Author: joejohnson100

  • We Need to Redefine What It Means to be 70

    This is an excerpt for an eBook I put together about We Need to Redefine What it Means to be 70

    Prologue

    “I’m just old; I used to work out when I was younger.” I get it—life happens, and priorities shift. 

    But if you’re reading this, it’s likely because you’ve decided to take control of your health and wellness. Maybe you’ve realized that the advice you’re getting from your doctor—or others offering unsolicited, biased opinions—doesn’t fully align with what you need to make informed decisions about your health.

    In the US, our Traditional medical advice often skips over recommendations like heavy weightlifting, intense metabolic conditioning, or sprinting instead of slow cardio. And the idea of exploring regenerative medicine, stem cell therapy, or other integrative treatments? That’s probably not even on their radar—largely because it falls outside the scope of their medical group or the biopharmaceutical partnerships they rely on. It’s not necessarily their fault; it’s the system they operate within.

    The truth is, you can take steps to increase strength, control inflammation, and manage pain without relying on a box full of medications. You can regain mobility and eliminate pain without surgery or harmful cortisone shots. It’s not easy—it takes effort, commitment, and research—but it’s absolutely possible. I’ve done it myself, and I’m stronger and healthier now than I was a decade ago.

    I feel like my mission is to educate and empower individuals about Reaching to Achieve the limits we’ve been lead to believe about aging. I want people to understand that we can be stronger than expected. I want others to understand the transformative benefits of available Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy, regenerative treatments, and innovative wellness protocols. I want to assist to connect clients with ethical, highly-trained clinics, ensuring they have access to the best possible care to achieve their health and longevity goals.

    Regenerative medicine, stem cell therapy, and integrative treatments aren’t new—they’ve been successfully practiced around the world for decades. Unfortunately, they’ve been less accessible in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean they’re out of reach. Now is the time to explore these options and take charge of your health and future.

    1.Achieving optimal health at 70+

    I’m not a doctor.

    What I share here is based purely on my personal experiences—what has worked for me and what I’ve observed working for others. Whether it’s workout routines, supplements, stem cell protocols, or anti-aging strategies, these are things I’ve either experimented with myself or seen firsthand in others.

    Over the past year, I have undergone three systemic IV treatments with Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), using varying dosages ranging from 40 million to 80 million cells. I didn’t have any specific pain or issues that needed addressing at the time. However, based on what I had learned, I saw this as an opportunity to proactively address aging-related issues and stem cell depletion, replacing these cells before encountering the common problems many people my age face.

    My oncologist advised against it, albeit without providing a substantive explanation, instead offering baseless accusations. Despite this, I plan to continue these “Wellness IVs” on a six-month schedule. These treatments are not akin to steroids or drugs—they don’t produce a euphoric high or grant superhuman physical abilities. What I have experienced, however, are tangible health benefits: improved blood counts, lowered blood pressure, reduced inflammation, and the ability to remain active and train at the level I desire.

    The one thing I can say about my personal journey to remain healthy and extremely active is at 71,  “I don’t have pain and I’m stronger than I was 10 years ago”.

    About four years ago, I had a wake-up call. I realized that no one was truly invested in curing my blood cancer, prioritizing my well-being, or providing solutions to enhance my future health without potentially causing harm through costly and ineffective medications or procedures. The medical system felt broken—a sham. I found myself seeking advice from doctors who weren’t even taking care of their own health. That’s when I decided to take control of my journey.

    Since then, I’ve explored labs, collaborated with clinics, read books and articles, and connected with individuals across the country. I’ve asked countless questions and experimented extensively—biohacking my way to uncover what genuinely works for longevity, wellness, and a better quality of life for me. While some supplements and therapies I’ve encountered have been overhyped or outright nonsense, others have real merit and are worth exploring.

    Let me be clear: I’m not here to give advice. These are my personal opinions, shared with the hope of encouraging others to question the status quo. Don’t take advice solely because someone holds the title of MD or because a biopharmaceutical company promotes it—we know they often don’t have our best interests at heart.

    We live in an age where information is readily available. Yes, it takes effort to sift through it all, but isn’t your health and well-being worth the time and effort?

    I just want to be healthy and truly enjoy life. To take on new challenges, compete in sports, and create unforgettable memories.

    I believe it’s time to redefine what it means to be 70 years old—and I’m determined to do just that.

    When it comes to maintaining optimal health as we age, two key factors stand out: Overall Physical Strength and Controlling Inflammation. These are essential starting points for any serious conversation about redefining life after 65. While they might not be the easiest or most affordable areas to address, they’re often overlooked in favor of quick fixes like medications, surgeries, or supplements. However, these shortcuts can’t replace the fundamental need to address the root causes of aging-related challenges like weight management, joint health, and chronic pain.

    We all dream of staying active—gardening, golfing, walking the dog, or playing with our grandkids. But I believe we’re capable of even more. I want to compete in new sports, embrace a vibrant lifestyle, and share extraordinary experiences with exceptional people. My goal is to make the next 20 years an adventure, filled with incredible stories worth telling.

    Achieving this requires effort and dedication. But here’s the good news: we have the time, we can prioritize the resources, and there’s nothing to lose except our health if we don’t act.

    Remember, you can have excuses or results—but not both. The choice is ours.

    “I believe it’s time to redefine what it means to be 70 years old—and I’m determined to do just that.” 

  • Achieving Top 1% Fitness After 70: A Personal Journey

    I’ve been immersed in extreme fitness and competition since the 1970s, with a lifelong passion for adventure racing, cycling, ultra running, and endurance sports. What draws me most to these pursuits isn’t just the competition itself but the incredible communities of people who constantly push their limits. While I’ve rarely competed at the elite level, I’ve been fortunate to connect with some of the best athletes in the world, often walking away with not just admiration but genuine friendships.

    I’ve had the privilege of being on race teams and training , both from and alongside Navy SEALs, Army Delta operators, world-class adventure racers, top ultra runners, elite tactical athletes, and some of the toughest rugby players in the world. These men and women, striving to reach the top 1% of their sport or mission, inspire me endlessly. They embody unwavering dedication, testing their limits daily, reaching to achieve in their pursuit of excellence and personal growth.

    Why am I writing this, and who cares? Honestly, I’m writing this mostly for myself. Lately, I’ve been dedicating a lot of time to understanding longevity, anti-aging, and managing the challenges of blood cancer. There’s been plenty of buzz about celebrities spending hundreds of thousands—sometimes millions—of dollars to fight aging. I don’t have that kind of budget, but I’ve found methods that work for me and deliver real results.

    I often get asked what I do to maintain my health and stay competitive, so I decided to put it all out here. My hope is that others striving to be in the top 1% will find value in this, learn something new, and maybe even share fresh ideas, protocols, or competitions I haven’t discovered yet. This is as much about learning and growing as it is about sharing my journey.

    I want to be able to say, to myself,  I’m in the Top 1%!

    To be in the top 1% of men over 70 in terms of fitness, you’d need to demonstrate exceptional strength, endurance, flexibility, and overall health for your age.

    Here’s a breakdown of what that might look like, based on benchmarks from research on age-related fitness levels, athletic performance data, and healthy aging standards:

    1. Cardiovascular Endurance (VO2 Max)

    • Top 1% Benchmark: 35+ mL/kg/min
    • Comparable to: A highly trained endurance athlete in their 70s
    • Test Example: 1.5-mile run or cycling test
    • Goal: Completing a 5K in under 28 minutes is considered elite for men over 70.

    2. Strength (Lifts & Bodyweight Exercises)

    Bench Press

    • Top 1% Benchmark: 1.2x bodyweight
    • Example: A 170 lb man benching 200+ lbs

    Squat

    • Top 1% Benchmark: 1.5x bodyweight
    • Example: A 170 lb man squatting 255+ lbs

    Deadlift

    • Top 1% Benchmark: 2x bodyweight
    • Example: A 170 lb man deadlifting 340 lbs

    Bodyweight Exercises (Push-Ups & Pull-Ups)

    • Push-Ups: 40+ in one set
    • Pull-Ups: 10+ in one set

    3. Flexibility & Mobility

    • Touching toes with straight legs
    • Deep squat without pain or assistance
    • Overhead shoulder flexibility (arms straight above head)

    4. Balance

    • Single-leg balance: Hold for 45+ seconds on each leg
    • Walking heel-to-toe in a straight line for 30 feet without wobbling

    5. Body Composition

    • Top 1% Body Fat Percentage: 10-15%
    • Healthy BMI Range: 21-24

    6. Functional Strength Tests

    • Chair Stand Test: 20+ chair stands in 30 seconds
    • Timed Up and Go Test: Under 8 seconds
    • Grip Strength: 50+ kg (110 lbs)

    As I continue my journey to achieve and surpass the top 1% fitness level for men over 70 in 2025, my goal is to demonstrate that age is no barrier to pushing boundaries and living at peak fitness, health, and wellness. Turning 70+ isn’t a limitation—it’s an opportunity to redefine what’s possible.

    I’m eager to embrace new challenges, connect with inspiring individuals, and stay excited about the road ahead. Along the way, I hope to engage with like-minded people to exchange ideas, discover new approaches, and explore innovative paths for growth. Together, we can uncover natural ways to heal, boost vitality, and break free from the limitations the status quo places on high achievers.

    If this resonates with you, I encourage you to reach out and share your own ideas and successes. Let’s inspire more people to see that life truly begins anew when we commit to taking care of ourselves, aiming higher, and living at the level we’re capable of achieving. The best is yet to come!