For practically 40 years, I did not swim a single stroke. I obtained again within the pool for one easy purpose: train. Then one thing surprising occurred. While producing a narrative, I grew to become pals with… | Marc Middleton

For practically 40 years, I did not swim a single stroke. I obtained again within the pool for one easy purpose: train. Then one thing surprising occurred.

While producing a narrative, I grew to become pals with three-time Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines. He inspired me to compete once more. One race led to a different — to relay groups with Olympians and world champions, and this previous weekend on the U.S. Masters Swimming National Championships in Sacramento, I broke the world file within the 75-79 age group within the 50-meter butterfly.

I’m pleased with that accomplishment. But it is not the file that issues most to me. It’s what the expertise reaffirmed.

At Growing Bolder, we have spent years telling the tales of abnormal older adults who refuse to let age outline what’s potential. Those tales not solely impressed, they modified me. They jogged my memory that common bodily exercise is not nearly health—it is about preserving alternative. That group can change the trajectory of your life. That saying “yes” to 1 surprising alternative can result in one other.

I nearly did not make the journey to Sacramento. But one in all our Growing Bolder mantras is, Say Yes! and I’m grateful I did. This weekend was one other reminder that development would not cease with age except we resolve it does. For me it’s not in regards to the file. That shall be damaged. It’s in regards to the habits that obtained me there—staying lively, surrounding myself with encouraging folks, remaining curious, and persevering with to say sure to new challenges—alternatives which can be out there to all of us. It’s about refusing to let an ageist tradition or social norms outline what’s potential.

And that is what Growing Bolder has at all times been about.

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