AGING UNFILTERED: THe raw truth about getting older
Let’s be brutally honest: aging isn’t for the faint of heart. Your body changes, your brain rewires, and society keeps feeding you lies about “aging gracefully,” while peddling $200 creams and miracle potions.
So, when do we reach an age where we’re just “past our prime” and supposed to reminisce about the “good old days”? Well, I’m here to smash some perceptions and drop hard truths about aging.
Aging isn’t about surrendering to time—it’s about optimizing everything you’ve got left. The hard facts might sting, but they’re also freeing. Let’s break it down.
The Neuroscience of Getting Older
Here’s the truth: your brain starts shrinking at 30. Yup, fact. But here’s the plot twist: neuroplasticity means you can build brain volume at any age. While the world moans about memory loss, you could be creating new neural pathways well into your 90s.
Here’s the science:
Brain processing speed drops by 5-10% each decade.
But your cognitive reserve (brain’s ability to adapt) can actually grow if you challenge it.
Neurogenesis (new brain cells) and myelin production (memory and learning) continue for life.
So, even as time ticks on, your brain can keep growing, adapting, and thriving. If you help it!
The Physical
Your body is changing—deal with it. But the science shows that aging doesn’t have to equal decline.
Muscle loss isn’t inevitable. It’s about choices. If you’re losing muscle, it’s not your age, it’s laziness.
Bone density can actually increase at ANY age with the right training.
Mitochondrial function (your cell’s energy powerhouses) slows as you age, but with the right moves, you can boost it. Your metabolism isn’t dead—it’s just waiting for a kick in the ass.
The Biochemical Truth
Aging messes with your hormones, and it’s not pretty. Testosterone drops in men after 30, leading to muscle loss, low energy, and heart disease risk. In women, estrogen plummets at menopause, bringing weight gain and weaker bones. Your thyroid slows, metabolism crawls, and growth hormone (the youth hormone) hits rock bottom.
And it gets worse: stress hormones destroy your brain cells, and insulin resistance can trigger chronic diseases.
But here’s the game-changer: you don’t have to just accept this hormonal meltdown. Lifting weights, eating clean, and managing stress can flip the script. You can rebuild muscle, boost metabolism, and even protect your brain from decline.
Inflammation:
Aging isn’t just about creaky joints and grey hairs. Inflammation accelerates brain aging by 300%. Stress hormones destroy your hippocampal cells, the ones responsible for memory and emotional regulation. Poor sleep means your brain doesn’t get the time it needs to repair.
The good news: you can reverse up to 20 years of brain aging with the right strategies. It takes work—but it’s possible.
The Relational Shift
As you age, your relationships evolve, too. Your social and emotional life can feel like a whole new kind of battle.
Romantic relationships? As passion wanes, intimacy can take a hit. Priorities shift.
Family dynamics shift. Kids grow up, and the “parenting purpose” fades. Caregiving roles reverse, and it’s now your parents needing care.
Friendships? Quality over quantity becomes your mantra.
But age also brings opportunities for new connections. As we age we have a tendency to be bolder and non-appologetically “US” which actually leads way for some really awesome authentic interactions. Also remember - there is no age limit on new friendships, and getting involved with younger generations (like grandkids) can create rewarding multi-generational bonds.
The Mindset “slump”
As you age, loss of drive, passion, and motivation often hits. It’s due to hormonal changes (testosterone, estrogen), and a natural decline in dopamine (the brain's motivation chemical). The result? Apathy, frustration, and fading interest in old pursuits.
But here’s the upside: exercise, setting new goals, and staying mentally and socially engaged can reignite motivation. Regular exercise and learning new skills boost dopamine and reignite your sense of purpose. Aging doesn’t have to kill your drive. You just have to keep looking for your passion.
The Intervention
Ready to Thrive Through the Ages? Stop accepting the slow fade and actively fight back against time. Use science-backed strategies and your age as wisdom to push forward.
Exercise: High-intensity training increases BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) by 300%, keeping your brain plastic and capable of learning. Specifically Resistance training: Helps reverse mitochondrial aging, making your cells more efficient.
Social engagement: Get real on who you spend your time with. Optimize quality connection and keep proactive. It preserves brain volume and staves off cognitive decline.
Nutrition: Feeding your body right for this stage of life is critical. Learn how your body has changed and how it uses food for fuel and optimize it! I.e. You can’t metabolize glucose like you used to so ease up on the carbs. Give your body the right types and amounts of Protein (for muscle repair and maintaining strength) and healthy fats ( to reduce inflammation and protect brain health).
Reduce (better yet remove alcohol) : Alcohol accelerates aging through multiple hormone disruptions:
Spikes cortisol, increasing inflammation
Decreases testosterone in men
Disrupts estrogen balance in women
Impairs growth hormone production
Reduces sleep quality, preventing cellular repair
Physical effects include dehydrated skin, decreased collagen production, impaired nutrient absorption, and increased inflammation.
The good news? Many of these effects begin to reverse within weeks of cutting back.
New skills: Keep learning—your brain thrives on it.
Recovery: Prioritise it if you want to stay sharp and strong.
Mindset matters. People with negative views on aging actually experience 30% faster cognitive decline. See the opportunities of aging and use your WISDOM to do it well.
- The Harsh Reality: The Choice Is Yours
You can’t stop aging, but you can choose how you age. Every day, you’re either fighting entropy or surrendering to it. There’s no neutral zone.
You have two choices:
Whine about getting older, fill your days with excuses, and let time win.
Become a fucking force of nature because of your age. Own it. Use it. Let it fuel you.
The science is clear: aging is inevitable, but decline is optional. Your move. Time’s ticking.
RESOURCES
Dr Vonda Wright, orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon unpacks the ageing hacks you gain turn back the clock and transform your life.