I have thought long and hard about what I’m about to say, and many of you are going to disagree STRONGLY. Others will come to realize what is being said is groundbreaking. An unfortunate truth is that what I know will only be discovered through my ability to prove to others what is possible. Many will pass on the opportunity to understand longevity because it is unreasonable. Others will pass because they are “normal.” There is nothing wrong with being normal. It’s comforting. It’s proven. It’s average. It’s thoughtless. But for those of you willing to open your mind just a little, TTH is about to explain why maintaining a healthy balance between mind and body will allow you the chance to establish new parameters in life.
Unreasonable
I mentioned that understanding longevity is unreasonable for some. First, let me say that people, lots of people, believe in unreasonable things…so much so in fact, that we (society) have created a multi-billion dollar business out of it. Heck, some will even donate 10% or more of their income to said business because of their belief in the unbelievable. I’m not saying this is right or wrong, or that I believe or have no faith in this particular issue. It is not my job to guide you spiritually via this site. I’m simply trying to establish the fact that if the human mind believes strongly enough in something, then it can remove or set aside doubt. Removing doubt is step one to establishing new parameters.
Those of you who are regulars here at TTH might have noticed I use Lance as an example for a lot of my “mental health” articles. This is because his inexplicable recovery, in combination with the triumphs that followed, exemplifies the belief factor. If you had seen Mr. Armstrong lying in a bed near death, you would have probably believed (with good reason if you are “normal”) he was a goner. What you couldn’t have known was that a new parameter was about to be set. And so it was. The story is well documented, so there is no need for the details. But what has been left out is the audience (that’s us) and the attitude change toward cancer in general. Lance Armstrong single-handedly established new parameters in life for everyone. Before Lance the diagnosis of cancer was a death sentence, but after Lance we found reason to believe that there is a chance. I believe (and will prove) humans have created their ultimate timeline based on what has been taught and observed, and therefore this timeline is simply accepted and held to be true.
Before I divulge the truly important information, I do want to make the usual disclaimer: Smoking, drinking, sleepless nights, prostitutes, and for lack of a better word, “dumbass” shenanigans, will not be counteracted solely by your mind. If you want to prove the body is capable of extraordinary feats, then you must take care of it.
100 year milestone
This is really where the journey takes off. I think it is astounding that society has picked a nice round number like 100 as a benchmark for a “long” life. Each and every one of us has heard it. To make it to 100 years is quite an accomplishment. Ok, I’ll buy that I guess. In fact, with all the circumstances surrounding each individual after birth, it can be considered an accomplishment to make it a single year. Lucky for us though, we have been taught 100 years is “the goal” or “good enough,” rather than one year… otherwise I most likely wouldn’t be writing this! 
Instead I would have been content with my successful journey past one year and given up soon after. I know the example of a single year seems a bit extreme, but I’m here to drive home a fact. That is, if we start asking ourselves why people are dying at such a young age (100 yrs), rather than applauding the milestone as the end, then we would definitely have a few more 125-150 age group athletes. (I bet someone just chuckled here like I was joking…FYI, you are the normal ones I mentioned who will sadly never see the new standards set for life expectancy.)
I’m not saying the same challenges won’t present themselves along the way…because they will. The difference will be the submissive attitude to diseases like cancer. A fight will always occur, and the strongest willed competitors will inevitably succeed. I am intelligent enough to understand that subconsciously, as we approach the milestone, we gradually become accepting of the fact that we “got close,” and therefore are willing (for reasons unknown to me) to give in.
Think of it like this, in school it is understood that 100% is as good as it gets (extra credit may get you to 105%, but that’s exemplary). Let’s assume a 90-100% is an A, 80-89 is a B, 70-79 is a C, etc… Ask yourself right now what you were happy with in school. Straight A’s? Just passing? Apply the scale to your life now with the same attitude. We are told 100 is a milestone, so getting within 10 percent is satisfactory (still an A right?). The submissive attitude creeps in when you have met your “satisfactory” requirements. If you are 98 years old and get ill, when will you give in? If you were a C student, I would say reaching 98 was luck, and you no doubt have achieved well beyond your capabilities. If you were one of those ass-kissers everyone hated because your head was so far up there we couldn’t tell where the teacher ended and you began, asking for extra credit, then you will undoubtedly put up a fight against all challengers in order to reach the next level.
The next level
Why is it that we are able to fight our way to the next level if it means reaching 100, but we can’t reach that next level…say 125 or 150? Get ready because it’s about to get scary…125 is NO DIFFERENT than 100! Is your mind blown? It shouldn’t be. Understanding the power of your mind is a hard concept to wrap your mind around…yeah. Of course the next level is impossible to reach without the proper balance of active living. Nutrition and fitness are just as important as convincing yourself that preconceived boundaries are bogus.
Why would anyone want to get to the next level? This is a very interesting question. I asked a plethora of people how old they thought they would live to be and the answers were not too surprising. Everyone was generally in the 80-100 range, which was exactly what I expected. (This is probably due to everyone checking their retirement calculators and allowing T. Rowe Price, TD Ameritrade, or H&R Block to decide their life expectancy for them…perfect example. Actually, I’ll have to double check to see if they even allow you to project 125 years for retirement age!) What wasn’t expected was the response to why they didn’t think they would make it past 100. The answer wasn’t that they didn’t think they could, but rather why would they want to!!!
Are you kidding me? Every time I hear someone tell a story or I read a blog about someone’s experiences and adventures, it creates another item on my to-do list. And for every item added to my list, I realize I need to be that much stronger mentally when I reach 122 years old. I’m okay with fighting cancer at age 103, if it means I get the chance to trek through the rainforest when I’m 124. I’m okay with running every day to maintain a healthy heart or weight and replacing my knees at age 97 if it means I get the chance to climb Everest at 114. Honestly, I hope to cross the ridiculous adventures off early so I can enjoy the more leisurely ones in my 100’s, like breaking par at Whistling Straits or eating a hot dog at Wrigley. You will never have enough time to do everything (mainly because the spectrum of “anything” is infinitely growing and changing each day), but whatever the adventure and whenever the decision is made to go for it, just remember the question should never be “why would I want to?”
This brings me to another issue which absolutely destroys our health, and that is depression. The question Why would I want to? is a response made when you are not happy. You aren’t living. No doubt you are stuck in a cubicle begging for someone to take you out of your misery sooner rather than later. You will NEVER reach the next level if you are unhappy. This topic will be explored more in a mental health series related to work, but until I get that finalized, just know that if you don’t want to live to at least 125, then you are likely heading down the wrong path! 
Taking the 125 Challenge
If you have made it this far, you are probably my key audience. You believe, as I do, that 125 is a very doable goal. We finish Ironman races once thought to be an impossible distance. We beat cancer and for an encore win the Tour seven times. We are ridiculous in every way. So the next question is how do we keep ourselves healthy enough to endure the unthinkable? Everything you need to know will continue to be posted on this site. I will keep you updated on the progress over the next 97 years (or more).
It is in the opinion of TTH guy that the best way to begin your journey to longevity is to optimize your hydration plan. Fluid intake is the #1 factor in planning for the long haul. By following the Daily Hydration Plan, you will get all the benefits from a range of proven “good for you” drinks.
A toast, to those who believe 125-130 is the new A, and anything below is failing! The strongest minds (and bodies) will set a new standard.
Looking forward to posting in 2106,
TTH Guy
Tags: longevity