Growing Bolder Magazine: Vol. 31

THE GROWING BOLDER AWARDS: A CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

REBRANDING AGING®

HOW TO GET READY FOR A NEW LIFE STAGE JUDY COLLINS LOOKS AT LIFE FROM BOTH SIDES NOW

HE’S JUST TOO BUSY TO DIE At 95, Carl Reiner is as Creative, Engaged and Funny as Ever.

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

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CONTENTS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

DEPARTMENTS 5 | FROM THE EDITOR

6 | GROWING BOLDER WITH ...

7 | GROWING BOLDER LIFE INSTITUTE The rest of your life can be the best of your life — if you find passion and purpose. By Katy Widrick

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22 | GROWING BOLDER ADVENTURES Martha Cole demonstrates that “experiential travel” is much more than a vacation. By Bill Shafer 24 | ROCK STARS OF AGING ® At 99 and 101, Orville Rogers and Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins are running into the record books. By Marc Middleton

30 | THE TAKEAWAY “Never say never.” Three words of 8 | 5 QUESTIONS Joseph Coughlin, Ph.D., talks about how advice from timeless star Judy Collins. to prepare yourself for a new life stage after retirement. By Jackie Carlin

TOO BUSY TO DIE Carl Reiner is still writing, performing and creating at 95.

FEATURES

16 | GROWING BOLDER AWARDS Do you know a Boldy®? Then nominate him or her for a 2017 Growing Bolder Award.

18 | GET READY FOR THE WELLBEING NETWORK Announcing an inspirational and educational collaboration between Growing Bolder and the Winter Park Health Foundation. By Jackie Carlin

REBRANDING AGING®

17 | MOVE FORWARD. GIVE BACK. ® Raising money — and hope — for cancer research. By Wendy Chioji 20 | SURVIVING & THRIVING ® Medical education can get a boost from your body. By Marc Middleton

HOW TO GET READY FOR A NEW LIFE STAGE JUDY COLLINS LOOKS AT LIFE FROM BOTH SIDES NOW

HE’S JUST TOO BUSY TO DIE At 95, Carl Reiner is as Creative, Engaged and Funny as Ever.

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21 | THE CONVERSATION PROJECT Changing the way you approach endof-life issues can prevent frustration, confusion and guilt. By Katy Widrick

ON THE COVER: Carl Reiner has been making us laugh since the Golden Age of TV. Today, he’s busy with several new projects that spotlight people who have remained vital into their 90s. Photo courtesy of Carl Reiner SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARL REINER

THE GROWING BOLDER AWARDS: A CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

FROM THE EDITOR

GET UP AND

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Marc Middleton MANAGING EDITOR Jackie Carlin ASSOCIATE EDITORS Katy Widrick, Bill Shafer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Wendy Chioji

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ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY Rob Jerome, USATF DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION Jason Morrow, Pat Narciso, Josh Doolittle, Mike Nanus DIRECTOR OF CIRCULATION Jill Middleton

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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.

PUBLISHED IN ASSOCIATION WITH

CEO Randy Noles ART DIRECTOR Carolyn Edmunds CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Harry Wessel Winter Park Publishing Company’s Family of Publications: LOVING THE LAKES  RESORT-STYLE LIVING  NEW PUBLIC-SCHOOL GRADES

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artsLife

FALL 2017

Inside Dr. Phillips Center For The Performing Arts

FIGHT

ife is a never-ending series of setbacks. We are all — every one of us — involved in a comeback attempt at this very moment, some more challenging than others.

We’re coming back from sleeping too little or drinking too much. We’re coming back from being fired or laid off. We’re coming back from suffering a pulled muscle or a broken back.

We’re coming back from surgery on our knees or on our heart. We’re coming back from a bad investment or a bad relationship, from a 48-hour case of the flu or a yearlong battle with cancer.

We’re coming back from a bad childhood, a bad marriage or a long layoff from competition.

We’re all in the ring battling life’s challenges. The innate desire to live a life of abundance compels us to get up and come out swinging — but an ageist culture wants to count us out.

Every challenge, every comeback, is an opportunity to grow stronger or to become weaker. Do you accept defeat and stay down, unexposed but unfulfilled? Or do you stand up and fight for all that life still has to offer?

Do you simply continue growing older or do you start Growing Bolder — and mount a comeback to claim the health, happiness and adventure that awaits?

That’s the difficult part for most of us. The rewards are out there. They don’t come and find us while we sit on the couch. We must get up and go get them.

Sometimes (actually, most of the time) rewards run from us. But if we’re willing to give chase, if we don’t back down when things get difficult and if we persist, we’ll catch them.

The rewards will be ours.

Growing Bolder is for anyone who once thought that maybe they could run or dance or paint. It’s for anyone who wants a more fulfilling career or a better relationship. It’s for anyone who has been sidelined by an injury or is battling a disease. It’s for anyone who has withdrawn and leads a life of lonely isolation.

In other words, it’s for everyone — because the one thing that every human being has in common is comebacks.

How successful we are in these comebacks has a cumulative effect on how quickly we age, how long we maintain our independence, how much disease, disability and morbidity we experience in our later years and, ultimately, the overall quality of life that we experience.

Stop growing older and start Growing Bolder. 

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GRAND STYLE

The Ward House at the Genius Preserve

by Stephen Bach

WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY ROLL INTO CENTRAL FLORIDA PLUS: APPLAUSE AWARDS STUDENTS MAKE HISTORY

MEDICAL CITY UPDATE

What’s new and what’s coming in and around hot-selling Lake Nona.

BROADWAY SEASON • JAZZ DEBUT • LA LA LAND • JETHRO TULL

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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

‘LITTLE ANTHONY’ GOURDINE

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SINGER

“When I was young, my life was a mess. A lot of my peers aren’t here anymore, and I struggled to overcome drugs and depression. Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll nearly took my life. But I’m here today, still performing and, amazingly, still hitting the same high notes I hit at 17 years old. It’s all by the grace of God. I have no other explanation for it. It’s not natural; it’s supernatural. You can believe that or not — that’s your decision. But to me, there’s no question that there’s a God. He’s the only thing that kept me alive when I should have been dead 100 times over. I have a destiny. I’m not just floundering through life. There’s a plan, and I see it.”

Little Anthony and his group The Imperials burst onto the scene in 1958 with their million-selling hit, Tears on My Pillow, and followed up with such hits as Going Out of My Head, Hurts So Bad and Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop. Today, the band still tours and Anthony performs in theatrical productions, including a one-man show. He candidly discusses his life in his book, Little Anthony: My Journey, My Destiny.

LOUIE ANDERSON

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ACTOR

“I try to embrace everything I do with as much love, humanity and compassion as I can. I had a very tough childhood with my father, and I talk openly about it because I want others to know that they’re not alone. When you feel less alone, you have a better chance of surviving. In so much of my work, I feel like I’m reaching out a hand to help people. In my family, I played the peacemaker. And even today, I feel like I have a responsibility to help other people. All the worrying in the world won’t prolong your life one bit, so I try to tell people that everything will be OK. Sometimes you just need to take that one step to get out of the situation you’re in.”

Louie Anderson’s work has earned the love and admiration of millions of fans. He has garnered three Emmys, and has been named one of the 100 Greatest Standup Comedians of All Time by Comedy Central.

He’s currently starring in the critically acclaimed hit FX series Baskets, playing Christine, the matriarch of a family that includes twins, both played by Zach Galifanakis.

MARGERY PABST-STEINMETZ

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CAREGIVER ADVOCATE

“I was a caregiver to both of my parents and my late husband. I took what I learned through my experiences — including my many, many mistakes — and vowed to help other caregivers. One of my passions is urging caregivers to take time for themselves, even if it’s just a few minutes a day. You can take five minutes daily to reflect, do a breathing exercise or listen to music. It’s also so important to learn to ask for help. Start by asking one trusted person to do one thing, like bringing dinner on a specified night. Once you see help is available, you’ll be better prepared to ask for more help. The goal is to find a circle of caregiver ambassadors. They’re your own people, ready to put their arms around you and help you in specific ways.”

Margery Pabst-Steinmetz is the creator of mycaregivingcoach.com, a website dedicated to caregiver wellbeing. She is the author of four books and the creator and host of two radio shows, Caregiver and Physician Conversations, and Caregivers Speak. In addition, she’s the past chair of the board of the National Center for Creative Aging and founder and president of the Pabst Charitable Foundation for the Arts.

GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to listen to our Growing Bolder Radio conversations with Little Anthony Gourdine, Louie Anderson and Margery Pabst-Steinmetz.

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GROWING BOLDER LIFE INSTITUTE Jeannette Bajalia’s specialty is helping her clients — especially women — prepare financially for a healthy and active life into their 80s, 90s and beyond.

Frances Kinne (above) and Bugs Bower (below) are featured in Bajalia’s new book because they’re ideal examples of people who continue to live purposeful lives regardless of age.

FIND PURPOSE How to Make the Most of the Rest of Your Life.

BY KATY WIDRICK

‘D

o what you want to do. If you want to travel, go travel! I mean, if you have money in the bank, then enjoy your life — because how long are we here?”

That advice is from 94-yearold Bugs Bower, who certainly is enjoying his life. As a sergeant in the Army, Bower served as leader of the 89th Division Dance Band, traveling across Europe to perform for the troops during World War II. When he came home, his music career led him to work with stars including Bing Crosby, Perry Como and Kool and the Gang.

These days, he divides his time between Florida and New Jersey while remaining engaged in an array of projects.

It’s a life filled with passion and purpose.

And that’s why Jeannette Bajalia, founder of Woman’s Worth® and author of the new book Planning a Purposeful Life, knew she needed to learn Bower’s secrets to longevity — and then to share them with the world.

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“The real question is, ‘What’s the purpose of money? What does money represent for me, and what does it represent for my family?’” Bajalia says. “Retirement plans should drive your investments. Don’t let investments drive your retirement plans.”

Bower isn’t an exception to the rule; more and more, people in their 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond are discovering that the rest of their lives can be the best of their lives. They’re discovering that they can keep Growing Bolder until their final breath.

Frances Kinne, 100, also featured in Bajalia’s new book, says her secret is finding gratitude in every experience.

“Each one of us is going to have some adversity,” Kinne says. “If you think about a life without adversity, as a matter of fact, it’s pretty boring. Move past these things.

Life is so great. Life is a gift. And each one of us has a gift.”

For Kinne, having a financial plan that protects her future also allows her to protect

those around her: “If you’re sitting around and you’re 85 or 90 and you’ve had a great life and you’re comfortable, that’s great. But what are you doing next? Are you helping somebody?”  Jeannette Bajalia is founder and president of Woman’s Worth® and president of Petros Estate & Retirement Planning. Jeannette retired at 55 after a successful career as a corporate executive to become one of the nation’s leading experts on the unique financial planning needs of women. For more information, visit womans-worth.com. You can reach Jeannette at jeannette@womans-worth.com.

GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderInstitute. com to learn more about Planning a Purposeful Life and to watch extended interviews and secrets to longevity from Bugs Bower, Frances Kinne and more.

G R O W I N G B O L D E R 7

5 QUESTIONS MIT’s Joseph Coughlin, Ph.D., is an expert on the power of the new life stage that exists after what had long been considered to be retirement age.

PREPARING YOURSELF FOR A NEW LIFE STAGE We’re Living Longer But How Can We Live Better?

BY JACKIE CARLIN

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JOSEPH COUGHLIN

is not only an expert on the power of the new life stage that exists after what had long been considered to be retirement age; he’s also helping to shape that new life stage. As the founder and director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab, Coughlin is a game changer, a thought leader and a trendsetter all rolled into one. The Wall Street Journal named him one of 12 pioneers inventing the future of retirement, and Fast Company magazine hailed him as one of the 100 most creative people in business. He’s an author, journalist, speaker and consultant who advises nonprofits, governments and corporations worldwide. His next book, The Longevity Economy: Inside the World’s Fastest Growing, Most Misunderstood Market, will be released in late 2017.

You seem to be a glass halffull guy. You, unlike many others, see the opportunities in aging — not just the challenges. Why is that?

Aging is far better than the alternative. We shouldn’t want to be perennially young.

We should celebrate perhaps the greatest achievement of humankind — living longer.

Now, the challenge is to not just live longer, but to live better. The MIT AgeLab is based in the School of Engineering, but we draw upon architecture and urban planning as well as many areas of engineering. We work with schools and companies around the world to essentially reinvent what it’s like to live in the stage that we used to call retirement. Retirement was once about pulling back, relaxing, not doing very much. At the AgeLab, we’re trying to translate new thinking and new technology into new ways of staying mobile, staying in our homes, moving if we want, finding new jobs, new careers and providing care.

We still live in a very ageist culture. To what extent do you think our belief system actually informs the way we age?

Unfortunately, I think that one of the greatest barriers to living better in our longer lives is the mythology around old age. In my forthcoming book The Longevity Economy, I suggest that the reason why business, government and many of us individually have not cashed in on this longevity dividend is GROWINGBOLDERMAGAZINE.COM

because we hold onto the idea that getting old means it’s time to stop trying new things.

But today’s older adults are seizing this new opportunity. There are new lifestyle leaders out there who aren’t just remaining mobile and healthy — they’re starting new companies and volunteering with verve.

What are some of the cool technological advances you’re seeing that will change the way we age?

It’s an exceedingly exciting time for new technologies. Robotics is one area that has the potential to really change our lives.

Take autonomous vehicles, for example. It’s not just about safety — it’s about providing transportation on demand. Before you do anything, you’ve got to get there first.

And 70 percent of the 50-plus population will be living in areas without easy access to public transportation. The autonomous vehicle will keep those people safe and mobile. We’re doing work in the lab with the insurance industry and the auto industry to push the frontier of new technology that will likely be adopted first by older adults.

Even with advances in healthcare and technology, this new life stage isn’t guaranteed to anybody. How do we pursue an active, social and healthy lifestyle?

Choosing your parents well is only the first part of how long and how well you’ll live.

Much like saving money for your retirement,

long-term health requires an investment.

Retiring to that fun fishing place hundreds of miles away from civilization may have seemed like a great idea during your midlife grind. But doing that may not keep you connected when you’re older. Will you be able to access healthcare when you need it? We need to think carefully about where we’ll live, how we’ll maintain our homes and how we’ll maintain our social connectivity. One of the greatest predictors of how well and how long you’ll live is the size of the social network that will be around to support you.

What’s your takeaway about aging? What have you learned that you wish we all understood?

The biggest takeaway is that we need to plan, prepare and act upon envisioning 100 years of quality living. That means from age zero, we need to rethink education — because we’re going to be learning for a lifetime. The idea that what you learn up until the age of 21 is going to last you the next 70 years is laughable. You’ll likely have multiple careers, not just multiple jobs. We also need to rethink where we live and the design of our communities. It’s time to disrupt today’s mythology about old age being a time to say goodbye rather than a time to celebrate and live. 

GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to listen to our Growing Bolder Radio conversation with Joseph Coughlin and learn more about his work at the MIT AgeLab. Find out the simple math equation he’s learned that will forever change the way you view the years from retirement onward.

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TOO BUSY TO DIE CARL REINER IS STILL WRITING, PERFORMING AND CREATING AT 95 “I get up in the morning, check the obits, and if I’m not in there, I eat breakfast and go right to the computer and find things to do,” says entertainment industry icon Carl Reiner.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF CARL REINER

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PHOTO COURTESY OF CARL REINER

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Reiner (seated) created the beloved Dick Van Dyke Show. Shown in this mid-’60s photograph are (left to right): Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, writer Garry Marshall, Rose Marie, Reiner, and Morey Amsterdam.

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arl Reiner has had a hand in shaping comedy in the U.S. since World War II, when he entertained fellow troops as part of the Army Special Service Force.

After the war, he turned to Broadway, where he performed in several musicals.

That led him to television, where as a performer and writer on Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows he met writer Mel Brooks. The two formed a personal and professional bond that endures to this day.

Reiner created The Dick Van Dyke Show and produced the hit movies Oh, God and The Jerk. Now, at 95, he has become fascinated by longevity — not just his, but that of friends such as Brooks, 91, Van Dyke, 91, Norman Lear, 95, Tony Bennett, 91, and Kirk Douglas, 100.

He was eager to sit down with Growing Bolder’s Marc Middleton and Bill Shafer to share his thoughts. Portions of that interview are shown on the following pages.

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Q Too Busy to Die.

Tell us about your latest book,

As a matter of fact, Mel [Brooks] gave me that title. I had just completed one of my projects and complained to him, “Well, what do I do now?” He said, “I don’t know, but you’re too busy to die.”

Maybe he’s right. I’ve written a series of biographies because I just keep living! I wrote one called I Remember Me. Then I Just Remembered, then I Forgot to Remember. Now there’s this one, Too Busy to Die.

Q friends have been drinking? Because it’s not just

Is there something in the water that you and your

you. It’s Norman Lear, Tony Bennett, Kirk Douglas, Dick Van Dyke and more.

I don’t know, but I’m always wondering the same thing. Then my nephew, George Shapiro, came up with the great idea to go all over the world seeking out people who are still vital at 90.

He came to me and asked me to become part of it. But the credit goes to him. And then, of course, I did have that title: If You’re Not in the Obits, Eat Breakfast. And we created a wonderful documentary that recently premiered on HBO.

Q ductive and prolific of your life. Is that true?

You recently called the last five years the most pro-

Well, as a matter of fact, I wrote Too Busy to Die and I have two picture books that I’m in the middle of doing as we speak — and it’s all a labor of love.

Here’s what I mean. I was thinking about all the movies I’ve seen in my life, and wondering how they may have helped shape me. So I thought, “That might make an interesting book.”

I’ve gone back to when I was just 6, and saw the movie Faust (a silent film released in 1926, now widely regarded as one of the greatest cinematographic works of all time).

And from there, I’ve cataloged every one I can remember.

I’ve written a review and what I felt about it at the time. To my surprise, in what seemed like the blink of an eye, I’ve written maybe 400 or 500 pages. So, there it is, my newest book. I call it, Approaching 96.

It’s the kind of project that really gets your mind going.

Longtime friend and collaborator Mel Brooks (left) gave Reiner the title to his new book. Brooks is 91 and also still engaged in new projects.

think the most important thing for anyone is to have something to do when you wake up that you can always look forward to.

Thank goodness for tweeting. I like reading the tweets and thinking up clever things to say. That’s something I look forward to.

Q one of the most influential tweeters on the planet.

You must be doing it well. We heard you were named

It seems you’ve taken well to social media.

It’s fascinating to me to be able to float out my opinion and my thoughts — many of them political — and see how they’re reacted to. It’s very heartening to me to be politically active and in the mix at the age of 95.

I wrote an op-ed in The New York Times imploring Supreme Court Justice [Anthony] Kennedy not to retire, and I got thousands of reactions.

Q 81-year-old he’s too young to retire.

It was fascinating to read a 95-year-old telling an

I know! Look, as long as your mind is healthy and you have something to contribute, the number of years you’ve been on this earth should be seen as an asset — not a detriment.

about a takeaway? What can we learn about Q You have a role in the film Ocean’s Eight, due to be Q How life from you? released next year. Did you enjoy the experience?

There are so many great people working on that film. It really was a pleasure to be a part of.

You know, Sandra Bullock is in it, too, and I got to tell her that she’s one of my all-time favorite actresses. There’s nothing she’s done that I haven’t loved, including The Net (1995). I think that’s one of the best cyber-action thrillers yet.

Q Do you like it that way?

It seems you have a lot going on.

Well, you know, I don’t have many friends left, but Mel comes over almost every night. I don’t go out very much anymore, at least in the last year or so.

I used to walk around the block, and had to stop. So now I get on the treadmill and then the stationary bike for 10 minutes. I

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I think I can tell you, contrary to what you may think, genes have little to do with how long you’ll live. Neither of my parents lived as long as me. But for some reason, I’m hanging in there.

I think you must have something to get up for. And you’ve got to want to be a part of the living. Like I said, I get up in the morning, check the obits, and if I’m not in there, I eat breakfast and go right to the computer and find things to do.

For me, I can’t wait to turn 96 and see what interesting things I’ll get to do next. 

GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to listen to our entire Growing Bolder Radio conversation with Carl Reiner.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CARL REINER

It’s not just writing. You’re also still performing.

Carl Reiner and his late wife, Estelle, were married for 64 years — and, perhaps not surprisingly, had children who became creative forces. Annie, Rob and Lucas made their marks in writing, painting, directing, acting and photography. Estelle was an actress and cabaret singer who performed until only a few years before her death in 2008, at the age of 94. She also famously quipped the line “I’ll have what she’s having” in Rob’s 1989 film, When Harry Met Sally.

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DO YOU KNOW A BOLDY ? ®

Call for Nominations for the 2017 Growing Bolder Awards

T

he Growing Bolder Awards, also dubbed the BOLDYS®, are returning to Full Sail Live on Wednesday, December 6.

The Inaugural 2016 BOLDYS® were highly praised — and drew an enthusiastic sellout crowd.

Amy O’Rourke, president of the Cameron Group, called it, “the most inspirational and positive comment on aging that I have ever been to.” Mary Ann Kinser from the Celebration Foundation agreed: “Over my lifetime, my husband and I have been to hundreds of awards ceremonies. This was the best I have ever attended.”

Filled with energy and excitement, the Growing Bolder Awards, presented by the Winter Park Health Foundation and Senior Resource Alliance, have three important goals: n To honor older adults who are pursuing their passions and living lives of purpose while making a difference in the lives of others; n To inspire people of all ages to understand the power and possibility of aging, and; n To call attention to the basic needs of the rapidly growing number of older members in just about every community in the world.

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All proceeds from the 2017 BOLDYS® will benefit the lifesaving and life-changing work of the Senior Resource Alliance.

Twenty prestigious BOLDYS® will be presented in award categories to be determined by the judges. Last year’s awards included: n The Power of Positivity Award n The Disrupting Aging Award n The Social Butterfly Award n The Compassionate Caregiving Award n The Inspired Lifestyle Award n The Move Forward. Give Back® Award n The Rock Stars of Aging Award n The Never Stop Doing What You Love Award n The Changemaker Award “Age is not a disease, it’s an opportunity,” says Growing Bolder CEO Marc Middleton. “We’re ‘Rebranding Aging®,’ and the BOLDYS® are a powerful way of smashing destructive ageist stereotypes and proving that the rest of our lives can be the best of our lives.”

If you know someone worthy of BOLDY® consideration, please go to GrowingBolderAwards.com and click on the “nominate” button. All winners will be notified by mid-November.  SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

MOVE FORWARD. GIVE BACK. ® Over the course of one weekend, Wendy Chioji (right) rode 180 miles to raise money for Pelotonia, an organization dedicated to funding cancer research.

The event reunited her with her Mount Kilimanjaro climbing friends (left to right) Doug Ulman, CEO of Pelotonia, Jeremy Jungling and Nelson Lauer.

DARE TO DEFY

Raising Money – and Hope – for Cancer Research.

BY WENDY CHIOJI

H

e rolled up around mile 60 and asked about my Pelotonia bike tour “survivor” jersey. “When?” he asked.

“The first time was in 2001,” I replied. “The second was four years ago, and I’m working on Number 3.”

I can still get that heartbeat of surprise and silence, even in a crowd that speaks my language. That’s not what I was going for, but it was part of a bigger message on my favorite Pelotonia weekend ever.

Mine was more of a statement of defiance of cancer (as usual) and the power of clinical trials, which is the heart of Pelotonia. This year, 8,022 riders raised $15 million to support cancer research and researchers at Ohio State University’s James Cancer Center.

The featured speaker at the opening ceremony was former Vice President Joe Biden, otherwise known as Mister Moonshot. He talked about his son, Beau, who died of brain cancer, and about getting cancer institutions to share information and have Big Brains everywhere work together for a cure.

It’s common sense, but also great for someone like me, who’ll directly benefit GROWINGBOLDERMAGAZINE.COM

from such an effort. He talked about hope.

And making a difference. It was enough to make me want to ride my bike for 180 miles.

On the first day, we rode 102 (!) miles, meandering to Kenyon College, where we stayed for the night. The first 50 miles or so were relatively flat. Then we got into some perfect rollers, where you ride downhill fast so your momentum carries you up the next hill.

I mostly rode with two Mount Kilimanjaro teammates, Nelson and Jeremy, and my friend Alex and his son. Then came the Big Hill. The temptation to walk up this hideous incline near mile 100 was great — especially since half the people around me were walking.

But they were also yelling encouragement for me not to give up — and other things that I couldn’t decipher because of the blood pounding in my ears. I rolled up and over the top.

The second day started with a big climb.

In seconds, lactic acid that had pooled quietly in my legs rose up in a big tsunami.

But again, I wasn’t going to let it wash me off my bike.

Besides, the next 30 miles were worse.

Note to route planners: a series of 10-14 percent climbs are not perfect rollers. It was pretty gruesome. But after some Rice Krispie treats, M&Ms and weird Barbie-sized cheese crackers, life on the bike improved.

My group came back together, hooked onto a giant pace line for the last 20 miles and cruised to the finish.

My strongest memory will be of the people I saw along the route, including the man holding a sign that read, “Your riding saved my wife’s life and my family.”

And the barn owner who painted a giant Pelotonia arrow, then spent all day taking pictures of riders pointing to it.

And the families who planted themselves in front of their homes for hours, holding signs, clanging cowbells (more cowbell!), offering refreshments and shouting thank you.

I’ll remember the population of an entire town lining the streets, cheering and jumping — excited to show their appreciation that we’d raised millions of dollars for their cancer research hospital.

This weekend showed the world what the power of like-minded people can do. “The Greatest Team Ever” was an entirely appropriate theme. We raised incredible amounts of money, strength and fitness. But mostly we raised hope that One Goal is a whole lot closer. Defy. 

GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com for a link to Wendy Chioji’s blog to read more about this event, as well as her other adventures.

G R O W I N G B O L D E R 17

The Winter Park Health Foundation is collaborating with Growing Bolder (below) to create the Wellbeing Network at the new Center for Health & Wellbeing. It will initially launch as an online hub featuring stories and articles highlighting the seven dimensions of wellbeing.

18   G R O W I N G B O L D E R

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

G E T R E A DY F O R T H E WELLBEING NETWORK Growing Bolder Teams Up With the Winter Park Health Foundation to Launch the Inspirational and Educational Wellbeing Network.

S

ince 1994, the Winter Park Health Foundation has served Central Florida, with a focus on improving the health of people in the communities of Winter Park, Eatonville and Maitland.

Through grants that support life-changing and lifesaving programs in schools, community centers and more, WPHF helps to educate and inspire people to make lifelong commitments to health and wellbeing.

WPHF is on the verge of making its biggest investment in the community yet with the forthcoming Center for Health & Wellbeing, slated to open in late 2018.

The building is a collaboration between WPHF and Florida Hospital. When completed, the nearly 80,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art center will serve as a convenient resource for those seeking wellness, fitness and medical services — all under one roof.

WPHF also sees the new center as a hub from which valuable education and programs can be shared throughout the three communities. That’s why Growing Bolder is proud to collaborate with WPHF to launch its Wellbeing Network.

“We’re passionate about the purpose behind the Wellbeing Network, and we’re committed to making sure all residents have the opportunity to benefit from resources and activities offered at the new center,” says Diana Silvey, WPHF vice president of programming for the Center for Health & Wellbeing.

“Through the Wellbeing Network, our vision is to serve the whole community,

GROWINGBOLDERMAGAZINE.COM

BY JACKIE CARLIN regardless of barriers that may make it difficult for them to visit the center,” Silvey adds. “The Wellbeing Network will enable us to share valuable knowledge far and wide.”

“We’ve long been fans of the work of the Winter Park Health Foundation,” says Growing Bolder founder and CEO Marc Middleton. “Its team inspires our team to find new ways to improve and change the lives of others, particularly seniors.”

Middleton adds that he’s “thrilled we’ll be helping to share the exciting activities occurring at the Center for Health & Wellbeing and its life-changing stories on the Wellbeing Network.”

The Wellbeing Network will initially launch as an online hub featuring stories and articles highlighting seven dimensions of wellbeing: PHYSICAL: Move More, Eat Better INTELLECTUAL: Boost Your Brain ENVIRONMENTAL: Love the Earth VOCATIONAL: Live With Purpose SOCIAL: Connect With Others

Plus, Growing Bolder’s team of Emmy-winning storytellers will help to capture events and programs at the center for those unable to attend in person.

From healthy cooking lessons to demonstrations highlighting the latest in health technology, these will be unique opportunities for learning and growing.

“For more than 20 years, we’ve helped launch educational health programs at a local level,” says Deb Watson, executive vice president of WPHF. “The Wellbeing Network will allow us to serve more families than ever, whether they ever step foot in the center or not.”

Adds Watson: “We think the network has the power to change lives, and we can’t wait to launch it.”

Plans are also underway to evolve the Wellbeing Network into a mobile app. Also planned is a streaming network available at the center and at community-based partner locations, such as libraries, senior centers and more.

Stay updated on the launch of the Wellbeing Network — and watch Growing Bolder’s entertaining and inspiring feature stories on this exciting new community resource — at wphf.org/chwb. 

EMOTIONAL: Practice Gratitude SPIRITUAL: Nourish Your Soul

The Wellbeing Network will be powered by entertaining and educational content supporting these seven key areas, including stories from Growing Bolder’s own library.

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 19

SURVIVING & THRIVING ®

After they’ve finished using their bodies, Jan and Jerry Klein will allow them to be used for training doctors of the future.

ONE FINAL GIFT

Medical Education Can Get a Boost from Your Body.

BY MARC MIDDLETON

J

erry and Jan Klein haven’t signed away their lives. But they have signed away their bodies when their lives are over.

“What we’re doing is we’re willing our bodies, when we’re done with them, to the UCF College of Medicine,” Jerry Klein says. “When I’m done with this body, it’s going to become about $10.65 worth of chemicals of use to nobody except medical students.”

And that’s fine with Jerry, who says it’s important to help train doctors of the future — particularly since the population is aging.

The UCF anatomy lab is directed by Andrew Payer, a professor of anatomy. The lab is one of the finest of its kind in the country, outfitted with such state-of-the-art technology as a virtual 3-D cadaver that can be dissected, rotated, studied and put back together.

It’s an amazing tool. But for training purposes, Payer says, it falls short of the real 20 G R O W I N G B O L D E R

thing. “Each body has a unique story that currently can’t be duplicated in digital imaging,” he notes.

Medical student Nikia Toomey agrees.

“There’s no way to learn anatomy — to become the best physician that you can be — other than to use a cadaver,” she says.

“There’s no substitute for being able to see and feel pathologies in real time, in an actual human being.”

At the UCF College of Medicine, willed bodies are referred to as the students’ “first patient.” They’re treated with respect and dignity — and they’re presented with a sense of mystery designed to stimulate intellectual curiosity.

“I don’t tell students the cause of death,” Payer says. “And it drives them crazy. I tell them: ‘In 17 weeks, you’re going to study your patient from head to toe. You’re going to observe and find their pathologies, tumors, surgeries and anatomical variations.

And at the end of those 17 weeks, you’re going to present your patient to your peers and our faculty.’”

During that presentation, students will document what they observed and offer what’s termed a differential diagnosis regarding the cause of death.

“Our first patient was a female,” Toomey says. “She was 86 years old, and we learned quite a bit from her. She had some really interesting multiple system pathologies, and it was a challenge to try and connect what we knew of her life story to what we thought might be her cause of death.”

With 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day, treating an older patient population will present a growing challenge for healthcare providers. Thanks to the generosity of people like Jerry and Jan Kline, tomorrow’s physicians will be better prepared to meet that challenge.

“It gives you a feeling of pride that you’re contributing to something that’s really important, and will make a difference for decades,” Jan Klein says.

So, what becomes of willed bodies after they’ve served this important purpose?

They’re cremated, says Payer. And, depending on what arrangements were made in advance, the ashes are often returned to cemeteries, funeral homes or family members. Those that aren’t returned, however, receive an impressive sendoff: “We rent a ship and take it off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, where my staff scatters the ashes in a special ceremony,” says Payer.

Studies show that nearly half of all baby boomers die without a will, without sharing end-of-life wishes with family members and without providing the financial resources for funeral arrangements.

“This is a way to not only give back to your community, but to give your family peace of mind,” adds Jerry. “Call this number and away I go. It’s taken care of.”

Donating your body, he adds, is a final gift of compassion that saves your family money, stress and heartache. Plus, it’s a legacy that will help save lives for decades to come. 

GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to watch a video version of this story, and to learn more about the UCF College of Medicine WillBody Program.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

DON’T IGNORE THE INEVITABLE Changing the Way You Approach End-Of-Life Issues Can Prevent Frustration, Confusion and Guilt.

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BY KATY WIDRICK

rowing Bolder is about seizing the opportunity of age and making the rest of your life the best of your life. But we are mortal beings. So decline — and ultimately death — is inevitable.

With 10,000 of us turning 65 every day, there’s an almost deafening silence when it comes to talking about our wishes for end-oflife care. Not having those conversations with our loved ones and caregivers can lead to difficulty, confusion, frustration, suffering and guilt.

So why do we keep ignoring the inevitable?

Ellen Goodman is using a personal experience to change the world — and to change the way we approach death and dying. As her own mother deteriorated into dementia, the two women talked about absolutely everything — except what turned out to be the most important subject.

“When Mom could no longer decide what she wanted for lunch, let alone what she wanted for healthcare, I was quite shocked to find that those decisions fell to me,” says Goodman. “And I often wished that I could have heard her voice in my ear telling me what she wanted. That would have made life much more comfortable.”

After her mother’s death, Goodman began to speak with others. And their experiences in similar situations almost always matched her own.

Those who hadn’t planned ahead shared regret and guilt over end-of-life experiences with loved ones. However, those who had served as a healthcare proxy — or GROWINGBOLDERMAGAZINE.COM

whose family members had shared their wishes in advance — said their experiences were among the richest, most honest and positive of their lives.

As a result of those conversations, Goodman co-founded The Conversation Project, which she now serves as director. The team is on a mission to help all of us have open and honest discussions — and then embrace the powerful opportunity to have a say in how we live in our last days.

Notes Goodman: “If you haven’t told anybody how you want to live at the end of your life — and that’s what we’re talking about, how you want to live — who’s going to make those decisions for you if you can’t make them for yourself? You need to share what matters to you — not what is the matter with you.”

Goodman says her mom would never have wanted to force her into such a painfully uncertain situation. Because of that, Goodman committed herself to help oth-

Columnist and author Ellen Goodman is using a personal experience — dealing with her mother’s dementia — to change the way we approach death and dying.

ers avoid the same experience.

The Conversation Project offers Starter Kits to help families begin to share their wishes regarding death and dying. It’s also a guide on how to choose a healthcare proxy.

And it offers tips on serving as a proxy for someone else.

Plus, the kit guides you through the process of speaking with your doctor or medical provider about your plans — before you find yourself in a health crisis. 

GB EXTRA Get links to all of these resources, plus watch an extended conversation with Ellen Goodman, at growingbolder.com/ theconversationproject.

G R O W I N G B O L D E R 21

GROWING BOLDER ADVENTURES

Cole boarding a train on the shores of Lake Baikal in Siberia, and (right) holding an 80-pound Burmese python while visiting India.

TO THE MAX

‘Experiential Travel’ is Much More Than a Vacation.

BY BILL SHAFER Editor’s Note: Americans 50 and older are in love with travel, purchasing 80 percent of all leisure and luxury travel and spending nearly $160 billion a year on travel. But they aren’t simply sightseers. They’ve become passionate about what’s called “experiential travel,” focusing on truly connecting with a country, city or place by immersing themselves in its history, people and culture. Experiential travelers are far more than simply tourists. Growing Bolder Adventures celebrate the experiential appeal of travel.

N

othing is healthier for the mind than exploring — and experiencing — places you’ve never been before. Some call that a vacation.

We call it a Growing Bolder Adventure.

Martha Cole is such an adventurer. She loves to travel — and at 76, she isn’t afraid to go it alone. “A lot of the people I meet act as if they think I’m too old to travel like I do,” she says. “I tell them if that’s what they think, they need to think again.”

Cole’s many adventures include a train ride across Russia, a visit to the Great Wall of China, an African Safari and braving the elements in the Arctic and Antarctica.

22 G R O W I N G B O L D E R

“Life is uncertain, so if you want something out of life, you have to go for it,” she says. “Live it to the max. Do all that you can do and you won’t be sorry.”

Traveling, of course, requires stamina.

And Cole keeps herself in a state of readiness for whatever opportunities for adventure might pop up next.

At 70, she entered an Ironman triathlon — and was the oldest woman to compete that year. “I felt like I was very slow, but I didn’t quit,” she states, with more than a hint of pride. “And when I made it across the finish line, it was one of the major accomplishments of my life.”

When she’s not traveling or working

out, Cole believes in giving back. It’s not uncommon to find her driving nails on the roof of a Habitat for Humanity home in Collier County, Florida.

“The way I see it, life is all about balance,” she explains. “And I wouldn’t feel right going through life just crossing things off my bucket list and not helping others.”

Cole encourages her peers to get off the couch and experience the many benefits of an adventurous life. It all begins, she says, with saying yes.

“I’m sure glad I didn’t say, ‘Well, I’m too busy, I can’t do that,’” she says. “Even though there are many times I’ve felt like saying no, I’ve never regretted saying yes.”

Age, she adds, isn’t an excuse.

“We have to be more patient because things can take a little longer to do,” Cole notes. “But if we try, we find out we’re just as capable as ever. I’m having the time of my life. I truly love my age!”

Spoken like an adventurous soul. 

GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to watch our video story about Martha Cole’s Growing Bolder Adventures. You’ll be able to see her in action: hammering nails on a roof during a Habitat for Humanity build, crossing the finish line in one of her many triathlons and visiting some of the world’s most fascinating places.

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NEVER GIVE UP

At 99 and 101, They’re Running Into the Record Books.

BY MARC MIDDLETON

Editor’s Note: We love comeback stories. We love stories in which ordinary people are able to live extraordinary lives because they’re curious, fearless and determined. We love stories that not only entertain but also inspire. We love stories that have the potential to immediately change the lives of those who read them. We recently interviewed two amazing people, and the profound life lessons they shared can benefit those of all ages.

O

rville Rogers trained fighter pilots in World War II and flew a B-36 on secret missions in the Korean War. Later, he flew jungle missions all over the world, and enjoyed a 31-year career as a pilot for Braniff Airways.

At age 50, after he read Dr. Kenneth Cooper’s landmark book Aerobics, Rogers began running for the first time ever. That was 49 years ago. “I don’t exactly know what it was 24 G R O W I N G B O L D E R

about that book,” he says. “But it inspired me and changed my life.”

Rogers ran regularly for decades. But he didn’t enter his first meet until the U.S. National Masters Championships in 2008 — and the rest is history. He has set 16 world records, and now holds nearly every American and world record in both the 9094 and 95-99 age groups.

The fact that Rogers is still running — and is anxiously awaiting his 100th birth-

day so he can “age up” and begin rewriting the record books in the 100-104 age group — is nothing short of remarkable.

He has fought through multiple health challenges, including bypass surgery to open six blocked arteries. Then, at 93, he suffered a stroke that paralyzed his left arm, hip and leg.

However, instead of giving up on running and retiring to a couch or a wheelchair, Rogers requested the most intense rehabilitation program possible.

His doctor obliged, and within months, Rogers was back on the track competing.

“I love the thrill of preparation and training,” he says. “When I compete, I’m not just running against the people out on the track. I’m running against everyone who has run the event before me.”

Rogers also recently published his first book, an autobiography titled The Running Man: Flying for the Glory of God. He’s also a passionate philanthropist.

“As soon as we were married, my late wife, Marie, and I began returning 10 percent of our income to God,” he says. “We soon realized that wasn’t enough. And gradSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

PHOTO BY ROB JEROME

ROCK STARS OF AGING ®

PHOTO BY USATF

Orville Rogers and Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins — whose combined age is 200 — hold agegroup world records and are legendary among competitive runners. They share personal traits of tenacity and positivity.

ually we increased that until we were giving far more than half.”

During Marie’s lifetime, the couple gave away more than $35 million. “God blessed our investments greatly,” Rogers says.

The soon-to-be centenarian is thoroughly enjoying his late-in-life celebrity, and says his success is the result of refusing to give up.

Notes Rogers: “I’m in accord with Winston Churchill’s famous saying: ‘Never, never, never give up.’”

GROWINGBOLDERMAGAZINE.COM

J

ulia “Hurricane” Hawkins, at 101, recently became the oldest female competitor ever when she won the 100-meter dash and set a new world record in the 100104 age group at the 2017 USA Track and Field National Masters Championships.

Amazingly, Hawkins didn’t start running until she was 100. “I had been competing in biking,” she says. “But I quit when there

were no other women to compete with. It isn’t any fun unless there’s someone else out there you’re trying to beat.”

Hawkins says she had strong legs from cycling, and knew she could run because she always runs to answer her phone.

“In the old days, we didn’t have answering machines and you never wanted to miss a call — especially one that was long distance,” she recalls. “So, we always ran to answer the phone. I still do to this day.”

But running for the phone is much different than running 100 meters in a major track meet. How was Hawkins able to overcome the fear that prevents most elderly people from getting out and experiencing life?

“I did have many fears,” she admits. “I was afraid of falling down, of embarrassing my family and even of dying. I took care of a few things at home in case I never returned. But I looked that fear in the face — and I ran.”

Hawkins was married for 70 years to a man she met in college. “He lived to be 95, and he sang love songs to me the night he died,” she recalls fondly. “He had a good day that day, and didn’t know it would be his last. But it was a good way to go, and I felt happy that he was in a better place.”

Hawkins credits her success in track to her willingness to take risks — and to the inspiration found in a box of old love letters.

“We were married on the telephone, because he was at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed,” she recounts. “It was another year before he got back home. I have these wonderful letters that he wrote to me when I was just 20. I recently started re-reading them, and began feeling young again. Maybe that’s why I started running.”

What’s it like to be the fastest female centenarian of all time? “I’m awed by it,” Hawkins says. “I can’t believe it. If you keep yourself active and mentally fit, anything is possible.” 

GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to listen to our entire conversations with Orville Rogers and Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins.

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

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

BOLDER EXPERTS

CRISIS TIME Having Uncomfortable but Important Conversations.

BY PAUL HENDERSON

O

ur crisis came in the form of an unexpected phone call one night. Dad had fallen, struck his head and was in critical condition.

It shouldn’t have been a surprise. My brothers and I had been aware of his progressing dementia for more than a year. We knew that his two-story home was too much to handle, yet we never spoke to him about it.

We did not know what he wanted us to do.

It’s a conversation we all dread. Still, it’s important to help our parents maintain a sense of control at a time in life where control is slowly slipping away.

Parents sometimes become more combative as they fight to

hang on to whatever control they have left. But we can help by shifting from a child-parent relationship to more of a partnership.

Sit them down for a talk. Let them know there are ways they can spend more time on travel, leisure activities and visiting the grandchildren by letting go of the upkeep and expense that comes with homeownership. This may open them up to considering a Great Transition to fewer burdens and more possibilities.

Take small steps as you guide them to make their own decisions. Do not wait for a crisis. Have these conversations now. Focus on their needs, not yours. Our parents deserve to be part of the plan.  Paul and Lyn Henderson both hold the CSHP® and SRES® certifications and are the founders of GreatTRANSITIONS®. The Henderson’s designed this program to guide people to transition to the next place they call home. For more information and to hear their radio spots, please visit www.Great-Transitions.com.

I am involved in the decisions.

When Marjorie told us she that wanted to spend her end-of-life journey in the warmth of her own home, we reassured her that she wasn’t alone. Though Cornerstone care is available in many assisted living facilities or in one of our Hospice Houses all over Central Florida, most patients like Marjorie still prefer in-home care. But no matter where she needs us, our professionals will be in her corner, ready to provide her with all the comforts of home.

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

GROWINGBOLDERMAGAZINE.COM

G R O W I N G B O L D E R 27

World-class Healthcare

The NeuroSpine Center of Excellence at Orlando Health Changes Lives.

BY JACKIE CARLIN

W

e’re a nation of back-pain sufferers. It’s hard to pinpoint an exact number, but it’s estimated that as many as eight in 10 Americans will experience significant back pain at some point in their lives. Sadly, those numbers are on the rise, particularly among those 65 and older.

Chronic back pain can have a devastating effect on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

In the past, it was thought that back pain was either something you had to live with — even if it left you inactive and in deteriorating health — or something that had to be combated with invasive and painful surgeries.

And those surgeries came with a laundry list of complications and a heightened risk for opioid dependency.

But there’s hope.

World-renowned spine surgeon Robert Masson, M.D., medical director of the NeuroSpine Center of Excellence at Orlando Health – Health Central Hospital has overseen the creation of one of the world’s top destinations for spine health services.

“We began a slow, methodical process more than a decade ago,” says Dr. Masson. “Building the team, the most efficient and patient-centric organizational structure, and the kind of messaging that drives high-performance and delivers the best outcomes.”

Those efforts were recently rewarded when the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations — the gold standard in North America for healthcare accreditation — awarded its prestigious certification to Health Central Hospital’s neurospine surgery program.

“It’s taken years to get to this point,” adds Dr. Masson. “And we’re very proud to be named the first spine health center of excellence in Central Florida. It’s an incredibly important milestone for us.”

To achieve this disease-specific designation, the program underwent a rigorous process that included submitting evidence-based data over a period of time, and showcasing how it operates under a standardized set of best practices.

“Patients can consider this a gold seal of approval,” says clinical program coordinator Christopher Ingram BSN, RN-ONC. “Insurance companies also prefer to send policyholders to programs with this designation because they know that those patients will receive the highest quality of care with better outcomes.

Every member of the team — including the nurses, the surgical team and the physical therapists — has undergone spine-specific training.

“It breeds confidence and a sense of comfort that we can provide some things to patients that they couldn’t get anywhere else,” says neurosurgeon Mitchell Supler, M.D.

28 G R O W I N G B O L D E R

The Orlando Health – Health Central Hospital NeuroSpine Unit team, led by Dr. Robert Masson (back row, second from left) and Dr. Mitchell Supler (front row center), cares for spine surgery patients in one of the nation’s few Spine Centers of Excellence.

Dr. Masson pioneered many of the most advanced, minimally invasive micro-surgery techniques being used worldwide. But he believes that surgery is only one piece in the “360 degrees continuum of care” that his team offers.

“We want to be the spine leader across the full spectrum of spinal injury and disease,” he says. That includes acute treatment, but also many associated and orchestrated services — everything from prehabilitation to rehabilitation programs, nutritional support, positive lifestyle modification, psychological support and more.

“I passionately believe that surgery, as important as it can be, is not always the answer,” Dr. Masson adds. “When we have patient buy-in and an entire multidisciplinary team all focused on the best outcome possible, the results can be amazing; the recovery can be extreme.

That’s what we strive for every time.”

It’s that commitment to high performance and extreme recovery that has made the NeuroSpine Center of Excellence at Health Central Hospital a true destination for exceptional healthcare.

GB EXTRA To learn much more about the NeuroSpine Center of Excellence at Orlando Health – Health Central Hospital, visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com. You can also watch Team Growing Bolder Medical Director Dr. Masson’s Road to Recovery videos to learn more about his philosophies on the 360 Degrees of Care, Showing Up Strong and your role in your recovery.

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THE TAKEAWAY

JUDY COLLINS

I

‘Never Say Never’: Three Words of Advice from a Timeless Star.

f I can pass on a bit of wisdom it would be this: Never say never. n Never say you can’t control your health. You have to take actions on your own behalf, and you have to be your own advocate.

You have to be investigative, and look into alternative lifestyles and alternative medicine. I do acupuncture and massage.

You have to watch what you eat. I’ve had an eating disorder for much of my life, which I write about it in my book, Cravings: How I Conquered Food. I no longer eat sugar, flour or grains. n Never say you’re not what you used to be.

Life looks the same to me now as it did when I was young. I exercise every day because it helps me achieve balance and a clear state of mind.

We can solve many of our issues through a combination of spiritual, physical, tactical and emotional action. n Never say you’ll never get over something. I know how it feels to be overwhelmed by life. I’ve suffered from polio, tuberculosis, bulimia, depression and alcoholism. I’ve been sober now for 39 years.

I’ve had vocal chord surgery that left me afraid that I might never sing again. And, most devastating of all, was the loss of my son to suicide. One of the reasons I’ve written books on some of the most personal and painful parts of my life is that I believe I get the benefit of healing by sharing.

Also, writing connects me with other people who’ve struggled with the same issues. I want to reach out and let them know that they’re not alone. n Never say your best days are behind you. I’m busier, feeling better, singing better and probably looking better than I have in a long time. n Never say you can no longer accomplish things. In 1969, I released “Both Sides Now,” for which I won a Grammy. In 1976, I got a Grammy nomination for “Send In The Clowns.”

It looked like I might never get another, but this year, 40 years later, Ari Hest and I received a Grammy nomination for our album, Silver Skies Blue. n Never say it’s too late to do the things you’ve always wanted to. I’ve been friends with Stephen Stills since he wrote “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” for me in 1968. We’ve talked for years about doing a tour and album together.

Well, now we are — and we’re having a ball. I’ve recorded with Michael McDonald, Jeff Bridges and have had a wonderful time collaborating.

Also, I fulfilled another dream by recording A Love Letter to Stephen Sondheim, which is now a book, record and PBS special. n Never say your day has passed. Never give up, never surrender, keep doing what you love and always remember to find a way to serve others. 

“We can solve many of our issues through a combination of spiritual, physical, tactical and emotional action.”

Editor’s Note: After more than 50 years in the recording industry, Judy Collins, 78, still has songs to sing, stories to tell and lives to change. She was recently honored with an Erasing the Stigma Leadership Award for helping raise awareness of suicide and mental illness. She is also the author of seven books.

30 G R O W I N G B O L D E R

GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to listen to our entire Growing Bolder Radio conversation with Judy Collins and learn more about her legendary career and find out why she’s interested in even more collaborations with big names from the past.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

Age is simply the number of years the world has been enjoying you.

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Proof of age may be not promotion valid on alcohol, tobacco, stamps, phone/prepaid/gift cards, newspapers, magazines, money lottery tickets, charitable donations, be required. Discount not valid products, on alcohol,clinic dairy, tobacco,pharmacy stamps, phone/prepaid/gift cards,tax, newspapers, magazines, money orders/transfers, passes, lottery to tickets, charitable donations, or pseudoephedrine or ephedrine services, items or services, sales Prescription Savings Club membership fee, andtransportation items or services submitted insurance for reimbursement pseudoephedrine or ephedrine services, pharmacy or services, sales Savings Club membership where otherwise limited by law.products, Offer doesclinic not apply to bulk orders,items backordered items, andtax, outPrescription of stock items.

Void where 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.