Joe Mullich Isn't Too Old to Go Off Path: This is Where it Takes Him (and Friends)

On getting it done as we age, and as we battle things that could, but don’t, defeat us

Dear Reader: this is a comment that Joe left on a recent article. I liked it so much I asked permission to repeat it. Here it is, with a few notes from me.

Joe writes:

I am 64 and I just climbed Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the lower 48, with a friend who is much younger. However, two days before our hike she was on chemo for breast cancer, and two weeks after our hike she was scheduled for surgery for a related issue. She talked about how her medical issues had caused her to lose her ego about her looks. I wrote about (it in) my last article on my own Substack. Note, please see that article here:

Quiet Heroics on America’s Highest Peak

In my view, there is a big difference between caring how society views us and how we view ourselves. Aging is inevitable. It is ridiculous and pointless to worry that you look different at age 60 than at age 20. The issue becomes if you use that as an excuse to not exercise or eat well or do the things that can keep you feeling as healthy as you can be.

One of the people who joined us on the climb was 72. You wouldn't look at her and think she was a model. But so what, she was in great shape, and able to use her body to do the things she wanted. (author bolded)

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Short, sweet, to the point and immensely powerful. Pass it on. I love stories like this, for we don’t hear enough about everyday folks dealing with difficult news but who go out and do brave things anyway. So many of us are dealing with significant challenges.

Our version of hiking up Mt. Whitney might be just getting to the grocery store. The last couple of years, my version of doing a second Kilimanjaro summit was getting back on my feet again and walking. Maybe not running, just walking.

The way I see it, let’s give ourselves credit for taking on the hard things. Not all of us are motivated to do this kind of trip. For someone recovering from major surgery, someone dealing with a debilitating disease, someone getting out of a terrible relationship, their mountain is completely different, but big enough.

What’s my excuse? I don’t have one. My feet hurt, my body aches, but like my knee doctor said to me yesterday, “you can do things that 99% of my clients can’t even dream about.”

So: to myself: Stop complaining. Start doing. I’m already planning my next trips. Time is moving, and if I’m not, life will by god leave me behind. If I wait for stuff to stop hurting, I’ll be in my next life as a llama before I am on the mountains again.

I recommend seeing what else Joe has to say. He sure has my attention, and a great deal of respect. Thanks for sharing stories to move us to move beyond fear, limitation, doubt and “too old” as an excuse.

Let’s play.

Photo by Ross Stone on Unsplash

Thanks for hanging with me, and thanks to Joe for allowing me to quote him. If this intrigued or moved you please consider

If you know someone in need of inspiration, please also consider