Do Not Tell Me You’re too Old

I was running on the treadmill the other day, when this badass woman caught my eye.

Badass? Yup, I’m not using this term lightly. Flo Meiler is about to regulate anyone who has ever used age as an excuse.

At 85-years old, this grandma is breaking records… and it’s not for baking cookies or spoiling her grandkids (though maybe she’s doing that, too). It’s for pole vaulting! Yup, you read that correctly. And better yet: she learned it in retirement, at 65-years old. If you think I’m joking, this is the Today Show clip I watched, in awe.

There are plenty of stories of women who remind you that it’s never too late and we are never too old. But sometimes we forget them, say they must have had a special connection, that they are the exception or that it could never be us. We say we aren’t good enough or we come up with another valid excuse for our inaction..

But let’s debunk this crazy because Flo started pole vaulting at 65, which means she’s now been doing it for nearly TWO DECADES! Even starting at 65, she has given herself the gift of nearly TWENTY YEARS of joy, happiness, health, and a reason to get up each morning.

Are you sitting here reading this, with that feeling in your gut that your time has passed you by? That you’re too old to start something new? That people might laugh or dismiss your joy or dream, or not get you?

If Flo can start freaking pole vault at 85, you my friend can do anything. I have a feeling she had some naysayers along the way, too.

I found myself thinking about about where her life might be now if she had let all limiting beliefs — from herself or others — get in the way of this destiny. Seriously, think where she might be.

This dream has not only given her renewed life, but has undoubtedly inspired many, myself included.

It is never too late and you are NEVER too old.

You talk to yourself more than anyone else does each day.

Why for so many of us do we speak to ourselves based on limits instead of based on potential? Why do we let your mindset go toward what has passed us by instead of what we still have time to accomplish?

I get that with age comes other stuff. Health stuff, bills, aging parents and family members, and all the non-fun adulting stuff.

I have stopped myself over the years from things I’ve really wanted to do for so many now lame reasons. If I’m being really honest, I was scared, scared of putting myself our there, of failure, of judgement, fear of what others might think of me, and fear that maybe I shouldn’t be making changes as I approach 40.

WHAT?! I tell my kids not to use the word dumb, but wow, that was incredible DUMB, limiting, waste-of-time thinking.

That said, I’d be lying if those voices don’t creep back in. But, they don’t consume me as they once did. That’s actually the beauty of age.

We are never, ever too old to start something new, to change course or to go after a big and bold dream.

Sure our skin might have a few more wrinkles than our younger selves, but our brain also benefits from decades of knowledge that these youngins cannot compete with.

We are so incredibly capable, and fiercely unstoppable, when we believe in ourselves.

So become an author, start a jewelry company, create a nonprofit, search for love, find a new hobby, dream a new dream, start working out or training for a race or a new sport, become a mentor, start saving for travel or anything else your heart has been wanting to do.

I can’t tell you what that it is; only you can do that.

But I can use Flo as a reminder that is absolutely never too late too start. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll agree that just about anything is easier than pole vaulting!

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