Mike K, 65
Worrier, empathetic, loyal
“ Look after yourself, as no one else is going to do it for you. Educate yourself as to how to do this, from a physical, mental and financial perspective. If more people looked after themselves better, the world would be a nicer place.”
✨ Twinsight: Mike has a lifelong commitment to fitness, he nurtures his curiosity, and has discovered his path for continual productivity — what a formula for a vibrant and fulfilling life! We love that Mike embarked on a journey to graduate school in his 60s and emerged as the program's oldest graduate. It's a testament to the timeless truth that it's never too late to pursue your dreams and achieve remarkable feats.
Just caught reference of your ageism movement – good on you!
I’d be happy to chat with anyone about the topic. For whatever it’s worth, after some 40 year’s in Sports/ Fitness, training and certifying Personal Trainers, I found something to be missing, so I went back to school, becoming Queen’s oldest Psych graduate during Spring 2020. From that, I created a Fitness Psychology course I’ve been running for the last year and hope to continue doing so, for many more years to come. As I’m fortunate to be fit, the only thing that makes me feel older than 20 year olds I train, is collecting my OAS cheque each month & the inevitable onslaught of grey hair LOL.
As for retirement, what’s that?
How old are you and how are you feeling about that?
A: 65 (for the next 15 years or so). As to how I feel about this age, well, I’ve had a great life so far and as the body’s cell structure has a theoretical 125 yr capability, I’ve just passed the halfway mark. I certainly don’t feel old, although, working in the fitness sector has motivated me to stay fit and healthy.
Three words that describe you.
A: Worrier, Empathetic, Loyal
What’s the one life lesson that you wish you had figured out earlier?
A: To have not wasted so much time on worrying about things beyond my control (still working on that).
Proudest accomplishment?
A: Being happily married for over 35 years and raising our daughter to be a successful and productive member of society. Business wise, helping others in fitness and bringing invention ideas to fruition, to help people. As part of my active lifestyle, I’m an avid cyclist and a current invention, a bicycle helmet mirror system that eliminates blind spots as the rider changes height positions, has just been approved for its first U.S. patent. I’m getting ready to run a crowd funding campaign to bring it to market (as I’ve never raised money that way previously for ideas, so thought I’d give it a try). Of course, I’m also open to the more traditional forms of investment, so should anyone reading this be interested, please don’t hesitate to contact me. My main drive is to get the product to market, to improve bicycling safety and thus, overall enjoyment of riding.
What’s the worst part about aging and what’s the best?
A: Seeing family and friends decline and ultimately, pass away. As for the best thing, other than going through life with my wife of 35+ yrs (soul mate) and watching our daughter navigate life, I think increased wisdom (making mistakes and hopefully learning from them over time).
Mike’s business addresses a common issue that many experience relating to exercise.
Have you experienced ageism?
A: Not that I’m aware of. I’m lucky not to really look my age, so being the brunt of ageism is not as applicable (but I’m sure it will come at some point).
What’s your message to the world?
A: Look after yourself, as no one else is going to do it for you. Educate yourself as to how to do this, from a physical, mental and financial perspective. If more people looked after themselves better, the world would be a nicer place.
Was there something you learned the hard way?
A: Stressing about things, beyond my control has wasted a lot of brain energy that might have been used for something more productive. As for failures, certainly I’ve had several, but without them, how could anyone be where they currently are in life (in my case, a good place).
What were your "hiccups" or challenges along the way?
A: Being an entrepreneur at any age is always challenging, but when you create new innovations (courses and or inventions in my case), it adds to the challenges.
What’s next for you? What does your future self look like?
A: As I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, the sky is the limit – in the interim, I continue to teach others how to attain & maintain better health & fitness throughout life. If all goes according to plan, continued good health and fitness for myself and my family for many years.
Tell us about your work?
A: Regarding my Fitness Psychology course, I originally undertook getting my Psych degree from Queen’s to fill in some blanks. For decades prior, I had trained everyone from World Class to your average Jane/Joe and although they reached whatever level of fitness they had sought, for some, that only stayed with them while I was training them, e.g., some people would stop training with me after reaching goals or be relocated etc. Given I taught them properly, why would that be the case? It dawned on me that it had more to do with how the brain operates. All through my Queen’s journey, I sought out extra information that focused on what drives humans to do what they do (or don’t do). Ultimately, after graduation and a years worth of work, I created an accredited course that first identifies the hurdles that prevent many from attaining/maintaining good health & fitness and then, tools to help people deal with such challenges. Currently the Live Virtual course (in addition to one pre-recorded module) has achieved consistent 5-Star Google Reviews.
What sparks your joy these days?
A: Maintaining a sense of purpose and keeping productive. I continue to train people, in addition to teaching a course via Zoom that I developed over a year ago – it’s called “Why People Hate Exercising – The Psychology, Everyone Needs to Know” (https://wemeanfitness.com/services/certification-and-courses/). In addition to that, I continue to invent, as mentioned previously.
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