Maggie White, age 85

What Maggie’s Story Can Teach Us About Aging

Hi Reader,

I recently watched the documentary Healing Humanity, and one woman’s story really stood out for me.

Maggie is a Canadian cattle rancher in her eighties who is still doing physically demanding work. Lifting, carrying, tending cattle, and getting on with the business of running a ranch.

Watching her, I thought: I want more women to see this.

We hear so much about what we’ll lose as we get older. Strength. Energy. Mobility. Independence. It can start to feel as though becoming increasingly fragile is simply what we should expect.

Then someone like Maggie comes along and expands the picture. She makes you stop and think to yourself, "Oh my God, I want that to be me, when I'm in my eighties."

Her strength has a purpose. There are animals to care for and work to be done. Using her body has been part of her everyday life for decades.

That’s what caught my attention as a coach: a lifetime of asking her muscles to keep working.

Maggie also describes eating a carnivore diet for more than 65 years. That’s a significant part of her personal story, and one I found fascinating. But her experience alone can’t tell us how much of her health comes from her food choices, physical work, genetics, or other circumstances. I'm sure it's a combination of all those variables.

What we do have good evidence for is the value of continuing to challenge our muscles as we age. Strength training can help older adults maintain or improve strength, mobility, and the ability to live independently.

For those of us navigating midlife and menopause, that matters right now.

Most of us aren’t moving cattle or carrying supplies around a ranch. We spend hours at desks, in meetings, or behind a steering wheel. We need to deliberately make room for the physical challenges that Maggie’s daily work provides.

That might mean learning to lift weights, have the ability to carry heavy groceries, taking the stairs, or practicing getting up from the floor.

Start with what you can do. Build from there. Give yourself opportunities to become more capable.

You can pursue those gains even if you manage a health condition or take medication. There are many ways to build a strong, meaningful, independent life.

Maggie reminded me to always keep my expectations open—to imagine a future that includes physical work, adventure, and confidence in my body.

When I picture myself in my eighties, I want to carry my own bags, deadlift more than my bodyweight, do pull-ups and continue to explore new places, and get down on the floor—and back up again without my hands.

Those are abilities worth investing in today.

Maggie’s story expanded my vision of what life at 85 could look like. I hope it does the same for you.

Many blessings to you for abundant health, happiness and wellbeing ~

Strong and Beautiful in Midlife!

Sharon

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