You Already Know
Weekly Wisdom #53
July 24, 2026
You already know what you need to do. So stop thinking about it and just do it already.
You know you need to move more and exercise. Don’t get caught up in which is the best exercise. Over-analyzing is just a sneaky form of procrastination. Pick the thing that works for you and get started. You can worry about optimizing later.
Cut down on the junk food and the eating out. You don’t need studies to tell you that the delicious snack that comes in a package with an ingredients label as long as your arm isn’t real food. You don’t need to debate the relative merits of McDonald’s versus Subway. Just go home and make your own sandwich. Vegan, carnivore, keto — don’t worry about all that, just get started eating real food. You can fine-tune things later.
The biggest roadblock really isn’t knowing what you should do; it’s doing it.
No More Excuses
And yes, we hear all kinds of excuses about why it is too late for you to get fit and how you’re too old. That’s why this week, I wanted to share the stories of some real experts. These are my personal heroes with a lot of wisdom to share about how healthy aging can look. Sure, some of them started early, but several of them did not step into a gym until they were in their 60s or 70s and then went on to have 20+ year careers as competitive athletes. So, no, it is never too late to start (sorry if that was the excuse you were hiding behind).
Greg Carver
I love how he emphasizes the basics. You don’t need anything fancy. Also appreciate how he mixes up gym exercises with real-world, functional work.
Jacintho Bonilla
I’ve been following Jacintho since he was 70. I was impressed then when he was one of the oldest living CrossFitters. Well, here we are, more than a decade later, and he’s still going strong. The program works if you do.
Tim EFECT
This guy is new to me, but calisthenics, tractor tires, and sledgehammers? This guy is one cool grandpa! Tire and hammer is my favourite daily routine along with rope flow. Don’t sleep on how transformative these explosive exercises are or how effective they are at maintaining your youth. Also love his outdoor training philosophy.
Annette Barry
Because yay Canada! 60-year-old world CrossFit champ! We’ve got a HYROX program and at least one 60+ year old HYROX athlete training at Empower. Where are all the rest of you 60+ athletes?
Jenny McCall
Look at this 74-year-old American Ninja Warrior competitor. I respect everyone on this list, but at 54, I can do most of the stuff that they do in their training. But not Jenny. At 74, she is performing feats well outside my skill and fitness level. But not to worry, she didn’t step into a gym for the first time until she was 63, so I still have time to train up to ninja level! If there is one person on this list I would love to train with, it is Jenny!
Johanna Quaas
97-year-old gymnast. Need I say more? 97! And look at her go. You don’t have to stop moving. Johanna is living proof. You can never again utter the phrase, “I’m too old…”
Olga Kotelko
My longtime hero, Olga, did not start training until age 70. She competed into her 90s, setting more world records than any Canadian athlete in history. Sprinting, long jump, high jump, discus, javelin and hammer throw, she did it all. Often setting records that would have been records in age categories 10-20 years younger than hers. She died in her sleep a few days after competing at an event. That’s the way to do it. Go out on top!
So, there is some real wisdom for you from folks who know a thing or two about how to age right. All of them share one message: how you age is up to you. There is no mystery to it. Stop making excuses and just get moving. You’re not too old; it’s not too late. Your future is determined by the actions you take today. Emphasis on action.
