Olga Kotelko is 94 years old and holds 26 world records for track and field, a sport she took up when she was 77! She is strong, flexible, fast, athletic, and full of energy. Bruce Grierson met Olga while writing his previous book, "U-Turn: What If You Woke Up One Morning and Realized You Were Living the Wrong Life?," and quickly realized her she was living her life the way he wants to live. He spent the next several years writing his latest book, "What makes Olga Run?" and came up with 9 rules for living everyone could benefit from.
1. Keep moving.
Move continually, even when you’re not exercising. “When we move, our bodies and brains both work better. We think faster, process information more accurately, and remember more.”
2. Create routines.
"Committing the more mundane parts of our life to habit and routine frees up RAM for the things that matter to us."
3. Be opportunistic.
"Spend your precious energy wisely." Conserve energy when you can, but when you need to go for it, go for it.
4. Be a Mensch.
“Doing good doesn’t just feel good, it works. It’s healthy for the tribe and healthy for us.”
5. Believe in something.
“Belief is a trait of temperament.” People who embrace life’s puzzles as opportunities for problem-solving because of larger beliefs tend to thrive.
6. Lighten up.
“Managing stress is staggeringly important in terms of flipping genetic switches.”
7. Cultivate a sense of progress.
According to studies of life satisfaction and human motivation, we all need to feel like we’re improving. Identify your expectations, adjust them to allow for “small wins,” then improve upon them.
8. Don't do it if you don't love it.
"If it's not fun, don't do it. That's easy - because you won't if it isn't. People can't be guilted into lasting healthy behavior change, Should doesn't work."
9. Being now.
“Not only is midlife not too late to embark on this, providing we rev back up slowly, in some ways, it’s the best time for it. We’re rested, we’re restless, we’re ready.”
Move continually, even when you’re not exercising. “When we move, our bodies and brains both work better. We think faster, process information more accurately, and remember more.”
2. Create routines.
"Committing the more mundane parts of our life to habit and routine frees up RAM for the things that matter to us."
3. Be opportunistic.
"Spend your precious energy wisely." Conserve energy when you can, but when you need to go for it, go for it.
4. Be a Mensch.
“Doing good doesn’t just feel good, it works. It’s healthy for the tribe and healthy for us.”
5. Believe in something.
“Belief is a trait of temperament.” People who embrace life’s puzzles as opportunities for problem-solving because of larger beliefs tend to thrive.
6. Lighten up.
“Managing stress is staggeringly important in terms of flipping genetic switches.”
7. Cultivate a sense of progress.
According to studies of life satisfaction and human motivation, we all need to feel like we’re improving. Identify your expectations, adjust them to allow for “small wins,” then improve upon them.
8. Don't do it if you don't love it.
"If it's not fun, don't do it. That's easy - because you won't if it isn't. People can't be guilted into lasting healthy behavior change, Should doesn't work."
9. Being now.
“Not only is midlife not too late to embark on this, providing we rev back up slowly, in some ways, it’s the best time for it. We’re rested, we’re restless, we’re ready.”
Which of these rules do you live by?
What other rules would you add to the list?
Who are your models for healthy living?
Answer these questions in the comments section below.
What other rules would you add to the list?
Who are your models for healthy living?
Answer these questions in the comments section below.
More information:
"What Makes Olga Run?: The Mystery of the 90-Something Track Star and What She Can Teach Us About Living Longer, Happier Lives" - by Bruce Grierson
New York Times article about Bruce Grierson and Olga Kotelko
U-Turn: What If You Woke Up One Morning and Realized You Were Living the Wrong Life? - by Bruce Grierson
"What Makes Olga Run?: The Mystery of the 90-Something Track Star and What She Can Teach Us About Living Longer, Happier Lives" - by Bruce Grierson
New York Times article about Bruce Grierson and Olga Kotelko
U-Turn: What If You Woke Up One Morning and Realized You Were Living the Wrong Life? - by Bruce Grierson
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