Mike Fremont is 100 years old. He has a sharp mind and still runs 5 miles three times per week maintaining an excellent level of fitness and continues to hold several world records for his running.
So what are his secrets to not only a long life but an extended life of the kind of quality that is actually worth living?
An Overview On Lifespan
Over the last decade with medical advancements, the average lifespan of humans is continuing to increase, with the average world life expectancy currently at 76 which is up from 47 in the 1950’s.
Currently, experts believe that science is extending the quality of your life so that for every year you are alive, science is extending your life by a quarter of a year.
Hong Kong tops the scale with an average life expectancy of 85. The United Kingdom is down in 29th place at 81, and the US is even further down the scale with an average lifespan of 79 according to Worldometer.
There is some well-documented research on Blue Zones, which are the areas of the world that have the highest concentration of centenarians. We can expect to see the average lifespan continuing to increase as more research goes into this area.
That’s if we humans don’t continue to screw it up for ourselves in the meantime of course.
What Does Longevity Mean?
Though I’m not sure I’m overly concerned with how long I live, what is important to me is that I live my life feeling as fit and as well as I can, for as long as I can.
I don’t always make the healthiest of choices, hey I’m human. But there are becoming more times when I have uttered the words that I’m starting to feel my age. That feeling sparks a desire in me to do more about that, and if I can, to try and slow that process down.
Most people don’t value life or their health, until at some point illness hits and they realise just how important their health actually was.
So longevity isn’t so much about living longer, but far more about the quality of your life/health while you are here on this earth.
Ageing will happen to all of us, but it’s how we let that process define us that is a choice.
My own Grandmother has turned 92 this year, and though she is now slowing down, she danced multiple times a week until well in her 80s. That’s the kind of longevity I want. Mike Fremont ran 10 miles three times per week right up until he was 98!
It’s these types of examples that show us what longevity means.
Science has helped people that are ill to be able to live longer with their illnesses, but what if we all had the desire to be able to avoid the unavoidable diseases altogether.
The biggest killers of heart disease, respiratory diseases, Alzheimer’s, diabetes or debilitating issues like arthritis can all be improved or even avoided.
Though genetics can certainly play a part, it’s your environment, the foods that you eat, how you maintain your fitness, and your lifestyle, that play a huge determining factor in your overall health and risks to disease.
So what can this centenarian tell us about his amazing feat of longevity? Here is more on his story.
Lessons From Mike
At the age of 69 Mike Fremont was diagnosed with cancer and was told that if he wasn’t operated on within 3 months, he would be dead. He choose not to believe that, and instead decided to change his diet, his fitness and overall health and following the Cancer Prevention Diet.
Now some 31 years later, he is still running and sharing his story with the world.
“I’m 22 years older than the average person who dies in America,I feel that’s not long enough yet” — Mike Fremont
1. What you eat matters most
After his cancer diagnosis, Mike turned to a very strict and fully whole and plant-food-based diet. In his conversation with Rich Roll
“I have no doubt in my mind it’s diet that has determined my existence, my continued existence and my beautiful health,” Mike said.
Mike eats “No meat, no dairy products, no toxins,” He eats primarily vegetables, fruit, whole grains and nuts, as well as soups. He takes no supplements or medication, except for some Vitamin D in the winter. He stresses that in the 20 years he has been eating this way, he has not had a single cold or sickness of any kind according to a Runners World article back in 2013.
2. Age is a matter of perspective
If you believe life is downhill after a certain age, then that is exactly what you will experience. Mike believes his later years have been the best years of his life. He is considered number one for his age in many things due to the process of sticking it out the longest. He didn’t even start running comparatively until he was in his 60’s!
At a time when most people are starting to slow down, he was really only just getting started.
He now holds 4 world records and many solo age race records.
If you think it’s too late, to start something new.
It’s NOT!
3. Stress Kills
“If you can keep your life from distress as well as stress you will be fortunate,” says Mike.
He retired at the age of 88 giving him more time and less stress and he fell in love deeper with running along with canoe racing too.
Dr Rangan Chatterjee states in his research and experience as a GP in the UK that stress is the health epidemic of the 21 century and it’s killing us.
What we all can take from this
- I am a meat eater and have never pushed the vegan narrative, and yet Mike and indeed many of the people that spoke on the Rich Roll podcast all advocate for a more plant-based diet, and make for very convincing cases. I truly believe that if we all ate more plants and whole foods as a priority it would not only support our longevity, it would also be more beneficial for the environment too. Simply start adding more fruits, vegetables and whole foods to your diet, you really can’t get enough of the stuff and your body will thank you for it.
- Change your mindset around age. I saw a reel on Instagram the other day saying that life doesn’t end after 25. 25!!!!! Are you kidding me, who is having that conversation?? Because they need to wake up. Life is simply starting and there are many stories of people who are embracing life and just getting started at any age!
- Choose happiness. Happiness is the number one antidote to stress. Make it an intention to manage stress as much as possible, and choose the things in life that bring you the most joy. Not always an easy task I know, but one that will bring you more of the life that you want to continue living.
Our time here on this earth is precious. Choose to make the most of it.
If you want to learn more lessons in longevity and what living your life to the fullest is, then I highly recommend the full Rich Roll Longevity masterclass. I enjoyed listening to each one of the experts and the many important lessons they shared
If you are looking for true transformation for your own health and mindset, you can start here by joining my mailing list and accessing my 5 Day Fix challenge. 5 Simple fixes to help you get started on a sustainable health journey.
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