Is there really life after 60? Many elderly achievers are defying their age on a regular basis, and proving that they are not over the hill, but in fact just beginning another lease of life. Breaking through stereotypes regarding age and health obstacles, they are proving you’re never too old to make your mark. Record makers and record breakers in the over 60 age range are plentiful, inspiring and showing every day that it is never too late for an old dog to learn new tricks.

Think your too old, to swim the English Channel? George Burnstad from the USA was 70 years old when in 2004 he became the oldest man to claim that accomplishment; followed in 2007, by the oldest female, Linda Ashmore from the UK, who accomplished the same feat just 2 months shy of her 61st birthday.

The English Channel Image Credit

Want to climb Mt. Everest? Nepalese man Min Bahadur Sherchan reached the top of the 29,035-foot summit just a month away from his 77th birthday.

Mount Everest Image Credit

Too tired to walk? Eula Weaver started walking after a heart attack at age 83.She became the oldest person at age 85 to win the foot race at the 1974 Senior Olympics. Even though she had no competition, she still at the age of 90, continues to hold the record for the 1500 meter walk.

Seniour Olympic Gold Medal Image Source

If golf is your sport of choice, consider Henry George Miller, who made the Guinness Book of World Records at the age of 93 by sinking a hole-in-one at the 11th hole at a golf course in Anaheim, CA. He started golfing in his late 50′s and is still golfing today at the age of 102.

Golf Club Against Ball Image Credit

You don’t have to be a record breaker (yet), but you can always be a record maker! Have fun with your hobbies explore them and you may end up climbing mountains and exploring nature like Finis Mitchell aged 77 who has conquered 251 peaks in western Wyoming. Not only did he photograph and name hundreds of mountains, glaciers, and lakes, in the Wind River Mountains, but also authored the inspired book, Wind River Trails.

Mitchell Peak Sign Image Credit

Dancing queen 77-year-old Corinne Leslie became so consumed by all the energy she saw in older women, she formed Leslie’s Pompom Squad. The squad is composed of elderly woman who, just like their younger peers, cheer lead, energize the crowd and dance to music. Leslie herself has been known to stand on her head while another elderly dancer, Foofie Harlan, performs splits, hand stands, and cartwheels, which always cause standing ovations.

Pom Poms Image Credit

Then there’s Wally Lattimer, who at age 98 is just slowing down. He rises at 6 am and works a 12-hour day as a farmer, philosopher, and traveler. He lives alone outside Lyons, Kans., farming 40 acres of wheat and an 11-acre garden and claims to avoid sickness due to hard work and a steady schedule.

Some of these inspiring folks have had health obstacles to overcome, some had physical limitations, and others just decided that age was just a number and life didn’t have to stop once you hit 60. In fact, the wisdom of life experience combined with the emotional intelligence that life brings, has undoubtedly helped them to make more critical decisions and become closer to self-actualization, or personal enlightenment.

Eldery Adventurers was a guest editorial provided on behalf of Hotel Club; find hotels in Hong Kong and start your own adventure.

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