Newsletter 1: Aging by Design – A New Model for Longevity Success

?Let’s get straight to the point: The way we think about aging is outdated.

For decades, we've been operating under a model of retirement that was designed nearly 100 years ago—when life expectancy barely reached 60, and the idea of stepping away from work at 65 made sense. But today, with many living well into their 80s, 90s, and beyond, we need a new approach to aging—one based on intentionality, not default settings.

Most people are aging by default—reacting to changes as they come, rather than aging by design, where they take control of their health, finances, and purpose long before aging becomes a crisis.

The challenge? We haven’t upgraded our thinking. We’re living longer, yet we’re still using the same old playbook—one that leaves too many people unprepared for the realities (and opportunities) of longevity. What of you? Do you have a plan for intentionally (and successfully) living into at least your 90’s or more?

The solution? A shift in mindset, financial planning, and personal well-being to ensure that longer lives aren’t just lived, but thrived.

The Problem with Aging by Default

Let’s look at what happens when we age reactively rather than intentionally:

?? Retirement Planning Based on an Expired Model – The 65-and-done retirement formula leaves people financially and psychologically unprepared for 30+ years of post-work life.

?? The Healthspan-Lifespan Gap – In the U.S., people spend an average of 12.4 years in poor health at the end of their lives, instead of optimizing for longevity while still thriving.

?? Lack of Longevity Literacy – Many underestimate how long they will live, leading to financial shortfalls and missed opportunities to design a life that maximizes well-being and purpose. Who would willingly sign up for 12.4 years of chronic illness? How would improving longevity literacy change that?

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?? Societal Structures Haven’t Kept Up – We’ve built systems around aging that expect decline instead of expansion—which limits how we work, live, and contribute in later years.

Aging by default means waiting for problems to arise—a health crisis, financial shortfalls, social isolation—and reacting only when things become urgent.

But what if we flipped the script?

Aging by Design: A New Model for Longevity Success

Aging by design means taking control—long before you “need” to. It means designing a life strategy that makes longevity an asset, not a liability.

At its core, flourishing longevity is built around six key components:

1?? Mindset: How we think about aging determines how we experience it. Studies show that people who view aging positively live 7.5 years longer than those who don’t. Aging by design means embracing a growth-oriented, longevity-focused mindset.

2?? Physical Health: Movement isn’t optional—it’s essential. Strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular healthdetermine long-term mobility and independence.

3?? Metabolic Health: Insulin resistance and poor metabolic function accelerate aging faster than almost anything else. Controlling blood sugar, optimizing nutrition, and reducing inflammation extend both lifespan and healthspan.

4?? Purpose & Passion: People with a strong sense of purpose live longer, healthier lives. Aging by design means continuing to learn, contribute, and engage in meaningful ways at every stage of life.

5?? Social Community: Loneliness is as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Prioritizing relationships, intergenerational connections, and deep social networks is a key factor in thriving longevity.

6?? Financial Education & Fitness: Retirement planning is not enough. Longevity demands dynamic, evolving financial strategies that account for decades of growth, contribution, and financial security.

These six pillars are the foundation of aging well with intention, not defaulting into decline.

Flipping the Aging Script: A Real-World Example

A financial advisor I recently worked with was meeting with a long-time client—an accomplished businesswoman in her early 60s. She had followed the standard advice: maxed out retirement accounts, built a diversified portfolio, and planned to “wind down” work in a few years.

But when the advisor asked one simple question—“What does thriving look like to you in your 70s, 80s, and beyond?”—everything changed.

She paused. She had never been asked that before.

She had spent decades planning for retirement, but never once had she thought about how to design her longevity.

Instead of talking about withdrawal rates and estate planning, the conversation shifted to lifestyle design, purpose, and maintaining peak health.

By the end of the meeting, she had a new goal—not just saving for retirement, but investing in herself and her longevity. She restructured her financial plan to include health investments, explored new opportunities for professional and personal growth, and built a roadmap for thriving, not just surviving. “A lot more fun than having asset allocation conversations” was how the advisor described it.

This is the difference between reactive aging and intentional longevity planning.

A Call to Action: Shifting from Survival Mode to Thriving Mode

No matter your age, to age successfully, we have to change how we think about aging.

We need to move from aging by default to aging by design.

That means:

?? Asking better questions—not just “When do you want to retire?” but “How do you want to thrive in your 70s, 80s, and 90s?” ?? Planning for longevity, not just retirement—financially, socially, and physically. ?? Shaping environments that support long, healthy lives—in our workplaces, communities, and institutions.

Here’s the truth: Longevity is one of the greatest human achievements of our time.

But if we don’t upgrade our thinking, it becomes a liability instead of an opportunity.

Aging by design means making longevity an asset—one that enriches individuals, families, businesses, and society as a whole.

So, here’s the question:

What would change if you started planning for a 100-year life today—not just financially, but holistically?

Your next move: Start designing your longevity, not just your retirement.

Next Up in This Series:

?? Newsletter 2: The Longevity Mindset Shift – Why Your Beliefs About Aging Matter

Until then, think about this:

What if aging wasn’t something to fear—but something to design with intention? ??

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