What my generation's last dancing Centenarian can teach us about Longevity
In our approach to longevity, we try to redirect people away from the obsessive and biohacking sphere. People are simply taking too many supplements, injecting too many peptides, and fretting over reams of biometric data.
In our effort to simplify the process, though, itās important to recognize the benefits of various ābiohacking therapiesā. Cold plunging definitely helps manage anxiety and speed recovery. Weight vests do positively effect bone density (when used correctly). Even the infrared sauna works wonders for lymphatic drainage and detoxification. Thatās a lot of well-researched benefit that we have to acknowledge.
But you know what none of these habits will get you?ā¦your own Coldplay video:
The NYTimes recently interviewed Van Dyke to gain some insight into his own set of longevity habits. Heās still dancing barefoot and smiling big at 100. What is his secret sauce? Spoiler alert: itās not the usual list from the longevity blogosphere.
Move - Every Day
Dick alternates between circuit training and yoga/stretchingā¦apparently with music video dance rehearsals sandwiched in between. Heās not trying to balance Zone 2 cardio with strength training, intervals with speed, or stressing about his HRV.
Be Playful
This is my favorite, because thereās no room for performance optimization here. Dick isnāt talking about competition, just plain FUN. He sings and dances at certain times during each day. He cracks jokes, acts goofy, and still enjoys making others laugh. Dick doesnāt take shit too seriously. Iām going to channel him the next time Iām screaming at my friend on the bball court for missing a rebound.
Say Yes
We tend to settle into our comfort rut as we age, saying no to new challenges and things that scare us. Dick breaks away from that perspective by saying yes to new things, shifting his focus to the present rather than dwelling on the past (or even the future for that matter). With Longevity Anarchist, Marci and I want to push back against all that is wrong with the longevity movement. Itās a challenging and scary project (even overwhelming at times), but we are just too excited about it to say no. So we keep saying YES!
Stay Connected
This is the big one that shows up in all the data on aging well. No surprise Dick figured it out early. I love his discussion of the āschemingā he employs to get his great-grandkids to visit more often simply so he can smile while they squeal outdoors. One of my clients, a great-grandfather, shared his scheming strategy with me years ago. If you want a grand-(or great-grand) child to call you, simply send them a letter with the following note: āDear (insert name of spoiled, uncommunicative grandchild here), I hope you enjoy this money and spend it on something fun for yourself. Love, Grandpaā. Oh ya, forgot: donāt put a check in the letter. It guarantees a call EVERY time.
Whatās Missing?
The most notable section of the Van Dyke article to me is whatās NOT in it. There is no discussion of supplements, biohacking, or extreme dieting. Dick doesnāt take NAD, NMN, or peptides. Heās not vegan, paleo or in to fasting. He drinks coffee with 6 lumps every morning (if you donāt know what a ālumpā is: go watch a Dick Van Dyke movie). No cold plunging – no sauna – no hyperbaric chamber. Dick doesnāt do any of that crap, and heāll probably outlive all of us. His message is one that Marci and I are always professing for our clients: do the little things, every day, and make your life one worth living. Extreme training will get you injured. Restrictive dieting will make you miserable. Worrying about your age and longevity will only make you age faster. Dick is exactly who we want to be as Longevity Anarchists.
Live Long. Live Well.