60+ is the new 25

Bart Collet

Published Dec 11, 2024

I probably won’t be setting any new PBs (personal bests) on sprints again. But on longer distances? That’s a different story. Now in my fifties, I’m confident I’d outperform my 25-year-old self. Oddly enough, I didn’t start running seriously again until my late forties after a 20-year hiatus. Thanks to better training, nutrition, and insights into the ageing process, it’s clear age doesn’t have to be a limit—it can be an opportunity.

We’re entering an age where turning older individuals into ultra-athletes is no longer a futuristic fantasy. The focus isn’t on simply adding years to life but on transforming sedentary people into high-performing, active individuals. The implications are exciting: longer careers, healthier populations, and a redefinition of what ageing means.

How will this happen? A growing ecosystem of players is emerging, combining science, technology, and creativity. Longevity clinics are integrating cutting-edge therapies with personalised health plans to build endurance and strength in older clients. Fitness centres are expanding into holistic wellness spaces, offering tailored programmes for older members. Wearable tech companies are enhancing their services with AI-driven coaching that adapts to an individual’s changing physiology, ensuring optimal training and recovery.

Medical breakthroughs are another key. From gene therapies and regenerative medicine to advanced hormone treatments, science is enabling older bodies to repair and strengthen themselves in ways previously unimaginable. Pharmaceutical companies are developing drugs targeting inflammation, muscle recovery, and joint health, while innovators in nutrition are offering supplements fine-tuned to specific age-related needs.

Even businesses and governments stand to benefit. Could the rise of ultra-fit elderly people help solve labour shortages? Picture a workforce revitalised by older employees whose bodies and minds are as sharp as those of their younger colleagues. This isn’t just about health—it’s about unlocking untapped potential.

We’re at the start of a journey that could redefine human potential. Who’s to say we won’t be discussing how seventy is the new twenty-five in a few years? The future of ageing is full of possibilities.

But with every shift, new questions emerge: How will society embrace and adapt to this change? Who will ensure these advancements are accessible, not just for the privileged few? And how will industries—from healthcare to hospitality—innovate to support this reinvention of ageing?