ROPHO — Purpose, Courage & Still Showing Up

“Search for a hero inside yourself.”

Heather Small sang it years ago, and like many good lyrics, it quietly hangs around in your head until one day it suddenly makes sense.

As I approach 64 and prepare to launch this website and blog, I had a conversation today — one I’ve had more than once recently.

It went something like this:

“Shouldn’t you be slowing down now?”

It wasn’t meant unkindly.
It was said with concern, maybe even affection.
But it stopped me in my tracks.

Slowing down… or tuning out?

I tried to explain that what I want to do isn’t about chasing success, money, or proving anything.

I want to build something that gives people over 60:

• a place to think
• a place to talk
• a sounding board
• a sense they’re not alone
• A space where personal, lifestyle, business, confidence, health and purpose can be talked about honestly.
• Where ideas can be shared.
• Where people are reminded that dreaming doesn’t have an expiry date.

The response?

A smile.
A pause.
And then…

“You’re mad.”

That was the fourth time in two weeks I’d been told that.

Instead of putting me off, it convinced me I might be on to something.

When “mad” really means “uncomfortable”

Here’s what I’ve learned over the years:

When people say “you’re mad”, what they often mean is:

That wouldn’t work for me.

I’d be too scared to do that.

I thought life was supposed to get smaller now.

Society quietly teaches us that later life should be about less:

less ambition

less risk

less curiosity

less energy

less contribution

But what if that’s wrong?

What if later life is actually about more, just differently?

More meaning.
More honesty.
More choice.
More freedom to say, “this matters to me.”

The hero isn’t loud or flashy

The hero Heather Small was singing about isn’t wearing a cape.

It’s not about reinvention for the sake of it.
It’s not about hustle culture or grinding until exhaustion.

The hero inside yourself is quieter than that.

It’s the voice that says:

I’m not done yet.

I still care.

I still want to contribute.

I want to use what I’ve learned.

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do after 60 is to start something new when the world expects you to stop.

Why ROPHO exists

ROPHO isn’t about pretending ageing doesn’t exist.
It’s about engaging with it honestly.

With humour.
With realism.
With kindness.

It’s about pleasure and responsibility.
Dreams and discipline.
Hope and practicality.

And above all, it’s about reminding people — myself included — that:

You don’t age out of purpose.
You age into it.

If this resonates with you…

If you’ve been told to slow down when you feel like you’re only just understanding what matters…
If you’ve been quietly thinking “there’s more I want to do”…
If you’ve been labelled mad for still having ideas…

Welcome.

You’re in the right place.

Final thought

Maybe the real madness isn’t starting something new at 64.

Maybe it’s believing that curiosity, creativity, and contribution have a sell-by date.

So yes — I’ll keep searching for the hero inside myself.

And if this website helps others find theirs too,
then being “mad” seems like a pretty good place to be.

From Dreams to Achievements: A Practical Guide After 60

ROPHO — Lifestyle & Living Well in Your Sixties 

2025 has been a year of ups and downs, as most years tend to be. 

Some weeks felt organised, meaningful, and even productive. 

Others… well… let’s just say “planned” wasn’t the word I’d use. 

For ROPHO, the year ahead excites me. 

I’m looking forward to many hours researching, writing, learning, and hopefully helping others like me, people in later life still trying to get this balance thing right. 

In my business life my earliest mentor and the person I learnt the most from had many wise sayings (his words) this one was one of his favourites, which he repeated consistently.

Plan, plan, then plan some more. 

But in my personal life? 

Let’s just say I’m more fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants than I’d like to admit. 

I tend to “go with the flow,” do whatever my wife wants (although she may strongly object to that description!). 

I’m either all in on work or disappear from the world, 

or all in on life and let everything else slip. 

Sixty-something years in, I’m better, definitely better, 

but there is massive room for improvement. 

And that’s part of the purpose of ROPHO: 

Not teaching perfection. 

Not preaching. 

But exploring life balances together, openly, honestly, with humour and grace. 

Review of 2025 Personal Life 

The good – a special trip to Marmaris Turkey for my wife’s twin sisters 60th Birthday, neither are experienced traveller’s.

It was in fact one of her sister’s first overseas holiday for 30 years.

 It was amazing I have not laughed as much for a very long time, whether it was a boat trip or a shopping expedition, it was hilarious. 

Our granddaughter’s 21st Birthday party (How did that happen?) 

Theatre trip to Tina the musical with daughter and granddaughter, much better than expected. 

Family trips, meals, etc. 

This list isn’t exhaustive just list the things you had fun doing big and small memories made.

Creating a Personal Plan That Fits Later Life 

Business plans I can do in my sleep. 

Personal plans? Never really done one written down, always in my head. 

 So, this year I thought I would give it a go (currently working on changing my business plan guide into an easy to understand ebook. Free to subscribers) 

But being older requires a different style of planning — flexible, compassionate, human. 

Life comes with surprises, health considerations, energy levels that change week to week, family needs, and moments that matter more than schedules. 

So rather than a rigid life calendar, I’m building a Living Personal Plan for 2026. 

A plan built around what really matters: 

Time 

Connection 

Health 

Joy 

Curiosity 

Adventure 

Rest 

Let’s start with what’s already on the horizon. 

Things We Already Have Planned 

Holidays 

Relaxation. Adventure. Warm evenings. New food. Bare feet on warm sand. 

As we get older, time away feels even more precious, it resets the soul. 

We have a big one booked, Thailand, December 2026. 

It was postponed due to our daughter’s cancer diagnosis, but it’s still there waiting for us. 

We chose Thailand because: 

• We have explored a lot of Europe and some Caribbean Islands, we wanted to sample a part of Asia at this time of our life. 

• The mix of beaches, culture, food & scenery is perfect 

• Our kids loved it and recommended it 

• A blend of lazy pool days + exploring temples & markets sounds ideal 

We’ll also look at a European break mid-year (April–June) 

Plus, some weekend breaks, just enough to keep the joy flowing. 

Having something to look forward to matters, psychologically much more than we admit. 

Most importantly, future memories in the making. 

Special Occasions 

• Wedding anniversaries 

• Significant birthdays 

• Family gatherings 

• And for many of us, grandchild milestones, we are blessed, we have six with another due in May. 

These are anchors in the year, events that remind us why life balance is worth improving. 

Health Appointments 

We can’t ignore this part of ageing. 

I have an annual pacemaker pacing clinic appointment, non-negotiable. 

Yours may be check-ups, screenings, routine tests, physio, yearly MOT’s for the body. 

Let’s acknowledge them, not dread them. 

Health isn’t a background detail anymore; it’s the secret to longevity as I am regularly reminded by our loving daughters. 

So… Weekly or Monthly Plans? 

Here’s the tricky question I’m sitting with: 

Do I plan monthly for flexibility… 

or weekly for accountability? 

Because, confession time, I have tried a weekly plan. 

And it never goes how I imagine. 

(If you relate, you’re in the right place.) 

In my next post, I’ll break down my weekly plan, honestly, not perfectly, and how I’m adapting it for a healthier, happier 2026. 

A plan that includes: 

• Time with my wife (real time, not “in the same room scrolling” time) 

• Personal projects & hobbies 

• Exercise or movement 

• Social connection 

• Business/ROPHO creativity 

• Rest 

• “No guilt” days 

Because balance isn’t 50/50. 

It’s knowing when to swing one way, and when to swing back. 

Before the next post… 

Here are 3 gentle reflection questions for you: 

🖊 What do you already have booked in 2026 that excites you? 

🖊 Which personal habits slipped this year, and how could you restart them lightly? 

🖊 What one simple change would make your life feel just a little more balanced? 

Not 20 changes. 

Just one. 

Small improvements stick. 

Big overhauls rarely survive February. 

Coming next: 

““My Weekly Plan How I’m Rebuilding It for a Balanced 2026”  

It will include: 

📅 A printable weekly template 

❤️ Relationship & family time blocks 

🏃 Movement/health slots 

🎨 Hobbies & creativity 

💼 ROPHO/business work time 

😌 Rest, reflection, reset 

You’re not alone in balancing work, life, love, health, purpose and time. 

Most of us in our sixties are still figuring it out — and that’s okay. 

We figure it out together. 

ROPHO — Health, Pleasure & Balance in Your Sixties

One of the greatest pleasures in life, at least for me, is eating out.

Not Michelin-star, dress-code, remortgage-the-house gastronomy.

I’m talking about a good local restaurant or proper food pub.

Fresh produce, friendly service, and somewhere comfortable, where you can taste the food and still hear the person sitting opposite you.

We’re lucky here in the UK, despite what people say, there are fantastic eateries everywhere.

Whether you love traditional British dishes, a cracking curry, or, like me… Italian.
Beautiful pasta. A decent steak. Real coffee. Warm bread you swear you won’t touch… then touch.

But here’s the challenge:

How do we enjoy eating out without expanding our waistbands further?

“Just eat a salad!” someone will shout.

Yes, but Mr. Calorie is often hiding in the dressing, the cheese, the creamy sauce poured politely by a smiling waiter.

So the answer isn’t restriction as is often the case it’s all about balance.

---

Preparation (The Healthy Halo Day)

Today I’ve been very good, preparing for tonight like a man entering a marathon:

• Walked an insane number of steps
• Low-fat Greek yoghurt with blueberries for breakfast
• Tuna & cucumber wholemeal sandwich for lunch
• Drank enough water to irrigate a small garden
• Did 45 minutes of resistance training
• Then sat at my laptop for six hours (balance, right?)
• Dog walked. Steps topped up. Feeling righteous.

Healthy body? Check.
Calorie budget? Saved.
Smugness level? High.

Which means…
Perfect evening for an Italian restaurant.

Did we plan ahead? Of course not.
Last-minute booking, quick taxi (raining, no driving excuse!).
We arrive. Found a table. Menus appear.

Then the first difficult question:

“What would you like to drink?”

This is where intentions and real life wrestle against each other.

We’d planned to be sensible.
Maybe a glass of wine each.

But the waiter says they have a special Merlot, hand-picked by the owner.
You know the one, described in poetic detail.
Black cherries. Velvet finish. Oak barrels. Irresistible.

Sharon looks at me.
I look at Sharon.

“This particular Merlot is sold by the bottle.”

Of course it is, It would be rude not to indulge wouldn’t it!

• http://myfittnespal time.
• Bottle of Merlot: approx. 640 calories.
• Half for me (I promise). 320.
• Today’s calories so far: 897.
• Left: 1475.
• Wine fits.
• So far, so good.

Starter: Yes please.

---

So… can you eat healthily in a restaurant?

Absolutely — if you make small choices that balance enjoyment with awareness.

Some realistic tips (realistic meaning “still fun”):

Starters

• Choose tomato-based soups, prawns, bruschetta, cured meats, olives
• Avoid deep-fried everything unless worth it
• Share starters — more variety, fewer calories

Mains

• Grilled or baked over deep-fried
• Swap chips for salad or half-and-half
• Tomato sauces instead of cream
• Add extra greens — volume without guilt
• Portion too big? Take half home for lunch tomorrow

Dessert

• Share one
• Or skip and enjoy another glass of wine
• Or skip nothing and enjoy your life — your choice

Wine

• Alternate with water
• Slow pace, savour it
• Good wine, oh well more wine

---

Health without punishment

After the meal:

• Short walk aids digestion & blood sugar
• Water before bed
• No guilt, one meal doesn’t ruin everything
• Consistency beats perfection

Health is built over months, not meals.

---

Why this matters to me

Since my pacemaker, I’m conscious of balance,
health, happiness, food, movement, pleasure.

I don’t want to live a life of “No.”
I want a life of “Yes — sensibly.”

Because joy matters.
Connection matters.
Good food with someone you love matters.

---

Final thought

You can eat out, enjoy wine, and stay healthy.
It isn’t about restriction. It’s about awareness, habit & balance.

Not diet. Not punishment.
Just living well but with pleasure.

Don’t forget to email me your stories of eating out healthily.

Stronger, Happier, Healthier: A New Look at Fitness After 60

We have been on this journey, and for what it’s worth, these are my thoughts.

I asked Sharon, my wife, to proofread this post and give her honest opinion.

On professional grounds, I cannot repeat what she said.

However, I know I must do better and follow my own advice, especially about putting the phone down.

When life throws a challenge as heavy as breast cancer, it doesn’t just affect the person diagnosed, it ripples through the entire family.

For many, the hardest part isn’t just coping with the illness itself but watching loved one’s struggle.

If your daughter is facing breast cancer, your wife is carrying an unimaginable weight as a mother.

And you, as her partner, are navigating the delicate balance of being strong for her while managing your own emotions. 

This blog is for those who find themselves in that position, wanting to support their spouse through one of the most difficult chapters of life. 

Acknowledge the Emotional Storm 

Your wife may be experiencing fear, guilt, helplessness, and even anger.

These emotions are natural. The most powerful thing you can do is listen without judgement.

Avoid rushing to solutions or saying, “be strong.” Instead, validate her feelings with phrases like: 

“I can see how hard this is for you.” 

“It’s okay to feel overwhelmed.” 

Sometimes, just being heard is the greatest comfort.

Be Present—Really Present 

Presence isn’t just about being in the same room. 

It’s about being emotionally available. Put down the phone, turn off distractions, and give her your full attention.

A gentle touch, a shared silence, or a simple “I’m here for you” can mean more than any grand gesture. 

Share the Load 

Stress multiplies when practical responsibilities pile up.

Offer to take on household tasks, manage appointments, or coordinate with doctors.

These small actions free her mental space and show that you’re in this together. 

Encourage Self-Care 

When a mother’s child is ill, her own wellbeing often takes a back seat.

Remind her gently that she needs rest, proper meals, and moments of calm.

 Suggest activities that soothe her a walk, a favourite book, or even a short meditation.

If possible, explore counselling or support groups where she can share her feelings with others who understand.

Keep Communication Open 

Ask open-ended questions like: 

“How are you feeling today?” 

“What’s on your mind right now?”

Avoid phrases that pressure her to feel okay. Let her lead the conversation, and when she needs silence, respect that too.  

Take Care of Yourself 

Supporting someone through this journey is emotionally draining.

 It’s okay to admit that you’re struggling too.

Find healthy outlets talk to a friend, join a support group, or keep a journal.

Remember, your strength comes from being well yourself. 

Seek Reliable Resources 

Knowledge can ease fear. Explore trusted organisations such as:  

Macmillan Cancer Support 

Local family counselling services

These resources offer guidance, emotional support, and practical help for families. 

Closing Thoughts 

This journey is hard, there’s no denying that.

But love, patience, and partnership can create a foundation strong enough to weather even the fiercest storms.

You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to show up, every day, with empathy and care.

Entering your sixties doesn’t mean slowing down, it can be the perfect moment to launch, grow, or reinvent a business.

With decades of experience, a wide professional network, and the clarity that comes from knowing what truly matters.

Entrepreneurs over sixty are uniquely positioned for success. whether you’re starting a fresh business or levelling up an existing venture.

This guide will help you harness your strengths and navigate the modern business landscape with confidence. 

Embrace the Power of Experience 

By sixty or sixty-three as in my case, you’ve likely accumulated a lifetime of practical wisdom.

How to solve problems, manage people, and stay calm under pressure.

These strengths give you a serious advantage over less seasoned entrepreneurs.

• Identify your core expertise and build your business around it. 

• Leverage your track record when establishing credibility with clients or investors. 

• Use your network, past colleagues, clients, and friends can become early supporters or collaborators. 

Stay Curious and Adaptable 

The business world evolves quickly, but the ability to adapt isn’t reserved for younger generations. 

Be willing to learn new technologies, this is the reason I am starting this website at my time of life.

One of my biggest tips for businesses have always been “Your website is your showroom to the world.

Get a website designer (who I normally recommend from my own business network).

This has worked well. However, as times change at a pace, with technology and in particular AI, I would like to see if this old dog can learn some new tricks. 

Take advantage of online courses, workshops, and mentorship programs aimed at small business owners. 

View change as opportunity rather than disruption. 

Adaptability makes your experience even more powerful.

Prioritise Health and Well-Being

Sustainable business success requires energy, clarity, and balance.

 Maintain a routine that includes movement, rest, and healthy eating.

In recent times finding a balance between work and real life issues such as family illnesses and bereavement has been a real issue.

The really awful bit is neglecting time when you can have real fun with your loved ones.

Remember a famous quote from George Bernard Shaw “You don’t stop laughing when you grow old; You grow old when you stop laughing.” 

Set boundaries around work hours to avoid burnout. 

Consider delegating or outsourcing tasks that drain you.

Taking care of yourself isn’t optional—it’s essential. 

Use Technology to Work Smarter, Not Harder 

Whilst many of you reading this article will be very skilled in the modern technical world.

Currently I am not, however I am willing to learn and am making progress.

Digital tools can streamline your workload and expand your reach.Build an online presence through a simple website (as you can see still plenty of work to do) and social platforms. 

Use automated systems for invoicing, scheduling, email marketing, and customer support. 

Explore tools for collaboration and project management to simplify daily operations.

You don’t need to master every platform, just the ones that help your business run efficiently. 

Reassess Your Financial Strategy 

Your financial priorities at sixty may differ from earlier phases of life. 

• Create a realistic budget and set clear revenue goals. 

• Consider hiring a financial advisor who understands both entrepreneurship and retirement planning. 

• Explore funding options that fit your stage of life, such as grants, partnerships, or self-funding. 

Financial clarity leads to better decisions and less stress. 

Lead with Purpose and Passion 

Entrepreneurs over sixty are often motivated by meaning rather than obligation, which is a powerful foundation for success. 

• Align your business with your values and long-term vision. 

• Focus on work that energizes you and makes a difference. 

• Celebrate the freedom to choose projects and clients that align with your priorities. 

Purpose-driven leadership attracts loyal customers and inspires strong teams. 

Build a Support System 

Success rarely happens alone. 

• Surround yourself with mentors, advisors, and peers who understand entrepreneurship. 

• Participate in business groups, both online and local. 

• Lean on younger generations for fresh ideas and tech insight and offer your expertise in return. 

A solid support system boosts confidence and accelerates growth. 

Celebrate Your Unique Edge 

Starting or growing a business after sixty is not a limitation it’s an advantage.

Your lived experience, emotional intelligence, and resilience are assets that can’t be taught in a classroom. 

Embrace where you are, trust what you know, and stay open to what’s next.

Success at sixty and beyond is not just possible, it’s powerful, purposeful, and entirely yours to define. 

While I truly believe in this advice, nothing worthwhile is ever easy. If anyone finds any of this helpful that would be wonderful. 

Please let me know if you are undertaking new ventures or indeed adventures and have any valuable advice you can share.

See Business Page for The Over-60s Business Planning Checklist

Body Image in Later Life: Does It Still Matter?

 As we get older, many of us like to say,
“I don’t care what people think anymore”, body image is not important anymore.

We wear what we want, we stop chasing trends,
we tell ourselves we’re comfortable in our own skin.

But is that always true?

Does how we see our bodies, still affect how we see our lives,
or do we judge success by confidence and contentment, or by appearances, comparisons, and expectations we pretend no longer matter?

When Body Image Never Really Left Me

My relationship with body image started very early.

I was born with a sunken chest, pectus excavatum a structural deformity where the breastbone sits inward rather than outward.

From as far back as I can remember, taking my shirt off felt uncomfortable, school PE, swimming,the beach.

Moments that should have been carefree became moments of self-consciousness.

I learned early how powerful body awareness can be, and how long it stays with you.

This is something we don’t talk about enough, body image doesn’t disappear with age, it evolves.

Even in our sixties and beyond, we still live in bodies that change, reflect our health, carry our past, and interact with the world.

The mirror may hold less power than it once did, but it never completely loses it.

Changing Bodies, Changing Priorities

Ageing brings changes we can’t negotiate with,hair thins or greys, skin softens, muscles weaken, posture shifts.
Joints complain more loudly than they used to.

Illness, injury, or surgery can accelerate these changes, sometimes forcing us to confront parts of ourselves we weren’t ready to acknowledge.

Yet ageing also offers something valuable: perspective.

Now in my sixties (although I don’t always act it), I care far less about how my body looks, and far more about what it allows me to do.

Can I move comfortably?
Can I travel?
Can I work, laugh, think clearly, enjoy life?

Wrinkles and scars start to feel less like flaws and more like evidence of survival.

The Social Mirror We Still Live With

Our body image doesn’t exist in isolation.

We live in a culture that worships youth and quietly sidelines ageing bodies.

Advertising still pushes “anti-ageing” as if getting older is a problem to fix rather than a privilege to experience.

But that narrative is slowly shifting.

More older voices are pushing back, more real faces are appearing,more people are saying, this is what ageing actually looks like.

Community matters here, friends, family, peers who reflect acceptance rather than judgement. At any age, we absorb the messages around us.

Health, Identity, and the Ageing Body

In later life, health and body image are tightly connected.

Chronic illness, mobility issues, weight changes, medication, scars, all can reshape how we see ourselves.

For some, this brings grief or frustration. For others, resilience and adaptation.

Sometimes positivity means redefining what healthy looks like.

It’s not perfection, or aesthetics, instead it’s capability, independence and presence.

Relationships Matter More Than We Admit

Partners, family, children, grandchildren and friends,they all influence how we see ourselves.

A kind comment can reinforce confidence, a careless one can reopen old doubts.

Honest conversations about ageing, health, and self-image help bridge generations and remind us that none of us are navigating this alone.

Nurturing a Healthier Body Image After 60

A positive relationship with your body doesn’t mean loving every change, it means respecting the body that carries you.

Some gentle reminders that help:

• Practice self-compassion — notice feelings without judgement
• Focus on function, not flaws — movement, energy, independence
• Choose positive influences — people and media that value real life
• Challenge stereotypes — ageing is not decline by default
• Stay active in your own way — movement builds confidence at any level
• Express yourself — wear what feels right, do what brings you joy

When It Feels Hard

If negative body image starts affecting your wellbeing, talk about it.

Friends.
Partners.
Support groups.
Professionals.

Struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing, it means you’re human.

Embracing the Body That Got You Here

Body image doesn’t expire with youth, It grows, It shifts, and often
it challenges us again.

But later life also offers something younger years rarely do, the chance to choose acceptance over criticism.

If sharing this story helps even one person feel less alone, then it’s worth it.

I’d genuinely love to hear your experiences, especially moments where you’ve learned to accept or even appreciate your body, despite struggles along the way.

Because if a story helps one person, that’s a win.

From Dreams to Achievements: A Practical Guide After 60