They say age is just a number, but some wear their number like a badge of honor. If you’ve ever thought it was “too late” to achieve a goal, you’re in for a nice surprise. Many seniors are defying age and loving it.
Check out these eight older adults who are breaking stereotypes and shattering age barriers — and proving you can do it, too.
Robert Marchand, a 105-year-old cyclist from France, holds the current world record in one-hour track cycling for the over 100 age group. Seventy years ago, Marchand finished seventh in the Grand Prix des Nations and, after taking some time off, returned to his cycling training regimen in 1978.
Ruth Flowers, who passed away in 2014,decided when she was in her late 60s she wanted to become a club DJ. Performing under the name DJ Mamy Rock, Ruth performed during the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and released three singles. You can watch one of her performances here.
Harry Bernstein finally found the literary success he’d been working toward most of his life when he published The Invisible Wall to critical acclaim in 2007. He wrote two more successful memoirs before his death in 2011. You can view his Amazon author page here.
Nola Ochs was 95 when she earned her college diploma from Fort Hays State University in 2007. She went on to get a master’s degree and continued to take classes for the next five years.
Yuichiro Miura became the oldest person to climb Mount Everest at age 80 in 2013. Despite saying the climb down “nearly killed him,” Miura made it and beat the previous age record by four years.
Mohr Keet became the oldest bungee jumper in the world when he completed a jump off of South Africa’s Western Cape — a 708-foot drop — at age 96. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Keet didn’t even know he’d broken a world record until after his jump was over.
Harriette Thompson finished the San Diego Rock n’ Roll marathon at age 92 in 2015 with an impressive time of seven hours and 24 seconds — making her the oldest woman ever to complete a marathon.
Irene O’Shea was 100 years old when she decided to skydive 12,000 feet to raise money for motor neurone disease, which had claimed the life of her daughter in 2008. Her jump wasn’t just age-defying and death-defying, it was also record-breaking, making her the oldest person to ever skydive.
So, next time a goal you want to accomplish feels impossible, think of this list of inspirational people and remember: It’s never too late to start something new.
Looking to live life to the fullest and avoid negative health events? Learn how in our free resource The Vitality Guide.
