Live Long and Master Aging

Fred Bartlit: Get strong and live like crazy

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Episode notes

Fred Bartlit is on a mission to re-define aging. A distinguished U.S. Army commander and high profile trial lawyer - he represented two American presidents - Fred is now 87 and a passionate advocate for strength training as we grow old. The author of Choosing the Strong Path: Reversing the Downward Spiral of Aging, is, by his own admission, obsessed with pursuing a healthy lifestyle. Fred’s mantra is that if we “get strong” everything else will fall into place.  In this LLAMA podcast interview he explains his philosophy that strength drives everything - in life and business - and why men, especially “big shots” from the world of business, are less inclined than women to follow his advice.

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In this interview we cover:     

  • Fred’s aspirations to remain strong and active into his 90s. 
  • How medical science, he believes, fails to focus on optimum health over 75. 
  • Life expectancy versus health expectancy.
  • Fred was selected by two U.S. Presidents of different parties to represent them in high profile cases. 
  • He represented President George W. Bush in the 2001 U.S. Presidential election 'hanging chad' trial.
  • Fred was selected to be the president’s chief counsel for Barack Obama’s National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill.
  • How Fred’s future wife warned him that his exercise regime, at 50, would leave him a corpse at 60. 
  • How lifting heavy weights transformed Fred’s body. 
  • Why he was inspired to pursue research into sarcopenia, chronic diseases, fatigue, falls, and early death.
  • Why he came to the conclusion that there is direct correlation between strength and happiness. 
  • How Fred escaped being a “fat old fool” at the country club.
  • Fred’s diet of brightly coloured vegetables and fruit. 
  • What does "a pot belly can not lead men” mean? 
  • Getting up at 3.30 AM and working out every day. 
  • Still working as an active trial lawyer at 87 
  • Why men won’t acknowledge their age-related frailties. 
  • How you can avoid the downward spiral of aging.