Are you self-ageing yourself?

A few days ago, I was chatting with a woman at my CrossFit gym. She said, “You know I shouldn’t be doing this. I’m 50 years old.” Now granted CrossFit is not for the faint of heart — or health. In fact, it’s pretty hardcore — even when you scale your effort, work at your pace and modify your weights as is always recommended by any good a.k.a. knowledgeable trainer.

And granted, it’s been a while since I myself have seen 50. But I was struck — and must confess somewhat saddened — by the self-limiting, self-defeating tone of the comment.

Since I didn’t know her well, I neglected to say what I wanted to: “Don’t be so self-judgy. You absolutely should be doing this and whatever else the fuck you please at 50 and beyond.” What’s holding you back? If it’s your mindset — get over it. This is your time to be amazing, to do amazing shit. No, you shouldn’t be benching 150 pounds — especially if you’re a newbie or not quite up to it. But hell, you shouldn’t be doing that if you’re 22 years old either. You can get hurt.

As you can tell from my grrrrr-ness, nothing drives me crazier than women who label themselves as old. Especially when they are not. Jeez, there are already enough people out there stereotyping us as over the hill and setting limits on us as to what we can or can’t, should or shouldn’t be doing — or wearing — or saying. We don’t need to do it to ourselves!

If ageism is defined as a stereotype, prejudice or discrimination against people because of their chronological age, self-ageism is exactly what it says — the negative thoughts about age we inflict on ourselves. Its’ the line of thinking that goes like this: “At my age, I shouldn’t…People my age can’t. At my age, nobody is going to…I’m too old to…It’s all downhill from here. I’m having a senior moment.”

Simply put — it’s all about your attitude.

Everybody is susceptible to the negative impact of ageism — if they live long enough. Hey, it’s the last socially acceptable form of discrimination. And as a woman, you often face a double whammy — ageism plus sexism.

Of course, there are certainly some potential curveballs that come with each birthday. That said, you can choose to buy into the self-imposed mental biases and bullshit. To throw in the towel. Call it a day. You can surrender your power.

Or you can choose otherwise. Emphasis on the wise.

According to one of our great gurus, Karen Sands, MCC,BCC, Leading, GeroFuturist-Longevity Economy-Ageless Aging 4 Evolving Visionary Trailblazers-Author-Speaker-Blogger: “The entire concept of there being some magic number when we’re too old to lead, to pursue our greatest visions, to change the world, is a myth. We parrot it, even to ourselves, believing we’re too old to try something new or to take the next big leap. We rarely think to question it, yet when we do, we find it falls apart. Ageism has no basis in reality.”

My business partner and I recently Co-Founded our new brand called Everlusting — in good part to to flip the finger at ageism — and self-ageism. (We’re also creating some lust-worthy products to help ignite your passions.) After all, we were the original rule breakers. We changed the world decades ago. And there should be no stopping us now. At least mentally.

At Everlusting, we also want to be a lightning rod and role model for women who will someday soon turn 50. We want to let you guys know in no uncertain terms — “You ain’t done yet.”

So, forget the old equals bad, young equals good ‘tude. Banish these words from your vocabulary: Senior citizen, senior moment, over-the-hill, elderly, oldery, retiree, whatever. Who’s lusting with me????