Champions of Wellness: Healthy Aging

Laura Deming is a brilliant thinker and venture capitalist with a heart. After dropping out of MIT at the age of 17, Deming founded The Longevity Fund to support young talent and emerging researchers interested in the science of longevity. The organization supports those who investigate novel problems and solutions that promote a longer and healthier lifespan. Follow Laura on Twitter @laurademing.

Ben Greenfield is an accomplished athlete, writer, public speaker, coach, and health expert who is widely known for leading his clients to peak performance in both life and sport. He is not only a New York Times bestselling author, but he was also voted America’s Personal Trainer of the Year by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and has been named as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Health and Fitness. Follow Ben on Instagram @bengreenfieldfitness.

As the CEO of AARP Jo Ann Jenkins has made it her mission to redefine the vision of aging. With a strong background of leadership in both the government and private sector, she has led the non-profit organization to its position as a leader in social change. And with her bestselling book, Disrupt Aging: A Bold New Path to Living Your Best Life at Every Age, she empowers people to choose how they live and age. Follow Jo Ann on Twitter @JoAnn_Jenkins.

Chip Conley is a world-renowned hospitality entrepreneur, a New York Times bestselling author, and a self-described modern elder. Conley founded Widsom Well, a blog that delivers daily reminders of wisdom and its value. He also founded the Modern Elder Academy (MEA), the world’s first midlife wisdom school. MEA workshops help middle-aged people rediscover awe and redefine their purpose. Conley is a TED speaker and serves on the boards of the Burning Man Project and the Esalen Institute, home of the Conley Library. Follow Chip on Twitter @ChipConley.

Maggie Moon, MS, RD, is a former professional dancer and accredited dietitian who has brought the concept of chromosomal health to the mainstream. Her book, The Telomere Diet and Cookbook: A Scientific Approach to Slow Your Genetic Aging and Live a Longer, Healthier Life, teaches readers how to age better by making changes to the diet that help protect telomeres, the caps on your chromosomes. Follow Maggie on Twitter @maggiemoonrd.

The late Tao Porchon-Lynch not only believed that there is nothing one cannot do, but she put that belief to the test every day. We remember and honor the 101-year-old yogi who was the recipient of the Padma Shri Award presented by the president of India for distinguished service of a high order. As an accomplished film professional and the world’s oldest yoga teacher, Porchon-Lynch encouraged her followers to seek enlightenment and reminded us all to live life to the fullest. Editors Note: Tao was selected as a Champion of Wellness prior to her passing on February 21st, 2020.

As CEO of SAGE, Michael Adams is leading the oldest and largest organization in the country dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT seniors. He has been named one of Next Avenue’s 50 “Influencers in Aging,” and has twice been named to Out magazine’s Out 100. Adams is passionate about giving a voice to LGBT elders on issues including discrimination, housing, health care, and disabilities. Follow the organization on Instagram @sageusa.

When Anne Wojcicki co-founded 23andMe, she gave consumers unprecedented access to their genetic information. The company’s home-based saliva kits provide customers with personalized reports about genetic health risks, ancestry information, and more. Wojcicki also hopes to use the genetic data she collects to develop drugs and find cures for diseases like Alzheimer's. Her goal is to give people the data and understanding they need to not only live longer but to live longer and stay well. Follow Anne on Twitter @annewoj23.

Marc Freedman is the founder and CEO of Encore.org and author of several books, including How to Live Forever. He encourages people aged 50 and over to remain productive and to make community involvement a primary goal. Freedman describes himself as a social entrepreneur and promotes intergenerational connection, mentorship, and maintaining a targeted purpose later in life. He has been a visiting scholar at universities around the world and has won numerous awards for his contributions to social causes. Follow Marc on Twitter @marc_freedman.

David Sinclair, PhD, is a Harvard genetics professor who believes that we need to change what we think about aging. In his book Lifespan, he dispels longheld principles about the inevitability of physical decline and reveals groundbreaking research into the treatment of aging as a disease. His writings challenge us to consider the social, economic, and political risks and benefits of a world in which people live longer and healthier lives. Follow David on Instagram @davidsinclariphd.