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ROCK STARS OF AGING
50 WAYS TO LIVE TO 100
LIFESTYLE
SECRETS OF CENTENARIANS
Marc Middleton
Bolder Press
Maitland, Florida
Rock Stars of Aging
50 Ways to Live to 100
Longevity Secrets from Centenarians
Copyright 2012 Marc Middleton.
First Edition, 2012
All rights reserved.
Smashwords Edition
Published in the United States by:
Bolder Press
Maitland, Florida
www.BolderPress.com
No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical or electronic, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the express written permission of the author and publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The purpose of this book is to educate and entertain. Neither the author nor the publisher is engaged in rendering health, legal, psychological or medical advice. If medical, legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. The author and publisher make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this work and specifically disclaim any liability, loss or risk that is uncured as a consequence of the use and application of the contents of this book.
Ordering Information:
Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact Bolder Press.
978-0-9849300-0-5
"The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it." -- -- William James, philosopher (Jan. 11, 1842 – Aug. 26, 1910)
For my colleagues at Bolder Media -- Bill, Jackie, Jason, Jill, Josh, Katy, and Pat who work hard every day to not only build a business that matters but leave a legacy that lasts.
For Joe Lee who taught us that the only way to build a sustainable business is to do the right thing every day.
For the three women in my life who have taught me everything I know about wanting to make a difference; Jill, Kelsey and Quinn.
“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you was?” -- Satchel Paige, Major League baseball player, (July 7, 1906 – June 8, 1982)
Satchel Paige’s Rules For Staying Young
(First appeared in the June 13, 1953 issue of Collier’s Weekly)
* "Avoid fried meats which angry up the blood."
* "If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts."
* "Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move."
* "Go very light on the vices, such as carrying on in society -- the social ramble ain't restful."
* "Avoid running at all times."
* "Don't look back -- something might be gaining on you."
Table of Contents
Chapter
ONE
Why
This Book is Different
Chapter
TWO
The
Lessons of Ruth 1898
Chapter
THREE
The
Centenarian Tsunami
Chapter
FOUR
Life
Span vs. Life Expectancy
Chapter
FIVE
Why
Should I Care About Centenarians?
Chapter
SIX
How
Centenarians Differ
Chapter
SEVEN
The
50 Ways to Live to 100
1: Centenarians Have a Great Attitude
2: Centenarians Have a Sense of Purpose
3: Centenarians Avoid Anger and Drama
4: Centenarians Are Enthusiastic and Optimistic
5: Centenarians Live in the Present
6: Centenarians Wake Up and Get Busy
7: Centenarians Have a Great Sense of Humor
9: Centenarians Are Independent
10: Centenarians Handle All Personal Loss Well
12: Centenarians Live Their Own Lives
13: Centenarians Visualize Themselves as Young
14: Centenarians Have a Sense of Adventure and Wonder
15: Centenarians Are Predominantly Women
16: Centenarians Exercise Regularly but Not Too Much
17: Centenarians Are Not Obese
18: Centenarians Eat Balanced, Consistent Diets
20: Centenarians Avoid Heavy Alcohol Use
21: Centenarians Sleep Soundly and Regularly
22: Centenarians Visit the Doctor Regularly
23: Centenarians Don’t Take a Lot of Medicine
24: Centenarians Get Sunlight, but Not Too Much
26: Centenarians Bought the Farm
27: Centenarians Stretch and Get Regular Massages
28: Centenarians Are Intellectually Curious
29: Centenarians Are Dedicated Lifelong Learners
30: Centenarians Give Their Brains Regular Workouts
31: Centenarians Are Interested in Popular Culture
32: Centenarians Are Interested in New Technology
33: Centenarians Don’t Come From Broken Homes
36: Centenarians Mourn and Move On
37: Centenarians Take Pride in Being Good Parents
38: Centenarians Are Cared for By Their Families
39: Centenarian Women Have Children Later in Life
41: Centenarians Are Interested in Social Networking
42: Centenarians Are Active in Their Communities
43: Centenarians Associate with Like-Minded People
44: Centenarians Are Spiritual and Pray
47: Centenarians Are Avid Travelers
48: Centenarians Have Hobbies and Creative Pursuits
50: Centenarians Live Simply and Avoid Debt
Chapter ONE
Why This Book is
Different
“Beautiful young people are accidents of nature. But beautiful old people are works of art.” -- Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States (October 11, 1884 – November 7, 1962)
At the Bolder Media Group, we tell stories of ordinary people living extraordinary lives. Our business is all about smashing the stereotypes of age (all ages) and the limitations of possibility. Our message, very simply, is this -- don’t let others define who you are or what’s possible in your life. As Ralph Waldo Emerson noted, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
As you age, it isn’t easy to be yourself in an ageist society. We are constantly bombarded by negative images of aging. We’ve all been brainwashed to a degree by the culture in which we live and the media that reflect it.
We’ve been told for so long, by so many, what’s not possible as we age that few of us know what’s really possible, that is why we produce the Growing Bolder TV Show, the Growing Bolder Radio Show, and a large and growing online platform anchored by GrowingBolder.com. Our stories are meant to inspire men and women of all ages to realize that it’s never too late to improve their lives. It’s never too late to make a difference in the lives of others. It’s never too late to chase your dreams and pursue your passions. It’s never too late to really live. It’s a message of hope and optimism that resonates.
We have found that one of the most powerful ways to illustrate what’s possible is to share the stories of centenarians -- anyone who is 100 years or older. What makes centenarians so unique, so fascinating and so worth studying is the fact that they are not simply 80-year-olds who have endured 20 more years of physical and mental decline. Most centenarians don’t suffer the chronic illnesses associated with age until shortly before dying. Somehow they have managed to maintain a quality of life that makes life worth living until the very end. But how have they done it and why don’t more of us know about it?
This book is not based upon surveys, scientific research or the opinions of scholars, although it occasionally refers to all. Most research is funded by some for-profit corporation and can be easily skewed to serve commercial motives. This book is based upon our extensive, first-hand experience interviewing and observing centenarians and active nonagenarians and octogenarians (those in their 80s and 90s.)
What are our credentials? We were there when 110-year-old Onie Ponder voted in the presidential election of 2008, keeping alive her streak of voting in every presidential election since 1920; when 109-year-old Ruth Hamilton discovered video chatting and became the world’s oldest blogger; when Wilhelmina Hoorn danced on her 107th birthday; when Frances Shevenaugh blew out 105 candles with a single breath; when 103-year-old artist Harold Rotenberg flirted with the ladies while being honored at a major museum; when 96-year-old Mary Anne Cooper traveled across the country to compete in the national swimming championships and when 93-year-old George Blair battled back from a case of pneumonia to set another record as the world’s oldest barefoot water skier.
We interviewed 108-year-old Bill Hargrove in between games at his local bowling alley; 103-year-old Bill Tapia in between practice sessions for his upcoming live ukulele concert; 101-year-old Virgil Coffman after he walked into a Chevy dealer and plunked down $38,000 cash for a brand-new, special edition 426 horsepower Chevy Camaro; Nola Ochs after becoming the world’s oldest college graduate at age 96; 95-year-old world track and field champion Trent Lane after chopping firewood and flying solo in his private airplane; Mae Laborde after moving to Hollywood to pursue her dream of becoming an actress at age 93; Frankie Manning after dancing with 97 different women to celebrate his 97th birthday.
I could go on and on. If they hold a record as the world’s oldest anything, chances are we’ve interviewed them. The world’s oldest woman to reach the North Pole? Check. The world’s oldest NASCAR driver? Got him. The world’s oldest showgirl, college baseball player, female Olympian, motivational speaker? Yes. Yes. Yes. And Yes. We’ve chatted with them all and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed every conversation.
These were not academic, research-oriented, survey-type interviews because, frankly, centenarians don’t like those kinds of interviews and neither do we. Surveys are flawed. Research is biased. These were chats between friends. Conversations that were allowed to wander where the interviewees wanted to take them. Conversations that followed passions and revealed personality.