you continue to stack those types of days together, you’ll find that you can hold on to your strength as the weeks, months, and years pass by.
Don’t Obsess Over Age
Aside from sitting here and writing this article, I rarely think about age at all. There have been times when someone asks how old I am and I actually have to stop and think about it for a moment. It’s not something that crosses my mind.
My focus has always been the same. I wake up, work, train, and keep pushing forward. When you live that way, there isn’t much time left to sit around wondering how old you are or how you’re supposed to feel (despite what some idiots might tell you).
Most days the only reminder of my age is what’s written on my driver’s license. Beyond that, it’s largely irrelevant. I’m too busy doing the work to spend time thinking about the number.
Age will move forward whether we think about it or not. I’d rather spend my energy on something more productive.
Final Thoughts
When I wrote about flying into my 40s, I said I planned to keep going hard for as long as I’m alive.
That hasn’t changed.
I still wake up each day with the same goal. Work hard, don’t lose ground, and don’t get lost in complexity. Complexity might sell, but it’s consistency that works. In fact, my own training becomes more and more simple as each year passes.
It’s not about chasing perfection or trying to reinvent the wheel. It’s about showing up and putting in the work.
Protect what you’ve built. Maintain what you’ve earned. And keep moving forward.
Do that often enough, and the years have a funny way of working in your favor.
“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?” – Satchel Paige
100% ?
I became 60 last month and have the same mindset. Everyday I renew myself and workout hard. Age is just a number for the books.
Love it, keep grinding!
Can’t lose if you don’t stop!
Welcome back Ross!
Hi Ross, it’s great that you’re back and all the best. I’ve been following you for years and you’re a real athlete. But after all the books I’ve read, I still don’t understand what you mean by your training getting easier and easier! I’m a boxer and sometimes I don’t know when I should do strength training and when I should focus on conditioning, or what! I have a job and a family, and yet I still go boxing four times a week, which I think is enough conditioning! But what if I can’t do that? I’d like you, if you’re kind enough (and you seem to be), to give me some examples of how easy your training is, so I can pick something out! That would be great, and I think I speak for many people here! I’m not you, I know that, and I don’t want to be! I could never do what you do, but some examples of what training could look like when time is short or when you just want to stay fit would be helpful! I imagine your training system has changed a bit, and it would be great to get some tips! Thank you and stay healthy, fighter! Perhaps a new book with lots of ideas would be nice too…if you have time, of course…you’re an encyclopedia to me in the best sense of the word….Best wishes, keep it up!!!!!!
Training is not getting easier and easier, but the planning is more “simple” (simple planning can still be hard work). As far as your situation, first you need to figure out what you want to do. If you’re a competitive boxer, that’s the priority. If you are boxing as a hobby, that’s a different story. Treat it as a conditioning activity. That would cover the bulk of your conditioning needs for the week. Add a few days of strength work on non-boxing days, or if you must combine, start with the activity that’s more pertinent to your goals. In other words, if boxing is the priority, start with boxing and finish with a brief strength session. If strength is the goal, prioritize your boxing around your lifting.
In order to figure out what to do, you must first figure out what you want. Best of luck.
Thanks, Coach, I understand… boxing is more important to me, of course… but what would the strength training look like? I’m confused and don’t know how to do it! Do you have an example? That would be easier to understand! More than 15-30 minutes would be too much, I think!!!
With all due respect, your response in many ways confirms my beliefs on why I don’t share generic workout recommendations. For example, you’ve already come back with a 15 to 30 minute time restraint. Next, we’d need to figure out available equipment, how many days per week you can train, what your strengths are (what needs the least work), what your weaknesses are (what needs the most attention), your recovery abilities (how well are you recovering from the boxing work, life, etc.), and so on.
I make a living in the boxing gym and I’ve never had two fighters do the exact same thing. I’ve also never had a fighter do the exact same thing one week as the next. So, how would I type one workout here that is to be interpreted as something that should be done indefinitely for you or anyone? It doesn’t work that way.
You need to start figuring out what needs the most attention, have a discussion with your coach, and then start adding bits and pieces to your week. You’ll then pay attention to how you feel, how you’re responding, recovering, etc.
Try to include some pushing, pulling, lower body, back side, etc. You can also use extra time to target potential missing links (ex. neck, hands/wrists, etc.). Once again, cater the work to your needs. With 15 to 30 minutes, you’re probably looking at 2 or 3 exercises per session. Experiment with it a few weeks and then adjust accordingly.
Thanks Coach, you’re right, everyone is different and we have to manage our energy, which is really important…and every day is different…I still thank you for your time and will take everything you said to heart and learn what’s important…Thank you and stay healthy, fighter ?
Great article Ross. You mention balancing light days with more intense days. How would you deal with extended periods when you might be feeling worn out due to other commitments? In those situations I often find every day becomes a light day…Would you recommend just pushing through and going for a more intense workout? Obviously I wouldn’t do this if there was a risk of injury, but grateful for your thoughts.
Typically, I’d say something beats nothing, but that could also be something as simple as going for a walk outside if you’re really run down. As for as when to include an intense workout, I’ve had days when I felt worn out and ended up getting a great session in. I’ve also had days when I felt fresh, but struggled to get through the work. You won’t always know in advance. In those cases, you just need to be able to adjust on the fly and back off if/when needed.
As a side note, busy/stressful times are when you should also do everything you can to eat well, stay hydrated, get enough sleep, etc. It all adds up.
Makes sense, many thanks Ross!
Great article!
Great to see you back writing again Ross ???
Just turned 40 still doing the Magic 50 with the same weight as I was when I was 21!
It’s great to see that your site is up and running again, Ross.
Your knowledge will continue to be appreciated by many I am sure.
All the best to you and your family.
Take care, Coach.
Ross I still have your ‘Never Gymless’ book, have been a fan for many years, and still like your simple down to earth ways of not needing any expensive or fancy equipment. As for not losing ground, it gets tougher as time goes by. I’m in good shape, heck I ran 2 chainsaws today & one of them has a 36″ bar on it, but I turned 69 a couple of weeks ago and where I feel it is in my joints; shoulders, elbow, hips etc. I’m finding that focusing on stretching and core has become more important than the strength portion. Even just doing simple pullups is scary-I have the strength to do them but there is some nasty grinding noises and sensation going on in my elbows and makes me nervous. Same thing with knees & squats. I’m still squatting, but it sounds like the 4th of July! I have and will keep going, but have had to back down some for longevity concern. Makes me feel like I’m actually losing ground on my strength, and I don’t like it one bit.