At 103 years old, Mike Fremont is not just surviving, but thriving. Defying the typical slowdown of aging, Mike still actively climbs stairs and paddles canoes. Until the age of 98, he maintained a routine of running 10 miles a day. His secret lies in a potent blend of discipline, simplicity, and a lifestyle deeply connected to nature.
At 69, Mike received a grim prognosis: three months to live unless he opted for cancer surgery. In an interview, he revealed his decision to take control of his health. Inspired by Michio Kushi's "The Cancer Prevention Diet," he adopted a plant-based macrobiotic diet. Over time, his cancer vanished, and even his arthritis subsided.
Since 1994, Mike has adhered to a clean, plant-based diet. This isn't a trendy diet filled with exotic ingredients; his daily menu is remarkably simple. It includes brown rice, steamed vegetables such as kale, carrots, and cabbage, seaweed for essential minerals, and, notably, half a can of beans each day.
There's a specific reason for the beans. Legumes are rich in fiber, protein, and phytochemicals, which research suggests can reduce cancer risk. The World Cancer Research Fund emphasizes the significant role plant-based diets play in cancer prevention and overall immune health.
Mike also avoids processed sugar, meat, dairy, and packaged foods. He favors food in its most natural state – boiled, steamed, or fermented. He avoids oils, deep frying, and all shortcuts.
Mike's active lifestyle is what truly sets him apart. Until he was 98, he ran 10 miles three times a week and climbed stairs 48 times a day. Even now, he performs pull-ups and paddles his canoe effortlessly.
For Mike, movement is not a chore; it's as natural as breathing. The CDC highlights that regular physical activity can slow aging and maintain healthy joints and cognitive function. Mike never followed specific workout plans; he simply stayed active every day in ways that felt natural.
Mike prioritizes sleep, getting 8-9 hours each night. He avoids alarms, screen time before bed, and complicated routines.
Research supports the idea that quality sleep is vital for repairing cells, reducing inflammation, and supporting cognitive function. Honoring his body's natural need for rest has worked wonders for Mike.
Mike doesn’t avoid doctors; he just hasn't needed them much. He credits his healing to food and living in harmony with nature. He grows some of his own food, drinks filtered water, avoids chemically-laden products, and revels in being outdoors.
Spending time in green spaces can lower cortisol levels, improve sleep, and boost immunity through exposure to beneficial microbes in the soil. Mike's habits align with these findings, even though he never consciously followed the research.
Mike's story might seem like a miracle: a 103-year-old man who overcame cancer and arthritis and still does pull-ups. However, the real story is about consistent daily commitment.
There were no sudden breakthroughs, just a steady dedication to real food, regular movement, deep rest, and living in harmony with the environment. Mike made these choices long before they became mainstream.
He’s not promoting anything, just sharing his story. A story that suggests perhaps aging is not about adding more, but returning to what is fundamentally essential.
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