Dan King, 65, lives by the “use it or lose it” mantra.
“If you’re not pushing yourself physically, you’re signaling your body to decay faster, to degrade faster, and I don’t want that,” Dan says. “I want this chassis to be able to support all things I love to do for as long as I can.”
Dan is one of 4,000 athletes from around the world who competed recently in the World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships in Gainesville, Florida.
The event, held every two years, divides track and field competitors into age categories starting at 35 and going as high as necessary.
Two of the oldest participants include a 104-year-old man from Thailand and a 96-year-old woman from New York. You can see some great photos here at the Gainesville newspaper’s site.
Fitness = Values
Dan, of Boulder, Colorado, counts fitness among one of his personal values, to be treated with the same reverence as honesty, integrity, compassion, and reliability.
“The competitive aspect of running is the icing on the cake of a lifestyle decision,” he explains. “You know, it gives me something to build goals around and to use to create focus and focuses me to be a little bit cleaner with my diet.”
His muscular arms make Dan look like a multi-sport athlete. But the heavy lifting is for lifestyle, not running.
Strength for Life, Not Just Sport
“I do lots of strength training and the reason I do it is not because I think it makes me a better runner,” he says. “The reason I do it is I think it allows me to live a better life as a 65-year-old. It helps me live. It helps me ski and play golf, go on hikes with my wife.”
That is the value of having fitness as part of Dan’s personal culture. It’s why he doesn’t wallow in remorse is he loses a race. Dan is competitive, but he has higher goals.
“I want to age well, and I want to be fit,” Dan said. “I want to be able to do things I love as long as I possibly can.”
Train Like a Masters Athlete
Dan’s approach to fitness isn’t just for competitive athletes—it’s a blueprint for anyone who wants to enjoy an active, fulfilling life for decades to come. Whether you’re interested in formal competition or simply want to maintain the ability to participate in activities you love, treating fitness as a core value pays dividends at every age.
At MMFitness, we understand that every person’s fitness journey is unique. Our trainers work with adults of all ages and abilities, helping them build strength, endurance, and mobility that translates to real-world activities. From former athletes looking to recapture their competitive spirit to newcomers discovering fitness later in life, our programs provide the structure, support, and expertise you need.
Why wait to start your own “use it or lose it” journey? Contact MMFitness today at (813)618-7882 to learn how our small group training sessions can help you achieve your fitness goals, whatever your age. Visit us at 8602 Temple Terrace Hwy D-36, Tampa, FL 33637.
Remember Dan’s words: “I want to age well, and I want to be fit.” We’re here to help you do exactly that.
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Mondays – Fridays
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