THE DESIRE TO look and feel youthful is as old as time. While we can’t stop intrinsic ageing, we can influence it. Genetics matter, but lifestyle and attitude are equally vital. By adopting healthy habits, we can positively impact the ageing process.
These thoughts began during a visit to my late mother’s nursing home. I passed the residents TV room; everyone looked unhappy. I called it “God’s waiting room,” which scared me. I thought this was the last place I would want to be. And so did my mother because she had never been inside in 10 years of living there. She was among a minority of residents who still had their faculties and enjoyed what independence they had left.
This observation sparked a question that became central to my life’s work: What if we could invest in our health for the future, like a bank account? If we keep withdrawing without replenishing, eventually, nothing will be left. What can I do now to live without prolonged illness, moving with the strength and resilience of a wildebeest herd until the end of life?
Years later, I coined the phrase Meta-Age to create a movement. Meta, from Greek, means ‘beyond,’ symbolising transformative change. Meta-Age redefines ageing as a journey toward a healthier, longer life. It challenges traditional views of ageing as a decline and instead frames midlife as a time of Coherence, Purpose, and Significance.
This belief gave birth to Meta-Age, a movement that reimagines midlife as the start of a second life filled with running with purpose like the wildebeest. What was once an ill-defined idea is now an established Meta-Age movement for people who actively maintain their health, fostering overall well-being. We want to stay engaged, keep learning, and use optimism to create a positive cycle of better health and a youthful community of like-minded people.
Science supports the Meta-Age resistance to identifying as “old”; it is not about vanity. Studies have revealed that a person’s health is influenced by their attitude to ageing. Researchers Hannah Kuper and Sir Michael Marmot discovered in 2003 that those who identified as “old” earlier in life were more likely to have health issues like heart attacks six to nine years later. The Whitehall II study, which included more than 10,000 London civil personnel, produced this result.
The ideology behind Meta-Age is based on three foundational pillars designed as a guide through midlife:
- Coherence: Reflect on whether your life feels genuinely fulfilling. This phase encourages self-assessment, aligning choices with values, and laying the groundwork for new goals.
- Purpose: Prioritise health as a personal mission. Health-driven purpose builds resilience and motivates one to face life’s challenges.
- Significance: Live for something more splendid, develop empathy and self-awareness, and shape a meaningful legacy.
These pillars form a roadmap for midlife, empowering individuals to transform their lives from within. Meta-Age is not just about personal growth; it’s also about community. The digital Meta-Age publication is a dynamic hub of resources, from stories of transformation and scientific research to practical tools like workout videos, group meet-ups, and seminars that bring Coherence, Purpose, and Significance into daily practice.
Partnerships for Lifelong Wellness
Meta-Age promotes cross-generational wellness, unlike traditional ageing-focused movements. It unites people of all ages in a shared journey rather than isolating ageing. Our 2024 Super6 Kids Challenge exemplifies this, engaging 30,000 children in building resilience and health.
Another critical initiative is a partnership with the NHS on occupational wellness challenges, which will help staff incorporate more activity into their daily lives.
Innovative Fitness Programs: JUMPGA and KUN-AQUA
Meta-Age’s transformative midlife fitness philosophy is embodied in two unique programs: JUMPGA, a high-intensity yoga-fitness hybrid using a rebounder, and KUNAQUA a water-based practice merging yoga, Tai Chi, and martial arts. These programs build mobility, poise, and strength, proving that movement sustains youthfulness.
Each program includes 30 core exercises that can be practised solo or combined. Former middleweight champion Darren Barker became a world champion using Meta-Age principles, ditching traditional methods like skipping, sit-ups, running, and weightlifting. This demonstrates the true power of this revolutionary fitness approach.
A Retreat to Renew Purpose
Meta-Age retreats offer immersive experiences for those seeking transformation. These midlife transition programs use exercise as a metaphor for life and guide participants through a journey to reconnect with their aspirations and redefine what lies ahead. They provide a space to envision a purposeful next chapter.
The Meta-Age Legacy: The Holy Grail of Youthful Ageing
Meta-Age is more than a fitness regimen; it’s a movement redefining ageing. It invites people to step into midlife not as a winding down but as a powerful reawakening. As the movement grows, Meta-Age helps us rediscover our purpose, guiding us to live with Coherence, Purpose, and Significance to create a life beyond mere achievement or status.
