When most people talk about aging, the conversation quickly turns to decline. Slower reflexes. More stiffness. Less energy. But what if that’s not the full story?

What if aging could actually be regenerative?

That question came alive for me recently during a visit to Polyface Farms in Virginia. You may have heard of Joel Salatin. He’s a pioneer in sustainable agriculture. But what impressed me most wasn’t the chickens or the cows. It was the mindset.

Joel’s family didn’t start with perfect land. Quite the opposite. When they bought the farm, the "soil" was rocky and scarred with deep gullies. Nothing would grow.

But they didn’t give up. They embraced regenerative farming. They studied the land. Drew on the wisdom of Native American practices, Rodale Institute, and the "pig-ness" of pigs. Worked with nature instead of against it.

And it paid off. Where most farms struggle to maintain just 1% organic matter in their soil, Polyface has 8%. That means more microbial life, better carbon capture, more water retention, and better nutrition.

Their main crop? Grass. Not corn or soy. Just healthy grass, grazed by cows and fertilized naturally. That grass is what builds soil, stores carbon, and supports the entire ecosystem.

This wasn’t just sustainability. It was transformation. It was regeneration.

And it got me thinking. What if our bodies could work the same way?

Like land, our bodies lose vitality if neglected. But also like land, they can come back to life with the right care. Aging doesn’t have to mean decline. We can get stronger, healthier, and more capable even as we grow older.

That’s why I am active and do strength training. Muscle protects joints. Improves metabolism. Supports blood sugar, mood, and hormones. It’s foundational for a healthy aging life.

I just have to show up, consistently. And, like the soil, over time, good health adds up.

But the most surprising part of my visit to Polyface Farms came later in the tour.

Joel led us to the edge of his forest. As we watched pigs rooting through the trees, he started sharing what he’d learned about forests.

In the US, most forest land is no longer economically viable. The old-growth was cut down. What’s left are weedy, junk trees that crowd each other out. Ownership of this kind of land flips every 40 years. That’s not enough time for great trees to grow.

Contrast that with the Netherlands, where some forests have been tended for 800 years. Their towering cathedral trees have space between them. The underbrush is cleared to make room. It’s breathtaking.

That’s Joel’s vision. He’s been clearing undergrowth and using pigs to stir the soil. And to his delight, seeds that have been lying dormant, maybe for centuries, are now sprouting to life. All they needed was a drop of light.

Now, that stayed with me.

Because a strong, healthy body isn't enough for me. I want a vibrant spirit. A rich, fulfilling life. A soul that keeps growing.

So I started wondering.

What if there are things lying dormant in me too?

A sense of wonder?
Compassion I haven’t fully tapped into?
An ability to forgive and let go?

What if those seeds are still there, just waiting for the right conditions?

I believe they are. And tending to our health is a key part of making room for them to grow.

When you’re exhausted, in pain, or drained, it’s harder to access your deeper self. But when you feel strong, balanced, and energized, you have space for the inner work that really matters.

So I train for strength, not just for the body, but to support the soul.

And I believe you can too.

If you’re interested in rebuilding your own youthful foundation, I created a free Longevity Checklist. It walks you through simple ways to take stock of where you are and where you’re headed.

Regeneration doesn’t require perfection. It just needs a little light.

(And pigs)