In the know.

Most seniors have done some traveling, but not many have backpacked the Appalachian Trail. Many have seen the State of Texas from end-to-end, but not many traveled it by foot, running an average of 41 miles per day. Some have taken in the beauty of the Grand Canyon, but not many have jogged around the entire rim. This is only a sampling of Larry White’s accomplishments, along with the title of National Champion Rifleman and competitive body builder. Now, at 82 years old, he is still adding to the list.

He recently moved to The Crossings, impressing the staff with his many awards that color the walls of his apartment. However, the item that has created a buzz amongst those who have visited his new home is the ice bath he uses to soothe his muscles after a rigorous workout. Brrrr!

 “After I lost my wife, I decided to move here to The Crossings,” he said. “I needed community and that’s exactly what this place has provided for me.”

White’s life of extreme fitness seems to push back on the stereotype that aging means slowing down. For White, retirement meant more time to take the next challenge. After all, why slow down when you can run? “I’ve competed in 38 marathons and probably that many ultra marathons,” he shared.

In a world where hints of ageism seem to be lurking around every corner, White’s story is an important one to tell. Age really is just a number, a sum of years lived, not an indicator on one’s physical or intellectual ability. Consider this, according to the American Psychological Association (ADA), 93% of older adults report experiencing ageism, in one form or another, on a regular basis. Even more concerning, the same source says society as a whole has yet to reject ageism as an unacceptable form of discrimination, as evidenced by the way older adults are commonly depicted in the media, with little to no push back from key influencers.

That’s where White comes in to show ageist naysayers just what older adults are capable of…ANYTHING!  

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