More Great Years Ahead
Hey warriors, I met and had a great conversation with a fellow by the name of Alex who turns out to be a retired executive actuary with almost twenty years experience pricing life insurance for some of the largest carriers in America.
His entire job was predicting exactly how long you’re going to live, and today I’m pulling back the curtain to share what I’ve learned. I’ve got great news to share for all of us out there wondering what to do with our second act.
Spoiler: If you’ve been telling yourself ‘I’m too old,’ you’re likely very very wrong. David J. Schwartz coined the term “excusitis” in his book “The Magic of Thinking Big”.
The Magic of Thinking Big is an antidote to the poisonous programming of small thinking we've been force-fed since childhood. This book will rewire your mind to dream bigger, push harder, and refuse to shrink in the face of setbacks. Do yourself a favor and read the book, listen to it on YouTube, or at least listen to or read the summary.
About 4 years ago (after I began sharing my plans to move to the Philippines) and now after being here for three years and having more than 26,000 subscribers here on Youtube, I’ve talked to countless men and women in their 60’s. Unfortunately, most share the same fears and use the same excuses that not only prevent them from having a great fSecond Act, the negative attitude seems to make their worst fears come true!
What is it they say, it’s almost always something like this: I’d love to travel / start that business / get in shape / write the book… but I’m too old.
They genuinely believe 65 is the finish line. Some even say, I probably only have 5–10 years left anyway. Repeating that sentence to yourself steals your future and the data actually proves the opposite. Stop with the negative self-talk.
THE IMPACT OF THE EXCUSE
When you believe you’re too old to have a meaningful future, here’s what actually happens:
You stop investing in yourself
You downsize dreams instead of upsizing life
You leave money, adventures, and legacy on the table
Worst of all, you spend the best chapter of your life acting like it’s the epilogue.
I’ve talked to many who have retired at 65 and were convinced they’d be gone by 75. They now realize they wasted a full decade of adventure and happiness waiting to die. Let’s all do better and start living now!!
SUPPORTING FACTS
These are 2023–2025 numbers (the latest available) and they are trending UP for 2026.
According to the CDC National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief 521 (January 2025):
A 65-year-old American male today has 18.2 additional years remaining → lives to ~83.4 on average
A 65-year-old American female has 20.7 additional years → lives to ~85.7 on average
The Social Security Administration’s 2025 Trustees Report projects continued improvement, pushing life expectancy even higher for people reaching 65 in 2026:
Men: 18.5 – 19.1 years remaining
Women: 20.9 – 21.6 years remaining
That’s literally two decades of bonus time! Two decades to fall in love again, build a business, get fit, see the world, spoil grandkids, or finally learn the guitar. Also of note is that the gender gap is shrinking fast because men are finally going to the doctor and receiving curative treatment before it’s too late.
REAL SECOND ACT WARRIOR STORIES
Still think 65 is too late consider this:
Colonel Sanders started KFC at 65
Laura Ingalls Wilder published her first Little House book at 65
65 isn’t the end for most of us, it’s halftime!
HOW TO ADD EVEN MORE YEARS
Want to beat the averages we just looked at? Add even more healthy years by doing these things”
30 min moderate exercise 5× week +3–5 years
Quitting smoking now +8–10 years
Build and maintain strong social ties +5–7 years
These aren’t theories – they’re the exact underwriting adjustments actuaries make when they give you preferred rates.
Here’s your assignment:
Stop saying I’m too old, and start saying - I’ve got 20 years of happiness, health and romance ahead!
You’ve got two decades of greatness left, don’t waste a single one making excuses. Go live your Second Act like it’s the only one that counts.
Best regards,
Joe
Supporting links:
CDC NCHS Data Brief 521 (2024): https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db521.htm
SSA 2025 Trustees Report: https://www.ssa.gov/oact/TR/2025/
SSA Period Life Table 2023: https://www.ssa.gov/oact/STATS/table4c6.html