By Jackie Bachmeier, Founder of Evolution Fitness & Wellness

I walked into the gym Monday morning, and nearly every conversation started with the same question:
“Jackie, did you see Dr. Peter Attia on 60 Minutes last night?”

Now, I don’t usually watch TV, but thanks to a little divine intervention, I caught this one. My daughter-in-law had the show on while we were carving pumpkins with our grandkids. Sometimes timing just lines up perfectly.

My Thoughts on Dr. Attia’s Message

Jason and I have followed Dr. Peter Attia for years. We don’t agree with everything he says, but we agree with a lot. What struck me most after watching, and reading the online chatter afterward, is how divided people can be about health, exercise, and longevity.
Here are a few thoughts I wanted to share from my perspective as a coach, a woman “saved” by exercise in her 40s, and now at 60, someone who’s passionate about helping others age strong.

1. Exercise Truly Is Medicine

I’m living proof that consistent movement can change your life.
If you put real effort and consistency into your workouts, you will add healthy years to your life. Too many older adults spend more time in doctors’ offices than enjoying their lives, and many of those chronic conditions can be reduced or even prevented through exercise.

Dr. Attia made an important point: most doctors aren’t trained in exercise or nutrition during medical school. That gap is why what we do at EFW matters so much.

2. “My Grandparents Never Exercised” — Not So Fast

I always smile when someone says, “My grandparents lived to 95 and never worked out.”
Let’s be real, they did. They just didn’t call it “exercise.”
They tended gardens and livestock, hauled water, chopped wood, walked everywhere, and lived active lives. Compare that to today sitting for hours at a desk, commuting in cars, eating processed foods, and winding down in front of a screen.

Exercise in 2025 isn’t optional, it’s essential.

3. You Don’t Have to Be a Pro Athlete to Train Like One

Some critics say Dr. Attia’s ideas are only for athletes.
Here’s the truth: anyone can be an athlete, at 10, 30, 70, or 90.
You don’t have to run marathons or swing a racket. If you show up, work hard, sweat, and stay consistent, you’re an athlete in my book.
Just ask the incredible men and women training every day at Evolution Fitness & Wellness.

4. Grip Strength & Longevity Are Connected

This one hits close to home. My 82-year-old father has always loved being active. But as his grip strength declined, so did his activity level. Yard work, fixing things, even daily tasks became difficult. His hands are now stiff with arthritis because he stopped using them.

Among the 120+ people who train at EFW every week, I see the same pattern, those who skip grip and strength work begin to show early signs of frailty. Grip strength is about independence.

5. VO₂ Max, Muscle, and the Heart of Longevity

Building lean muscle and improving your cardiovascular health are the cornerstones of longevity.
You’ve got to get your heart rate up. VO₂ Max, your body’s ability to use oxygen efficiently, matters. The stronger your heart and lungs, the more resilient you’ll be as you age.

Aging Well Means Participating in Life

Living to 80 or 90 isn’t the goal if you can’t live fully.
We’re talking about being able to:

• Get up and down from the floor

• Carry groceries

• Play with your grandkids

• Cook, travel, explore, and say “yes” to life

At 60, I spend more time thinking about what I can do, plan to do, and will do—not what I can’t.
It’s time to reframe aging from “I can’t” to “I can and I will.”

The Takeaway

Dr. Attia’s message isn’t about fear, it’s about freedom.
We want to live our years free from the chronic diseases that are overburdening our healthcare system.
If you’re in your 20s, 30s, or 40s, start now.
If you’re in your 50s or beyond, it’s not too late. There’s still time, and we can help.

Evolution Fitness & Wellness is the Cy-Fair area’s #1 personal training gym for adults 50+.
Join us and start building your version of longevity.

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Watch Dr. Attia’s 60 Minutes segment