Ageless & Fabulous Health Strategies
Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt
for Gay Men in Their 20s, 30s, 40s & 50s
Whether you’re twirling through your 20s, strutting in your 30s, living your best 40s, or slaying into your 50s and beyond, one thing is universal: your health matters. And in the LGBTQ+ community—where style, self-expression, and connection often go hand-in-hand— staying in top shape physically, mentally, and yes, aesthetically, is more than vanity. It’s about longevity, resilience, and loving the body (and mind) you’re in.
Your 20s: Building the Foundation
� Don’t skip check-ups. Get tested regularly for STIs, including HIV. Talk to your doctor about PrEP if it’s right for you.
Mental Health
Your 20s are often a time of discovery—of your identity, your career, your chosen family, and sometimes your go-to drag brunch spot. It’s also when you can set habits that will carry you for life.
Skincare
� Seek balance. Partying is fun, but don’t underestimate rest and recovery.
� Build your support network. Friends who celebrate you—and call you out when needed—are priceless.
� Start SPF now. Sunscreen isn’t just for Fire Island weekends—it’s your year-round anti-aging secret weapon.
� Keep it simple. A gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF are your holy trinity. Introduce a vitamin C serum if you’re feeling extra.
Physical Health
Your 30s: Refining the Routine
� Make fitness a habit. Whether it’s the gym, swimming, dancing, or aerial silks, find movement you enjoy. Your metabolism is fast now—use it to build strength and stamina.
Your 30s often bring more stability—but also more responsibilities. Stress can creep in, metabolism can slow, and your skin might start whispering, “Hey, remember your 20s?”
Skincare
� Upgrade your regimen. Introduce retinol to boost cell turnover and fight early fine lines.
� Moisturize like it’s your job. Hydration keeps skin plump and glowing.
Physical Health
Mental Health
� Prioritize strength training. Muscle mass naturally starts to decline, so resistance workouts help keep you toned and boost metabolism.
� Check your mindset. Midlife isn’t a crisis—it’s an opportunity to deepen relationships and pursue passions.
� Watch your numbers. Keep tabs on cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar—these metrics start to matter more.
Mental Health
� Community counts. Mentor younger queer folks, volunteer, or get involved in causes you care about.
� Manage stress proactively. Yoga, therapy, or even a solid group chat can help.
Your 40s: Longevity Mode Activated
� Stay connected to joy. Hobbies, creative outlets, and travel keep life feeling vibrant.
In your 40s, you’ve got life experience, confidence, and maybe a bit of wisdom. This is when investing in your health really pays dividends.
Skincare
� Double down on treatments. Professional facials, chemical peels, or even light resurfacing treatments can help with texture and sun damage.
� Neck and hands matter. Extend your skincare beyond your face— these areas show age quickly.
Physical Health
� Cardio + strength = gold. Heart health becomes more important, so pair resistance training with regular aerobic exercise.
� Flexibility & mobility. Yoga, Pilates, or stretching help prevent injuries and keep you moving freely.
Your 50s & Beyond: Thriving, Not Just Surviving
Skincare
Health Is Sexy
By your 50s, you know yourself—and hopefully love yourself—better than ever. The focus now is on vitality, prevention, and celebrating the body you’ve lived in all these years.
Across all ages, three truths remain:
� Stay consistent. Hydration, sun protection, and targeted treatments (like peptides) keep skin healthy and luminous.
1. Sleep is sacred. It’s the unsung hero of good skin, a strong immune system, and a sharp mind.
Physical Health
� Go professional if you want. There’s no shame in Botox, fillers, or other cosmetic options—just work with a qualified pro who understands subtlety.
2. Nutrition fuels everything. A colorful, balanced diet (yes, with the occasional pizza) supports every system in your body.
3. Pride is powerful. Loving yourself, celebrating your community, and showing up authentically may be the most potent health booster of all.
� Keep moving daily. Low-impact cardio (swimming, walking, cycling) supports joints while keeping the heart strong.
� Bone health matters. Weightbearing exercises and calciumrich foods are your allies.
Mental Health
� Guard against isolation. Social connections are as important for longevity as diet and exercise.
Your health journey doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be yours. Whether you’re just starting to figure out your skincare routine, upping your gym game, or redefining what self-care means in your life, remember: being gay isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving, dancing, loving, and living fully at every age.
� Embrace the joy of mentorship. Sharing your experiences can be life-changing for someone else—and for you.
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What Sick Fish Can Teach Us About Human Health
By Dr. Zachary LaVigne, B.S., D.C.
Walk into any pet store and find a large tank full of tropical fish. Now, imagine that almost every fish inside it looks sick. They’re sluggish, maybe gasping near the surface, maybe even floating sideways. You wouldn’t assume each fish had a personal defect. You’d look at the tank itself. Maybe the filter isn’t working. Maybe the pH is off. Maybe someone forgot to clean it last week.
This is exactly how we should be thinking about human health.
In the last hundred years, we’ve been taught to see genes as all-powerful. We’ve been told they are the blueprints for our lives, dictating everything from the shape of our nose to whether we’ll get cancer. But newer research, especially in the field of epigenetics, paints a more complex picture. Yes, genes matter. But they are only part of the story. The environment surrounding those genes decides which ones get used.
A gene is like a book sitting on a shelf in a vast library. Just because the book is there doesn’t mean it will ever be pulled down and read. Something or someone needs to decide to open it. In your body, that “something” is often your environment. What you eat, how you sleep, the stress you carry, the people you surround yourself with, and even how much time you spend outdoors all affect which genes are switched on and which ones are left untouched.
Let’s go back to the fish tank. If the water is dirty, filled with the wrong nutrients, or chemically out of balance, even the healthiest fish will get sick. You could try to treat them individually, dosing one fish at a time, but nothing will improve until the water is changed. It’s the same with humans. You can try all the pills, diets, or quick fixes you want, but if you don’t address the environment your body lives in, your symptoms are likely to keep returning.
This doesn’t mean your genes are irrelevant. It means they are responsive. They are listening to the world around you and adapting accordingly. Suppose your world is full of noise, artificial light, processed food, disconnection, and chronic stress. In that case, your genes will express themselves differently than if your world includes real food, meaningful connections, daily movement, sunlight, and restorative sleep.
This is where things get interesting. Your DNA doesn’t change from one day to the next, but the way your body reads and responds to that DNA does. That is the essence of epigenetics. It’s the study of how lifestyle and environment influence gene expression. Some genes promote healing, strength, and balance. Others contribute to inflammation, fatigue, or disease. Your daily choices have the power to push the dial in one direction or the other.
Even more fascinating is that these changes don’t stop with you. Some epigenetic changes can be passed down through generations. The way your grandparents lived can affect how your genes behave. And in turn, the way you live may influence your future children and grandchildren. This doesn’t mean we need to live in fear. It means we get to participate in the story of our health more actively than we’ve been taught.
If you’re feeling stuck, inflamed, exhausted, or like something is off, pause and take a look at your tank. What are you surrounding yourself with? What kind of messages is your body receiving every day? Instead of blaming your genes, check your environment.
Clean the tank, and the fish get better. You will too.
Photos by: Russ Youngblood
Photos by: Mason Ward Photography
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Photos by: Russ Youngblood
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I’m not a snob, I just don’t like shi y things.
The crime rate in Washington DC is at its lowest in decades. The crime rate in the White House is at its highest level in centuries.
(Me after repeating the same behaviors that have failed me for years) That should do the trick!
Liking sports is great because youʼll have a bad day, and then there your team comes to make it worse.
I’m neither a top nor a bottom. I’m more of a burden.
I don’t feel bad for my man when I act crazy anymore. He chose this life.
I really be going into work, making everyone laugh for 8 hours, then leave.
I was meant to be rich. I can tell by the way I spend money.
DoxyPEP
