META-AGE represents a transformative movement that uses exercise as a metaphor for transitioning from midlife to becoming a Meta-Ager. This approach aims to avoid irrelevance, chronic ageing, and low self-esteem, which can stifle sexual fulfilment. By adhering to three underlying principles for physical, mental, and social well-being, Meta-Agers redefine ageing and extend the vitality of midlife well into their later years.
COHERENCE: Midlife is a stage when life starts to make more sense. Finding coherence means discovering a movement, an attitude, or a belief that permeates who you become. As Dan Sullivan, Founder and President of The Strategic Coach Inc., puts it, “One of the great advantages of midlife is that it provides a clearer sense of who you are and what you truly value. This is the time to align your actions with your beliefs and create a more coherent life path.”
PURPOSE: You have spent much of your life doing things for others—now, it is your time. Your health is invaluable, so engaging in activities and lifestyles that benefit your long-term health is essential. Brené Brown, a renowned researcher and author, emphasises the importance of self-care: “You cannot serve from an empty vessel. It’s crucial to prioritise your well-being and engage in activities that nourish your body and mind to lead a fulfilling life.”
SIGNIFICANCE: Inherent physical and mental values enrich a life worth living. Significance is defined before it is achieved, driven by personal values that cannot be purchased. Every Meta-Ager aspires to significance—’Move your body and live your best life.’ In his book “Man’s Search for Meaning,” Viktor Frankl highlights this quest for significance: “Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose. Physical and mental well-being are crucial for finding significance in life.”
Meta-Age represents a phase where the ageing process is slowed, allowing individuals to maintain midlife characteristics for longer. Several physiological and functional changes mark this extended midlife. Here’s an overview of the critical differences between Meta-Age and traditional ageing:
1. Muscle Mass and Strength
Meta-Age: Around midlife, there is a gradual decline in muscle mass and strength, known as sarcopenia. However, many Meta-Agers can maintain relatively high levels of muscle function through regular physical activity.
2. Bone Density
Meta-Age: Bone density begins to decrease, especially in women post-menopause, due to the drop in oestrogen levels. This process during Meta-Age is gradual and can be mitigated by factors such as diet and weight-bearing exercise.
3. Joint Health
Meta-Age: Many individuals experience joint stiffness and pain due to wear and tear, often leading to osteoarthritis. Meta-Agers’ daily activities and quality of life slow this process.
4. Cardiovascular Health
Meta-Age: There is an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases due to factors like hypertension, cholesterol, and lifestyle choices. Meta-Agers are active and can manage these risks.
5. Metabolic Changes
Meta-Age: As we age, our metabolic rate slows down, often leading to weight gain and an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, which includes diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. However, these changes are less pronounced in Meta-Agers, who effectively manage weight and blood sugar levels.
6. Neurological and Cognitive Function
Meta-Age: Cognitive function remains relatively stable, although some may begin to notice minor memory lapses or slower processing speeds.
7. Sensory Functions
Meta-Age: Sensory functions such as vision and hearing begin to decline, with common issues including presbyopia (difficulty focusing on close objects) and mild hearing loss.
8. Physical Activity and Mobility
• Meta-Age: Meta-Agers are non-smokers, maintaining a recommended body fat percentage, eating a good diet, and engaging in 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity.
9. Hormonal Changes
• Meta-Age: Hormonal changes are prominent, especially in women going through menopause, which can affect various aspects of health, including bone density, muscle mass, and mood. While men may experience gradual declines in testosterone levels, affecting muscle mass and energy levels.
10. Profound Truths that Shape Meta-Age Outlook
• Be Your Authentic Self: Authenticity drives personal fulfilment and confidence.
• Take Advice: Only from people who embody who you’d like to be
• Make Friends: It’s Good for Your Health
• Seize the Moment: Make your dream a reality
• Seek Happiness: Live Life on Your Terms
• Develop Poise: It Suggests Inner Strength, Confidence, and Self-Assurance
• Accept Challenges: Either Cry in the Rain or Dance in the Storm
Conclusion
While everyone experiences a decline in physical function, the degree and impact of these changes are generally less pronounced in Meta-Agers. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and proactive healthcare, is critical to improving quality of life and physical function, slowing ageing, and extending midlife benefits.
Embracing the principles of coherence, purpose, and significance, the Meta-Age movement offers a pathway to a more vibrant, fulfilling, and extended midlife. As Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” This encapsulates the essence of Meta-Age—finding meaning and purpose to sustain a robust, healthy, and joyous life well beyond traditional midlife.
