About Me
Hello there!
I’m Chris. I’m 53. I’m from Southeast Missouri.
A few hard years changed everything — losing my mother to dementia, stepping away from a job that had become toxic to me, and then a major heart wake-up call that forced me to take life more seriously.
That photo was taken in the hospital.
I didn’t expect any of this to happen, but it did — and it made me take my health and my time seriously.
Life can change fast. I’m not here to preach — I’m just trying to do better than I did before.
I’m rebuilding my health, my routines, and my life in real time, and I’m writing it down as I go.
This site is where I’m doing the slow work of rebuilding, one small step at a time.
This is a work in progress — and you’re welcome to walk alongside me.
If you’re brand new, click → Start Here. If you want the longer story and the details, keep reading below.
If you want the full backstory, read My Journey.
Why this site exists
Rebuilding, One Step at a Time.
For years, my thoughts on health, longevity, and “Level 10” living lived in a stack of scattered notebooks. It took the loss of my mother to dementia—following the passing of my father and my wife—to realize that life doesn’t wait for you to be “ready.”
I created This Old Man’s Life as a digital home for my journey. It’s part survival guide, part personal archive. After facing a triple bypass surgery in 2025, my mission shifted from just “taking notes” to actively rebuilding my healthspan and my home. When I’m not documenting my cardiac rehab or researching longevity, I’m usually nursing a cup of coffee, sketching, or slowly restoring my house with an eye toward finally getting into woodworking.
I’m not a guru. I’m just a man documenting what it looks like to start over in your 50s. I hope that in sharing my wins and setbacks, you find something that helps you on your own path.
What you’ll find here
This site mainly follows three tracks — basically the buckets I keep coming back to:
Healthspan (living better now)
This is the day-to-day stuff I’m working on — energy, strength, sleep, food, stress, and staying capable as I get older.
→ Healthspan
Lifespan (the longer view)
This is where I keep notes on what I’m learning about aging well and giving myself a better shot at more good years.
→ Lifespan
A Level 10 Life (one area at a time)
This is how I keep from getting overwhelmed. I look at 10 areas of life and focus on one small improvement at a time.
→ A Level 10 Life
The family (private, but important)
I’m a dad of some pretty awesome kids. I’m not going to share their photos or details here because they deserve their privacy.
But I will say this: I’m proud of them — and they’re a big reason I’m taking my health more seriously now.
My Level 10 snapshot (right now)
*1–10 scale • Last updated: 2026-02-08*
This is my starting point — I’m raising these one step at a time.
Physical Health
3/ 10
Mental Health
4 / 10
Spiritual Health
3/ 10
Relationships
1 / 10
Fun / Leisure
4 / 10
Self - Development
3 / 10
Education & Learning
5 / 10
Career
1 / 10
Financial
2/ 10
Home
5/ 10
Focus this month: Spiritual Health (3 → 4)
One small thing to do: Meditation
Want to do this with me?
→ A Level 10 Life
Weird Facts
Some facts about me:
I’m the only child
- My favorite color(s) are green and black (I’m working on incorporating them into my house)
- I’m a homebody
- I have never been to a music concert
- According to a online test, I’m an INFJ
- Favorite animal – I’ve got 3: wolf, raven and turtle
- I have always been drawing, doodling or writing something
- I seem to always be collecting pens & pencils.
- I currently have no pets
“What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.” —Hugh Mulligan (October 1981)