I recently interviewed two ex-skydivers, very fit, who still train and work hard and enjoy hanging out with younger women and being parents. Find out how three former 60-year-old skydivers stay strong, overcome injuries, go out and even have kids. Listen to the attached audio clip and / or read the summary:

AS = Andy Slusarenko

DB = Doug Burgis

DS = Interviewer

GROWING

AS- I ate peanut butter sandwiches, hiked, swam, and played soccer in the rural areas of Vancouver Island. 12 years old, jumped and beaten by six boys. AS trained in judo and other martial arts. He was just a “white boy” in judo classes.

DB- Born in a small town. He loved the freedom of the outdoors. He moved to Vancouver and experienced a culture shock, like never before having seen a black or gay man. He lied about his age to join the army cadets and enjoyed camping and individual sports.

DS-Born at the Air Force base. Enjoyed outdoor and individual sports.

MILITARY

AS- He joined the army. He was the fittest guy in the battalion. Joined CAR.

DB- Joined the army, infantry and CAR (Canadian Airborne Regiment). In CAR, you were judged on your physical abilities. You never wanted to be left behind.

DS- After too many beatings, he joined the army reserves, then the regular army and trained in martial arts.

AT 60 YEARS

AS- The gift to yourself was a training challenge at the local gym.

DB- He gave himself “Birthday Training”. The bench press was better than my 20. Reverse Pullups: 6 sets of 8.

DS- Go up Grouse Mountain, take my girlfriend dancing.

WOUNDS

AS- Pain is different when I was a child. I had to fix a shoulder injury since I was 13 years old. Still he became a paratrooper and black belt in aikido.

DB- Always work around the injury. Older means more patience with injuries. Have the wisdom to know that I can “fix” the injury and get back in shape. Always keep training. If I can’t run, I jump, etc.

DS- If I injure my knee, I work on flexibility and upper body. The same goes for other parts of the body. Always keep moving.

ADVICE TO OTHERS

AS- It’s what YOU want from training. It is NOT what other people think. Accept challenges. You need a reason to get up in the morning. If you get hurt, just hold on and do it. During my Airborne reunion, a lot of guys were out of shape and overweight. Take on fitness challenges.

DB- You need to do something that increases adrenaline and testosterone. Life will give you what you need. Look for challenges. Leave some mystery in it. I’m going motorcycling in Baja, Mexico and I don’t have my logistics together yet. I would like to see more guys in better shape. Usually when I train, there are only four of us over 50 during kettle bell seminars. It should not be like that. There should be more people over 50 exercising. During my PPCLI infantry meeting, many former soldiers looked bad. They must be fit enough to play soccer.

DS- You have to have some kind of emotion, some kind of risk to give yourself that impulse.

RETIREMENT PLANS

AS- Get a boat and see friends from all over the world. The wind does not pay taxes and the water is free.

DB- Finish home renovations. I will do my adventure while I am retired, while my youngest partner continues to work