Send us Fan Mail Americans are living longer than ever, the average life expectancy today is 78, nearly a quarter of us will reach 90, and if you're a man who makes it to 65, there's a 31% chance you'll get there too. But on this episode I ask the question nobody wants to sit with: do you even want to live that long? Because obesity among Americans 65 and older has nearly doubled in twenty years, from 22% in 1998 to 41% in 2018, and I tell you about a colorized documentary I watched of street footage from 1930s and 40s New York, Yankee Stadium, Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, packed with people and almost nobody overweight. Go to those same stadiums today and you'd see the opposite. So if a man hits 65 and lives another 13 years, what do those years actually look like? That question is the whole episode. I break down why modern medicine might just be delaying death instead of extending life, and why the real goal isn't adding years to your life, it's adding life to your years. Only 13.9% of Americans 65 and older actually meet the basic physical activity guidelines, and I walk through exactly what regular movement protects you from: cognitive decline and dementia, which is projected to double in the next 30 years, poor sleep, anxiety and depression, and falling, which is the leading cause of injury-related death for seniors, with a quarter of people 65 and older falling every year and fall deaths up 53% over the last decade. I get personal here too, I share how walking and doing push-ups pulled me out of a season of depression in my own life, because this isn't theory for me. I close with something practical, Dr. Peter Attia's idea of a "decade decathlon" from his book Outlive, the specific physical things you want to be able to do in each decade of your life, and I share my own goals for my 80s and 90s, running a mile, getting up off the floor without help, still climbing the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Whatever age you are right now, you're investing in a future version of yourself whether you realize it or not, so start now, go for a walk, do a few push-ups, hire a trainer, take a class, find a partner who'll hold you accountable. I'm 66 years old and I've never felt better, and I want that for you too. If this hit home, like it, subscribe, comment, and share it, that's how we help more people make their next third their best third. Chapters: 00:00 – The Real Question Behind Living Longer 02:21 – The Obesity Numbers That Doubled in 20 Years 04:38 – 13 Years Left: What Will They Actually Look Like? 06:55 – Why Building Muscle Gets Brutally Hard After 60 09:14 – The Danger of "I've Lived My Life, Now I'll Coast" 11:38 – How Exercise Fixed My Sleep and Pulled Me Out of Depression 13:53 – The Falls Epidemic: Up 53% in a Decade 16:19 – Investing in Your 80-Year-Old Self, Starting Today 18:37 – Start With One Walk. It's Not Complicated. 20:56 – Find a Partner: Why Accountability Beats Willpower Welcome to Next Third Best Third! Join us for the inaugural episode of the Next Third Best Third podcast! Host David Fenwick, founder, author, and life coach, introduces the mission to inspire men over 40 to thrive in the next stage of life. Discover how to conquer life's challenges across physical, mental, relational, spiritual, and emotional dimensions. In this episode, David shares insights on: - Physical Health: Strategies for maintaining fitness and vitality as you age. - Mental Resilience: Techniques to stay mentally sharp and manage stress. - Relational Growth: Building and nurturing meaningful relationships. - Spiritual Fulfillment: Finding purpose and deeper spiritual connections. - Emotional Well-being: Managing emotions and fostering a positive outlook. Don't miss out on this journey towards making the next third of your life the best third! Website: (https://www.nextthirdbestthird.com/)
