How to Get Better with Age

In 2020, like many others, my world shifted during the COVID lockdown. To break up the monotony, my spouse and I started walking twice a day—weather permitting. It became a welcome rhythm: fresh air, movement, and conversation. That same year, we bought a Hydrow rowing machine to keep our cardio going when the weather wasn't on our side. It wasn’t just a purchase; it marked the beginning of my fitness journey.

But for a long time, my focus was just on exercise—not nutrition. I had to learn the hard truth: you can’t out-exercise a poor diet. Eventually, I began increasing my protein intake and being more intentional with what I ate. I considered trying the carnivore diet as a reset—but didn’t commit.

Then, on May 9th, my dad’s birthday (and two months after I turned 59), something shifted. I had a steak and eggs breakfast and wasn’t hungry until late afternoon. That simple meal felt so good, I decided to go for it. I began the carnivore lifestyle that day—and within two months, I lost 20 pounds.

My son, proud of my progress, challenged me:
“Do something big, out of your comfort zone for your 60th birthday.”

I thought about it. And then I signed up for something I never imagined: a 5K Spartan Race—complete with 24 obstacles.

I started training seriously. I hired a trainer, followed P90X weight lifting, and pushed myself. It wasn’t easy—I was almost 60, overweight, asthmatic, not a runner, and I had arthritis in my fingers and toes, plus chronic neck pain from an old car accident. But for the first time in years, my body was responding. Within four months on carnivore, I was off two medications.

This is a feature story from our dear friend.

Then came the setbacks.

Four weeks before race day:

· I dropped a 45 lb weight on my foot—three blackened toes (no fracture, thankfully).

· I got sick: cold → asthma flare-up → steroids.

· Then double pink eye, a sinus infection, a tooth infection (resulting in extraction), and to top it off, the stomach flu.

I lost 6 lbs in a week and could only tolerate solid food five days before the race. Two days before, my trainer said gently, “You’re compromised.”

But I showed up!

Race day

I did everything I could to be ready. Ate well, hydrated, strategized with my son who reviewed all 24 obstacles with me.

The energy at the venue was electric—supportive, exciting. I wore a shirt that said, “This is me turning 60.” Three obstacles in, I turned to my son and said, “I can do the obstacles or run the course—but not both.” My energy was limited. So I walked the whole race, and still completed 19 out of 24 obstacles.

One of the best parts? While waiting for my heat, I saw four amazing women in bright blue shirts that read “Ageless.” I introduced myself—they were 56, 60, 63, and 65. Friends who do the Arizona Spartan 5K together every year. When they saw me later doing the combat crawl under barbed wire, they cheered me on with everything they had.

That kind of support? It changes you.

Jumping over the fire at the finish line?
Unforgettable. Empowering. Worth it.

I’m now training for another Spartan this year. This time, I’m healthy. I’m stronger. And I expect to run the race I wanted the first time.

So, here’s my message to anyone listening:
Do something that challenges you. Step outside your comfort zone. You’re never too old. Your body is more capable than you think.

I did it at 60—and I’m just getting started.