29 Apr 2025
By Marcus Pearce
Welcome to perhaps the most underrated and misunderstood ingredient for living an exceptional life. Whilst most people are feeling guilty or making excuses for not exercising, the longest-lived people around the world are actually…not exercising.
The following excerpt from Your Exceptional Life - which PSK members can receive the ebook and audiobook for free here - shows us that movement, not exercise is key.
“To live longer; move more.”
– Dr Walter Bortz
For the Exceptionals who are exercising – from the 70, 80 and 90-year-old world record holders to your overactive, mid-week tennis-playing, garden-loving next door neighbour whose kids just wish “would slow down” – they are moving in ways they love, rather than exercising because they ‘should’. They’re dancing, swimming, running, playing football, doing yoga, tai chi, horse-riding, cycling, lifting weights, surfing, and so on because they love to, not because they have to. For The Exceptionals, movement is a lifestyle choice. For everyone else, movement is a lifestyle chore.
The truth is that less than 20% of the population is sufficiently physically active, and it’s causing havoc around the planet. It’s even suggested that more than 40% of all dementia would disappear if we moved regularly, and many cancers, diabetes and heart disease all list a lack of movement as a major risk factor.
So what does it take to become an Exceptional? Firstly, if ‘exercise’ feels like a dirty word, replacing it with ‘movement’ is key. Secondly, know that moving your body becomes more important the older you get. And finally, moving regularly in ways that you love may go a long way to preventing an undignified death.
Enjoy the modern world of technology and at the same time prioritise the time-honoured movements such as gardening or going for a walk to get some fresh air. Exercise because you love to, not because your friend has lost more weight than you.
To ascend from mediocre to magnificent movement, the responsibility is yours and yours alone, and thankfully there are inspirational mentors to help you make it happen. It gives me great pleasure to introduce you to the world of exceptional movers and shakers.
Transform from Exercise to Movement
“People were so excited, I couldn’t get out the front door.” An 84-year-old nun was sharing with me how she had become a celebrity in the triathlon world and now everyone wanted a piece of her. “I’m thinking, ‘What about the professionals?’ They are working their butts off and they aren’t getting the publicity they deserve. They deserve the pictures on the front page every day. Instead, it’s me, this little old lady getting all of the attention.”
This little old lady was Sister Madonna Buder, a Roman Catholic nun from Spokane, Washington. Buder had just become the oldest woman in history to complete an Ironman Triathlon when she crossed the line at the 2012 Ironman Canada in under 17 hours. Her rise to fame included becoming a Nike ambassador with her very own television advertisement and being inducted into the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame.
Jan Smith (b. 1944) became the oldest Australian woman to scale Mount Everest when she reached the summit the day after her 68th birthday. The Melbourne grandmother and psychologist started mountaineering when she was 65 and has scaled six of the Seven Peaks – the seven highest mountains in the seven continents on the planet.
Accountant Don Riddington (b. 1944), who began swimming when he was 50, became the oldest Australian to cross the English Channel when he conquered the treacherous route at age 68 in 2013.
Nonagenarian Heather Lee (b. 1927) is the world’s fastest walker in her age group. Medical doctor Walter Bortz (b. 1930) has completed over 40 marathons. He celebrated his 80th birthday by running the Boston Marathon in 2010. Jack LaLanne (1914–2011), a self-confessed childhood “sugarholic”, became host of the first health and fitness television program The Jack LaLanne Show. On his 70th birthday, he swam for one mile tied to 70 boats.
You’re never too old to do anything. Whatever excuses you or others have, there are countless Exceptionals who have done what society says cannot or should not be done. Not one Exceptional has ever bought into the belief of being too old. Whilst their legs may not be as fast, their mind remains more willing than ever. The Exceptionals do not need to be shaken out of bed to go exercise. It isn’t a grind. They exercise because they love to. For The Exceptionals, exercise is not a lifestyle chore; it’s a lifestyle choice.
Marcus Pearce is a longevity and life design strategist and the author of Your Exceptional Life. He hosts the podcast 100 Not Out: Mastering The Art of Ageing Well, and each year takes small groups to the European Blue Zones of Ikaria and Sardinia.
As for all things relating to your health speak with your GP or a relevant medical professional. For all your financial health contact PSK on (02) 8365 8300 or visit psk.com.au
General Advice Warning - Any advice included in this article has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on the advice, you should consider whether it’s appropriate to you, in light of your objectives, financial situation or needs.
