Every day, we’re reminded that the human life span is growing longer and that we should start taking care of our bodies as quickly as possible. But while supermodels and athletes in their 20s are excellent inspiration for taking a walk and maybe only having three slices of pizza at dinner (no one here is giving up pizza entirely), hearing from someone who has a wealth of experience in staying healthy while living to 96 — as opposed to nabbing good genes and drinking three Dr. Peppers a day — may be just what you need to kickstart your “health adventure” (as people call it; not me, but people). Especially when that 96-year-old is still running races and trying to break world records.
Meet Charles Eugster, a former British dentist who, Vice reports, holds numerous world records in sprinting. Not only that, but the dude is into all kinds of sports — including wakeboarding and rowing — as well as writing, motivational speaking, and fashion design. With those kinds of hobbies, he might live forever… and he only started nine years ago.
According to Eugster, he joined a gym at 87 (because he was feeling a little unhealthy) and his life hasn’t ever been better. Not only does he recommend getting into physical training for the health benefits, he also says that his libido is soaring and alludes to the fact that he’s now basically invincible, telling Vice that he doesn’t even get colds anymore.
But about that libido thing…
“When I was still training with Mr. Universe, he took me aside one day and asked, ‘Have you noticed an increase in your libido?’ I was embarrassed. I said, ‘Look, this is not something I’d like to discuss. It’s private.’ But he was very persistent, and in the end I relented. I said, ‘Look now, you mustn’t tell anybody else, but what I’m about to tell you is very dramatic. Incredible. Since I started on this program, my pubic hairs, which were white, have turned brown.’ I mean, wow!”
What does that mean? Well, while none of us are flying down to Switzerland to demand a look at his pubes, Eugster claims to have reversed the process of aging, making him the envy of all on the beach when the “hot 70-year-olds” turn their heads as he walks by.
How does he do it?
“Variety is key. I start every day with a protein shake because, as you get older, your protein synthesis no longer functions as well. I avoid sugar and eat lots of meat, especially fat. I’ve been on a fat trip lately. Fat! Piles of fat. Yet, I was in a supermarket the other day and was perplexed to find yogurt with zero fat. What on earth is that? The idea of the nutrition pyramid where, at the top, is a little fat and meat, and at the bottom a lot of carbohydrates, is, excuse me, bullshit. Humans are so unbelievably stupid that we have begun to tinker with food. Our theories of nutrition have resulted in a pandemic of obesity. Can you imagine a hunter-gatherer enjoying a low-fat yogurt? Let me tell you this, too: I read a report recently which said that a fatty diet also increases your libido.”
Aside from eating right and exercise, Eugster also says it’s important to not let retirement slow you down. And he’s frustrated that the over-70 crowd is treated as a “lost population,” with no gyms focusing routines for those who have hit that milestone and no jobs for people who are considered in their golden years. People over 65, he points out, are basically considered over, so no one’s spending time thinking about their “talents” or experience.
Here’s an idea Eugster has to keep the elderly from becoming old:
“I’d like to see companies set up in old people’s homes that offer, say, computer services. For example, if I want to find out something, the computer is a wonderful thing, but sometimes it takes a while to find [what you’re looking for]. Now, if I could call up an old people’s home and say, ‘I want this information by that time,’ if they have 50 old people working on computers, one of them is bound to come up with something.”
And he’s got some advice for those of us who haven’t yet achieved his level of wisdom or fitness: “Enjoy your talents and never stop learning.” And never forget to exercise and eat fat like your life depends on it. Because it does. Especially if you want to be sprinting down finish lines when you’re closing in on 100. In the video above, Eugster says that anyone saying they’re “too old for exercise” should “make an appointment at the crematorium.” Ouch! But what a cathartic statement, right? Kind of makes you want to lace up those running shoes and take off for the hills.
