Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life
Health, Fitness & Longevity
About
For people who refuse to decline quietly. Conversations with top athletes, scientists, and thinkers who are still getting stronger, sharper, and more capable with age. What changes. What breaks. What actually works. Hosted by Kush Khandelwal — rock climber, athlete, and entrepreneur, a lifelong student of performance, and someone figuring this out in real time.
Episodes
- The Discipline of Not Dying — The One Rule That Kept Him Alive for 18 Years | Ed Viesturs, 66
This episode features Ed Viesturs, who shares his experiences from climbing all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks without supplemental oxygen. He discusses the discipline, patience, and judgment necessary for such an undertaking, includi…
- Still Getting Faster in his 60s — The Marginal Gains System | Greg Benning, 64
In this episode, 64-year-old masters single sculler Greg Benning discusses his approach to maintaining and improving performance in rowing. He shares his \"marginal gains system\" and practical strategies for longevity, covering topics suc…
- She Won the World’s Toughest Races — Then She Rebuilt From the Inside | Amelia Boone
Amelia Boone, a dominant obstacle racer, discusses her journey from intense competition to a focus on longevity. She shares insights on self-honesty, recovery, and how she re-evaluated her approach to training and health, including why she…
- Stop Waiting for the "Perfect" Season—You Pay This Price | Cedar Wright, 51
Cedar Wright, a professional climber and filmmaker, discusses an accident that changed his perspective on life. He shares insights on risk, maintaining capability, and leaving a legacy, emphasizing that "next year" is not guaranteed.
- How to Achieve Hard Goals — Doing What Nobody Had Done Before | Amy Gubser, 56
Amy Gubser, a nurse and endurance swimmer, discusses how to achieve difficult goals, including her swim from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Farallon Islands. She shares insights on patience, staying calm under pressure, and sustained effort…
- Don’t Try to “Fix” Your Shoulder Pain — Do This Instead | Dr Tyler Nelson
Dr. Tyler Nelson discusses managing overhead shoulder pain by building tolerance and managing volume, rather than seeking quick fixes. He advises scaling training, modifying activity rather than stopping, and progressing strength and range…
- Your Training Has to Adapt as You Age — Or You’ll Stall | Susan Hunt, 68
Susan Hunt, a 68-year-old endurance athlete, discusses the importance of reinvention and adapting training to maintain physical and mental capabilities throughout life. She shares her experiences with various extreme sports and emphasizes…
- 3 Things You Must Do Differently After 40 to Stay Strong and Agile | Jason Hardrath
Ultrarunner Jason Hardrath shares his approach to training, recovery, and nutrition after 40, focusing on long-term strength and agility for continued mountain exploration. He details his mindset shifts and key habits for building a sustai…
- Why Some People Stay Capable Into Their 70s — And Others Don’t | Jack Tackle, 72
This episode features American alpinist Jack Tackle, 72, who shares insights on resilience, identity, and consistency. After contracting Guillain-Barré syndrome in 2001, which impacted his ability to walk, Tackle continued to climb and gui…
- Long Game: 10 Rules for People Who Refuse to Decline With Age (2026 Edition)
This episode of Ageless Athlete outlines 10 rules for maintaining long-term athletic performance, emphasizing durability and foundational practices over trends. It covers topics like longevity medicine, novelty, nutrition, muscle health, d…
- Most People Avoid This Feeling — But It’s Where Growth Happens (271 Days Alone at Sea) | Jerome Rand
Jerome Rand shares his experience of spending 271 days alone at sea, highlighting how confronting discomfort, rather than avoiding it, is essential for growth. The conversation delves into the psychological effects of prolonged solitude an…
- Running a Marathon in North Korea — What Freedom Actually Feels Like | Johan Nylander
Johan Nylander recounts his experience running the Pyongyang Marathon in North Korea at age 52, discussing the unique sensation of movement within a highly controlled environment and how endurance running helped him rebuild after burnout,…
- How People Learn to Keep Going: Best of Ageless Athlete 2025 (Part II)
This episode compiles highlights from 2025 Ageless Athlete interviews, focusing on how athletes navigate uncertainty and prioritize simplicity, judgment, and restraint over force. It features insights from Sonnie Trotter, Judi Oyama, Andy…
- Your Knees, Ankles, and Hips Are Ready for a Second Act — How Modern Science Can Help You
This episode of Ageless Athlete features orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kevin Stone discussing advancements in joint repair and regeneration, offering alternatives to joint replacement for athletes over 40. They explore modern orthopedic approache…
- He Stopped Taking Supplements at 62 — And Got Fitter | David Green (Ran Across Europe)
David Green discusses his experiment of stopping supplements at age 62, which led to improved fitness, clarity, and the ability to run across Europe. He emphasizes trusting one's body and simplifying training over external aids.
- How Athletes Adapt Over Time: Best of Ageless Athlete 2025 (Part I)
This compilation features clips from the first half of 2025 on Ageless Athlete, showcasing how athletes across different sports adapt their training, movement, and mindset over time. It includes segments on endurance running, climbing, pad…
- Why Stopping Is More Dangerous Than Slowing Down — Buzz Burrell at 70+
Buzz Burrell, a pioneer in endurance sports, shares insights on why consistency is crucial for athletes over 60, framing it as a survival strategy rather than mere motivation. He explains how aging impacts recovery and strength, making lay…
- Long Game: Why Most People Get Food Wrong — What Top Athletes Do Differently
This episode explores how elite athletes build simple, repeatable food defaults, finding that consistency and environment are more crucial than novelty or willpower for lasting performance, particularly as individuals age.
- She Started at 60 — And Built a Bold New Life | Deborah Hammett
Deborah Hammett began sailing at age 60, later moved onto a boat, and now sails solo. This episode discusses embracing new beginnings in later life, dealing with challenges like engine trouble at sea, and viewing aging as a continuous lear…
- Stay Strong Into Your 70s — Lessons From Five Decades on the World’s Highest Mountains | Steve Swenson, 73
Steve Swenson, a 73-year-old alpinist, discusses how to maintain strength, endurance, and capability throughout the aging process. The conversation covers his experiences on the world's highest mountains and his approach to training, injur…
- Why Some People Stay Sharp as They Age — And Why Most Don’t | Dr Tommy Wood
This Ageless Athlete episode with Dr. Tommy Wood explores cognitive reserve, explaining that the brain thrives on challenge, learning, and effort, not comfort or flow states. It covers how exercise, novelty, and diversified identity contri…
- Getting Stronger in My 40s Isn’t What You Think — Here’s What Changed | Kush Khandelwal
This episode, originally a guest spot on the Adventure Sports Podcast, discusses the realities of aging for everyday athletes. It covers adapting outdoor sports, shifting relationships with activities, maintaining motivation, the importanc…
- Still Climbing at 66 — What Russ Clune Changed to Keep Performing
In this episode, climber Russ Clune shares stories from his five-decade career, including competing in Cold War Russia and the early days of American climbing in the Shawangunks. He also discusses longevity in climbing at age 66, focusing…
- How Harvey Lewis Recovers After 5 Days of Nonstop Running — Injury, Sleep, and What Breaks First
Harvey Lewis discusses his recovery process after running 466 miles in five days at Big Dog's Backyard Ultra, detailing his injuries, healing tools like sleep and sauna, and the mindset shifts that aided his recovery.
- “You’ll Never Run Again.” At 70, Loree Bolin Reversed Her Arthritis, And Finished Her 11th Ironman
At 70, Loree Bolin completed her 11th Ironman after battling knee osteoarthritis. She transitioned from dentistry to humanitarian work, establishing a nonprofit in Tanzania focused on medical care, education, and support for girls and wido…
- Aging, Injury, and the Comeback Mindset — Best of Q3 2025
This episode features curated highlights from Ageless Athlete's Q3 2025, showcasing stories of quiet courage from athletes like Sonnie Trotter, Judi Oyama, and others who demonstrate resilience in the face of aging, injury, and uncertainty.
- At 77, He Still Chases Big Waves — Why Curiosity Beats Comfort as You Age | Jock Sutherland
Legendary surfer Jock Sutherland shares insights on his life, covering experiences with psychedelics, surfing Pipeline, and his practices for maintaining curiosity and vitality in his 70s. He discusses lessons learned from injury, reinvent…
- Stronger for Life: The 5 Strength Markers That Matter Most After 40
Dan John, with over 60 years of experience, outlines essential rules for maintaining strength and mobility throughout life, emphasizing movement, lifting, walking, and recovery. The episode discusses training for longevity, fundamental mov…
- She Walked Away From a “Safe” Life — And Never Looked Back | Kitty Calhoun, 65
Professional climber Kitty Calhoun discusses her experiences breaking gender barriers in mountaineering, her journey of living a minimalist life, and her perspectives on longevity and purpose at age 65.
- Most People Get This Wrong About Protein — Simplify Your Nutrition (Rebroadcast)
EC Synkowski discusses a practical approach to nutrition, simplifying fueling for performance, recovery, and longevity. She covers the 800-Gram Challenge and the importance of protein intake, emphasizing consistency over restriction.
- Crossing the English Channel at 59 — The Mental Game When Your Body Wants Out | Charlotte Brynn
Charlotte Brynn, at 59, shares her journey of swimming punishing channels like the English Channel, detailing her five failures before a successful sixth attempt. The episode explores the mental game, resilience, and finding strength beyon…
- At 56, He’s Still Choosing the Unknown — A Life Beyond Limits | Erik Weihenmayer
At 56, adventurer Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind person to summit Mount Everest, shares his philosophy on embracing the unknown and maintaining curiosity as he ages. He discusses how experiences like climbing in the Bugaboos and kayakin…
- Winning in Their 70s — What Most Athletes Learn Too Late | Doug & Joan, 75
Joan and Doug, both 75, discuss aging curiously, training smarter, and building a life of meaning together. They share personal stories of overcoming challenges and redefining themselves through activities like open water swimming and ultr…
- Going All In — Reverse-Engineer the Goals You Will Risk Everything For | Sonnie Trotter
This episode features Canadian climber Sonnie Trotter discussing his philosophy on pursuing ambitious goals, emphasizing conviction, desire, and reverse-engineering objectives. He shares personal stories about balancing risk with family an…
- Sixteen Knee Surgeries — And a Return to Skiing When It Should’ve Been Over
Chris Anthony discusses enduring 16 knee surgeries and returning to skiing, detailing his comeback process, experiences filming ski films, and his current work with the Chris Anthony Youth Initiative Project.
- What It Costs to Live Boldly — Partnerships, Sacrifice, and Risk at 82 | Jim Donini
Legendary alpinist Jim Donini, 82, shares reflections on the partnerships, sacrifices, and risks involved in pursuing bold objectives. He discusses lessons learned from climbing globally and facing illness with honesty and optimism, explor…
- At 82, He Still Chooses the Hardest Path — A Life Where Survival Is Never Guaranteed | Jim Donini
Alpinist Jim Donini, 82, shares his philosophy on seeking the hardest climbs and facing adversity, including a cancer diagnosis. He emphasizes resilience and finding meaning in the challenges faced, both on and off the mountain.
- Whales, Bears, and the Will to Return — Lessons in Survival From Two Solo Voyages Through Alaska
Susan Marie Conrad recounts her solo 1,200-mile kayaking expeditions through Alaska at ages 49 and 61, detailing the challenges, personal growth, and observed environmental shifts.
- From Teenage Rebel to World Champion at 65 — How She Keeps Winning | Judi Oyama, 65
Judi Oyama, a 65-year-old World Champion slalom skateboarder, shares her journey from a teenage rebel to a decorated athlete. She discusses the evolution of women in skateboarding, her longevity toolkit including CrossFit and nutrition, an…
- The Movement Optimist Returns: Strong Hips, Stable Ankles, Happy Feet—Extending Performance and Moving Without Fear | Andy McVittie
In this episode, physiotherapist Andy McVittie discusses the importance of hips, ankles, and feet for lifelong movement and performance. He covers self-tests, injury prevention, recovery strategies, and building a sustainable maintenance p…
- The Lifelong Pursuit of What Matters Most - Best of Q2, 2025
This episode features a collection of impactful conversations from Q2 2025, focusing on resilience, identity, aging, and the drive for exploration. It includes stories from athletes like Sarah Thomas, Bob Becker, Bianca Valenti, and others…
- The Deep End: Cold Oceans, the Edge of the Map, and the Mind’s Breaking Point | Andy Donaldson
Andy Donaldson shares his experiences with extreme open water swimming, detailing a challenging 15-hour Molokai Channel swim that resulted in hospitalization. He explores the physical and psychological aspects of endurance, mental preparat…
- The Comeback: From Accountant to the Pinnacle of Open Water Swimming | Andy Donaldson
This episode details swimmer Andy Donaldson's journey away from elite competition due to burnout, his experiences in unrelated careers, and his gradual, purposeful return to swimming which led to a significant victory.
- He Sailed to the Dawn Wall — Why Values Make Hard Goals Deeper | Seb Berthe
This episode features Seb Berthe discussing his experience pursuing a big-wall climbing objective with a constraint of no flying, which led to sailing across oceans and living simply. The conversation explores how chosen constraints can de…
- When a World Champion’s Body Betrayed Her — And What Came Next | Jamie Whitmore
This episode features endurance athlete Jamie Whitmore, discussing her experience losing her athletic identity and rebuilding it after physical challenges. It covers her journey through training with a disability, the importance of movemen…
- Lexicon, Boldness, and the Long Game — Training Smarter and Peaking Later | Neil Gresham
Neil Gresham shares his experience developing and climbing the E11 route Lexicon later in life, detailing the training, nutrition, and mindset shifts that allowed him to reach new physical peaks after 45. The episode explores adapting to a…
- From Olympian to Freeskiing Pioneer — How One Woman Rebuilt Her Identity | Wendy Fisher
Wendy Fisher, a former Olympian, discusses her journey of leaving elite ski racing due to burnout and identity struggles. She shares how she transitioned into pioneering freeskiing, finding new forms of self-expression and valuable lessons…
- When the Consequences Are Final - Climbing a Death Route at 74 | Rob Matheson
Rob Matheson, at 74, shares his experience climbing a dangerous UK sea cliff route. The conversation explores how to remain bold with age by understanding risk, prioritizing judgment over strength, and the nuances of fear, danger, mentorsh…
- Racing Strong at 73 - Daily Rituals For Recovery, Energy, and Clarity | Bob Babbitt, 73
Bob Babbitt, a 73-year-old athlete and co-founder of Competitor magazine, discusses his approach to staying strong and capable throughout life. He shares insights on daily rituals for recovery, energy, and clarity, highlighting the importa…
- What One Impossible Swim Can Teach You About Identity, Grit, and Starting Over | Sarah Thomas
Sarah Thomas shares her experience of completing a four-way English Channel swim after battling breast cancer. She discusses rebuilding identity, the role of movement in healing, and lessons in resilience and starting over.