Progress Protein and Power
UpdateI’ve broadened the theme of my website after receiving some thoughtful feedback. Here's the gist of it. “I visited your site and left because I don’t fish. We all need help aging better—so why the narrow focus?” Fair point. Fly-fishing will remain part of my core message because it’s my why—the reason I live the training lifestyle. It is my measuring stick for how I’m aging physically, cognitively, and emotionally. But aging better is not just about fly-fishing. It’s about capacity, resilience, and living fully in whatever pursuits matter to you in your aging journey. I look forward to more discussions and inspiration as we age better together. Updated website The Fly-Fishing Show Recap The Fly-Fishing Show is an annual highlight. This year was the best yet! Spirit and enthusiasm were palpable. Thanks to all of you for your active participation making my talk more of a dialog. You have inspired me to attend the Lancaster Show on March 14. Stop by the Author’s Booth (time TBD) and introduce yourself! Also, check the schedule; I may be squeezed in for another talk. ProgressIt is real progress that the new 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines finally recognize what we eat matters more than how many calories we consume. Not everything that counts can be counted. The guidelines flat out reject highly processed food, you know the ones—made with refined, industrial produced carbohydrates, sugar, chemical names we can’t pronounce, emulsifiers, artificial sweeteners, dyes—because they are all known central drivers of chronic disease. What we finally acknowledge, “Nearly 90% of health care spending goes to treating people who have chronic diseases. Many of these illnesses are not genetic destiny; they are the predictable result of the Standard American Diet—a diet which, over time, has become reliant on highly processed foods and coupled with a sedentary lifestyle.” ProteinProtein is once again talked about but use caution. Like when fat was vilified and the movement caught on in the 1980s and 1990s, the food industry reduced fat, added sugar and called it ‘healthy.’ Now we are seeing the same script; added protein in over-sugared drinks, coffee and lattes marketed as healthy. Remember, sales is the priority, not your health. For example, the new Dunkin protein drinks are marketed as a health-promoting exercise drink but they contain 38 to 40 grams of sugar, whereas a 12 ounce can of Coke contains 39 grams of sugar. Michael Goran from USC served as a scientific advisor on the new guidelines. His report on the finalized guidelines is highly worthwhile. In fact, if you have been engaged and paying attention to what affects your biological trajectory (how you age), it’s a refresher. Here is one foundational quote to build a lifestyle on, “according to the research we evaluated, it’s these aspects – too much highly processed foods and sweetened beverages, and too little whole grain foods – that are significantly contributing to the epidemic ofchronic diseases such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease in this country – and not protein, beef or dairy intake.” It’s regrettable that copywriters and good writers for that matter, can spin scientific guidelines into attractive marking B.S., but it’s also a heads up. Don't trust anyone other than yourself to care for your aging body the way it needs to be cared for! Building health takes restraint and effort, finding what works for your individual situation. Grabbing for things not knowing explicitly how they will affect you—will you burn brighter or dull with lethargy? Relying on blanket statements is not in your best health interest. Advice can never be universal, especially when it comes to the human body and your health. Dig and find what will maximize your daily performance. Dr. Mark Hyman from the Cleveland Clinic is one of the best functional medicine doctors I have found. Unlike the run-of-the-mill corporate, diagnose and treat physician, he is trained to build health. Most of us cannot afford him, and he does not accept insurance. But you don’t need his personal attention to build health. If you study carefully and experiment, you can complement and even outdo what any ‘professional’ can offer. Hyman shares enough information for you to take the reins and drive your own trajectory. Here’s a short bit of what he says about our diet. PowerThis 81-year-old is a world record holder—and he didn’t start training until age 66. His measured VO₂ max was 52.8, a level researchers reported they had never before seen in someone over the age of 80. With equal or greater power and age-defiance is Benjamin Karl, “The oldest individual gold medalist in Winter Olympics history.” This is what's possible. These people set world records with human power—transforming the same raw materials we all have into power. What’s possible is not abstract. It’s biological and biological means responsive, adaptable, trainable. Resources and SupportNOTE: I am not paid to mention any resources. I do not have affiliate relations with corporations, individuals or businesses. What serves your life and your function best is multidimensional training Beyond the gym, stream, trails and the track, I incorporate Chi or Thi-Chi/Yoga workouts. Recently, I attended free yoga/breathing and Thi-Chi workshops locally at libraries and college gyms. The knowledgeable practitioners out there who give time and talent freely are noble and impressive. I am now working toward permanently incorporating this training into my routine. You Tube also has a wide variety of options for multidimensional workouts you can do without leaving the house. A U.S News good explanation of chronological and biological aging with tests that show how well you are aging. Outdoor adventures serve as practice, performance, and a test of how I am aging. *Red fishing in an Arctic Blast My brief but focused book The Ageless Angler: A Guide to Fly-Fish More as You Age Read more on Substack. Gert in touch with your ideas, suggestions and comments. Also, some links may not work with this newsletter provider. Please send me a note if that is the case. Forward this newsletter to anyone you know who may enjoy it. Gert in touch with your ideas, suggestions and comments. Forward this newsletter to anyone you know who may enjoy it. |
Fly Fisher Fitness
Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, Montana Muscle is your engine for aging well. It allows you to climb stairs, carry groceries, pick up the grandchildren hike trails, recover from a stumble, and remain independent. As we age, that engine slowly loses horsepower—but it doesn't have to. Muscle mass shrinks with age. We lose strength and power—all the things that fuel an active life. Beginning around age 35, most adults begin losing muscle at roughly 1–2 percent per year unless they actively work...
In the past, I shared with you research that shows the genetic contribution to health and longevity accounts for an estimated 25% contribution. As recently as 2026, another researcher quantified heritability at 50 %, mentioning that researching human life is challenging and full of confounding factors that are difficult to pin down. My personal experience (and maybe yours too) points directly to this challenge. I have outlived my dad and my older brother by 20-plus years. In addition, my...
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