INTRODUCING THE GROWING BOLDER LIFE INSTITUTE REBRANDING AGING®
GET READY FOR THE GROWING BOLDER AWARDS
KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR’S LIFELONG BOND WITH HIS LEGENDARY COACH
ON THE EDGE AND IN THE MOMENT At 57, Legendary Skateboarder David Hackett is Just as Gnarly as Ever. And He’s Still Busting Major Moves.
2  G R O W I N G B O L D E R
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G R O W I N G B O L D E R 3
CONTENTS JULY/AUGUST 2017
HE’S STILL DOING THE
6 | GROWING BOLDER WITH ...
24 | ROCK STARS OF AGING ® Tony Handler’s doctor told him he had two years to live. Now, 33 years and 296 triathlons later, he begs to differ. By Bill Shafer
7 | ROAD TO RECOVERY Change your “health age” and change your future. By Robert Masson, M.D.
25 | BOLDER LIVING Why meditative practices have gone mainstream. By Jackie Carlin
5 | FROM THE EDITOR
8 | 5 QUESTIONS Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recalls life lessons from John Wooden, his legendary coach at UCLA. By Bill Shafer 18 | SURVIVING & THRIVING ® Despite Parkinson’s, Margaret Kohn challenges Mount Kilimanjaro as a tribute to Pulse victims. By Jackie Carlin 22 | BOLDER HEALTH UCF College of Medicine professor Aileen Caceres talks about the unique healthcare needs of women. By Jackie Carlin 4 G R O W I N G B O L D E R
INTRODUCING THE GROWING BOLDER LIFE INSTITUTE REBRANDING AGING®
GET READY FOR THE GROWING BOLDER AWARDS
KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR’S LIFELONG BOND WITH HIS LEGENDAY COACH
ON THE EDGE AND IN THE MOMENT At 57, Legendary Skateboarder David Hackett is Just as Gnarly as Ever. And He’s Still Busting Major Moves.
ON THE COVER: David Hackett demonstrates one of his signature skateboarding moves. Photo by Daniel Harold Sturt © 2017
Now healthy and happy, skateboarding superstar David Hackett won’t back down from adversity. BY MARC MIDDLETON
30 | THE TAKEAWAY Actress Debra Winger talks about keeping relationships alive as they evolve.
FEATURES 20 | LAUGHING AND CRYING At memorials, they’re two sides of the same coin. By Bobbe Lyon 21 | GET READY FOR THE GROWING BOLDER AWARDS The Growing Bolder Awards — we like to call them the Boldys® — were a smash last year. So they’re coming back again this year even bigger and better. 28 | INTRODUCING THE GROWING BOLDER LIFE INSTITUTE We’ll provide the tools and resources to help make the rest of your life the best of your life. By Katy Widrick J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 7
PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID HACKETT
DEPARTMENTS
10
SLASH
FROM THE EDITOR
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Marc Middleton MANAGING EDITOR Jackie Carlin ASSOCIATE EDITORS Katy Widrick, Bill Shafer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Bobbe Lyon, Robert Masson, M.D. ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY Sarah A. Friedman, Glen E. Friedman, Daniel Harold Sturt DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION Jason Morrow, Pat Narciso, Josh Doolittle, Mike Nanus DIRECTOR OF CIRCULATION Jill Middleton
407-406-5910 9801 Lake Nona Club Blvd. Orlando, FL 32827 GrowingBolderMagazine.com All editorial content copyright 2017 by Bolder Broadcasting Inc. Growing Bolder is a registered trademark of Bolder Broadcasting Inc. Nothing may be reprinted in part or in whole without written permission from Bolder Broadcasting Inc.
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I
MANAGING LIFE’S RISKS
n 2012, Dr. Bill Thomas, the man who transformed the nursing care industry worldwide — and a regular contributor to Growing Bolder — began talking about the concept of “surplus safety.” Surplus safety results from obsessing over downside risk (what might go wrong) while dismissing upside risk (better-than-expected outcomes). This unhealthy mindset is what led nursing homes, until relatively recently, to routinely strap residents to their beds or chairs. There’s no denying that safety is critically important to all of us as we age. But equally important is quality of life. Human beings, by nature, love novelty and thrive on experience. Fortunately, a cultural change is underway. Increasingly, it’s being acknowledged that risk can also lead to the kind of experiences that make life worth living. Dr. Thomas is blunt in his prescription for successful aging: “Take risks!” he tells Growing Bolder. Dr. Gay Hanna, the director of the National Center for Creative Aging, calls our later years the age of liberation and asks, “If not now, when?” Dr. Robert Masson, medical director for Team Growing Bolder, passionately embraces risk taking in his own life — but is very clear about the preparation required: “We have to earn the right to participate in the activities we love as we age. We have to prehabilitate before we participate. We have to show up strong.” We must continually evaluate the risk/reward scenario in all we do. And participating in activities that carry a high risk of injury when we’ve not prepared for that activity is, in a word, stupid. This month’s cover story is on the amazing life of David Hackett, one of the world’s oldest professional skateboarders and a man who’s redefining what’s possible in his sport as he ages. Hackett works out regularly to mitigate the risks of engaging in the sport that he helped to popularize as a young man. And he has learned, as all aging athletes have, to dial back his aggressiveness so he can enjoy the benefits of skateboarding while minimizing the risk of major injury. And his preparation allows him to bounce back when he is injured. “I’m gonna roll on my skateboard until I’m dead,” he says. “And if I die doing it, all the better. I’d die doing something that I truly love. I’d be OK. I’d be at peace.” Of course, risk taking doesn’t only apply to physical activity. As we age, most of us become afraid to try new things for fear of failure or embarrassment. We allow surplus safety, in some measure, to creep into our lives, control our behavior and avoid experiences that make life worth living. To take away all risks, to remove all opportunities to make mistakes and to fail, is to take away what it means to be human. All of us must learn to balance risk tolerance in our lives so that we don’t simply wither away strapped to a bed.
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AMERICA’S ART FORM RODNEY WHITAKER LEADS THE NEW DR. PHILLIPS CENTER JAZZ ORCHESTRA
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Marc Middleton, Editor-in-Chief marcmiddleton@growingbolder.com G R O W I N G B O L D E R 5
GROWING BOLDER WITH
AARON NEVILLE
76
SINGER/SONGWRITER
“It took who I was and where I came from to make me who I am today. I have no regrets, because I’m able to pass along what I’ve learned to others coming behind me. After my wife Joel died, I didn’t know if I could go on. I’d been with her since we were 16, and I buried her on our 48th anniversary. But I truly believe she sent Sarah to me. When I met Sarah, she encouraged me to talk about Joel — and that helped to get some of the sadness out of me. Meeting her taught me that life goes on, and it can get better. I’m 76 and doing what I love. You’re born and you die, but it’s what you do in between that counts.”
Aaron Neville’s voice has been an unmistakable part of the American music scene since the 1960s, and he’s still going strong. Neville has scored four platinum albums and four Top 10 hits. He puts all his talents on full display in his new album, Apache, for which he wrote most of the songs. His wife Joel died in 2008 following a three-year battle with lung cancer. He and photographer Sarah Friedman wed in 2010.
SUSAN SILVER
68
TV WRITER
“I always wanted to be a writer. When I worked at Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, they wouldn’t let me write because the guys wanted to walk around in their underwear and pass gas — and they didn’t want a woman in there with them. So, passing gas almost cost me my career! Thankfully, my mentor, Garry Marshall, got me a meeting with the team at the Mary Tyler Moore Show, who’d made it a mission to hire a female writer. I was able to write about my life and open the door for other women. I hope I can encourage others to always keep looking for a new passion, no matter what obstacles you’re facing.”
Susan Silver wrote for some of the most iconic sitcoms of all time, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show; Maude; The Bob Newhart Show; The Partridge Family; Square Pegs; Love, American Style and many others. She brought a female perspective to an industry overwhelmingly dominated by males — and her voice benefited everyone. She writes about her groundbreaking career in her new book, Hot Pants in Hollywood: Sex, Secrets & Sitcoms. In the book she also discusses battling cancer and caring for her aging parents.
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AUTHOR
“Humanity wouldn’t have survived for thousands of years if we weren’t imbued with the capacity to take hits, both physically and psychically. Heartbreak is something we can survive and even grow from. Our psyches know how to handle pain — that’s what grief is — but the pharmaceutical industry realized that there was profit in labeling the normal spectrum of human suffering as various medical issues. We can’t just numb ourselves or suppress the symptoms of depression; we must actually cultivate happiness. That means learning to take responsibility for our own mistakes, learning to forgive other people for theirs, and giving ourselves permission to grieve appropriately and cry when we need to cry.”
Marianne Williamson is an internationally acclaimed author and lecturer. In her newest book, Tears to Triumph: The Spiritual Journey From Suffering to Enlightenment, Williamson writes about the growing epidemic of emotional suffering and how to overcome the overwhelming sadness so many of us live with.
GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to listen to our Growing Bolder Radio conversations with Aaron Neville, Susan Silver and Marianne Williamson.
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PHOTO BY SARAH A. FRIEDMAN (AARON NEVILLE)
MARIANNE WILLIAMSON
ROAD TO RECOVERY Dr. Robert Masson says that age used to be a major determinant in treatment outcomes. Now, though, his team considers “health age” as well as chronological age.
YOUR MOVE
Change Your ‘Health Age’ and Change Your Future. BY ROBERT MASSON, M.D.
T
he notion that we can live our lives as we want, and then rely on the healthcare system to fix us when we have problems, is the ultimate act of personal deception. Yes, the healthcare industry is always advancing. New technologies, new medicines and new techniques will continue to improve treatment and care. But the cost of that treatment and care will continue to rise. And the outcomes will be directly and significantly impacted by the patients’ overall condition — and by their participation, or lack thereof, in the treatment process. We consider preparation to be important in most aspects of our lives — except, tragically, when it comes to our health. I use the “Show Up Strong” mantra to emphasize our ability — and our obligation — to optimize our chances for recovery following treatment. Healthcare professionals who truly have their patients’ best interests in mind are focused on much more than any one aspect of care. At NeuroSpine Institute, we focus GROWINGBOLDERMAGAZINE.COM
initially on isolating, diagnosing and treating specific problems. But at the same time, we recognize that we’re treating a whole person — and that every element of the care we provide is intimately connected. That’s why we’re passionate about providing what we call “360 degrees of care.” We create a strategy — an organizational sequence for the entire care process. That strategy, of course, addresses the specific problem that we’ve diagnosed. But it also incorporates the patient’s mental, physical and emotional self. All of these components have a critical impact on recovery. Age used to be a major determinant in what type of intervention was available. But now we talk about “health age” versus chronological age. More often than not, we ignore chronological age and focus on how patients present themselves. If someone shows up with a health age that’s 20 years younger than his or her chronological age, then we have great confidence in a positive outcome. On the other hand, a person whose health age is 30 years older than his or her
chronological age is unlikely to do as well. We all have a role in improving our overall health. There’s no sense in regretting lifestyle choices that we’ve made in the past. It’s about moving forward with a relentless optimism that we can significantly improve all aspects of our future by taking better care of ourselves now. That has to be the message that people hear, and then aspire to. It’s also important, regardless of age, to have ambitious goals that center us and give us something to look forward to. I’ve found that these goals provide me with strategic centering — and give me the motivation to pursue strength and aerobic fitness, weight management, emotional stability and more. Achieving a specific goal is usually not the true benefit. It’s simply a carrot that leads us to overall wellness, which will lengthen and improve the quality of our lives. It will also reduce healthcare costs by enabling us to bounce back more rapidly, and to achieve extreme recovery if and when we encounter a major health challenge. The bottom line? When it comes to overall health and wellbeing, the healthcare industry is here to help — but the ball is in your court.
GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to watch Dr. Robert Masson’s Road to Recovery motivational video minutes and get inspired to improve your health age.
G R O W I N G B O L D E R 7
5 QUESTIONS Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 50-year friendship with John Wooden, his legendary coach at UCLA, gives him a unique perspective on “perhaps the greatest, most important person I’ve ever known.”
LIFE LESSONS PHOTO BY ESTHER LIN
Memories of a Great Coach, and an Even Greater Man. BY BILL SHAFER
8 G R O W I N G B O L D E R
J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 7
KAREEM ABDULJABBAR
is one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the game. When he retired from the NBA in 1989, he was the all-time leader in seasons played, championships won, MVP awards, points scored, shots blocked and AllStar game appearances. He was just as dominant in college, winning three straight NCAA National Championships at UCLA under legendary coach John Wooden. He subsequently became an actor, activist, columnist, bestselling author and, in 2016, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In his most recent book, Coach Wooden and Me, Abdul- Jabbar pays tribute to his coach, friend and mentor.
So many books have been written about John Wooden. How is yours different?
Everybody knows about him being such a successful coach. But he had some struggles, and there were times things didn’t go well. Being able to see him stand up tall [under those circumstances] was as enlightening as looking at his successes. When I first became a parent, I began to notice how many of the things he taught me were essential life lessons. My 50-year friendship with Coach Wooden enables me to provide a very different, very intimate look at perhaps the greatest, most important person I’ve ever known.
We’ve heard one of the first things he did was give you lessons on how to put on your socks. Is that true? What was the point of that?
Coach Wooden had a unique way of getting through to us using simple yet impactful lessons. He was proving to us the importance of proper preparation. He believed in paying attention to the smallest details. Something as simple as a blister on your foot can keep you from practice. If you don’t practice, you can’t play. What seem to be the smallest, most trivial or unimportant GROWINGBOLDERMAGAZINE.COM
details always end up being the difference between disappointment and success.
You’ve had some serious struggles recently, dealing with chronic myeloid leukemia. Just two years ago, you had quadruple bypass heart surgery. How have the lessons learned from Coach Wooden helped you through that?
The main lesson is simply being willing to accept certain things. Many things in life will not go our way. None of us are guaranteed anything. You can’t let fear or pain or concern change who you are. Having a positive attitude — and being willing to put in the work to assist in your own recovery — increases your odds of a successful outcome, and helps define who you are as a person.
Some athletes have difficulty coping with the physical and mental changes that come with aging. You’re now 70 years old. What’s your outlook moving forward?
I have. Family is such an important part of what Coach Wooden was about. Our team was a family. He wanted us to go from success on the basketball court to becoming good dads, good husbands and good citizens. He wanted us to get an education, get a degree and then go out and do good things in the community. He instilled that desire in me, and it has never left. I feel that I still have a lot left to give.
From all that Coach Wooden taught you, what would you like to teach us? What’s the No. 1 lesson that applies, regardless of age?
The power of perseverance. We usually have no idea how close we really are to achieving success. Don’t be discouraged, stay focused, stay determined and always believe in yourself. You have to keep working toward your goals from the beginning of your life all the way to the end. And if you have that attitude — if you can maintain a level of tenacity like that — you will achieve. And that’s true whether you’re a 17-year-old moving on to college or a 70-year-old who still feels he has a lot more left to contribute.
GB EXTRA I’m very optimistic about the future. I have a great relationship with my children, who’ve achieved many of their goals in life, just as
Visit GrowingBolderMagazine. com to listen to our Growing Bolder Radio conversation with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and find out more about the life lessons taught to him by Coach John Wooden.
G R O W I N G B O L D E R 9
HE’S STILL DOING THE
SLASH LEGENDARY SKATEBOARDER DAVID HACKETT REMAINS JUST AS GNARLY AS EVER. BY MARC MIDDLETON
10 G R O W I N G B O L D E R
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PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID HACKETT
Just because he’s not a kid anymore doesn’t mean that David Hackett is hesitant to replicate acrobatic moves, such as the Hackett Slash, that helped to revolutionize skateboarding in the ’70s. The slash image, when it was first photographed (see page 12), became one of the most iconic in the history of the sport.
GROWINGBOLDERMAGAZINE.COM
G R O W I N G B O L D E R 11
When a drought emptied Southern California pools, Hackett and other skateboarders commandeered the concrete pits and invented so-called “vert” (short for vertical) skateboarding and the aerial tricks that still define it.
D
Of the more than 100 million skateboarders worldwide, how many are like Hackett? “There’s nobody like me,” he says. Hackett grew up not far from Hollywood in the Malibu Hills, where he learned to surf at a young age. When concrete-gripping urethane wheels were invented in the early ’70s, Hackett and his buddies took their radical surfing moves to the streets — 12 G R O W I N G B O L D E R
giving the sport style, flair and street cred. They made skateboarding cool. And when a drought emptied Southern California pools, Hackett and other skateboarders commandeered the concrete pits and invented so-called “vert” (short for vertical) skateboarding and the aerial tricks that still define it. A photo of Hackett in a drained pool per-
forming his trademark move, the “Hackett Slash,” is one of the most iconic images in skateboarding history. It has been immortalized in virtually every medium — paintings, drawings, sculptures — and is the world’s most popular skateboarding-related tattoo. At just 15, Hackett won the Hang Ten World Championships. At 18, he snared the U.S. Open Bowl and Pool Riding chamJ U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 7
PHOTO BY GLEN E. FRIEDMAN
avid Hackett, 57, is one of the world’s oldest professional skateboarders. He’s also one of the most important; a true pioneer, a legendary rider and a living link to an era that changed skateboarding forever. But unlike many aging athletes, Hackett isn’t just a reflection of his former self. He still rides with the style that made him famous — and still busts the hair-raising moves that he helped invent.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID HACKETT
pionship. And at 19, he starred in the firstever action sports TV program with overall World Champion Tony Alva. More than 40 years after his career began, “Hackman,” as his friends call him, is still competing — and still winning major championships. “I just won the U.S. National slalom title, so I’m really stoked about that,” he says. But Hackett’s decades-long ride hasn’t been without some major bumps. “I used to drink a lot of tequila,” he says. “That was my go-to drink, because I used to like to party and get crazy wild. And then it would be cocaine. I loved cocaine for a time. But I was young and dumb.” Hackett was 20 when his younger brother, Paul, strung out on drugs and suffering from undiagnosed bipolar disorder, murdered their mother inside their Malibu home. Paul was sent to a prison for the criminally insane, where he later died. Fueled by drugs and alcohol, Hackett suffered from extreme rage and anger for years. He spent 20 years trying — unsuccessfully — to kick his addictions. “I didn’t get sober until I was 34,” he recalls. “I found a 12-step program, got a sponsor, worked the steps and did what I had to do. I listened to people that came before me, and they walked me through the steps of getting sober. I’m now totally sober. I don’t do any alcohol or drugs. That’s out.” Hackett later became a counselor and mentor; a recovery guru for desperate young men fighting their own addiction battles. “It’s a very specialized program, and I have a 100 percent success rate,” he tells Growing Bolder. “They come here with permission from their parents; basically they’re signing their lives away to my care. I literally hook them to my hip.” Hackett works full time with just one client at a time. “They’re with me 20 hours a day,” he says of his charges, who live in a cottage behind Hackett’s home. “I take them to three meetings a day. I show them how to work out. We work on their physical health, their mental health, their spiritual health and getting sober in the process.” Hackett says he befriends his clients, and treats them with respect and dignity. “Because of that, they’ll follow my lead and do what I ask of them,” he says. “I’ve taken guys who were literally suicidal and strung out on heroin. I got them sober, and they’re all still sober today.” Overcoming addiction isn’t the only life-challenging battle that Hackett has GROWINGBOLDERMAGAZINE.COM
Hackett, shown here with his late brother Paul, grew up not far from Hollywood in the Malibu Hills. He learned to surf at an early age, and used his surfing skills to master skateboarding.
waged and won. When he was 49, he was in a motorcycle accident that resulted in serious injury — but likely saved his life. A scan at the hospital revealed a tumor the size of an orange and Stage 4 colon cancer. Hackett spent 10 days in the hospital, but he was hardly alone. More than 600 of his closest friends stopped by. “They all came to visit me, man,” he recalls. “It was just the most amazing thing. It was touching to see how much I’m loved, because I love people. And my poor wife, Zannah. She truly is the angel goddess of divine love. She was by my side the whole time — and it was amazing.” Adds Zannah: “I think the thing that I
admire most about my husband is that he never gives up. He always sees the light at the end of the tunnel. There’s always that silver lining.” The silver lining is that Hackett’s battle for sobriety taught him the power of belief and the importance of behavioral modification. He refused both chemotherapy and radiation — and instead waged a lifestyle war against his disease. “I committed to eating a mostly vegetable-based diet, to working out religiously every day, and to having fun,” he says. “And that’s what I did. It’s been over six years now, and I’m still here. The cancer never came back.” G R O W I N G B O L D E R 13
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID HACKETT
Hackett credits a positive attitude, encouragement from friends and support from his wife Zannah for beating colon cancer. While he was in the hospital (below), Hackett logged more than 600 visitors.
Like many cancer survivors, Hackett also experienced a new appreciation for every moment and a deep gratitude for every blessing. “It really gave me an appreciation for life that I never felt before,” he says. “This is all icing on the cake. God forbid if I die tomorrow, I’ve had the most incredible amazing, exciting, groundbreaking, radical bitchin’ life. I’d be at peace.” When Growing Bolder visited Hackett at his home in Encinitas, California, he was on his way to the world’s first-ever Skatercross track. “It’s like a motocross course built out of wood,” he says. “It’s got these heavy duty drop-ins and radical turns. It’s gnarly. I haven’t done it yet — but I’m hoping today to get a run on it and not kill myself.” The track was designed and built by Andy Macdonald, an eight-time World Cup champion and X-Games record holder. He’s excited to see Hackett — and not surprised that the celebrated skateboarder is anxious to take on a new challenge. 14 G R O W I N G B O L D E R
“I’m 43 years old, and it’s inspirational to be able to skate with a guy like Dave,” Macdonald says. “He’s proving that there are no limits to how long you can do this.” If he completes the course, Hackett will become the oldest Skatercross rider ever. And before you count him out, you should know that he once jumped three cars on a rocket-powered skateboard for a movie. And that’s not all. At age 45, Hackett beat more than 30 competitors half his age to win the European Skateboard Racing Championships in Sweden. And at age 47, he became the oldest rider in history to successfully complete Tony Hawk’s Loop of Death. “Let’s face it,” Hackett admits. “Skateboarding is an extreme and dangerous thing to do. You’re flying around in the universe on a moving board with wheels, and if you fall you’re hitting cement or wood. You might get hurt.” Hackett has been hurt — and has the Xrays to prove it. At one time or another, he has broken both ankles, both wrists, both hands, an elbow, his ribs, his tailbone and J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 7
At age 45, Hackett beat more than 30 competitors half his age to win the European Skateboard Racing Championships in Sweden. And at age 47, he became the oldest rider in history to conquer Tony Hawk’s Loop of Death (shown).
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his collarbone. He has shattered his foot, torn both ACLs, had his teeth knocked out and endured dozens of other injuries. The biggest challenge of Skatercross is the initial drop, and then staying on your board through the first jump. Hackett tries and fails several times. But to no one’s surprise, he persists until he succeeds. Most of the youngsters watching have no idea who Hackett is, but they’re blown away by the skills of someone old enough to be their grandfather. “It’s crazy,” says a 10-yearold. “It’s inspiring,” adds his friend, also 10. If Hackett’s not smashing stereotypes or saving lives, he enjoys indulging his artistic side. He’s an award-winning graphic, product and sportswear designer. For more than 30 years, Hackett has designed skateboard graphics for himself and many other legendary riders. Some are so collectible that they fetch thousands of dollars in online auctions sites. Hackett is also a fine artist who paints — not surprisingly — with his skateboard. His works hang in galleries and private collections worldwide. “This is my signature,” he says, pointing to 16 G R O W I N G B O L D E R
one of the large abstract canvases that hang throughout his home. “I invented it. It’s a radical expression of American culture. It’s skateboarding on canvas.” Drug-free, cancer-free and seemingly carefree, Hackett enjoys the risk-taking that, for him, makes life worth living — a philosophy that drew him to Growing Bolder when he first saw one of the women featured in our stories. “I thought, ‘Wow that’s bad ass. This woman is so gnarly.’ I looked a little deeper and went to the Growing Bolder website and thought, ‘These guys are so cool. They’re celebrating people who are still breaking boundaries and living life to the fullest. I want to be part of that.’” So, what’s next for David Hackett? In addition to his skating, surfing, counseling and artistic endeavors, he emcees the annual Skateboarding Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, is a motivational speaker, represents multiple brands and is an entrepreneur running several companies of his own. “Dave’s a renaissance man,” says Zannah, an author, educator and counselor specializing in life and relationship
coaching. “He truly is. He’s so multi-multitalented that you can always expect the unexpected. That makes life interesting.” Says Hackett, “The moral of my story is simply to be true to yourself. Do what you love and what’s in your heart. I’m gonna roll on my skateboard until I’m dead — and if I die doing it, all the better. I’d rather die doing something I truly love!” No matter how difficult the past has been — and no matter how uncertain the future might seem — the game of life is played in the here and now. And among his many talents, perhaps Hackett’s greatest skill is his ability to live in the moment. “That’s what life is,” he says. “It’s about now. Right here. This moment. This is it. This is the best it’s gonna get. And it’s awesome!”
GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to watch our mini-documentary on David Hackett and see him perform some of his death-defying stunts for yourself.
J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 7
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID HACKETT
An accomplished artist, Hackett has for the past 30 years designed skateboard graphics for himself and other legendary riders. Some are so collectible that they fetch thousands of dollars in online auctions sites. He also creates unique abstract art using his skateboard to paint (facing page).
“The moral of my story is simply to be true to yourself. Do what you love and what’s in your heart. I’m gonna roll on my skateboard until I’m dead — and if I die doing it, all the better. I’d rather die doing something I truly love!” — David Hackett
GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to listen to our complete Growing Bolder Radio conversation with David Hackett.
GROWINGBOLDERMAGAZINE.COM
G R O W I N G B O L D E R 17
SURVIVING & THRIVING ®
For 10 days, Margaret Kohn — who battles Parkinson’s disease — and her daughter Bronwyn encountered a tropical rainstorm, extreme desert heat and a snow/sleet storm during their adventure climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
TIME TO CLIMB
Despite Parkinson’s, She Scales Kili for Pulse Victims. BY JACKIE CARLIN
O
n any given morning, you can find Margaret Kohn working out with her trainer at the YMCA. Kohn is a busy professional, but she knows these early morning sweat sessions just may be the most important part of her day. Three years ago, at the age of 58, Kohn was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. She quickly realized that being proactive about her health was the best way to fight back against the progressive nervous disorder. “A lot of what I work on is strength and balance,” Kohn says. “With Parkinson’s, you tend to lose your balance. I also get freezing in my hands.” Her workouts have another purpose, too — they help keep her in climbing shape. Two years ago, she and her two grown children climbed the famed volcano Mount St.
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Helens in Washington State. This time, Kohn set an even bigger goal for herself and her family — returning to their home continent of Africa to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest freestanding mountain. She and her children were born and raised in the world’s second-largest continent. The daughter of missionaries and educators, Kohn says Africa is a place to which she still feels very connected. “The mountain is just the most amazing place on earth,” she says. “Being at the top of your motherland with your two kids — what more could I ask for? That’s one reason why I’m doing it this time.” Kohn had other motivations for embarking on the grueling expedition for a second time. On her first Mount Kilimanjaro adventure, she joined a team climbing in sup-
port of the Michael J. Fox Foundation. She describes that initial climb as her “Parkinson’s coming out party,” marking the first time she revealed her condition to friends. “I went with a team of eight, and there were two of us who had Parkinson’s,” Kohn says. “It challenged us both. We had different symptoms, so we reacted differently to the climb — but we were probably the two most resilient people, because it was such a challenge to us.” This time, she climbed to honor the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in her beloved adopted community of Orlando. “This climb will be for the 49 people who lost their lives,” Kohn told us through tears before her trip. “You can almost understand a natural disaster taking people’s lives. But when somebody takes a life out of hatred, it just hits me. I’ve got to take them to that place of peace.” In February, she returned to that place of peace, this time with the names of the 49 victims tucked between the folds of a Pride flag. For 10 days, Kohn and her daughter Bronwyn climbed through a tropical rainstorm, extreme desert heat and a snow/sleet storm. She says the guides kept them going J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 7
At 16,000 feet up the world’s largest freestanding mountain, Kohn became too ill to continue. But Bronwyn (right) pressed on, reaching the summit and unfurling the Pride flag as the sun rose.
with their encouraging words and by looking after their health — but their mission compelled them forward. “Those 49 innocent, vibrant memories were the driving force up Kilimanjaro,” she says. When the climbers reached Base Camp at 16,000 feet, the extreme altitude made Kohn ill and she couldn’t go any further. So it was up to Bronwyn to carry on. Battling frostbite and hallucinations, Bronwyn reached the summit on February
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11 and unfurled the colorful Pride flag as the sun rose. Kohn says the months of preparation and hard work were worth it, because it was about celebrating the power of the human spirit. “The mountain peak had rejected me, leaving me at Base Camp tired and defeated,” Kohn says as she reflects on the adventure. “What it did not take from me was my soul. I know its beauty will lure me back. Kilimanjaro did her job; she
made me stronger. Everybody has a mountain to climb. And my purpose in life is to help other people climb that mountain, no matter what they’re facing.”
GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine. com to watch our feature story on Margaret Kohn and to find out more about her trip to Mount Kilimanjaro. We’ll also share a link to her blog about her training and battle against Parkinson’s disease.
G R O W I N G B O L D E R 19
GR OW IN G B OLD E R AWAR D W INNNER ’S P ER S P ECT I V E
Laughing and Crying AT MEMORIALS, THEY’RE TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN. BY BOBBE LYON
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here’ll be laughter at my memorial. I’ve planned for it, built it into the arrangements, left specific directions. Oh, there’ll be tears too. They go hand in hand, don’t they? It feels so good to laugh and cry at the same time. What a wonderful, natural stress release; a total relaxation response. It’s just what we need when we’ve lost a loved one. It’s an interesting process, this growing older. One thinks of things like this. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s almost a duty for grandparents to model this behavior for the next generation. Younger people should see that, yes, we grieve and bid our loved ones a fond farewell — then we celebrate their lives. Our culture does this with food, drink, tributes from friends and associates and even music. There’s laughter, although usually not in church, synagogue or mosque. But later, after the service or sometimes instead of the service, there’s laughter. Just recalling the many humorous incidents of the deceased’s life — especially when they’re told by friends — you can’t help but laugh. It’s a catharsis. It’s a tribute to the dearly departed. It “wakes” our memories. As times change and services change, it’s interesting to note the many new ways in which we honor our loved ones. Sometimes, memorials feature running visual loops and displays of awards and memorabilia of other important life events. How wonderful to remember the recently departed when they were hale and hearty. A history, if you will, of the passage of time. A dignified and fitting end to a life well lived. People crowd around the tables where items are displayed. They watch DVDs over and over. I was at a memorial recently where the deceased was an artist, younger than me, actually. Her daughter invited us all to help ourselves to a piece of jewelry the artist had created. What a lovely remembrance of her talent and her love. I think of her each time I wear the piece I picked. I’ve been to many memorials of people much younger than me. What a touching and solemn reminder of how precious life is. I leave those ceremonies with new gratitude for being alive. Then I check my bucket list. Let’s see, where will I visit next? I vow to make the most of the time left. RIP, dear friend. I’d rather wear out than rust out.
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Motivational speaker Bobbe Lyon, a “Boldy” winner from last year, is interviewed by Growing Bolder’s Bill Shafer.
Bobbe Lyon, 83, teaches the “The Many Faces of Humor” class at the Rollins College Center for Lifelong Learning, and is consulting editor and contributor to the national humor newsletter, “The Joyful Noiseletter.” She’s also a professional counselor and an in-demand speaker who inspires everyone from hospice volunteers to law enforcement personnel with her gift of laughter. She also was the recipient of the Power of Positivity Award at the first annual Growing Bolder Awards. See page 21 for details about this year’s Growing Bolder Awards. J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 7
THEY’RE BACK! GET READY FOR THE GROWING BOLDER AWARDS The Growing Bolder Awards are back! The inaugural 2016 Growing Bolder Awards were an unqualified success. The Boldys® smash the damaging, ageist stereotypes so prevalent in our culture. They celebrate and honor the ongoing contributions of our older citizens, and provide an inspirational example to younger people about the power and possibility of life after 60, 70, 80, 90 and even 100. Last year, a packed house gathered at Full Sail University to watch nearly two dozen awe-inspiring people (including Bobbe Lyon, whose essay appears on page 20) between the ages of 65 and 103 receive their Boldys®. Attendees walked away more motivated than ever to start living life boldly. “I thought it was the most inspirational positive comment on aging that I have been to — ever,” said Amy O’Rourke, president of The Cameron Group and one of the top advocates for caregivers and families in the U.S. “Over my lifetime, my husband and I have been to hundreds of awards ceremonies. This was the best I have ever attended,” added Mary Ann Kinser of the Celebration Foundation.
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The Boldys® don’t just shine a spotlight on active and successful aging. They also benefit local nonprofit organizations such as the Senior Resource Alliance, which provides lifesaving resources for older Central Floridians. “When it comes to aging, this is both the best of times and worst of times,” says Randy Hunt, CEO of the Senior Resource Alliance. “We’re focused on our elderly neighbors who need help just making ends meet.” The 2017 Growing Bolder Awards, presented by Senior Resource Alliance and the Winter Park Health Foundation, promises to be bigger, better and bolder than ever — and that’s saying something. The event will be held on December 6, once again in the state-of-the-art Full Sail Live facility in Winter Park, Florida. A limited number of highly customizable sponsorships are available. These sponsorships offer a unique opportunity to celebrate the changing culture of aging, to engage with the most valuable group of consumers in America today and to support the efforts of the Senior Resource Alliance. For more information and to watch highlights from last year’s awards, visit growingbolderawards.com.
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BOLDER HEALTH Dr. Aileen Caceres’ expertise is gynecologic minimally invasive and robotic surgery — a field that didn’t even exist a generation ago.
HEALTH MATTERS UCF College of Medicine Professor Talks to Women. BY JACKIE CARLIN
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here’s nothing more important to living your best life than your health. Regardless of your age or what sort of shape you’re in, it’s never too late or too early to take positive steps. After all, the choices you make today can have an effect — positive or negative — for years to come. Thankfully, there are many more choices available to patients these days — and physicians are constantly improving and innovating to better serve their patients. One physician on the cutting edge of technology is Aileen Caceres, M.D., of the University of Central Florida College of Medicine. Her area of expertise is gynecologic minimally invasive and robotic surgery — a field that didn’t even exist a generation ago. “My field has undergone major transitions,” she tells Growing Bolder. “I remember when I was still in my training, we were taught to open everyone for nearly every procedure, leaving these huge incisions. Now, we’ve developed new tech22 G R O W I N G B O L D E R
niques, such as laparoscopy, that allow us to use very small holes for these surgeries.” Caceres says laparoscopy allows patients to recover from procedures — including appendectomies, gall bladder removals and gynecologic surgeries — in half the time it used to take. “What this does for patients is amazing,” she says. “Their recoveries are much faster and their pain is better controlled. It allows women to return to their active lifestyles more quickly.” With a focus on women’s health in particular, Carceres is dedicated to helping women get the answers they need. Step one is encouraging women to see their physicians and undergo appropriate annual tests. “A woman will undergo many changes from adolescence through menopause,” she says. “So it’s important that she see her physician for the appropriate tests at the appropriate ages.” Caceres recommends that women in their 20s begin getting pap smears. Unless the results are abnormal, she can then have
a pap smear done every three to five years. She adds that women should have an initial, baseline mammogram around age 40. Again depending upon the results, she should have a mammogram every one to two years until she reaches age 50. Then annual mammograms are suggested. Also at age 50, women should begin osteoporosis screenings and colonoscopies. Caceres is also committed to helping women who suffer from endometriosis get the relief they so desperately need. An estimated 13 million women are affected by endometriosis — and it takes, on average, seven to eight years for the condition to be diagnosed. She adds that debilitating pain during menstrual cycles is not normal. If you’ve been living with such pain, she says, then get it checked out. “I encourage women — if they’re not getting the right answers or the help they need, or if the pain is still there — to keep getting second opinions,” Caceres says. “You’ve got to get to the right place and find specialists who are keen to recognize those symptoms.” And if you’re 40 and over, Caceres says it’s time to start recognizing the symptoms of menopause — but don’t let it freak you out. “Menopause is a natural way of aging,” she notes. “We’ve started to think about menopause as a transition in life — and it’s a transition we want to personalize for each individual.” Unlike in the past, she adds, “we’re not just throwing hormones at menopausal women. We want to understand their lifestyles. We work with them to see how they can change their lifestyles to fit with menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and weight gain.” Caceres says the average age of menopause is 50, with some ethnic groups experiencing it earlier or later. But the symptoms of menopause can last up to 10 years, she adds. So it’s important to be proactive in finding the right treatments and care for your specific symptoms.
GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to listen to our entire conversation with Caceres and to learn more about treatment options and care plans specifically tailored for women.
J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 7
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ROCK STARS OF AGING ®
Tony Handler was channel surfing in his hospital room when he came upon coverage of an Ironman triathlon. “As crazy as it sounds, I vowed that if I ever got out of that hospital, that’s what I was going to try,” he says.
A STEP AHEAD His Track to Recovery: Attitude and Exercise. BY BILL SHAFER
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ony Handler, standing waist deep in the cool waters of a lake, waits for the sound of the starter’s horn that will plunge him and some 50 competitors into action. He’s as calm and confident as ever. “There’s nothing like swimming at 60 degrees at 7 a.m.,” he shouts, flashing a grin. Handler has been here before. This will be his 296th triathlon over the past 33 years. His first was shortly after his doctors insisted that he had just two years to live. “In some ways, it feels like yesterday,” Handler says as he shakes his head. The news from his doctor had been unexpected, to say the least. Up to that point, he’d rarely been sick. One night after dinner, a nagging pain in his stomach suddenly became unbearable. His family, despite his protests, rushed him to the emergency room. And it’s a good thing they did. His stomach had ruptured, which was shocking enough. But the underlying reason left him in disbelief: pancreatic cancer. “I never smoked, never drank, didn’t have any cancer in my family,” Handler says. “So it just came out of the blue.” Even more surprising was the cancer itself — a form so rare that he had to be transferred to a clinical study at the National Institutes of Health. That led to a series of seemingly endless tests, seven surgeries and multiple rounds of experimental drugs. “I’ve been a guinea pig ever since,” he says. 24 G R O W I N G B O L D E R
Handler was among the first to be prescribed many medicines that are commonly used today, such as Zantac and Omeprazole. As his oncologists mapped out their strategies, Handler felt that he also needed a plan. “They just told me I had two years to live, and I didn’t like the sound of that,” he remembers. “I wanted do whatever required to beat that prognosis.” Handler was channel surfing in his hospital room when he came upon coverage of an Ironman triathlon. Something about what he saw made an impression. “As crazy as it sounds, I vowed that if I ever got out of that hospital, that’s what I was going to try,” he says. So, Handler began to run. Well, mostly walk, at least at first. Regaining his strength was a slow process, but one that he enjoyed. It made him feel as though he was fighting back. He got stronger, but cancer proved to be a relentless foe. Over the next few years it would attack him again and again. In addition to the pancreatic cancer, he would also be diagnosed with liver cancer, prostate cancer and three different types of skin cancer. All in all, Handler has been diagnosed with six different kinds of cancer, and has endured more than 20 surgeries. Somehow, through it all, he remained optimistic, kept moving and continued entering every triathlon he could find. He believes that pushing his body and focusing his mind are major factors that
have helped him stay one step ahead of his diseases. Also, he says he needed victories wherever he could find them, “My mindset in a race is that I have only one competitor, and that’s Mr. Cancer,” he says. “Every time I cross that finish line, I feel like I’ve won.” Handler believes that with every new diagnosis, he willed himself — one stride at a time, one race at a time — back to health. He had every reason to give up, but refused. The cancer was still there — but it was held in check by his desire to fight it. That’s why today, 33 years after being told his life was about to end, Handler is still living life to the fullest. And now, at 78, he’s closing in on his 300th triathlon. Two of those have been at the Ironman distance: a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run. Handler believes there’s a strong connection between the miles he’s logged and the years he’s lived since his first diagnosis. “I remember the NIH study I was part of,” he says. “Of the 20 people in it, I’m the only one still alive.” Handler is an inspiration to all who know him, which is why he was named a 2016 Growing Bolder Award winner. “I feel compelled to give back to the cancer community, because it’s been a blessing for me,” he says. “And to be recognized as one of the amazing Growing Bolder Award recipients makes me even more determined to pay it forward.” (Learn more about this year’s Growing Bolder Awards on page 21.) Handler holds a yearly run to raise funds for cancer research — and encourages everyone to get off the couch and get inspired. “In triathlons, they write your age on your calf,” he explains. “Well, this woman runs up alongside and tells me how impressed she is that I’m 77. Then, she zooms past like I’m standing still. I look at her leg and see that she was 84!” Handler isn’t supposed to be here. That’s what his doctors told him. But he had other ideas. Not only has he lived longer than expected, his work ethic and desire to make a difference has allowed him to live better — and to inspire others to do the same.
GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to watch our feature story on Tony Handler and learn more about his 33-year battle against Mr. Cancer.
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BOLDER LIVING
Barry Kerzin, M.D., says adopting meditative practices is a “humanistic” experience that allows us to shed emotional baggage. Kerzin is personal physician to the Dalai Lama.
MIND MATTERS Why Meditative Practices Have Gone Mainstream. BY JACKIE CARLIN
A
lthough the concept of mindfulness was touted by ancient philosophers, it has emerged as perhaps the hottest trend in wellbeing today. Mindfulness is defined as a state of active, open attention to the present. In other words, living in the moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future. From schools to prisons to corporate training seminars, mindfulness has become an increasingly popular way to calm oneself, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve coping skills. More and more people, including sciGROWINGBOLDERMAGAZINE.COM
entists and Western medical experts, are buying into the powerful benefits of incorporating mindfulness and meditation into daily living to promote physical and emotional health. Barry Kerzin, M.D., says adopting meditative practices doesn’t have to be a religious experience; he sees it as more of a “humanistic” experience that allows us to shed emotional baggage. “Kids know this well,” he says. “They can be truly joyful in the moment. Most of us have forgotten how to do that for ourselves.” As both a medical doctor and an ordained Buddhist monk, Kerzin has given
a great deal of thought to mindfulness over the past several decades. Kerzin, who serves as the personal physician to the Dalai Lama, says we can all benefit from looking inward more often. “Mindfulness encourages you to remember the good stuff, the positive ways of living,” he says. “It’s to check up and see what’s happening inside yourself. What am I thinking? What am I feeling? And do I need to change course if I’m a little bit into negativity?” Recognizing such feelings, and applying meditative tools and techniques to deal with them, is the essence of mindfulness, he adds. Kerzin, who is an affiliate professor at the University of Washington Tacoma and the founder of the Altruism in Medicine Institute, says more and more peer-reviewed research is confirming that activities such as meditation and attitudes such as compassion strengthen the immune system — which, in turn, helps the body better cope with chronic diseases influenced by stress. Providing tools and techniques for living healthier lives will be a crucial component of the new Center for Health & Wellbeing, being developed by the Winter Park Health Foundation in Winter Park, Florida. Kerzin says he’s excited about the impact this unique facility will have on the surrounding community. “The Center for Health & Wellbeing is going to be an extraordinary place for people to visit on a regular basis,” he says. “Its selection of diverse programs that integrate physical, emotional and spiritual health will, without a doubt, change lives.” Through offerings such as yoga, meditation, exercise, nutrition counseling, physical therapy and much more to come, visitors to the center will be able to improve all aspects of their health, Kerzin adds. Growing Bolder is proud to partner with the Winter Park Health Foundation and the Center for Health & Wellbeing to highlight these life-changing programs. We’ll be bringing more stories like these to you in the coming months. The center is slated to open in late 2018.
GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to learn much more about the Center for Health & Wellbeing and to watch videos about this revolutionary new center of discovery.
G R O W I N G B O L D E R 25
FROM OUR BROADCAST PARTNERS IN JACKSONVILLE AND WEST PALM BEACH
26   G R O W I N G B O L D E R
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BOLDER EXPERTS
TIME TO MOVE?
Help in Choosing Where, and How, to Live. BY PAUL HENDERSON
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he kids have moved out, the house is too large and the upkeep never ends. It might be time to make some GreatTRANSITIONS®. Finding a living situation that truly fits can re-energize your life, protect your finances and provide a plan for your
future. It can give your family peace of mind, knowing that everything’s been taken care of. When it comes to senior living, there are more interesting options than ever. But you need to know where to look and what questions to ask. We know, because that’s what we do. GreatTRANSITIONS® is one of the very few resources at your service dedicated to helping you make the best decisions possible. We’re real estate agents who see ourselves as educators and advocates — with a passion for putting our experience to work for you. We offer suggestions, solutions and advice to seniors, caregivers and family members to help explore and understand the everchanging opportunities. We take what can be an overwhelming time and give you the knowledge and confidence to make empowered decisions. GreatTRANSITIONS® is uniquely qualified to present comprehensive recommendations in the areas of aging and caregiving, specializing in senior living, estate liquidation, and selling and buying property. Let GreatTRANSITIONS® help you make the transition from your lifelong home to the next place you call home. Paul and Lyn Henderson hold SRES® certifications and are the founders of GreatTRANSITIONS®, which they developed from more than 25 years of personal and professional experience in helping seniors transition to the next place they call home. For more articles, interviews and information visit www.Great-Transitions.com.
I deserve care that never takes a day off. As Richard’s symptoms became more difficult for his family to manage, they needed support that lasted through the weekend. Fortunately, Cornerstone’s seven-day case management model allowed us to stay in his corner every day of the week. Unlike hospices with a five-day model, we know how important it is to a family’s peace-of-mind that we diligently maintain their loved one’s care. Richard’s end-of-life needs don’t go off the clock. Neither do we.
866.742.6655 // cornerstonehospice.org Cornerstone is committed to caring for all hospice patients regardless of payer source or ability to pay. 100% covered by Medicare & Medicaid
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G R O W I N G B O L D E R 27
INTRODUCING THE
PROVIDING THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO HELP MAKE THE REST OF YOUR LIFE THE BEST OF YOUR LIFE. BY KATY WIDRICK
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e’re proud of our ongoing efforts to provide the inspiration to live a life filled with passion and purpose — but we want to do more. We want to respond to your questions about the process of Growing Bolder. We want to help with the heavy lifting by providing not just the motivation to change your life, but also the educational tools and resources necessary. That’s why we’re creating the Growing Bolder Life Institute. “Institute” is defined as an organization established for the purpose of advancing the study of a particular subject. In this case, the subject is successful aging and active longevity. The Growing Bolder Life Institute will partner with some of America’s top companies to provide valuable resources in several key areas, including fitness, caregiving, lifelong learning, financial and life planning, the arts and creative engagement, and much more. We’re beginning with financial and life planning because the health-wealth connection can’t be denied. Baby boomers now fear running out of money more than death itself. That’s why Growing Bolder is proud to partner with Woman’s Worth® to launch the Growing Bolder Life Institute, powered by Woman’s Worth®. This new initiative is designed to inspire, empower and educate people about the unlimited opportunities we all have at any age — but particularly in our 50s, 60s and beyond. 28 G R O W I N G B O L D E R
Growing Bolder is Rebranding Aging®, and showing that the rest of our lives can be the best of our lives. Woman’s Worth® is a national leader in life and financial planning, and specializes in helping women build financial independence and total wellbeing. The Growing Bolder Life Institute, powered by Woman’s Worth®, is an online destination featuring high-quality educational and inspirational content that helps people plan for retirement, create and grow wealth, and pursue their individual passions. At launch, the Growing Bolder Life Institute includes active lifestyle and inspirational videos and stories from the awardwinning Growing Bolder library, including features on business owners and entrepreneurs, masters athletes, cancer survivors, philanthropists and more. It also showcases original tutorials and tips from Woman’s Worth® President Jeannette Bajalia, who shares information about everything from Social Security to life planning to what to consider when hiring a financial planner. In the coming months, the Growing Bolder Life Institute will offer expanded educational opportunities including online summits, free ebooks and worksheets, a podcast and much more. “We’ve spent the last decade smashing the stereotypes of age,” says Growing Bolder Founder and CEO Marc Middleton. “Finally, people understand that it’s possible to live active lives of passion and purpose into our 90s and even 100s.”
But there’s a potential downside that financial planners call “longevity risk.” That’s the very real possibility of outliving your money. “The good news is, the most important single investment that anyone, of any age, can make is improving their overall health and wellbeing,” says Middleton. “Jeannette Bajalia and Women’s Worth® understand this health-wealth connection better than anyone. That’s why we’re so excited about this partnership.” Bajalia herself is a Growing Bolder success story. After spending years as a caregiver to family members — and watching their savings disappear — she knew that she needed to protect her own financial future. But when Bajalia met with advisers, they didn’t take the time to either understand her unique needs, or to ask what she wanted to do in the future. So, she decided to confront the industry head on and create Woman’s Worth® to provide women with a new and more personalized option for Retirement Lifestyle Protection Planning® Services. “We all need a plan,” says Bajalia. “But every person is unique and one size does not fit all. We create a custom, personalized plan for every client that leads them to the future they want.”
GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderInstitute.com to get your first look at the Growing Bolder Life Institute and to learn much more about this exciting new project.
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THE TAKEAWAY
DEBRA WINGER ince 1990, the divorce rate for people over the age of 50 has doubled. I just made a fascinating movie called The Lovers that looks into some of the reasons so many middle-aged marriages are failing. Of course, none of us go into a marriage expecting problems. When we fall in love, the dream is that our marriage will survive the challenges of life. But just like life itself, everything in a relationship is constantly changing — and we’re thrown by that. Sometimes, we look at the other person and start picking them apart, flaw by flaw. But we all have plenty of flaws, so what good does that do? Maybe what we need is to make a concerted effort to show genuine interest in our significant other. If we’re not really paying attention, we all tend to drift. And it doesn’t take long to start losing interest, and to start wondering if we really care. It could simply be that the demands of life have taken our attention and focus away, and without attention love can wither and die.
Love is a lot like fashion; it’s always changing. Relationships have to continually evolve and go through countless iterations to survive. Sometimes, when we feel we’re drifting apart, instead of looking outside the marriage, we should look to each other and try to refocus. Interest is the spark that ignites and sustains a relationship. We tend to think we’re different. But we’re all on the same quest, trying to stay alive and feel invigorated. We can’t be afraid to take chances as we age. Fear will stop us in our tracks. Fear is what keeps us from moving forward in life and leads to unhappiness, which in turn stresses our relationships. Life is about finding our groove no matter what age we are. So don’t let fear or lack of interest stunt your personal growth or sabotage your relationship. And check out my new movie, The Lovers. My co-star is the wonderful Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tracy Letts. The script is a beautiful piece of work about a couple that drifts about as far apart as you can get — and what happens when circumstances allow them to rekindle their mutual interest in each other.
“Life is about finding our groove no matter what age we are. So don’t let fear or lack of interest stunt your personal growth or sabotage your relationship.”
Editor’s Note: Debra Winger is a three-time Academy Award-nominated actress best known for her role in the films, Urban Cowboy, Officer and a Gentleman and Terms of Endearment. She walked away from Hollywood at the age of 40, taking a six-year hiatus to focus on her family. She currently appears in the Netflix comedy The Ranch and can be seen in the motion picture, The Lovers.
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GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to listen to our Growing Bolder Radio conversation with Debra Winger to learn more about her return to acting and her views on ageism in Hollywood, particularly for women.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBRA WINGER
S
The Actress Talks About Keeping Relationships Alive as They Evolve.
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G R O W I N G B O L D E R 31
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20
% OFF OFF
regular-price merchandise** 55+ 55+ or or AARP AARP members members 速 速 Rewards card with Balance with Balance Rewards card
*See AARP for terms of service and Walgreens.com/Balance for complete details. AARP receives a royalty for the use of its intellectual property. Amounts paid are used for the general purposes of AARP and *See AARP forSenior terms Day of service and Walgreens.com/Balance for completeOffer details. royalty for the 速 use of its intellectual property. Amounts paid are used for the general purposes of AARP and its members. promotion details at Walgreens.com/Seniorday. onlyAARP validreceives in store awith Balance Rewards card to members 55 years of age or older and all AARP members. Proof of age may 速 its Senior Day detailsdairy, at Walgreens.com/Seniorday. Offer only valid in store with Balance Rewards cardorders/transfers, to members 55 years of age orpasses, older and all AARP members. Proof of age may be members. required. Discount notpromotion valid on alcohol, tobacco, stamps, phone/prepaid/gift cards, newspapers, magazines, money transportation lottery tickets, charitable donations, be required. Discount not valid on alcohol,clinic dairy,services, tobacco,pharmacy stamps, phone/prepaid/gift cards,tax, newspapers, magazines, money orders/transfers, passes, lottery to tickets, charitable donations, or pseudoephedrine or ephedrine products, items or services, sales Prescription Savings Club membership fee, andtransportation items or services submitted insurance for reimbursement pseudoephedrine or ephedrine clinic pharmacy or services, sales Savings where otherwise limited by law.products, Offer does not services, apply to bulk orders,items backordered items, andtax, outPrescription of stock items. Void Club wheremembership prohibited. fee, and items or services submitted to insurance for reimbursement or where otherwise limited by law. Offer does not apply to bulk orders, backordered items, and out of stock items. Void where prohibited.