Give Me The Hill Country!
In 2020, just a few weeks before the pandemic hit, I was blessed to train a young 71 year old man. I call him young not because physically he was, but because mentally he had the mindset of a much younger person.
When he came to me, he had never boxed or done any explosive movements—but he was a sponge - open and willing to learn. By the time lockdown came, he was able to do an 18-inch box jump and complete a full 30min boxing pad work session. Let that sink in—71 years old, boxing and doing explosive movements he had never done before.
What was also interesting to me was that during that same period, his partner contracted COVID quite badly, but Lawrence himself was absolutely fine. Now, the whole conversation around who contracts COVID, and the why’s and how’s, is a discussion for another day. But I do believe that because of his training, consistency, and the level of activity he maintained, he had built a more resilient body and a stronger immune system compared to someone who was not training.
I’m reminded of Caleb in Joshua 14:11–12: “I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me… as my strength was then, so is my strength now. Now therefore give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day…”
When Caleb went to spy the land with Joshua, he was 40 years old. Here he is 45 years later saying, “give me the highlands—I can still move and fight as I did 40+ years ago”.
The first part is the mentality: Caleb was of the mindset that this vessel I have been given to steward still works, still functions and until God says time, I’m gonna flex! The Swindoll Study Bible highlights Caleb’s mindset and encourages us to follow suit:
It says we should Keep our minds sharp, stay in community, and maintain a vigorous training lifestyle, because It’s amazing how these things can reinvigorate the body. With that said here are FOUR things you Should Be Doing Post-60:
1. LIFT WEIGHTS (Non-negotiable)
Strength training at this age is not about beach bodies or stepping on stage (for most people, anyway). As you get older: Your metabolism slows, you lose muscle, your bones become more brittle, so training becomes about function and independence (Do you think Caleb had someone to care for him up in the hills? I very much doubt it). Another factor is longevity. Some might call weights the iron fountain of youth. If you are old enough you might remember the film Death becomes her (comedy). In the Movie two women chase youth by drinking a potion. It changed the exterior, but internally they are hollow and decaying.
A potion would be the easy option. The harder option would have been to train—to challenge their bodies and build real internal strength. Scripture reminds us that discipline may feel hard now, but it produces good fruit. So ask yourself: Do you want Death Becomes Her youth—where you look younger on the outside, but are falling apart? or the iron fountain of youth (lifting weights) where you stay strong, capable, and alive?
2. KEEP MOVING DAILY
Motion is life. Sedentary is decline. Find ways to stay active: 30-minute walks, Swimming, Aqua aerobics, These simple actions help regulate blood sugar, support healthy blood pressure, improve cognitive function, and lead to continued independence.
3. EAT WITH DISCIPLINE, NOT EMOTION
This doesn’t just contribute to financial poverty—but physical poverty: High cholesterol, Elevated blood sugar, increased visceral fat, and CHD (coronary heart disease) all things that we are at an increased risk of contracting if disciplined eating is not in place. Let me be clear, I’m not saying you need to have a perfect diet, but what should come first is nourishment and health. If you know certain foods now cause negative reactions, reduce them, or better yet remove them from your diet. You can’t eat at 60 the way you ate at 25 and expect to look and function as you did at 25.
4. PROTECT YOUR SLEEP
In Genesis 2, God rested. Yet today’s culture says: “Keep going - you can sleep when you’re dead.” that is neither biblical or wise. If you’re constantly going without adequate recovery your body will be in a stressed state, and you will burn out no matter what age you are. Sleep is your friend, because when you sleep great things happen like: Your body repairs itself, your systems reset, your brain recovers. Something to think about - The brain needs around 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep to recover properly. The body needs 7+ hours for a full recovery. Do not neglect recovery.
Until next time, TRAIN HARD – EAT RIGHT – SLEEP WELL.
COACH
