Introducing: The Inspiring Seniors Series

When was the last time you thought of aging as an advantage, not a detriment?

There’s no getting around it – there’s an ageism problem in our nation.

Imagine this: an individual who is 30+ years younger than you refers to you as “young lady” or “young man.” In an effort to compliment you, that individual is unconsciously assuming that old equals bad, while young equals good. That assertion in itself is hurtful, and suddenly an attempt at a compliment feels like an insult.

We live in a day and age where people are more commonly defining older individuals by their age – not their personality, individuality, or beliefs.

There’s a lot of debate about how our world suddenly became so ageist – since when was age associated with negativity?

First and foremost, the language of today revolves around escaping age somehow. When was the last time you saw an ad campaign for anti-aging skincare? The phrase itself – anti-aging – perpetuates that young is good, and old is bad.

When was the last time you saw an old villain who was cranky and decrepit? When was the last time you picked up a birthday card with the message that getting older stinks?

Not only is ageism potent throughout our culture, but it also reeks in the workplace. Forced retirement, age caps, and flat-out age discrimination is extremely common.

In fact, just last year (2017), Texas Roadhouse paid $12 million to settle an age discrimination lawsuit for denying front-of-house positions to people ages 40+.

In 2014, a 66-year-old man, Bobby Dean Nickel, who worked at Staples won $26 million in an age discrimination lawsuit.

After years of being the butt of office jokes, being referred to as an “old goat,” and eventually refusing to resign and being fired, Nickel took his issue to the court and won.

According to an AARP survey, 19% of respondents said they weren’t hired because of their age, 12% said they missed a promotion because of age, and 8% said they were laid off or fired because of age.

Age discrimination alone makes up more than 1 in 5 cases received by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Ageism is everywhere.

That’s why we decided to interview 29 individuals over the age of 60 who are doing incredible things.

We explore their lives and uncover the inspiring advantages of aging, the debate about retirement, and the incredible adventures each and every one of these individuals has welcomed into their lives.

Getting older doesn’t have to be a disadvantage.

In fact, age can be a catalyst for greatness.

Join us over the next 7 weeks, as we discover the stories behind these 29 individuals.

This is Inspiring Seniors.

Sandra LaMorgese photo credits: Josefina Hunter, http://www.josefinaphoto.com

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Other Posts in this Series

• Introducing: The Inspiring Seniors Series
• 84-Year-Old Pat Boone on The Gold Label, Shark Tank, Aging, and the Future | Inspiring Seniors, Part 1
• Becoming a Model at 61 & Reuniting with a Long Lost Love at 68 | Inspiring Seniors, Part 2
• Getting a Black Belt at 60 & Launching a Podcast at 67 | Inspiring Seniors, Part 3
• Hiking All 58 National Parks at 79 & Writing His 27th Book at 80 | Inspiring Seniors, Part 4
• Trying Surf Kayaking at 66 & Growing a New Consultancy Business at 61 | Inspiring Seniors, Part 5
• A World Champion Powerlifter at 60 & Becoming a CEO at 62 | Inspiring Seniors, Part 6
• 10-Mile Bike Rides at 69 & Graduating at Age 62 | Inspiring Seniors, Part 7
• Writing a Math Musical at 60 & Skiing Downhill at 75 | Inspiring Seniors, Part 8
• Starting a Goat Farm at 64 & Joining a ‘Circus Family’ at 63 | Inspiring Seniors, Part 9
• Starting a Second Business at 60 & Writing About Light and Health at 93 | Inspiring Seniors, Part 10
• Publishing Her 14th Book at 70 & Appearing on Television at 62 | Inspiring Seniors, Part 11
• Developed a Fitness Program for All Ages at 77 & Hunting With a Pack of Beagles at 70 | Inspiring Seniors, Part 12
• Giving Speeches All Over the Country at 72 & Published 100th Book at 74 | Inspiring Seniors, Part 13
• Volunteer Blacksmith at a Historic Gold Mine at 67 & Co-President for the Master Gardener’s Board at 64 | Inspiring Seniors, Part 14
• 4 Things I Learned From Interviewing 29 Incredible Seniors | Inspiring Seniors, Part 15