This year I turn 60.
That number has been sitting with me lately, not as something scary, but as something deeply meaningful. Because getting here wasn’t automatic. It was built, choice by choice, year by year.
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about aging, especially after reading about Dick Van Dyke approaching 100. What struck me wasn’t just his longevity. It was his spirit. He still moves, laughs, sings, connects, and shows up to life despite the normal changes aging brings.
That kind of vitality isn’t luck alone. It’s mindset, habits, and heart.
And honestly, it made me reflect on my own journey.
I Wasn’t Always the “Health Guy”
I’m not the typical health guru story.
My fitness journey started back in the late ’80s when I internalized some painful messages that I was somehow less than because I was heavy, Black, and gay. Those messages hit hard. They contributed to struggles with weight, a brief battle with bulimia, and periods of depression.
Movement became my way back.
I discovered aerobic dance, and it changed everything. I didn’t start exercising because I loved my body, I started because moving helped me feel better emotionally. But over time, that movement built confidence, joy, and eventually purpose.
Before long, I was teaching classes to people of all ages. Every improvement in my health grew from that foundation.
(And yes—Jane Fonda and Gilad absolutely played a role in that chapter of my life.)
Strength, Nutrition, Sleep — And Perspective
As I kept teaching, I realized fitness wasn’t just about cardio.
Strength training helped me feel powerful.
Nutrition helped me fuel performance and recovery.
Sleep became non-negotiable.
Those habits turned out to be life-saving preparation when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at 40.
Because I had already built a lifestyle around movement, nourishment, and recovery, I was motivated to keep going, and I’ve been able to manage my MS without medication for many years now.
That still feels remarkable to say out loud.
Living with a chronic illness teaches you something quickly: your body will change, sometimes unpredictably. The real question becomes how you respond.
What Turning 60 Means to Me
Turning 60 has made a few things very clear.
It means gratitude for a body that has carried me through challenges.
It means respecting the mental and emotional work that’s just as important as physical health.
It means appreciating community, connection, and purpose more deeply than ever.
And it means committing to aging intentionally not passively.
I don’t believe aging automatically means decline.
I believe it means adaptation.
I see this every day with my clients.
People get stronger in their 60s.
They build confidence in their 70s.
They rediscover vitality in their 80s.
“It’s too late” is rarely the truth.
More often, it’s just fear talking.
What We Can Learn — At Any Age
If someone approaching 100 can still prioritize joy, movement, connection, and laughter… that’s a powerful reminder for all of us.
So here’s what I’m leaning into as I enter this next decade:
Move consistently, not perfectly.
Care for your mental health as intentionally as your physical health.
Stay connected, community matters more than we realize.
Find joy wherever you can.
Because health isn’t just about longevity.
It’s about quality of life while you’re here.
Why This Blog Exists
Living with a chronic condition can make you feel like your body has betrayed you.
I know that feeling.
But my experience living with MS for more than twenty years has also taught me something powerful: our bodies are often more resilient than we think, especially when we support them with the right habits, mindset, and community.
This blog is where I’ll share what I’ve learned along the way.
You’ll find reflections on aging well, practical strength and movement strategies, mindset tools for navigating health challenges, and lessons from both my personal journey and my work as a health coach and trainer.
Most importantly, it’s a space for anyone who wants to live well, even when life includes a chronic condition.
Because so much of this journey starts between the ears.
From My Heart to Yours
If you’ve ever felt discouraged about your health…
If aging has felt intimidating…
If you think you’ve waited too long to start…
You haven’t.
I’ve lived the messy, imperfect version of this journey. That’s why I coach the way I do, with compassion, realism, and zero judgment.
And if turning 60 has taught me anything, it’s this:
Taking care of yourself isn’t vanity.
It’s a radical act of self-care.
And it’s never too late to begin.
