Tag: anti-aging

I’ll be 62 years old (young) at the end of this month.

While that means I’m a member of AARP, I can get discounts at certain stores, and my remaining hair is turning gray, it doesn’t mean that I have stopped growing.

In fact, I’m aging backwards.

I’m youthing.

In the last year alone I —

— attended a strongman training and bent a horseshoe, a steel bar, and a nail, all with my bare hands, and drove a spike through a board with my fist. I was the oldest person in the room, even older than the instructor, and probably the most inexperienced when it comes to feats of strength. But I attended anyway. I learned a lot, too, including the fact that virtually “Nothing is impossible.”

Bent and straightened this horseshoe

— attended an advanced guitar camp with legendary player Tommy Emmanuel. I was one of the oldest in the room, was surrounded by players far more advanced than me – including a 14 year old girl who dazzled everyone with her skills – but I attended anyway.

— attended an online class to learn how to play the baritone saxophone, wrote an article about playing for a sax mag, recorded an entire album of saxophone music, hired Grammy nominated sax sensation Mindi Abair to perform for me and tutor me, and more.

— discovered a synthophone — an alto sax turned into a midi instrument — and bought one and learned how to play it, using it to help make another healing music audio with Guitar Monk Mathew Dixon, called The Enlightenment Audio.

– went into the studio with one of my favorite singers in the entire world – Grammy nominated Ruthie Foster – and producer Daniel Barrett and created an album called Stretch! with me writing lyrics, playing baritone saxophone, and singing with Ruthie. Talk about a stretch! But I did it.

Daniel, Ruthie and me Stretching

— traveled to Kuwait to speak to people interested in self-improvement and curious about positive psychology, but also traveled to numerous domestic spots, as well, including to one where we discussed my having my own television show in 2016.

— despite having written more books than most people read in their entire lifetime, I released several more, including the best selling The Secret Prayer and volume 3 of The Miracles Manual. And I just signed a publishing deal for my next book, coming out April 2016.

— and even though I’m an author of books designed to help people, I’m still buying and reading other people’s self-help books, too. I’m always searching for new authors, new voices, new books, new material, to help me expand my thinking and my life.

Why?

Why do I continue to invest in courses, books, audios, coaching, classes and more?

Why am I continuing to do this as I turn 62?

Because I’m still learning, growing, improving, stretching and discovering myself.

Because I don’t know it all and am eager to discover more about myself and life.

Because as long as I keep moving forward, they won’t throw dirt on my face.

I have no idea your age, and it doesn’t really matter.

My father is 90 and still enthusiastic about life.

He gets up earlier than you or me or the sun every morning and wallops a standing dummy five hundred times.

And that’s before he does light weight lifting, walking, and other exercise – with a hernia.

Actor Dick Van Dyke is 90 and still dancing.

Turn on the right music and he’ll start free styling it without a word or a prompt but with a gigantic bright smile on his happy face.

I’m sure you are younger than 90.

I’m reminding you to think big, do big, and move forward in big ways, no matter what your age.

Or, drop the “big” and just think, do, and move.

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” ― Sophia Loren

It’s the end of this year.

The new one is firing up.

Ready or not, here it comes.

What would you like to accomplish in 2016?

You can begin right now by signing up for a course, or a class, or coaching.

The idea is to joyfully experience life.

It’ll keep you young, bright, happy and healthy.

“You’re never too old to become younger.”  – Mae West

And isn’t that what life is all about?

Happy Birthday to me.

Happy New Year to you.

Let’s make this new one rock.

Ao Akua,

Joe

PS — Consider my father. He’s 90 years old. He still gets up every morning and works out for two hours. He also is the primary caregiver of my ailing, bedridden mother. And, at 90, my father became an author. His book, The Most Contented Man, is on Amazon. He’s starting another book. He’s ninety. I’m sixty-two. Do you really have any excuses not to stretch and grow, learn and do?

Member BBB 2003 - 2016

I’m a friend and a fan of Body-for-Life Hall of Fame fitness legend Bill Phillips, author of Transformation and other bestselling books, but I’m not an affiliate for anything he offers or sells. I’m writing this to share my personal experience with his new supplement, GHX10, which is supposed to help increase your Human Growth Hormone.

Like you, I see ads for supplements daily.

I used to take a bucket of them (supplements, not ads) every morning.

For years, I spent thousands of dollars on a prescription to help increase Human Growth Hormone.

I was over 50 and approaching 60 (and am now over 60) and was seeking the Fountain of Youth.

Feeling frustrated by the lack of results, and disappointed by the misleading claims, and tired of paying all that money every month, I threw it all away.

Stopped the supplements.

Stopped the drug.

I decided I would simply eat clean, workout, pray, and hope for the best.

Of course, I rediscovered Bill Phillips two years ago, attended four of his fitness camps in Denver, and have been working his program daily.

I’ve released weight, added muscle, and feel great. (I’ve written about my experiences on previous posts. See PS below.)

Recently Bill announced a new supplement.

Fitness legend Bill Phillips

It’s called GH10X.

It was created to help you increase Human Growth Hormone, a major key to rebuilding your body, releasing excess weight, and feeling youthful.

Bill says it can help increase Growth Hormone up to ten times.

That’s a pretty noteworthy claim.

He adds, “GH10x is an all-new, scientifically designed, nutraceutical – a natural supplement with medicinal like effects.”

Nutraceutical?

Because I trust Bill, I ordered enough GH10X to try for a month.

Since it’s simply a powder you add to a drink, it was easy to try.

The first night, I slept better than I had in years.

Years.

And my dreams became more vivid, colorful, and memorable.

The next morning my workout was stronger and more intense, with more endurance and less exhaustion.

I was impressed.

But I thought it might be a fluke, so I kept the experience to myself.

Three weeks later, I noticed that my muscles seemed bigger.

A month or so later, my wife said, “Look at your arms!”

And then when a service person came to the house to do a repair, and I saw him glance at my biceps (I had been in my gym and was wearing a sleeveless shirt), I knew something was working.

I went in the bathroom and took a selfie.

Yep.

My muscles are bigger.

The Evidence

Better sleep, more energy, increased strength, and bulging biceps.

I’m sold.

And yes, I ordered a lot more GH10X.

Bill is quick to point out that his supplements won’t work for you if you don’t exercise.

I already workout, using Bill’s methods.

Adding the new supplement seemed to turn on the after burners, push some sort of kick start nuclear blast button in my body, and engage my body-mind-spirit to fire up the back engines and sprint ahead.

I like GH10X.

Again, I’m not an affiliate for it and I don’t make a cent if you buy it or not.

I’m just sharing my personal experience of using it.

To learn more, go see http://eatingright.com/collections/gh10x

For the record, the only other supplement I take these days is Strongevity, also from Bill Phillips. It’s described at http://eatingright.com/collections/strongevity-rx ( I’m not an affiliate for it, either.)

To your health!

Ao Akua,

Joe

PS  –  My posts about training with Bill Phillips are at —

March 1 2013 http://blog.mrfire.com/transformation-on-demand/

May 16 2013 http://blog.mrfire.com/transformation-update/

October 22, 2013 http://blog.mrfire.com/transformation-part-three/

May 1, 2014: http://blog.mrfire.com/transformation-part-4/

July 25, 2014 http://blog.mrfire.com/transformation-part-5/

Member BBB 2003 - 2015

Last week I completed my fourth consecutive physical transformation challenge!

I wrote about the previous ones over the last year and a half.* All have been under the guidance of Body for Life fitness legend Bill Phillips, and his wife Maria, with personal coaching from Scott York.

The results have been spectacular!

I'm an athlete!

I’ve released about 60 pounds, packed on about 15 pounds of muscle, dropped at least one pants size, lost several inches off my waist, have made daily exercise my new habit, have a new eating plan, and feel like a new man.

While it’s taken commitment, persistence, and lots of perspiration, I have done it and am continuing to do it. I feel younger and stronger than ever.

I’m the new Hercules! (Or maybe one representing AARP.)

AARP's Hercules

Working on age 61, I may be in the best shape of my life since I was a teenager in high school training to become the world heavyweight boxing champion. (It was 1970 and I was so young.)

I don’t want you to think it was a breeze to get here, though.

During the last twelve week challenge, I found myself slipping.

I wrote the following for myself and the others in the same challenge as me:

A message to all those who have stalled or stopped…

Recently I had to reactivate my intention, goal, and purpose.

After being in three programs, and eight weeks into my fourth one, I started to get comfy. I looked back and realized I had released 50 pounds, added 15 pounds of muscle, dropped a pant size, made exercise a locked in habit, and heard praise from people like my personal doctor, who says he has known me for 15 years and has never seen me look so healthy.

I figured I had achieved a “good enough” stage of fitness.

Somewhere in there I got relaxed and let my eating slide. I never pigged out, but I’d give in to temptation now and then. It’s easy to do, as I live in a test kitchen and my wife is on deadline with her cookbook. Foods are everywhere and so is the hypnotic scent of fresh baked meals. Even though it’s grain-free and sugar-free, it still has calories. It still counts. I’d eat a little anyway.

I didn’t think much of it.

But then I took my 8 week photos and scale weight.

Shit.

I didn’t like that there was no change AT ALL.

I felt like a failure.

That’s when I had to regroup and recommit.

To me, motivation (mindset) is more important than ANYTHING else. When you have made a decision and commit to it, nothing will stop you. Any diet will work. Any exercise will work. Of course, what Bill and Maria teach is the best. But without mindset, you (or I) won’t do anything. We will simply give in to whims and temptations and instant gratification.

So I reviewed my goals and decided I was NOT going to stop or stall.

I thought about the payoffs for being even slimmer, stronger, and healthier: increased self esteem and inner power, inspiration to others and myself in the world, the chance of accomplishing something BIG in the area of fitness, etc.

I recommitted to my 12-week goal and my lifetime goal.

Instantly I felt better.

By the next morning I felt renewed strength.

My workouts, which have always been intense, are even more on target.

When my wife offered me a dessert she just made, I politely said no. She didn’t bat an eye and honored my decision.

Right now I’m wearing a muscle shirt. It’s tight, so my stomach shows, but so do my biceps. And they are something to behold.

I’m posting this to remind each of us that we CAN achieve our health goals. It begins with a decision, and then ongoing commitment to it, and every day action. Having support (which we have here) is priceless, as big dreams are easier when you have people rooting you on.

I’m back on track.

Join me?

After I shared the above, I made a decision and turned on the afterburners to my commitment to fitness.

I completed the challenge.

The results speak for themselves.

I don’t know what your own personal goals are, but I’m pretty sure you can achieve them, too.

Why not go for it?

Expect Miracles!

Ao Akua,

Joe

PS – I fully endorse Bill Phillips. I am not an affiliate for anything he offers (he doesn’t know I’m writing this) but I fully recommend all of it. For more details, see  http://www.transformation.com/ or send an email to [email protected]

* My previous posts about Bill Phillips and my Transformation progress:

March 1 2013 http://blog.mrfire.com/transformation-on-demand/

May 16 2013 http://blog.mrfire.com/transformation-update/

October 22, 2013 http://blog.mrfire.com/transformation-part-three/

May 1, 2014: http://blog.mrfire.com/transformation-part-4/

Back on March 1st, I posted an article here titled “Transformation on Demand.” It was about Bill Phillips and his 12 week program, called Transformation, which I entered at the time.

Recently I completed it. It took focus, energy, sacrifice and commitment. I feel better about it than I do all my books, albums, movies or much else.

I'm a winner!

I received a medal, certificate of completion, and t-shirt for my 12-week accomplishment. I’m continuing on with the program, as I love the results I’m getting.

I feel GRRRRRRREAT!!!

As I said on March 1st, I fully endorse Bill Phillips and his Transformation Challenge. I am not an affiliate for anything he offers, but I fully recommend all of it.

For more details, go to http://www.transformation.com/ or send an email to [email protected]

Go for it!

Ao Akua,

joe

PS – I interviewed Bill Phillips in-depth about his life and career and Body-For-Life movement for my March 20th podcast. See https://www.mrfire.com/podcast.html

PPS – My “Transformation on Demand” original blog post about Bill Phillips and his Transformation Weekend is at http://blog.mrfire.com/transformation-on-demand/

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As I write this, my mother is dying. She is in pain, looks horrible, and cries out a lot. It shakes me to the core to see her this way. She’s beyond recovery with any of the healers or healing I know.

My father, 86 and going strong, is her basic caretaker. He has refused most offers of help. When I return home to see them both, I struggle with what I see.

I’ve been reflecting on the insights here for you and me. This is a time of letting go and processing. There are at least three urgent life lessons that I feel compelled to share with you. Maybe you know them; maybe you don’t. But I feel obligated to describe them, hoping they will help all of us.

Here they are:

Health.

If you don’t take care of your health, your enjoyment of life, and most likely your length of time here, will suffer. This isn’t to be taken lightly. I’m not just talking about how you feel today, but how what you do today will influence how you feel a few years to decades from now. You are sculpting your future self from today’s thoughts, decisions and actions.

My mother hasn’t taken care of herself. For the last 13 years she has suffered from depression and procrastination. Over time, that created the deteriorating body I see today. Yet my father has exercised every day for the last fifty years. He’s 86 and basically in good health. Seeing him handle my mother is an inspiration.

Your health should be your top priority.

Wealth.

Unless you do something today about your finances, years to decades from now you may find yourself relying on others. That may not be a good thing. The health care system we currently have in the USA isn’t very healthy, or reliable. You don’t want to burden family or friends, and you don’t want to count on them. The only way out is to be financially free. That way you can hire the best care, even a personal doctor or nurse. You can take care of yourself and be comfortable.

My parents are “OK” financially. Their bills are paid. They have some insurance. But they can’t afford what I think my mother needs right now. I can, of course, and I am doing whatever my father will allow. But I don’t think you want to end up in a position where you are dependent on others.

Your wealth should be a top priority.

Happiness.

Throughout life, the goal seems to be happiness. A better word might be contentment. Yes, we want life experiences and “stuff,” but that’s because we think they will bring us happiness. The real goal is to be happy now.

My mother is not happy. My father is, or at least appears to be. And I confess that during this time with my mother I have had difficulty finding my center; that place of peace in the center of the cyclone. Yet happiness, or contentment, is the secret passageway to making all of life enjoyable, or at least acceptable.

Contentment should be your central priority.

Those life lessons are important. But how do you make them a reality?

Here are a few answers that have helped me:

Health.

Take care of your health

Today the average life span is about 78 years. Thanks to better nutrition and better medicine, we are living longer. But you can’t stop there. Read Dr. Marc Gitterle’s book on anti-aging, called Growing Young. I realize there are numerous books on health and wellness. I know Dr. Gitterle. He’s helped me. His book is a breakthrough. Get his e-book direct from his website or get the printed version at Amazon. (I don’t make a dime when you buy it.)

Wealth.

Take care of your finances

According to the Associated Press on November 17th, “People who are 90 or older have nearly tripled in number since 1980, to 1.9 million…The trend is posing unique health challenges and adding to rising government costs for the strained Medicare and Social Security programs.” Save yourself. Read Attract Money Now. It’s free. I wrote it to help you out of the money mess. Quit giving your power to others; quit being a victim; quit complaining. Find your path to freedom. Get it direct from this link: http://www.attractmoneynow.com (Remember, it’s free.)

Happiness.

Erase beliefs to be here now

This moment is the miracle. Even with all the challenges, even with all the sadness, even with all the suffering, this moment is still a miracle. Finding peace within the circumstances of the moment is your test. There are many ways to help yourself return to this moment. When I was getting on a plane to see my mother a few months ago, and I knew she was in ER and didn’t know what I was going to face, I had to slow down my breathing, quiet my mind, and return to the serenity of the moment. My being at peace when I got to see my mom also helped her relax.

When I review this post, I see that I’m describing what others have said is our search and our right: the pursuit of health, wealth, and happiness. It’s not new. It’s centuries old.

The real question is, are you actively pursuing these?

The key word is actively.

It’s one thing to nod your head and agree with me. It’s quite another to stand up and do something.

I’m asking you to do something.

As I was writing this post for you, I learned a friend of mine from college died.

Then I learned the mother of another friend passed away.

What’s the best way to deal with these life challenges?

Nature reminds us of the way:

A cat we’ve had for over ten years suddenly stopped eating, looked ill, and left. He was feral. We had never been able to touch him, let alone catch him. But I marvel at how in tune with nature he was. He didn’t complain or second guess or doubt. He accepted his moment and moved on.

Sandy moved on naturally

But the story gets even better.

Our dog, Wolfie, has never slept indoors at night. Not in ten years. Not during heavy rains or deep freezes. Never. But once our feral kitty left us, Wolfie moved in. Somehow Wolfie knew her friend no longer needed her outside for protection or company.

It’s inspiring to see nature work in such perfection. I want to be so in tune with my Divine connection to know what to do in each moment. For now, it’s writing this message to you.

What is it for you?

Finally, I’ve sometimes asked my readers to join me in holding an intention. Whether to stop a hurricane, clean up an oil spill, or put out wildfires, every time I’ve made such a request there was a measurable difference in the world.

This time I’m asking you to help my mother.

Please hold the intention that she is at peace in her body and mind. Send her love. Pray, clean, meditate, or whatever else you feel guided to do.  Ask for her most benevolent outcome.

Thank you.

I love you.

Ao Akua,

joe

PS — I wrote a song called “Three Months” that you’ll be able to hear on my forthcoming music CD, Strut! It’s based on a true story, where a friend was given three months to live. The song asks you to reflect on the question, “What would you do if you had three months to live?” It might be worth meditating on today, especially since tomorrow is Thanksgiving holiday in the USA: What would you do if you were given a short time on earth? What are you grateful for? Who are you grateful for? Who would you call? Thank? Hug? Kiss? What would you do? The moment to do something is right now. BTW, Happy Thanksgiving.

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