Aging well is more than just good genetics. Attitude and mindset may play a bigger role than we think.
Candace Cima, a businesswoman, artist and former model behind the popular Life in My 70s channel, joins hosts Suzie and Roy to talk about what makes her feel strong, confident and engaged later in life. After running a senior housing community for 32 years, Candace sold it in 2020 and, almost by accident, became an influencer sharing her workouts, her diet and her fashion with a growing audience.
She explains why she believes genetics only account for a fraction of how we age, how she cultivated a positive attitude about getting older and why daily movement matters more than a gym membership. Candace also opens up about caregiving for her late husband through years of kidney disease and dialysis, and why she believes protecting a small pocket of time for yourself is not selfish, but essential.
In this episode:
- Why Candace believes attitude, not genetics, drives how we age
- How a rotating routine of yoga, weights and cardio keeps her strong at 79
- What she changed about her exercise routine after an osteoporosis diagnosis
- Why beginners should learn yoga one pose at a time before walking into a class
- How caregivers can protect their own health without guilt
- Why staying curious about fashion, technology and culture keeps you connected as you age
If you're rethinking your own approach to movement, nutrition or mindset in midlife or beyond, or supporting an aging parent who could use some encouragement, this episode is for you.
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CHAPTERS
(00:00) Intro: meet influencer Candace, the voice behind Life in My 70s
(01:01) From years in senior housing to accidental influencer
(02:24) Becoming fascinated with aging at 14
(05:36) What years of watching residents age taught her
(06:58) Attitude: the biggest difference in how people age
(08:47) Her favorite everyday hack for health and fitness
(09:51) Small daily habits vs. formal exercise
(11:17) How to cultivate a better attitude about getting older
(14:39) Her approach to nutrition, and why she keeps exercise diaries
(18:54) Her three-day rotation of yoga, weights and cardio
(19:33) Managing osteoporosis with heavy weight training instead of medication
(21:24) The benefits of yoga for balance and flexibility
(22:50) Why beginners should learn yoga one pose at a time
(26:09) Yoga and meditation as a lifeline through caregiving
(28:25) The guilt that keeps caregivers from taking care of themselves
(28:56) How to start moving with no gym and no extra space
(34:19) Letting go of the fear of losing independence
(39:19) How to support an aging parent's journey
(42:01) Fashion, confidence and redefining beauty later in life
(50:57) Where to find Candace and Life in My 70s
(52:11) Suzie & Roy's takeaways
RESOURCES
Brookdale Senior Living — https://www.brookdale.com
Life in My 70s Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/lifeinmy70s/
Life in My 70s Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/styleinyour70s
Life in My 70s YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@lifeinmy70s
Life in My 70s TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeinmy70s
