Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends

• #70 Dean Karnazes: Fighting Fit in His 60s, Running Ultras on Weekends, and Tracing the Marathon’s Roots in Greece

  Dean Karnazes has been called one of the fittest humans on the planet — and he’s not slowing down. In his 60s, he’s still running ultramarathons on the weekends, living part-time in Greece, and exploring the historical roots of endurance itself.In this episode, Dean takes us through:What running looks like for him todayWhy Greece has become his spiritual and physical homeThe true story of the marathon, told like only he canHow he stays mentally sharp and physically strong as he agesWhat keeps him motivated after decades of pushing limitsThis isn’t just a highlight reel of past races — it’s a deep dive into how to stay adventurous, purpose-driven, and physically capable for life.🔑 What You'll Learn:The real origin of the marathon and why it mattersDean’s mindset around aging, recovery, and staying “ultra”How he balances training, life, and longevity in his 60sHis take on mental blocks and how to push through themWhat’s changed (and what hasn’t) in ultra-running over the decades📬 Like this episode?Subscribe to the Ageless Athlete Newsletter on Substack for deeper stories, behind-the-scenes reflections, and performance tips from the podcast and beyond.📚 Amazing Books by Dean Karnazes:Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner - My favorite! A Runner's High: My Life in MotionThe Road to Sparta: Reliving the Ancient Battle and Epic Run That Inspired the World's Greatest Footrace50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days🎙️ Support the Show: Leave a quick rating or review in your podcast app — it’s the simplest way to support the show and help others discover Ageless Athlete.Physivantage offers supplements designed by outdoor athletes for recovery, hydration, and peak performance. If you're serious about reaching your goals, use code AGELESS15 at checkout for a special discount! https://physivantage.com/?ref=AGELESS15 If you've enjoyed the show, please hit 5 🌟 on Spotify or Apple or wherever you can leave a rating. It helps keep the show coming to you for free! 💜🟢 Spotify🎵Apple Music▶️ YouTube📸Instagram 💧Substack Blog

  --------  

  1:02:53
• #68 Aging Joints & Grateful Bodies: Elbows, Fingers, Sleep, and the Stories We Tell Ourselves

  Physiotherapist and coach Andy McVittie returns to the podcast for a deeper dive into the aging body — what breaks down, why it happens, and how to keep moving through it all.In this episode, we move from big-picture thinking to the specific joints and patterns that affect everyday athletes most: shoulders, elbows, fingers, and knees. Andy shares how to work around pain, when to push and when to pull back, and how aging athletes can train with purpose — not fear.We also explore unexpected territory: – Are sleep positions actually causing injury? – What’s the mental toll of chronic pain or long-term rehab? – How can we shift from frustration to gratitude when our bodies don’t move like they used to?Whether you’re an aging athlete, a weekend warrior, or just trying to stay active without breaking down, this one is packed with insights that go beyond rehab — and into how we relate to our bodies over time.🎧 What we cover:Bulletproofing shoulders, elbows, fingers, and kneesCommon mistakes in managing pain and recoveryWhy tendon issues don’t heal like muscle injuriesStrategies for staying active through discomfortThe surprising role of mindset and body gratitudeWhether sleep posture actually matters for pain📌 Guest: Andy McVittie Website: processphysiotherapy.co.uk Instagram: @process.physio Book: The Self-Rehabbed Climber – Available on AmazonPhysivantage offers supplements designed by outdoor athletes for recovery, hydration, and peak performance. If you're serious about reaching your goals, use code AGELESS15 at checkout for a special discount! https://physivantage.com/?ref=AGELESS15 If you've enjoyed the show, please hit 5 🌟 on Spotify or Apple or wherever you can leave a rating. It helps keep the show coming to you for free! 💜🟢 Spotify🎵Apple Music▶️ YouTube📸Instagram 💧Substack Blog

  --------  

  1:11:22
• #67 Jerry Moffatt’s Revelations: Dangerous Free Soloing Before It Was Cool, The Power of Obsession, Letting Go at Your Peak, and His Surprising Key to Success

  Dangerous Free Soloing Before It Was Cool, The Power of Obsession, and Letting Go at Your PeakIn this episode of Ageless Athlete, host Kush Khandelwal sits down with one of climbing’s most iconic and introspective figures—Jerry Moffatt.Long before climbing hit the Olympics or Netflix, before Honnold and El Cap, Jerry was free soloing bold routes in Britain, training with a laser-sharp mindset, and pioneering the life of a professional climber. By the age of 20, he’d conquered the hardest routes in the UK and the US—sometimes onsighting what took others days to figure out.But what truly sets him apart? He chose to walk away at his peak.🎙️ What We Cover in This Episode:Jerry’s early free solo ascents before anyone called it “free soloing”His unique mental training approach—using visualization and “pessimistic thinking” to perform under pressureHow obsession helped him reach the top—and when it became a burdenWhy he stepped away from professional climbing at 40, still at the top of his gameThe tools he now uses to stay grounded, sharp, and fulfilled—including meditationWhat his journey teaches all of us about chasing goals, managing ego, and aging with intention🧠 Top Takeaways:Mental rehearsal is a trainable skill—visualizing every move helps reduce stress and improve execution“Pessimistic thinking” can be a powerful tool—preparing for failure sharpens your readinessYou can step away at the top—if your identity isn’t solely tied to performanceJoy > grades—Jerry found deeper meaning in the experience of climbing, not just the results📚 Want to Dive Deeper into Jerry’s Story?Check out his two acclaimed books:📘 Revelations: Jerry Moffatt – his brutally honest and inspiring autobiography Buy on Amazon📗 Mastermind: Mental Training for Climbers – a practical guide to the mindset strategies that helped him excel Buy on Amazon💌 Join the Ageless Athlete NewsletterWant more stories like this—plus insights, tools, and behind-the-scenes drops? Sign up here: agelessathlete.coPhysivantage offers supplements designed by outdoor athletes for recovery, hydration, and peak performance. If you're serious about reaching your goals, use code AGELESS15 at checkout for a special discount! https://physivantage.com/?ref=AGELESS15 If you've enjoyed the show, please hit 5 🌟 on Spotify or Apple or wherever you can leave a rating. It helps keep the show coming to you for free! 💜🟢 Spotify🎵Apple Music▶️ YouTube📸Instagram 💧Substack Blog

  --------  

  1:36:24
• #66 Mastering Momentum: How Ned Overend Still Wins at 70, Avoids Injury, and Trains Like a Student of the Sport

  What does it take to stay at the top of your sport for over four decades—and still be competitive at 70?In this episode, we sit down with Ned Overend, the first-ever UCI Mountain Bike World Champion and six-time national champion, who’s still toeing the line with athletes half his age. But this isn’t just a story about biking—it’s about reinvention, smart training, and building a body and mindset that lasts.Ned takes us back to the early, chaotic days of mountain biking, shares what it was like to battle doping at the height of his career, and explains why he pivoted to triathlon—and found even more success. We dive into his uncoached training philosophy, his morning olive oil ritual, how he uses Strava (yes, he pays for it), and what recovery really means when you're trying to defy the typical aging curve.If you're an everyday athlete, a recreational rider, or just someone who’s tired of the “slow decline” narrative—this episode is a masterclass in staying curious, adapting with age, and competing on your own terms.🔑 Key Takeaways:Why Ned left mountain biking at his peak to compete in XTERRA triathlonsHow he trained without a coach and still dominated the world’s bestThe difference between training hard and training smart—especially after 50Why most people underestimate the importance of recovery, hydration, and fuelingSimple mobility and balance drills that improve performance and prevent injuryHow growing up in Ethiopia, Iran, and Taiwan shaped his mindset and adaptabilityWhy aging doesn’t mean decline—and the mindset shift to prove it🧰 Resources Mentioned:Joe Friel’s Fast After 50Strava (yes, Ned pays for it)XTERRA World Championships in MauiSpecialized BicyclesPhysivantage offers supplements designed by outdoor athletes for recovery, hydration, and peak performance. If you're serious about reaching your goals, use code AGELESS15 at checkout for a special discount! https://physivantage.com/?ref=AGELESS15 If you've enjoyed the show, please hit 5 🌟 on Spotify or Apple or wherever you can leave a rating. It helps keep the show coming to you for free! 💜🟢 Spotify🎵Apple Music▶️ YouTube📸Instagram 💧Substack Blog

  --------  

  1:49:52
• #65 The Movement Optimist: Knees, Shoulders, Elbows, Hips, Bulletproof Yourself! Never Late to Get Strong!

  Physiotherapist, coach, and lifelong climber Andy McVittie challenge the myths about aging and physical decline. Andy brings decades of hands-on experience, working with outdoor athletes and everyday movers who want to stay active, resilient, and injury-free well into their 40s, 50s, and beyond.We discuss why it’s never too late to get strong, how to prevent the aches and pains that cause many athletes to shrink their worlds, and why mindset matters just as much as mobility and muscle. This is an episode packed with insight, whether you’re a climber, cyclist, hiker, or someone who simply wants to move and feel better as the years go on.In this episode, we cover:Why most aging athletes quit too soon—and how to flip the narrative.The real science behind muscle loss, tendon issues, and joint pain after 40.How common injuries like knee pain or shoulder stiffness can be prevented or reversed.What "movement optimism" is—and how it can keep you active for life.The importance of whole-body strength, mobility, and staying mentally engaged in your sport.When it’s time to consider alternative therapies or medical interventions—and when simple strength work might be enough.About Andy McVittie:Andy is the founder of Process Physiotherapy, where he helps climbers, hikers, and everyday outdoor athletes stay injury-free and moving well. Based near the UK’s Lake District, Andy has over 30 years of climbing experience and nearly 20 years of coaching. In addition to treating athletes in person and remotely, Andy is also the author of The Self-Rehabbed Climber, a practical guide to managing climbing injuries with confidence.🧠 Learn more about Andy’s work: 🌐 Website: processphysiotherapy.co.uk 📘 Book: The Self-Rehabbed Climber – available on Amazon 📸 Follow Andy on Instagram: @process.physioPhysivantage offers supplements designed by outdoor athletes for recovery, hydration, and peak performance. If you're serious about reaching your goals, use code AGELESS15 at checkout for a special discount! https://physivantage.com/?ref=AGELESS15 If you've enjoyed the show, please hit 5 🌟 on Spotify or Apple or wherever you can leave a rating. It helps keep the show coming to you for free! 💜🟢 Spotify🎵Apple Music▶️ YouTube📸Instagram 💧Substack Blog

  --------  

  1:42:22

More Sports podcasts

Trending Sports podcasts

About Ageless Athlete - Longevity Insights From Adventure Sports Legends