COURTESY OF MIKE YOUNG
THE THIRD METRIC
structured programs, there’s no
relaxation hotline or institutional
impetus to think about long-term
personal sustainability.
But people like Mike Young
don’t need to be told. Young, 43, a
North Carolina-based real estate
agent who also runs a landscaping company, regularly trains with
a running club, which not only
keeps him in shape but fosters
friendships, a key to longevity.
He considers his weekly visits to
church as integral to his wellness
as his regular green smoothies.
Both help him stay balanced so he
can work, perhaps indefinitely.
“For previous generations, the
dream was to get yourself set up
so you can quit work and not have
to do anything ever again,” he
said. “The more I think about it,
I think that’s not good. I think I
might get really bored.”
For others, the dream of retirement still beckons. Aaron Davis,
38, is an independent distributor
and consultant for a network marketing company, working on commission and supplementing his
income by working as a hair stylist. He takes pains to care for his
well-being, sleeping eight hours a
night and working out regularly,
not so he can work forever, but so
HUFFINGTON
08.11.13
that when he retires, he’ll be in
the best possible health to enjoy
his free time.
“I’m aware of some of the stats
about retirement, and how it’s not
really happening,” said Davis. “I
don’t want to be the sad person
that’s broke or still working
long hours when I’m 65.”
Gregory Beyer is deputy features
editor of The Huffington Post.
Catherine Pearson is a senior reporter
at The Huffington Post.
Real estate
agent Mike
Young, 43,
trains with
a running
club to stay
in shape
and build
friendships,
both of which
keep him
healthy in the
long term.