INSIDE THE FIRST ANNUAL GROWING BOLDER AWARDS
REBRANDING AGING®
WRESTLER’S JOURNEY FROM HEEL TO HERO 94-YEAR-OLD SWIMMING CHAMP MAKES A SPLASH
BEACH BOY HUNTS GOOD VIBRATIONS The Controversial Mike Love Tells His Side of the Story About the Legendary Band.
CONTENTS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
MEET THE
LOVE HATE
YOU PROBABLY
DEPARTMENTS 6 | GROWING BOLDER WITH ...
12 | ROAD TO RECOVERY On racing, bonding and high-performance healthcare. By Marc Middleton
7 | THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH ® Lessons from a 73-year-old powerlifting champ. By Bill Shafer
14 | ROCK STARS OF AGING ® For a 94-year-old swimmer, the rewards are personal. By Marc Middleton
8 | 5 QUESTIONS Think it’s too hard to go vegan? Maybe you should think again. By Jackie Carlin
30 | THE TAKEAWAY Why we must embrace — not bemoan — the coming of midlife. Marianne Williamson
5 | FROM THE EDITOR
PHOTO BY UDO SPREITZENBARTH
16
10 | GROWING BOLDER FINANCIAL INSTITUTE Don’t let longevity become something you dread. By Jeannette Bajalia 11 | NEVER TOO LATE How a former pro wrestler became a hero in real life. By Bill Shafer ®
4 GROWING BOLDER
SPECIAL SECTION BOOMTIME FOR BOOMERS Builders pull out all the stops to attract discerning 55-plus buyers.
Good vibrations? He’s the Beach Boy many fans view as a villain. But at 75, Mike Love finally gets around to telling his story. BY MARC MIDDLETON
FEATURES 22 | BOLD MOVE The first annual Growing Bolder Awards celebrate the power and possibility of aging. Let’s meet the winners! 28 | MY CRAZY COLORFUL DREAM How I found artistic inspiration — and a spiritual home — in magical Sedona. By Elizabeth St. Hilaire INSIDE THE FIRST ANNUAL GROWING BOLDER AWARDS
REBRANDING AGING®
WRESTLER’S JOURNEY FROM HEEL TO HERO 94-YEAR-OLD SWIMMING CHAMP MAKES A SPLASH
BEACH BOY HUNTS GOOD VIBRATIONS The Controversial Mike Love Tells His Side of the Story About the Legendary Band.
ON THE COVER: Mike Love. Photo by Udo Spreitzenbarth JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
FROM THE EDITOR
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Marc Middleton MANAGING EDITOR Jackie Carlin ASSOCIATE EDITORS Katy Widrick, Bill Shafer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Robert Masson, M.D., Elizabeth St. Hilaire ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY Matthew Rolston, Udo Spreitzenbarth, Larry Oskin DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION Jason Morrow, Pat Narciso, Josh Doolittle, Mike Nanus DIRECTOR OF CIRCULATION Jill Middleton
407-406-5910 One Purlieu Place, Suite 139 Winter Park, FL 32792 GrowingBolderMagazine.com All editorial content copyright 2017 by Bolder Broadcasting Inc. Growing Bolder is a registered trademark of Bolder Broadcasting Inc. Nothing may be reprinted in part or in whole without written permission from Bolder Broadcasting Inc.
PUBLISHED IN ASSOCIATION WITH
FLORIDA HOME MEDIA GROUP PUBLISHER Randy Noles
FOUR TAKEAWAYS FOR THE NEW YEAR
W
elcome to a New Year! No matter what your age, this year is as precious and priceless and filled with opportunity as any year that you’ve ever lived. For some strange and tragic reason, we as a culture have come to devalue the later years in our lives. But even as we age and our bodies begin to weaken, our spirit, wisdom, creativity, curiosity, compassion and capacity to learn and to experience love and joy grows stronger and stronger. A new year is a gift that we should be grateful for, proud to achieve and anxious to celebrate. Resolve to live boldly and to not withdraw from life, but to lean into it. Make a commitment to embrace opportunity and to always move forward while never forgetting to give back. At the recent Growing Bolder Awards, I left the audience with four takeaways for the New Year. Combined, these are the pathway forward. Incorporating them into your daily life can help ensure that the rest of your life is the best of your life. 1. Say “Yes.” This is the mantra of our friend and colleague Wendy Chioji. Life is about living. As we age, saying “no” leads to isolation. Saying “yes” leads to new adventures, new relationships and new experiences. 2. Start Prehabbing. This is the mantra of our friend and Growing Bolder Medical Director Dr. Robert Masson. It’s a given that we’ll all encounter physical setbacks as we age. Prehabbing is the path to a faster and more extreme recovery, to active longevity — and it positions us to be able to say “yes” when opportunity arises.
ART DIRECTOR Carolyn Edmunds
3. Get a Posse. Friends keep friends alive. Numerous studies have proved that as we age, low social interaction is more harmful to our health than smoking, alcoholism or obesity.
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Harry Wessel
4. Be Optimistic. We’ve all won the mega life lotto. Of the 117 billion people born since the beginning of time, fewer than 3 billion have lived with a life expectancy greater than 50 years, and a daily income greater than $2.50. We’re all in that group! This is the greatest time in the history of mankind to be over 50, or 60, or 80, or 100!
Florida Home Media’s Family of Publications: THE OVIEDO-AREA BOOM SPACE-AGE HOME TECHNOLOGY
HOMEBUYER ORLANDO FLORIDA
BEST NEW-HOME MAGAZINE WINNER SINCE 2004
artsLife
FALL 2016
Inside the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016 2016 thefloridahomebuyer.com thefloridahomebuyer.com
PRINCELY WILLIAM
The kitchen in the William model at Black Lake Preserve in Winter Garden.
WINTER 2017 | $3.99
WPM_WIN17_COV1.indd 1
SPECIAL ISSUE: CLYDE BUTCHER AT MEAD BOTANICAL GARDEN
400 NEW HOMES READY NOW
In Print and Online
Royal Oak Homes’ Most Spacious Model. Model
NEW-HOME LISTINGS SPONSORED BY:
TRUSTCO BANK Your Home Town Bank R
A DAZZLING NEW SEASON
THE BIGGEST HITS ON BROADWAY ARE HEADED TO ORLANDO.
MEDICAL CITY UPDATE
Our annual look at what’s new in and around Lake Nona.
SCHOOL’S IN • ALVIN AILEY • AMOUR’S INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTARS
12/16/16 12:23 PM
407-647-0225 2700 Westhall Lane, Suite 220 Maitland, FL 32751 GROWINGBOLDERMAGAZINE.COM
Marc Middleton, Editor-in-Chief marcmiddleton@growingbolder.com GROWING BOLDER 5
5 QUESTIONS Kathy Freston advocates a vegan diet, but she recommends making the transition gradually.
TRY ‘CROWDING OUT’ ANIMAL PRODUCTS Think it’s too hard to go vegan? Maybe you should think again. BY JACKIE CARLIN
8 GROWING BOLDER
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
KATHY FRESTON
is a health and wellness expert and the New York Times best-selling author of The Lean, Veganist and Quantum Wellness. Her writing has appeared in Vanity Fair, Self and Harper’s Bazaar, and she’s a regular contributor to the Huffington Post. She’s also a favorite guest on national TV shows such as Oprah, Good Morning America and Ellen. In fact, Ellen DeGeneres, who famously became a vegan several years ago, calls Freston her “vegan health guru.” In her latest book, Freston says she wants to help demystify veganism for the “vegan curious.” In The Book of Veganish: The Ultimate Guide to Easing into a Plant-Based, Cruelty-Free, Awesomely Delicious Way to Eat with 70 Easy Recipes Anyone Can Make, she offers a simple, transitional plan for going vegan. For starters, can you tell us how you define vegan? And what do you mean by “veganish?”
To be vegan means you avoid all animal products. Not only are you avoiding meat and fish, but also milk, cheese, butter and eggs. When I first heard that I was like, “Oh my gosh, there’s no way I could do that!” And that’s why I really like the term “veganish” because you don’t have to be 100 percent. You can be someone who’s interested in moving away from eating animals — but you’re not committed to giving up your favorite cheese fries or the occasional burger. You can lean toward a primarily plant-based diet. What do you think is the biggest misconceptions people have about adopting a vegan diet? What keeps us from taking that step?
It sounds so hard and restrictive. If you’re anything like me, you grew up eating chicken, barbeque ribs, burgers and steaks. The idea of giving up all those comfortable, familiar foods is really scary. When I first dipped my toe into this idea, I thought I’d just try some new recipes. I’d order a little differently at restaurants, and try more ethnic cuisine, such as Thai and Mexican, both of which feature a lot of plant-based foods like beans, tofu, rice and vegetables. Then you realize it’s not that hard. If you start crowding out animal foods instead of cutting them out, then you have a better experience. It’s more of an adventure. I’m a big believer in doing it gradually, hence GROWINGBOLDERMAGAZINE.COM
the “ish” on The Book of Veganish. I’m all about the “ish!” We hear about veganism almost daily. Doctors and longevity experts all extol the many benefits of a plantbased diet. What’s the primary motivation driving people to veganism? Is it overall health? A fear of diseases like cancer? A concern for animals?
You hit on two really important things, and research shows that they’re equally important. Probably half the people are interested because of health. They’ve been told by their doctors that they need to reduce their cholesterol and lose weight or else they’ll have issues with Type 2 diabetes. The other half is aware that animal cruelty exists in a big way in slaughterhouses and factory farms, and they want to avoid eating too much meat for that reason. And are others considering a vegan diet out of concern for the environment?
Absolutely. That an issue that no one was really aware of for a long time. Even environmental organizations weren’t speaking about it. About 10 years ago, the United Nations did a study called Livestock’s Long Shadow. The report cited issues such as water pollution from factory farm runoff, and water scarcity from supplying water to animals on factory farms. It also highlighted our new monoculture, which means we’re experiencing a loss
of biodiversity because of all the corn and soy that’s grown for animals. For all those reasons, environmental organizations are taking notice of animal agriculture now. I think the younger generation, in particular, is saying “You know what, we need to cut back on meat for the environment, for the animals and for our own health.” We all know we should adopt healthier eating habits like this, but getting started is always the hard part. What happened in your life that made you do it — and how tough was the transition?
I was writing books on meditation and how to be more aware in relationships. And one day I realized what a hypocrite I was. I was advising people to be more awake and aware, and yet I never paused to consider where my food comes from. The reason is because it’s hard to look at. You really don’t want to know where that hot dog came from. And you really don’t really want to know what it does to your body, because it’s so damn enjoyable! Plus I’m a big animal lover. I love my dogs, and dogs are no different than chickens or lambs or cows or any other animal. If I wouldn’t want my dogs to go through that horrific process, then I probably should move away from eating chicken and beef. It’s a connecting of the dots that had to happen for me.
GB EXTRA Visit GrowingBolderMagazine.com to listen to our Growing Bolder Radio conversation with Kathy Freston and learn more about her transition to eating “veganish.” She’ll also share some of her favorite and easy-tofollow recipes from the book. GROWING BOLDER 9
Mike Love (center) and the current incarnation of the Beach Boys.
MEET THE
LOVE HATE YOU PROBABLY
16 G R O W I N G B O L D E R
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
PHOTO BY UDO SPREITZENBARTH
Good Vibrations? He’s the Beach Boy Many Fans View as a Villain. But at 75, Mike Love Finally Gets Around to Telling His Story. BY MARC MIDDLETON
GROWINGBOLDERMAGAZINE.COM
G R O W I N G B O L D E R 17
Bold Move THE BOLDYSâ„¢ CELEBRATE THE POWER AND THE POSSIBILITY OF AGING.
Marc Middleton, founder and CEO of Growing Bolder, addresses the crowd at Full Sail Live during the first annual Growing Bolder Awards. 22 G R O W I N G B O L D E R
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
T
he first annual Allegro Presents the says Marc Middleton, Growing Bolder founder and Central Florida Growing Bolder Awards CEO. “We wanted this to be the antithesis of any sered-carpet ceremony and breakfast was nior awards show, ever. We wanted to surprise everyrecently held at Full Sail Live on the camone the moment they walked in — and we needed a pus of Full Sail University in Winter Park, venue like Full Sail Live that would reflect the energy Florida — and the response was overof Growing Bolder.” whelmingly positive. Middleton adds that Full Sail’s executive leaderJust ask Mary Ann Kinser from the Celebration ship team, as well as its faculty, staff and students, Foundation, a sponsor of two awards. “Over my life“are a highly talented group of people who immeditime, my husband and I have been to hundreds of ately understood and embraced our vision.” awards ceremonies,” she says. “This was the best I’ve The ceremony officially began when 63-year-old ever attended.” Dave Mikeal walked onto the stage unannounced, Amy O’Rourke, president of The Cameron picked up an electric guitar and launched into a Group agrees: “This was the most inspirational, posdynamic rock and roll riff, further sending the mesThe coveted Boldy™ Award. itive comment on aging that I have been to, ever.” sage that this was going to be a production unlike The “Boldys™” honor the power and possibility any other. of aging by shining the spotlight on older adults who are pursuing During the event, 18 Boldy™ winners were announced and introtheir passions and living lives of purpose — while making a differ- duced by Middleton, and then briefly interviewed at their table by ence in the lives of others. Shafer. Every winner left the audience with words of wisdom. “We’re honoring men and women who are valuable but underval“It’s always possible to reinvent yourself,” said recipient Will ued members of their community,” says Growing Bolder Executive Newkirk, who started an award-winning career as a playwright afVice President Bill Shafer. “They’re smashing stereotypes and leading ter retiring in his late 60s. “Don’t believe you are who you were at by example; showing all of us that a life of significance doesn’t end at 50 or 40 or 30.” 70 or 80 or 90.” Dr. Loretta Ford, an iconic pioneer in the field of nursing who In addition to celebrating the honorees’ varied contributions to still writes, travels, consults and gives speeches at the age of 96, said, their communities, the Growing Bolder Awards raise awareness “I want people to understand that the culture of health is more imabout the lifesaving and underfunded services provided by nonprofit portant than the culture of treatment — and that’s what nurses are organizations such as the Senior Resource Alliance, the Central Flor- involved in.” ida beneficiary of the inaugural ceremony. Carl Daugherty, a 71-year-old who returned to skydiving just “I was blown away,” says Randall Hunt, CEO of the Senior weeks after having his lower leg amputated, offered the poetic secret Resource Alliance. “This was better than what you see on TV at to his amazing recovery: “The fire of desire is the exponential multithe Oscars.” plier that sends your spirits every higher.” “It was amazing,” adds Diana Silvey of the Winter Park Health Allegro, one of America’s top developers of inspired senior living Foundation, a co-producer of the event. “The feedback from peo- communities, was the title sponsor of the Growing Bolder Awards. ple in the room has been so positive. They’re already talking about “Allegro is all about inspiring vibrant senior living, and today I was next year.” inspired,” said Kim Smith, a lead senior-living advisor at Allegro. “We’re gratified by the response,” says Growing Bolder Executive “What I take away is the realization that we can look to our seniors Producer Jackie Carlin. “We knew we could produce a great event, for empowering those around us. It’s not always coming from the but the biggest thing we wanted to accomplish was for everyone to providers of senior living. The seniors can actually get out there and leave with a special feeling. I think that’s what we did today.” be the landmark for Growing Bolder.” The awards committee, consisting of representatives from the In addition to honoring local winners, the first-ever international Senior Resource Alliance, the Winter Park Health Foundation and Boldy™ was awarded. The Growing Bolder International Inspiration Growing Bolder, had the difficult task of selecting Boldy™ winners Award, presented by Home Care Assistance, won by to 88-year-old from a large number of entries. political activist Marilyn Matia from Solon, Ohio. All were notified in advance and every one attended the ceremony, “We’re creating a national version of the Boldys™ in 2017, and this including 102-year-old Roselio Muniz. “They were all surprised by award was the first step,” says Middleton. “What we’re trying to do is the staging and the production, and very grateful for the attention inspire the world, community by community, about what’s possible that they so richly deserve,” says Growing Bolder Executive Producer as we age so we all quit viewing aging as a disease and realize it’s an Katy Widrick. “The recognition not only shows them that what they amazing opportunity.” do matters, it encourages other seniors to get involved — and reThat’s why Growing Bolder exists, Middleton adds. “We’re Reminds us all that there’s no age limit on making a difference.” branding Aging®,” he says. “We’re deprogramming the world from The first award was a special Spirit of Collaboration award, pre- the insidious cult of youth. The Boldys™ are a great extension of that sented to Full Sail University Vice President Jay Noble. message. The Growing Bolder team of producers knocked it out of “On a daily basis, Full Sail works to inspire those who are looking the park, and deserve all the credit for creating an event that we think ahead to their career,” Noble told the crowd. “Each and every one of can be a true game changer.” you looks ahead, every single day. That inspires us. We’re very proud He named Shafer, Carlin and Widrick as well as Jason Morrow, to be able to host this event on our campus.” Michael Nanus, Jill Middleton, Pat Narciso and Joshua Doolittle as “We’re so blessed to have the partnership of Full Sail University,” crucial to the event’s success.
GROWINGBOLDERMAGAZINE.COM
G R O W I N G B O L D E R 23