Stronger at 67: Consistency, Purpose, and the Strength of Connection
On October 10th, I turned 67, and here's what I've learned about getting stronger with age, not weaker.
When I was diagnosed with Parkinson's, I had a choice: let it define the next chapter of my life, or let it sharpen it.
I chose to fight. And so far, I'm winning.
At a recent follow-up, my neurologist told me that there’s still no outward physical evidence of Parkinson's. Their advice? Keep doing exactly what I'm doing, because “it seems to be working well for you.”
Let me be clear: I'm not cured, and I'm definitely not Superman. There are subtle signs that only I notice or that my family, who sees me every day, might catch. Every journey with Parkinson's is different, and I know how fortunate I am to be where I am.
What I'm doing isn't magic. It's simple consistency. Six days a week, I commit to:
🥊 Boxing
🔥 High-intensity interval training (HIIT)
🏋️ Weightlifting
🧘 Mobility, coordination, and balance work
Not long ago, I might have stopped there. But I've learned that the physical side is only half the battle.
Every day I also work to:
✨ Keep a clear sense of purpose
✨ Cultivate positive emotion
✨ Allow myself to acknowledge the hard days
✨ Reflect on and express gratitude
✨ Nurture hope and optimism
✨ Practice mindfulness through meditation
And none of it happens in a vacuum. The deepest source of strength I've found in all my 67 years is relationships.
In just the last year, I've had the privilege of speaking at the Gathering of Wolves retreat for over 200 men, the 20th anniversary celebration of Leadership Fredericksburg, my church, and a wide variety of client organizations about what I call HAVE relationships:
H — Humility: I don't have all the answers.
A — Acceptance: I meet people, and myself, where we are.
V — Vulnerability: I let others see my struggles, not just my successes.
E — Empathy: I try to understand before I try to be understood.
Parkinson's has forced me to actually live these out. Asking for help, sharing the hard parts, and letting people in has made my relationships stronger and my life so much richer.
I wrote years ago that you can't give what you don't have. (I even wrote a book about it!) At 67, I believe it more than ever. Taking care of my body, mind, heart, and spirit isn't selfish. It's how I keep showing up for my family, my friends, my clients, and my community.
So, here's my birthday wish for you: Pick one thing. One workout, one moment to give gratitude, one honest conversation. And commit to it starting today.
It's never too late to get stronger.
I’m deeply grateful for another year, and for everyone walking this road with me.
What's one daily practice that keeps you strong? I'd love to hear about in the comments.
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