Time to Get Angry with "Normal for Your Age"

F Normal

Since turning 40 over a decade ago—and watching many of my friends hit that milestone as well—there's been a recurring theme in conversations. We're talking about skiing, hiking, traveling, all the things we love... but the phrase I can't seem to escape is:

"I can't do that anymore... that's normal for my age."

Wait, what?

When I dug deeper, I realized this dangerous mindset wasn't just self-talk; it was fed by society and, even worse, reinforced by many medical providers. And honestly? I think this line of thinking is one of the most dangerous beliefs out there.

You see, we have one life on this planet. My goal? To live it to the absolute fullest and die young... at a very old age.

The Myth of Aging Gracefully

Studies show that some of the happiest years of life are after 40—until your health starts to break down. But here's the thing: by 40, you're often hitting your groove. You've built a career, raised a family, and are starting to feel less financial pressure. Life should feel amazing. Yet, society seems to think that 40 is the start of the downswing.

Hell. No.

Who decided that 40-50 should be a slow coast into mediocrity? Why not 40 to 90? That's 50 years—fifty—of epic adventure, unforgettable memories, huge goals, wild travel, and, yeah... making love to my wife well into my 80s. That's how I plan to live. On purpose. Full throttle. Until my very last breath.

But here's the catch: it doesn't just happen. It starts with your mindset.

Throw Out "Normal for My Age"

The first step? Throw out the garbage idea of "normal for my age." You have to commit—fully commit—to optimizing your mind and body. Not just to age gracefully, but to defy the outdated medical and societal norms that tell you slowing down is inevitable.

I'm not talking about ignoring the reality of aging. I'm talking about owning it. Thriving through it.

We could go on for an entire book about all the ways to optimize your mind and body. But today, I want to focus on just one thing: mindset.

Three Steps to Shatter "Normal"

Grab a piece of paper. (Yes, actual paper. It's way more powerful than typing.) And write this down:

Define Your Dream: What does living fully actually look like for you? Adventure? Vitality? Legacy? Write it out.
Set Your Goals: Break down that dream into bold, powerful goals. Make them specific, measurable, and unapologetically ambitious.
Take Action: Not next week. Not next month. Now. Your dream isn't waiting. Your future self isn't waiting. It's either now or never.

You don't get another shot at this life. Stop waiting for someone else to give you permission to live fully. Throw out "normal for my age," and go create a life so extraordinary it makes the normals uncomfortable.

This is your wake-up call. Live it. Own it. Optimize it. And never settle for anything less.