Ageless Athlete — Healthy Aging for a Strong, Capable Life

Latest Episodes:

Why Fear Lies — And Curiosity Works Better | Timmy O’Neill, 55 Nov 12, 2024

Show notes

Most of us treat fear like truth. Timmy O’Neill thinks that’s a mistake.

Timmy is a climber, comedian, and longtime Yosemite fixture—but this conversation isn’t about climbing. It’s about how to relate to risk without letting fear make your decisions, and why curiosity is often the better compass.

Then keep your bullets, but tighten them like this:

Why fear is often misleading
How humor changes risk
What adaptive climbers taught him
“Lifewish”: choosing a life worth living
Why bringing others along matters

You can find more about Timmy by simply Googling him or at his website www.timmyoneill.com
Timmy's sponsors are Patagonia, Osprey Packs, and Clif Bar.

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Timeline: Support cellular renewal and mitochondrial function with Mitopure, featuring Urolithin A. Up to 20% off at timeline.com/AGELESSATHLETE

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ageless Athlete is a podcast about healthy aging for people who want to stay strong, active and capable for life. Conversations explore strength, endurance, mobility, recovery, VO2 max, muscle and bone health, and what it takes to keep doing the things you love as you get older.

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

You’re Not Your Performance: Letting Go of Identity and Starting Again | Heather Heynen Nov 05, 2024

Show notes

Heather Heynen works with people who look like they have it together.

They’re disciplined. High-performing. Driven.

But underneath, a lot of them are stuck—measuring their worth by what they do, not who they are.

This conversation goes there.

Heather is a therapist, coach, climber, and bikepacker in her 50s. She’s spent years helping people untangle the beliefs that quietly shape how they see themselves—and how those beliefs often get in the way of growth, especially later in life.

We talk about:

Why tying your identity to performance eventually breaks down
How limiting beliefs actually form (and why they stick)
A simpler, more honest way to use journaling
What “self-worth” really means when you strip everything else away
Why trying new things as an adult can feel so uncomfortable—and why it matters

There’s also a more personal thread here.

A conversation about vulnerability, about the stories we carry, and what it takes to loosen their grip.

This one is less about optimization.

More about understanding yourself a little better—and maybe giving yourself a bit more room to grow.

You can listen to Heather's podcast - Weight Loss and Wellness for Real on all major podcast apps. You can also find her on Instagram!

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Timeline: Support cellular renewal and mitochondrial function with Mitopure, featuring Urolithin A. Up to 20% off at timeline.com/AGELESSATHLETE

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

Strength, Skill, and Staying Dangerous at 50 | Ben Moon Oct 29, 2024

Show notes

Ben Moon has been at the sharp end of climbing for over three decades.

He was there when the sport was raw and undefined—pushing standards, shaping culture, and later building tools like the MoonBoard that changed how people train around the world.

But what’s most interesting isn’t what he did in his 20s.

It’s what happened later.

Around 50, Ben found himself climbing at a level that surprised even him—stronger, more efficient, and more intentional than before. Not by chasing youth, but by refining what actually matters.

In this conversation, we explore what it really takes to stay good—and even improve—decades into a sport that most people burn out of.

We talk about:

What changed (and what didn’t) in his training over the years
Why consistency beats intensity over the long run
The role of partnerships—from Jerry Moffatt to the broader climbing community
How the MoonBoard came to life and why it works
What younger athletes often misunderstand about progression

This isn’t just a climbing conversation.

It’s about the long game—how to stay engaged, keep improving, and find meaning in something for a lifetime.

References

Moon Climbing – Ben Moon’s official site, offering climbing gear, apparel, and the MoonBoard.
MoonBoard Training System – Learn more about the MoonBoard and the climbing community it supports.
The Dirtbag - The Legend of Fred Beckey - Mentioned in the episode.

Tune in to hear more about Ben Moon’s story, his contributions to the climbing world, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. This episode promises insights and inspiration for climbers and adventure-seekers alike!

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Timeline: Support cellular renewal and mitochondrial function with Mitopure, featuring Urolithin A. Up to 20% off at timeline.com/AGELESSATHLETE

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

How Training Changes in Your 50s and 60s — What Older Athletes Do Differently Oct 22, 2024

Show notes

How should training change once you reach your 50s and 60s?

After speaking with athletes who have stayed strong, competitive, and deeply engaged in their sports for decades, a few patterns keep showing up. They don’t necessarily train less—but they do train differently.

In this episode, I break down what experienced older athletes seem to understand about staying capable over the long term, including:

Why recovery becomes a bigger part of the training equation
When intensity still matters—and when more volume stops helping
Why strength and power deserve more attention with age
How experienced athletes adapt around injuries instead of simply stopping
Why consistency beats heroic training blocks
How goals, curiosity, and community help people stay in the game
What changes in your 50s and 60s—and what doesn’t

The larger lesson: aging doesn’t mean abandoning performance. It means getting smarter about what your body needs to keep performing.

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

She Changed the Limits of Human Performance | Lynn Hill, 62 Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

In 1993, something happened in El Capitan that changed climbing forever.

Lynn Hill became the first person to free climb The Nose—one of the most famous routes in the world.

And then she did it again.

In a single day.

At the time, it wasn’t just considered difficult.
It was considered impossible.

But this conversation isn’t just about that climb.

It’s about what it takes to reach that level—and what it takes to stay connected to it over a lifetime.

We talk about:

What it felt like to attempt something no one had done before
Growing up in a sport that didn’t yet have a clear path
Navigating a male-dominated environment—and not being defined by it
The mindset required to push limits without losing yourself
How her relationship with climbing has evolved over 50 years

Lynn also reflects on the period around that ascent—what was driving her, what she was willing to risk, and how she thinks about it now.

This one is about performance, yes.

But more than that:

👉 It’s about what becomes possible when someone quietly refuses to accept the limits everyone else believes in.

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Timeline: Support cellular renewal and mitochondrial function with Mitopure, featuring Urolithin A. Up to 20% off at timeline.com/AGELESSATHLETE

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

He Won Leadville 6 Times—And Beat Lance Armstrong | David Wiens, 60 Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

Winning once is hard.

Doing it again—and again—is something else.

David Wiens won the Leadville Trail 100 MTB six times in a row.

He’s one of the few riders to beat Lance Armstrong at the height of his comeback.

And now, approaching 60, he’s still riding, still building, still showing up.

But this conversation isn’t really about winning.

It’s about what lasts.

We talk about:

What it takes to stay consistent over decades—not just seasons
How injury changes the way you train, think, and move
Why mindset matters more the longer you stay in the game
The role of community—and building something beyond yourself
What “success” starts to mean as you get older

David also reflects on his time leading International Mountain Bicycling Association—and how his focus has shifted from competition to creating access for others.

This one is about longevity—but not in the abstract.

It’s about staying in something long enough to see what really matters.

### **References:**
- Learn more about David Wiens' role as Executive Director at the [International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)](https://www.imba.com).
- Check out David Wiens' **Mountain Bike Hall of Fame** profile [here](https://mmbhof.org/david-wiens).
- Explore the history of the Leadville Trail 100 MTB race [here](https://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/mtb/leadvilletrail100mtb/).
- Read more about the impact of doping in cycling during the Lance Armstrong era [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doping_in_sport).
### **Sponsors:**
A special thanks to David's sponsors, whose gear and support have been crucial to his success:
- [Canyon Bicycles](https://www.canyon.com)
- [Ergon Bicycle Ergonomics](https://www.ergonbike.com)
- [Topeak](https://www.topeak.com)
- [Shimano](https://www.shimano.com)
- [Fox Suspension](https://www.ridefox.com)
- [DT Swiss Wheels](https://www.dtswiss.com)
- [Maxxis Tires](https://www.maxxis.com)
- [Sportful Apparel](https://www.sportful.com)
- [Limar Helmets](https://www.limar.com)
- [GU Energy](https://www.guenergy.com)
This episode is packed with wisdom, insights, and inspiration for anyone looking to thrive in their sport—or life—at any age!

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Timeline: Support cellular renewal and mitochondrial function with Mitopure, featuring Urolithin A. Up to 20% off at timeline.com/AGELESSATHLETE

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

She Opened the Outdoors to People Who Were Left Out | Katherine Rodriguez, 70+ Oct 01, 2024

Show notes

Who gets to belong in the outdoors?

For a long time, the answer was… not everyone.

Katherine Hayes Rodriguez has spent nearly 50 years changing that.

What started with a small group of Vietnam veterans in Lake Tahoe grew into something much bigger—helping shape adaptive sports programs that now exist all over the world.

But this isn’t just a story about programs or progress.

It’s about one person deciding that access shouldn’t be limited—and doing something about it.

We talk about:

What the outdoors looked like in the 1970s—and who was excluded
The early days of adaptive skiing, and what it took to make it real
Why access isn’t just physical—it’s cultural
The role of community in helping people see what’s possible
What decades of this work teaches you about persistence and purpose

Katherine also shares stories from the early days—moments that were messy, uncertain, and far from guaranteed.

This one is about inclusion, but also about something deeper:

👉 What it takes to create change that lasts longer than you do

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Timeline: Support cellular renewal and mitochondrial function with Mitopure, featuring Urolithin A. Up to 20% off at timeline.com/AGELESSATHLETE

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

I Finally Talk About My Own Story | Kush Khandelwal Sep 24, 2024

Show notes

I spend most of my time asking the questions.

In this episode, I had to answer them.

I joined Heather Heynen on her podcast—and for the first time, I shared more of my own story.

How I found my way into the outdoors.
The injuries that forced me to rethink everything.
And the quiet shifts that changed how I see performance, aging, and what actually matters.

This isn’t a polished story.

It’s a look at the parts I don’t usually talk about.

We get into:

Losing motivation—and what brought it back
How injury reshaped my relationship with movement
What I’ve learned from talking to dozens of athletes still pushing in their 40s, 50s, and beyond
Why community ended up mattering more than performance
And how my definition of “progress” has changed over time

If you’ve been listening to the show, this is a bit of a behind-the-scenes episode.

If you’re new, it’s probably the clearest window into why this podcast exists in the first place.

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Timeline: Support cellular renewal and mitochondrial function with Mitopure, featuring Urolithin A. Up to 20% off at timeline.com/AGELESSATHLETE

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

He Built a Life Most People Only Dream About | Yuri Soledade Sep 17, 2024

Show notes

Before the big waves, there were long days washing dishes.

Yuri Soledade didn’t grow up in the world of elite surfing. He built his way into it—step by step—after moving from Brazil to Hawaii and chasing something that didn’t come with a clear path.

Eventually, that path led him to Peahi (Jaws)—one of the most powerful waves on Earth.

He’s ridden waves over 70 feet. Won the biggest wave award. And spent decades operating in an environment where mistakes have real consequences.

But this conversation isn’t just about surfing.

It’s about what it takes to build a life from the ground up—and stay grounded once you get there.

We talk about:

What fear feels like when the stakes are real
The long, unglamorous path before anything “works”
Balancing risk in the water with responsibility in real life
Building businesses while still chasing something uncertain
Why staying present matters more than being fearless

Yuri also shares stories from years spent surfing at Jaws—what it’s like to paddle into something that big, and what keeps him coming back.

This one is about risk, humility, and the kind of persistence that doesn’t always look impressive—but changes everything over time.

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Timeline: Support cellular renewal and mitochondrial function with Mitopure, featuring Urolithin A. Up to 20% off at timeline.com/AGELESSATHLETE

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

How Far Can You Go? He Ran Across a Continent to Find Out | Marshall Ulrich, 73 Sep 10, 2024

Show notes

Most people spend their lives trying to avoid pain.

Marshall Ulrich went the other way.

He’s run across the United States. Multiple times. Completed more than 20 Badwater Ultramarathons. Climbed the Seven Summits, including Mount Everest.

And at 73, he’s still going.

But this conversation isn’t really about achievements.

It’s about what happens when you stop resisting discomfort—and start listening to it.

We talk about:

What pain actually feels like when you stop labeling it
The strange, almost spiritual moments that show up in extreme endurance
Why persistence matters more than talent over a lifetime
How big goals shape decades—not just seasons
What changes (and what doesn’t) as you get older

Marshall also shares stories from running across the country—long stretches of isolation, moments of clarity, and the mental space that only shows up when you’ve been moving for days.

This one is about endurance—but not in the way most people think.

It’s about staying in something long enough to see what’s on the other side.

**References & Resources:**
- **Marshall Ulrich’s Website**: [MarshallUlrich.com](https://marshallulrich.com)
- **Route 66 Ultra Run**: Learn about Marshall’s 140-mile ultra marathon [Route 66 Ultra Run](https://route66ultrarun.com)
- **Marshall’s Books**: Check out his inspirational books on endurance and adventure. [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com)

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Timeline: Support cellular renewal and mitochondrial function with Mitopure, featuring Urolithin A. Up to 20% off at timeline.com/AGELESSATHLETE

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

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