Image via The Turn Up Patch/The Star
Growing old isn’t the end of the journey. Some of you might have the perception that once you reach your 60s, your life is over. It definitely isn’t the end as long as you’re alive!
You shouldn’t allow your body’s natural changes to stop you from living a fun-filled life. Just because you don’t have that bursting energy of a teenager doesn’t mean you can’t do things.
Kick out the ‘old people can’t do anything’ or ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ mindset. Instead, instil in yourself confidence and a can-do attitude, and get on with life.
If you think it’s impossible, here are a few people above the age of 50 who didn’t let age stop them from achieving amazing things:
#1 Silver Sniper—a professional gaming team made up of seniors over 60 years old
Though the gaming industry is filled with young professional players who kickstarted their careers from as young as 2 years old, there’s no actual age limit implemented.
Image via Silver Snipers
Which is why when a giant computer company wanted to form their own Counter-Strike: Global Elite (CS: GO) team for seniors in Sweden, people like Wanja “Knitting Knight” Godänge, Inger “Trigger Finger” Grotteblad, Oivind “Windy” Toverud, Abbe “BirDie” Drakborg and Baltalsar “El_Nino” Aguirre weren’t afraid to take the chance.
Ranging from 60 to 85 years old, the team, named Silver Snipers, joined several tournaments to prove their ability to game. Last, they won the DreamHack Summer 2019 tournament, making them the oldest CS:GO champions!
#2 Nola Ochs, who graduated from university at age 98
In May 2007, Nola Ochs from the United States of America became the eldest person to ever graduate with a master’s degree and holds a Guinness World Record for it.
Image via MyHeritage
Her education journey began in 1930 at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) but was put to a pause after a while when she had to raise her four sons. After her husband passed away, she joined a community college where she spent a few years taking up courses here and there.
Image via Youth Incorporated Magazine
However, when she realised that she only needed 30 more hours at FHSU to complete her degree, she quickly moved back to the campus and graduated with a general studies degree the following year at age 95.
She furthered her studies with a master’s degree in liberal studies in the same university and became the oldest person to graduate at 98-years-old in May 2010.
#3 Paddy danced her way to the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent at 85 years old
When Sarah “Paddy” Patricia Jones first appeared on the British talent show in 2014 with her dance partner Nico Espinosa, 40, they were both viewed sceptically by the judges and audience. In fact, judge Simon Cowell even yawned at the beginning of their routine and gave them the ‘X’ very quickly!
Of course, he was too quick to judge, because the moment he hit the red button, Paddy and Nico’s routines took a huge turn. The music sped up and next thing you know, Nico was spinning and swinging Paddy around. Ultimately, they wowed everyone in the stadium and received their FIRST Golden Buzzer!
This allowed the two of them to instantly go to the semi-finals of the competition. They didn’t win in 2014 but they didn’t give up either.
They joined the talent show again in 2019 and improved their routine tremendously. Without a doubt, the judges and audience were truly amazed, and they received yet another Golden Buzzer!
#4 Hooi Siew Weng, who’s 83 but still running marathons
Image via The Star
At the 2019 KL Marathon, Hooi Siew Weng was the oldest full marathon participant in the men’s category at the age of 82. He started running in 1984 after receiving a free t-shirt from one the running club members.
He was 47 at that time but after so many years, he’s still keeping up this habit. He runs around 40km to 60km per week to keep his stamina and pace up. He’s learned a lot of patience and the ability to stay focused thanks to running.
Image via The Star
Here’s a fun fact: he’s never received a ‘DNF’ (Did Not Finish) either in any of the marathons he’s joined!
In an interview, he said, “I aim to run at my own pace to finish each race. Running has been my passion since it started, and it will continue as long as I do not get any injuries.”
#5 Lee Swee Luan, 72, who started jogging to lose weight but became a full-time marathoner
Image via PrisChew
While Hooi Siew Weng was the oldest male participant, Lee Swee Luan was the oldest female participant in the 2019 KL Marathon. She was 71 years old at that time, but age didn’t stop her from wanting to achieve great things.
Around 2008, she realised that she was feeling easily lethargic after work and is unhealthy. Wanting to shed some kilos, she picked up running and slowly but surely lost weight. She started participating in neighbourhood school fun runs, which were around 5km to 10km.
Image via The Star
She came out in the top 10 and they motivated her to keep up with her efforts. It wasn’t until 2011 when she joined her first half marathon during the Penang Bridge International Marathon. Then, at the same annual even in 2013, she ran her first full one!
As of last year, she’s ran 17 full marathons and completed two ultra-marathons, which span 100km!
Like these golden legends, you’re never too old to achieve amazing things—all you need is confidence
You’ve the ability to do so much more than you think. Never let self-doubt nor your body’s natural changes that’s beyond your control hinder your ability to believe and get on with life confidently in this golden age.
Find different ways to boost your confidence such as surrounding yourself with positive messages, reading inspirational stories, and practising a healthy lifestyle.
Besides that, look for great products to aid you physically. Don’t be shy of getting reading glasses, hearing aids, or even adult diapers!
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Image via DEPEND®
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Image via DEPEND®
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* Based on Client calculation of Nielsen ScanTrack Data for Adult Care US Market for 52 weeks period ending September 2019. Copyright © 2019. The Nielsen Company.
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