F50 Issue #28: The Olympics and Longevity Mentors


F50 Issue #28: August 6, 2024


The Longevity Mentor Olympics: Signs You Could Be a Winner too!

Longevity mentors are everywhere, even in places you’d least expect. Take Simone Biles, for example, an American gymnast competing at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Drum roll, please! At the age of 27, she’s just become the oldest all-around women’s champion since 1952! From our perspective, she’s still young, but it’s a big accomplishment in a sport where younger gymnasts typically dominate.

An article titled “Simone Biles is leading the charge of older gymnasts at the Olympics who are redefining their sport” explains why she’s still competing: Let’s break down that “slow ambition” into five ingredients that can help you achieve your own success (especially if you decide to freelance after 50).

“‘Nobody is forcing me to do it,’ Biles said after U.S. Olympic trials. ‘I wake up every day and choose to grind in the gym and come out here and perform for myself.’
"It’s the way that she grinds, however, that has changed. She uses her time more efficiently at the gym, partly out of choice to help a body that’s been at this for 20 years and partly because her crowded personal schedule demands it.”

And Biles isn’t alone. Older gymnasts are becoming more common worldwide, like 32-year-old Sanne Wevers of the Netherlands and 28-year-old Ellie Black of Canada.

So, what makes these women longevity mentors? In their sport, they model how younger gymnasts would like to be at their age. Biles, in particular, shows wisdom in her choice of workout and her balanced view of life.

She takes care of herself so she can continue to excel and enjoy gymnastics.

Over the past year, we’ve met many longevity mentors in the Freelance After 50 newsletter. From actors, to authors, to athletes, they’ve inspired us and encouraged us to pursue our own dreams after 50.

But have you considered that you might be a longevity mentor too? You also have what it takes to inspire others in your chosen field.

With that in mind, let’s have our own podium ceremony and award gold medals to seven people who inspired us this year. As the medals are handed out, consider which traits you see in yourself!

Seven Championship Traits of Longevity Mentors

1. Wisdom

First up on the podium is actor June Squibb, accepting the gold medal for wisdom! We met her in Issue #27 of the newsletter. At the age of 94, she did most of her own stunts in the movie Thelma, acknowledging that she needed to learn new skills and trust her director.

Like Simone Biles, Squibb knows she needs to have a good work-life balance so she can maintain her energy. This wisdom has kept her in the game, with more acting roles to come!

2. Confidence

Our next medal goes to hockey player Jaromir Jagr. In Issue #24, we laughed when he called himself his favorite hockey player growing up. But that confidence has given him staying power.

On April 18, 2024, he became the oldest professional hockey player at age 52 and 63 days. Great things happen when you dare to be your own biggest fan!

3. Versatility

The next medal winner is near and dear to the hearts of Star Trek: The Next Generation fans. Let’s welcome Sir Patrick Stewart to the podium, winning the gold medal for versatility!

We learned about his career in Issue #22. He loves acting and feels like he has many more roles he wants to play. Although he excelled at playing a Federation starship captain, that’s not all he can do!

4. Adventurous Spirit

In Issue #19, we met Carl Fredricksen, the main character in the movie Up. After a slow start, he finally regained his purpose and renewed his adventurous spirit!

He’s inspired us to believe that a new life is possible and the best is yet to come! While we can’t present his medal in person, we consider him a winner!

5. Perseverance

Author Bonnie Garmus amazed us with her perseverance in Issue #16. Imagine waiting 60 years to publish your first novel! And she never gave up, despite being rejected 98 times.

She’s now an award-winning novelist with a book on the New York Times Best Sellers list. But it’s her attitude that wins her the gold medal in our competition. She inspires all of us to keep chasing our dreams at any age. You can overcome any challenges when you don’t give up!

6. Lifelong Learning

With affection, we remember Julia Child, who endeared herself to us with her willingness to make mistakes. Issue #9 describes an amusing scene from her cooking show, where she unsuccessfully flips a potato pancake. With good humor and a positive attitude, she learns from her experience and teaches others.

That’s just one example of her passion for lifelong learning. No matter what age she was, she pursued training opportunities that enhanced her skills. She’s a role model for us all! And remember that she was in her fifties when she started her cooking show!

7. Determination

And finally, let’s roll back to the very beginning of our newsletter series — Issue #1 that shared five career lessons from Top Gun Maverick.

Yes, that’s right. The gold medal for determination goes to Tom Cruise, who doesn’t let his age stand in the way of doing dangerous stunts. In his sixties, he was even willing to fly a motorcycle off a cliff and then parachute into a ravine for the movie Mission: Impossible 7.

But determination comes in many forms. You don’t have to do physical stunts to show it. Having the courage to begin a second-act career in the freelance industry might feel scary too and can be just as fulfilling!

Your Turn!

Now think about your own careers and experiences. Where have you witnessed these championship traits in yourself? Chances are, you’re a gold-medal-winning longevity mentor too!


Goal Setting and Reflection

One common thread between all our medal winners is their desire to achieve goals. Along with their championship traits, they needed practical strategies to help turn their dreams into reality.

We can all benefit from effective goal setting in both life and work. For example, a Psychology Today article recommends creating “S.M.A.R.T.” goals:

  • Specific (creates “an exact target” you can see and attain)
  • Measurable (allows you to measure your progress toward your goal)
  • Achievable (can be realistically achieved within your chosen time frame)
  • Relevant (“aligns with your values, long-term objectives, and beliefs”)
  • Time-Based (has a realistic but ambitious due date).

Check out the article for more helpful tips, and reflect on your own goals. Do you need to adjust your strategies so you can speed up your progress?


Healthy Habits

Finally, let’s follow Simone Biles’ lead and look after our bodies so we can stay healthy and active for many years to come.

Whether you’re traveling to a hot destination, living through a hot summer, or anticipating hot weather in your part of the world, this AARP article has some tips to help you stay safe and cool, especially in extreme heat:

  • “Stay hydrated” by carrying a reusable water bottle.
  • “Seek shade” by finding shaded areas or using a canopy or umbrella at the beach.
  • “Rest frequently” in cool areas so you don’t overheat.
  • “Use cooling methods” like cooling towels, portable fans, or misting sprays.
  • “Eat light” by avoiding heavy meals and choosing smaller, more frequent ones.

Now, back to the Longevity Mentor Olympics, where there’s a space on the podium for you and a gold medal with your name on it!

If you’re considering becoming a freelancer, rest assured you have championship traits that will help you reach your goals and live your best life for many years to come!

Until next time,

Co-founders of Freelance University

431B 41st Avenue NE - Unit 94, Calgary, AB T2E 2N4
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