How many times have you heard about an older person doing extraordinary things, despite their great age? In recent weeks the story of the 100-year-old war veteran, Captain Tom Moore, has captivated millions, for his marathon fund raising efforts in the UK. Walking lengths in his garden he has raised more than £30m for the National Health Service, during the Covid-19 crisis. He is amazing. In this episode of the Live Long and Master Aging podcast we explore the lives of amazing people through the eyes of Dr. Noelle Nelson, a California-based psychologist, author of Happy, Healthy...Dead and collector of eye-opening stories through her Facebook page, Meet the Amazings. What are the common traits of older people who live their lives to the full, almost to the end? 

In this interview we cover:

• Aspiring to be to be happy, healthy, dead. 
• The lives of the very old - ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
• Compressed morbidity - reducing the time it takes for the final exit. 
• Why most of Dr. Nelson's longevity achievers are not famous.
• Joining the dots and connecting the common traits of people who reach a great age. 
• Positivity or optimism: Why it is a major predictor of happy healthy longevity.
• A passion: From growing tomatoes to looking at the stars
• A purpose: Sharing knowledge or the joy of competing - in ballroom dancing. 
• Physicality: Walking, climbing, dancing - how exercise has been shown to improve mind and body functioning. 
• The power of always looking forward. 
• The value of friends - or “anchors" - to get through life’s tough times. 
• Dealign with losing everything in one of California’s wildfires. 
• The value of please and thank you and self appreciation. 
• Exploring science-based lifestyle interventions to live better.

Editor’s note: This episode of the LLAMA podcast was recorded in Camarillo, California, on February 27th, 2020, three weeks before the state became the first in the U.S. to issue a stay at home order due to the coronavirus.

The Live Long and Master Aging podcast shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.  

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The Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice.  If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.