My father is 85 years old.
He was a collegiate soccer player.
A national champion in 50-over squash doubles.
A fierce competitor in volleyball and ping pong.
He’s traveled around the world — twice.
He lived boldly, competitively, fully.
If there was a game being played, he wanted in.
I grew up watching that.
And I share half his DNA.
Today, his body doesn’t always cooperate the way it once did. He can’t participate in the sports he loves. He falls a lot and sometimes ends up in the hospital.
He becomes weaker each time. With his strength declining, he is trapped in a vicious cycle.
He often talks about “the arc of life”, and he understands where he is — and his trajectory.
While you can get stronger at any age, you should be training long before you are feeble. At this point, my dad’s options are limited.
But when he tells stories about a match, a trip, a comeback — his eyes still light up.
The competitor is still there.
And every time I see him, I’m reminded of something powerful:
Longevity isn’t just about how long you live.
It’s about how long you stay in the game.
⸻
My father loved to compete.
He didn’t love to train.
When the games slowed down, so did the stimulus that kept him strong.
Most of us love the reward more than the preparation.
But here’s what I’ve learned over forty years of coaching:
The preparation is what protects the later chapters.
Strength isn’t just for sport.
Muscle isn’t just for aesthetics.
Balance isn’t just for athletes.
They’re insurance policies for independence.
⸻
I share his genetics.
I’ve inherited some of the same cholesterol patterns. I carry some other risk factors.
I also have a similar competitive drive.
But I’ve made one small shift:
I train even when I’m not competing.
I lift when there’s no trophy.
I practice balance before I “need” it.
The research is clear, we need muscular strength to thrive in our later years.
I want to honor what he gave me — and extend it.
⸻
Genetics may set the starting line.
Daily habits influence how far we go.
That’s why I’m writing this book.
After four decades of coaching, I’ve seen something over and over:
You can’t control everything.
But you can control more than you think.
Being strong is a choice you can make.
The Takeaway:
-Get on a strength training program today.
-2 x week for 20 minutes will make a difference.
Train Smart. Smile Often
— Rich Roe
P.S. You are one of my founding members, and I really appreciate you being here early.
If you know someone who might enjoy this, please forward.
Leave a Reply