An Ode to My Mum: The Quiet Blueprint for Longevity
|
|
Time to read 2 min
Mother’s Day isn’t just another calendar event for me. It’s personal — and it’s powerful.
Not because of flowers or brunch or cards, but because it reminds me what longevity is really about.
Not living longer for the sake of it — but living well, for the people we care about.
For us at For Youth, that mission hits home. Literally.
I’m Jeff, the founder of For Youth, and I want to take a moment to tell you why this day matters so much — not just to me, but to all of us here.
Every single person on our team has lost their dad. It wasn’t planned. It just happened to be true.
And maybe because of that, we all carry a shared understanding: that life is fragile, time is finite, and some people hold your world together longer than anyone else.
For me, that person is my mum.
The Backbone of Our Family
My mum was born on 1 April 1956 in the Netherlands, the second of six children. She’s part of a generation that didn’t talk much about health optimisation, wearables, or superfoods — and yet, she lives and breathes everything we now know contributes to longevity.
She worked before I was born, then devoted herself entirely to raising me and my two brothers. And when we lost my dad — her husband — to pancreatic cancer at the age of 58, it was a turning point for all of us. It’s what sparked my obsession with longevity science, and what eventually led to the creation of For Youth.
My Mum’s Longevity Playbook
These days, my mum is thriving. She wears her Apple Watch religiously and hits all her rings, every day. Since buying it, she’s lost 15 kg — not through some fad diet, but through quiet, consistent effort.
Her life is an example of what researchers now call the five pillars of longevity :
1. 🏃♀️ Exercise
She cycles through town, swims at her local pool, and walks often — nothing extreme, just joyful, regular movement that keeps her body active and strong.
2. 🥗 Nutrition
She eats with intention and balance. Over the past two years, she’s gradually lost 15 kg — not to chase a number, but to feel better. It’s nourishment, not restriction.
3. 🤝 Social Connection
She writes a weekly gardening column, volunteers in her community, and always seems to know what’s going on in her town. Her calendar is full — with purpose, not pressure.
4. 😴 Sleep
She sleeps a minimum of 8 hours a night. No sleep hacks, no gimmicks — just a body and mind that honour rest.
5. 🧘♀️ Mindfulness
She goes to yoga weekly, and makes art — beautiful, tactile, grounded pieces like sculptures and paintings. It’s her way of slowing down and staying present.
She’s living proof that you don’t need high-tech labs or elite trainers to live longer and better. You need rhythm, purpose, community — and maybe a little tech to track it all.
What This Means for You (and Your Mum)
If your mum is still around, celebrate her. Ask her what keeps her going. Listen.
And if you’re like us — if you’ve lost a parent — you know how precious and fleeting time can be.
This Mother’s Day, we honour the women who shaped us, and the habits that keep them thriving. Not every day is about products and science. Some are about gratitude.
Happy Mother’s Day, Mum.
You’re my inspiration. And you’re my longevity hero.
Inspired by mums like mine, we created The Age Defence System — a daily supplement stack that supports the five pillars of longevity she lives by.
