What’s Possible

 

When you see his picture it’s hard to believe that Zou Heping is a 70-year-old grandfather. But he is. With his lean, muscled physique he looks literally decades younger. But when you read his story of persistence and commitment to exercise and living a healthy lifestyle, you realize what’s possible. You realize that healthy longevity, actually healthy, youthful longevity, is not only possible, but Zou is living proof.

 Rain or Shine

Forty-five years ago, an article on running changed Zou’s life. He became addicted to exercising on a daily basis. Later, at the age of 44, the factory he worked in closed. For the next 10 years Zou worked in his hometown, the mountainous city of Chongqing (south-west China) as a porter. Despite working 10 hour days carrying refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners to and from homes and service locations, he still found time and energy to exercise.

Rain or shine, Zou could be found running at 5 in the morning, every morning. Unless it was snowing, he would run barefoot. He would run a distance of approximately 4.3 miles carrying 2 buckets. After he filled the buckets at a mountain spring, he would run back carrying the 2 ½ gallons of water. On Sundays, when he wouldn’t work, he’d go for longer runs of 12 to 18 miles.

 Retirement?

Zou held several other labor-intensive jobs during his life before retiring 15 years ago at the age of 55. Retirement hasn’t slowed Zou down. Instead, its given him more time to enjoy life which includes his wife’s home cooking, spending time with his family, and exercising outdoors.

As mentioned, Chongqing is a mountainous area. Zou’s home is at the foot of the Gele Mountain. Walking to the peak of the mountain is 2,500 steps. You’re not going to believe it, but wanting to really challenge himself, Zou goes up the mountain stairs like an animal, on all fours. He jumps like a frog up the stairs then crawls like a crocodile down. That’s what he’s been doing every day of his retirement, for the last 15 years. You can see for yourself.  People have filmed him and posted it to social media.

 The Gift of Health

Zou says that he believes health is our greatest gift. He says that when people see his physique and mental state, no one believes he is 70. His wish is to maintain his strength until he is 80, but he’s looking forward to at least 10 more years of challenging himself.

Clearly, what Zou is doing would be considered extreme by most. But regardless of your fitness level, you must admit that Zou is living proof of what’s possible. Proof of what the human body can do, can look like, and how it can age.

No doubt, Zou has a strong mind as well as body. He’s committed to exercising, and he lets nothing stop him. Knowing about Zou puts the common excuse of not “being able” to make it to the gym in a new context, huh?

Next time you don’t feel like exercising, or don’t think you’re physically capable of doing something, think about Zou, get up, and just do it!