Never Add Those Three Words

There are three words I hope you never attach to yourself.

“FOR MY AGE.”

I’m strong...

for my age.

I’m doing pretty well...

FOR MY AGE.

I can still move...

FOR MY AGE.

It sounds harmless.

Sometimes it's even meant as a compliment.

But I've never liked it.

Because hidden inside those three words is a smaller expectation.

A quiet agreement that from here on, the standard should keep coming down.

I don't believe that.

Now, don't misunderstand me.

I'm not interested in pretending we're 25.

We're not.

Time changes the rules.

The body changes.

Recovery changes.

Responsibilities change.

And if we're smart, the way we approach all of it changes too.

But the standard doesn't have to disappear just because the strategy does.

That's the distinction.

I'm not trying to beat the younger version of myself at being young.

He'd win.

The irritating bastard had youth on his side.

I'm trying to build the strongest, most capable version of the man I am now.

And I think there's something powerful about that.

Because at this age, strength means more.

You understand what it costs.

You understand how quickly it can disappear.

And you finally understand that being able to rely on your own body is something worth protecting.

That's why I don't want the consolation prize.

I don't want someone looking at me and thinking:

"Pretty good for his age."

I'd rather remove the qualifier completely.

Strong.

Capable.

Useful.

Reliable.

Full stop.

Age can influence how you build those things.

It does not get automatic permission to take them from you.

And maybe that's one of the biggest changes that happens when you decide you're not going quietly.

You stop asking:

“What's reasonable for someone my age?”

And start asking:

“What am I still capable of becoming from here?”

That's a much more interesting question.

Because one looks backwards at what you've lost.

The other looks forward at what remains possible.

I know which direction I'm facing.

Keep building.

— Psymon

“The 1-Hour Breakthrough Call for Men Over 50”