What if your most creative years are still ahead? Meet artists in their 80s, 90s, and 100s who are still breaking rules, sparking activism, fueling curiosity, and taking bold creative risks. Their art isn’t a reflection of age—it’s a declaration of possibility. “I have the feeling that my best art is yet to come.”

The post The Art of Growing Bolder | Artists in their 80s, 90s and 100s on the Power of Creative Expression appeared first on Growing Bolder®.

Dr. Kerry Burnight is a renowned gerontologist, featured in in the New York Times, CBS, on Oprah, CNN, Forbes Health, and is the author of a book called “Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half.”

In our recent conversation, Dr. Burnight explained the difference between happiness and joy, and her desire to help all of us realize that no matter what challenges get thrown our way, we can all extract joy out of life.

Listen to our full conversation on the Growing Bolder Podcast below:

The post Increase Your Joyspan with Dr. Kerry Burnight appeared first on Growing Bolder®.

The Shades of Gray have been playing volleyball for more than 40 years. They’re a mainstay at the National Senior Games, often taking home a medal in their age group. But now fans of the Shades can catch their action anywhere, anytime, thanks to a live broadcast team formed by the grandkids of one of their teammates. Meet the youngest volleyball broadcast team in the country: The Cantway family.

The post Calling the Shots: Grandkids form The World’s Youngest Volleyball Broadcast Team appeared first on Growing Bolder®.

99-year-old World War II veteran Bill Allen embodies the resilience, sacrifice and spirit of service that define the greatest generation. His story reminds us of the freedom we enjoy thanks to those who gave so much. Together with ‪Humana, we were honored to celebrate Bill during the Grand Ole Opry’s 99th birthday—an unforgettable tribute to an extraordinary life.

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Today on Veterans Day, absorb the wisdom from some of the incredible Veterans we have had the privilege of meeting and interviewing over the years. Thank you for your service!

The post Absorb Life’s Wisdom from Veterans Who Are Growing Bolder appeared first on Growing Bolder®.

People are living longer than ever. There is now an entirely new life stage available to us all. Instead of winding down, our later years are a time to pursue our passions, learn new things, find purpose and go on new adventures.

Growing Bolder has met and interviewed thousands of adults in their 50s, 60s, 70s and many even beyond the age of 100 — all of whom have provided us with the blueprint for a longer, happier life. We’re on a mission to change the way the world views aging from a time of loss and limitation to one of purpose and possibility.

One of the biggest keys to active aging is simply changing your mindset about aging. Research has proven that what the mind believes, the body embraces, and that having a positive outlook on your future adds years to your life. So today is the day to take charge your future by signing up to become a Growing Bolder Insider, and receive daily inspiration for free delivered right to your inbox.

As a Growing Bolder Insider, you will receive our daily Bold Start inspirational meme, our weekly Growing Bolder Insider e-newsletter, access to special offerings and promotions from our select partners, invitations to live events and more.

The Bold Start

Get your day started on the right foot with our “Bold Start” inspirational meme! Each morning, Monday through Friday, we’ll send you an email with a positive quote, designed to help you embrace the opportunity of aging and view your future as a time of purpose and possibility. The email includes a link to share the quote on your own Facebook page, to help spread positivity and optimism to your friends and family.

Growing Bolder Insider E-Newsletter

Want proof that life gets better with age? Every week, our Growing Bolder Insider e-newsletter brings you inspirational videos, articles, and podcasts that celebrate ordinary people redefining what’s possible as we grow older, delivered straight to your inbox.

Special Offers and More

When you join the Growing Bolder Insider community, you’re not just getting stories — you’re getting access. Enjoy exclusive discounts, special offers, and first looks at new products from our partners designed to help you live boldly. Plus, stay up to date with the Item of the Week from the Growing Bolder Shop and get discounted rates on shirts, hats, mugs and more.You’ll also get invites to events, media premieres, and projects that celebrate those who are redefining aging.

Sign Up Today

Sign up today for free at GrowingBolder.com/signup and start making the rest of your life the best of your life.

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Every year on the Saturday before Halloween, zombie dancers from around the world unite to dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” The movement, called Thrill the World , inspires others to breakdown barriers of race, religion, economic backgrounds and more, through the simultaneous dance performance. Growing Bolder talked to members of the nation’s largest group, based in The Villages, Florida, called “Thrill the Villages.”

The post “Thrill the World” Unites Zombie Dancers Around the Globe appeared first on Growing Bolder®.

Don Phillips is not your typical nonagenarian, but he’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible as we age. This 95-year-old is not just defying expectations—he’s redefining them.  

Don is a multi-sport athlete. He throws the javelin, the hammer, the discus and shot put. He’s a sprinter, a corn hole competitor, and even added powerlifting to his repertoire at the 2025 National Senior Games.

A self-described “misfit farm kid” from North Dakota, Don was drafted into the Army following high school. After serving Uncle Sam, he used the GI bill to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Iowa State University. Now, 65 years later, Dr. Don returned to Iowa State, this time to set a National Senior Games record in the 50m dash.

After the race, Growing Bolder’s Marc Middleton asked Phillips what he believes the secret is to a longer, healthier life.

“You’ve got to keep moving,” Phillips said. “You’ve got to find something that works for you, and then make a commitment.”

Phillips has led a life filled with commitment.  He’s been married to his wife Laverla for more than 7 decades , raising three daughters together. He’s also been committed to the National Senior Games, having competed in 13 National Championships since 1993.

“[I keep coming back] because of the people. You like to get medals, but it’s the people that’s really the important part,” Phillips says.

Phillips is just one of nearly 100,000 athletes who participate annually in state games and over 12,000 who compete in the National Senior Games. Together they’re redefining what’s possible as we age. Don’s advice for active aging is simple:

“Exercise is the key to good health,” Phillips urges. “I firmly believe that, and then you have to have a good diet to support the exercise. 

“I think age is just a number. It depends how you feel. That’s what your life is.”

The post Don Does It All: 95-Year-Old Multi Sport Athlete Proves More is Possible as we Age appeared first on Growing Bolder®.

On June 6, 1944, Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France. D-day led to the liberation of Western Europe, the defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II. Omaha Beach, one of two American landing areas, was the most heavily defended by German troops.  22-year-old Captain John Raaen, Jr. and his command of U.S. Army Rangers were among the first to hit the beach at seven-fifty in the morning under intense fire.  

“Amid the chaos and carnage on Omaha Beach, those young Rangers were tasked with scaling 100-foot cliffs, clearing barbed wire under blazing machine gun fire and tackling impossible odds. But these Rangers didn’t just secure ground. They led where others could not,” said Colonel Christopher C. Hammonds. “From that very moment, the Rangers’ motto, Rangers Lead The Way, was born. A legacy of courage that is echoed through generations.”

More than 80 years later, General Raaen is now 103 years old and is the only surviving Ranger who landed on the shores of Normandy.  On behalf of the nearly 7,000 rangers who served in World War II, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Unable to travel to Washington, D.C. for the ceremony, the ceremony came to him in Central Florida. 

Surrounded by a standing ovation at The Mayflower at Winter Park, General Raaen was awarded the medal by former U.S. Army Captain and former U.S. Representative and Senator Bill Nelson.

First presented to George Washington in 1776, the Congressional Gold Medal has been awarded fewer than 200 times, with past recipients including Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackie Robinson, Neil Armstrong and Rosa Parks.  

“It’s pretty humbling when you stop to think of it, that we go down with the medal that George Washington got and a whole bunch of other people,” reflected General Raaen.

“This is so much of a part of who we are as Americans, and the younger generation, unless they’ve read a history book, don’t understand the sacrifice that was made in order for them to have the freedoms that they have today,” shared Senator Bill Nelson, following the medal ceremony.

“It’s so important to let younger generations know about the history of this country because the freedoms that we enjoy today were paid for by the sacrifices of generations that came before us,” said former U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, who voted for the bill to award the medal while still in office.

Among those inspired were members of the 75th Ranger Regiment, who volunteered to be part of the ceremony to help honor one of their own. “I mean, it makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up a little bit. You know what I mean?,” said Capt. Derek Whitmore, a 26-year-old operations officer. “We don’t often need reminders as to why we volunteer for service and why we volunteer for the Ranger Regiment. But meeting some of the heroes and seeing the giants that we are working alongside, it’s humbling, absolutely.”

During his 36-year military career, General Raaen served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.  He earned a master’s degree in nuclear physics and commanded key military agencies. He’s been awarded dozens of medals, including the Silver Star for valor in combat on D-Day.  Raaen has been inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame, the Army Ordinance Corps Hall of Fame and the Ammunition Hall of Fame. 

“Many of my accomplishments didn’t get a medal, I can tell you that. And many of my errors didn’t get a chewing out either,” General Raaen told Growing Bolder.

Just as he stormed the beach on D-Day, General Raaen storms ahead in life. He is still concerned about the country he loves and the way of life he fought to protect. 

“We’ve got to at least stop hating people who we disagree with,” General Raaen urged. “Twenty years ago, opponents went out and played golf with each other and had lunch with each other, and discussed the things off the record and that was pretty good. I’d like to see that again.”

If Raaen ever needs a reminder of the life he’s led, the sacrifices he’s made and the friends he’s lost, he only needs to look out the window of his apartment.  

“The flag means a great deal to me,” Raaen said. “It is a symbol of us as we were and how we’ve grown. Many good men have given their lives to hold the flag up. As people fell holding the flag, others took the flag right out of their dying or dead hands. And it’s very important to us, who are professional soldiers, to honor the flag at all times.”

Click here to watch our full story on 103-Year-Old General John Raaen.

The post At 103, Last Surviving Ranger from D-Day awarded the Congressional Gold Medal appeared first on Growing Bolder®.

Kristy Matthews may hold masters track world records, but the Iowa native calls competing before family and friends at the 2025 National Senior Games a career highlight. Hear what continues to fuel her passion for running.

WATCH: The fastest woman in the world over 50, Kristy Matthews, set a record in the 400m

Need more proof that age is just a number? Watch the fastest woman over 50 in the world, Kristy Matthews, set a National Senior Games Record in the 400m (00:59.810) earlier in the month at the 2025 Games in Des Moines, Iowa!

The post World Record Holder Kristy Matthews’ Triumphant Homecoming at the National Senior Games appeared first on Growing Bolder®.

Tapping into your passions is a key to a happier, healthier future. Whether it’s sports, gardening, walking, or even tap dancing, find a way to stay active that suits you best. The Candy Girls, a tap dancing group from The Villages, Florida, share the energy and health benefits they feel from performing together, and hope their moves will have you up on your feet and dancing to your own beat, too.

The post Tap Dancing “Candy Girls” Have Sweet Moves with Big Benefits appeared first on Growing Bolder®.

Athletes over 50 are raising the bar on what it means to grow older. Records are being broken. Limits are being redefined. A global fitness movement has become a launchpad for longevity, completely changing the way the world views aging.

As the audience for senior athletics continues to grow, so does the stage for the athletes. The National Senior Games is leading the way, expanding its biennial event with 5 new sports and 4 new competitions—creating more opportunities than ever for older adults to join the fitness movement.

The post From Powerlifting to Disc Golf, the Stage for Senior Athletes Continues to Grow appeared first on Growing Bolder®.