While many slow down with age, Mike Fremont still climbs stairs, rows a boat, and ran 16 km daily until he was 98.
At 69, Mike was diagnosed with cancer and given three months to live unless he underwent surgery, he shared in an interview with a YouTuber. Instead of surrendering, he took control.
He adopted a macrobiotic, plant-based diet inspired by Michio Kushi's book, "The Cancer Prevention Diet". Over time, check-ups and scans revealed his tumor had disappeared. His arthritis also subsided.
Here are five secrets to Mike's enduring health and clarity.
Food as medicine, every meal a ritual
Since 1994, Mike has followed a clean, plant-based diet. His daily menu is simple: brown rice, steamed vegetables like kale, carrots, cabbage, seaweed for minerals, and half a can of beans daily. Beans are rich in fiber, protein, and plant compounds that studies suggest are linked to a reduced risk of cancer.
The World Cancer Research Fund emphasizes that plant-based diets can play a role in cancer prevention and boosting immune health.
Mike also avoids processed sugar, meat, dairy, and packaged foods. He prefers food in its most natural state, boiled, steamed, or fermented. No oil, no frying, no sugar.
Movement is not just exercise, it's a way of life
Until 98, he ran 16 km, three days a week. He also climbed stairs 48 times daily. Even now, Mike easily does pull-ups and rows a boat. For him, movement isn't a chore; it's like breathing.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regular physical activity helps slow the aging process and keeps joints and cognitive health in check.
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Mike Fremont. Photo: Youtube |
Mike Fremont. Photo: Youtube
Embracing the quiet power of sleep and natural rhythms
Sleep is often sacrificed, but for Mike, it's sacred. He sleeps 8-9 hours nightly. No alarms, no screens before bed. Studies support this. Quality sleep is essential for cell repair, reducing inflammation, and supporting cognitive function.
Not against medicine, but pro-nature
Mike isn't proud of avoiding doctors—he just hasn't needed them much. He believes food healed him. He lives in harmony with nature. He grows some of his own food, drinks filtered water, avoids chemical products, and enjoys being outdoors.
Connecting with nature isn't just poetic. Time in green spaces can lower cortisol (the stress hormone), improve sleep, and even boost immunity through contact with beneficial bacteria in the soil.
The importance of discipline
Mike is self-disciplined, committed to clean eating, regular exercise, deep rest, and living in harmony with the environment.
Self-discipline is fundamental to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, especially a balanced diet and regular exercise. According to research by Crescioni et al., individuals with high levels of self-control tend to exhibit more positive health behaviors, enabling them to maintain healthy diets and consistent exercise routines. A 2024 study by Boat and colleagues indicates that self-control is key to overcoming immediate desires like eating sweets or skipping workouts to achieve long-term health goals.
My Y (Times of India)
