Stayin' Alive

[Bill Ryan]

Dear Friends, I was inspired to start this new thread after DNA's very kind post here on my recent Birthday thread;

Posted by DNA (here)
Living life on your terms, now and hopefully forever.
Happy birthday Bill keep doing what you're doing, it's working.

That made me ponder quite a lot. What have I actually "been doing"??

So this is just an immediate first-thoughts bulletpoint list.

• I've been taking supplements regularly ever since I was about 30.
• I don't drink or smoke, or ever took any kind of recreational drugs.
• The last injection I had for anything at all was for Yellow Fever nearly 50 years ago.
• I've always been physically active, and have been lucky enough never to have had any serious injuries.
• I don't use a cellphone, and don't actually have a signal at my house anyway. (I also turn my Wifi off at night.)
• I recently threw away all my plastic containers and now just use glass (because of the microplastics problem). Even when hiking in the mountains, I now use a glass water bottle.
• I do make sure I go hiking regularly. 50 years ago, I could go for 6 months not doing a thing and immediately be very active again with no problem. Now, that won't work at all! So I have to maintain my level of activity, or else I'd lose my fitness quickly.
• (importantly) I follow all the Health and Wellness threads on Avalon closely, and I continue to learn and adapt a lot. Examples have been getting a Spooky2 Rife Machine, using C60 (which I also introduced to my young super-athlete friends Noam and Pema, who now use it preparing for all their races), being advised how to fix my problem on the Thyroid Question thread, continuing to learn about Water Fasting, and taking good advice from Mike about supplements on the Heart problems and arrhythmias thread. (I occasionally use to get a tachycardia when hiking, which is always alarming, but that's not happened now for over a year.)

If anyone else is doing something valuable that I'm missing, please do share it here!!

~~~

But the philosophical aspects of Stayin' Alive are far more profound.

• What am I actually stayin' alive for? (I have no family or children.)
• Do I really want to keep going till I'm 95 or 100?
• If (or rather, when!) I leave this life, how and when would I prefer that to happen??

[Sue (Ayt)]

Posted by Bill Ryan (here)
[*]What am I actually stayin' alive for? (I have no family or children.)

I would say that we need all the lighter essences we can get to remain right now, to restore balance to this plane. (And perhaps even raise the frequency level some?)

[DNA]

Your job should you choose to accept it is this.
Live through whatever is about to happen and document it via ink and paper.
You should start right away.
When things settle down into any kind of normalcy there will be lots of young women looking for leadership.
It will then be your job, nay sir, your duty to spread those incredible non jabbed genetics and have as many children as possible.
I'm not kidding.
You take care of yourself sure, but there's a fundamental genetic signature to you that makes you special.
I've seen you in person.
I've hugged you via the mighty bro hug.
It was only six years ago.
You emit vitality, sturdiness and male masculinity.
It's a damn shame you haven't had any kids already but it is what it is.
That being said someone has to perform clean up duty.
You are going to get through this so I'm just saying

[SilentFeathers]

Posted by Bill Ryan (here)
[*]What am I actually stayin' alive for? (I have no family or children.)

Never say never Bill,

I'm 63 years old and found out less than two years ago I have a 37 year old son, an 18 year old grandson, and a 9 year old grand-daughter!
I didn't have a clue and his mother kept me a secret all these years. (Long story!)

My 21 year old daughter I have here with me in Georgia thought she was my only child, (as did I), now she has a brother!

We've all spent time together the last two summers and it's actually been a beautiful thing!

Sometimes life just slaps you upside the head and throws you a curve ball outta no where!!!!! LOL

[grapevine]

Very interesting OP Bill, thanks.

Would you mind sharing with us what supplements you take, particularly the C60 which I'd never heard of before but sounds very intriguing from the link. How does it work?

https://www.sesres.com/blog/what-is-c60/

As someone who's only just started taking supplements there's not much information on whether dosage has any bearing on weight, how long to take it for and when to expect results. I also understand that many brands aren't independently tested and some could contain only 1% of the vitamin, and that price has little bearing on quality.

For me it’s more a case of “I’m still standing” than “Stayin alive” as I’ve just come through a life-changing experience quite late in life. Nevertheless, it’s been a lesson well learned; having taken fantastically good health for granted, I’ve been brought to heel with a great big bump. Getting back onto an even keel isn’t easy and takes longer with age. You Tube videos are full of contradictions, do this, don’t do this, don’t eat that, eat this, etc and eventually decide to use commonsense and start slowly.

To a large extent, barring accidents and illnesses, we can use our parents as a barometer for longevity. Also, we’d probably all agree that Quality of Life is more important than quantity, that we wouldn’t wish to be a burden on our family, but that to end up in an Old Folks Home, sitting alone in the corner all day, dribbling, and having our nappies changed is to be avoided at all costs. If we were certain about what comes next perhaps we’d get to the stage where things start falling off (maybe literally) and use the last of our savings to pop over to Switzerland on a one-way ticket and permanent sleep, ready to be met at the Pearly Gates by a loved one who can show you around before choosing our next package tour.

Just thinking aloud.

[Jaak]

Posted by Bill Ryan (here)

• What am I actually stayin' alive for? (I have no family or children.)
• Do I really want to keep going till I'm 95 or 100?
• If (or rather, when!) I leave this life, how and when would I prefer that to happen??

My belief is that we are here to evolve our soul through experience and knowledge.
But physical life aint perfect to do that it seems.

My grandmother is 95 and physically surprisingly healthy . No glasses, eyesight top notch.
But some years ago dementia kicked in and it aint getting better. Does not remember her own kids most of the time and last 30 years is mostly very blurry. Oddly she remembers many things before that.
And she often says she would like to die to not be a burden for anybody... Sadly she does not seem to enjoy existing anymore . And who can blame her.
She left behind a large family who does look after her and visits her although for her they are strangers who she does not remember...
Glad she aint in pain and suffering physically but to be that far mentally from reality that you cant even appreciate it or understand most of it or none of it...
Sad but what can be done , no idea.
I would not like to follow the same path and if i do i would not know it . This thought troubles me . Would i like to be euthanized when i end up in that kind of situation ?
Dont know. Part of me thinks i should go through whatever hell on earth will be on my path . Easy to say and think until you feel some extreme pain and discomfort...

Bill says he has no family but i think if you manage to cry for help here in forum then many will do what they can to help you . No family but dozens of people who you have affected over the years and who would love to help.

People who stay busy seem to live longer . Move a lot and think/read a lot, communicate with people. STAY POSITIVE . Pointless to worry about anything and to be stressed. Easy to say , on occasions almost impossible to do...

I hope Bill lives a long healthy life ,physically and mentally . But do have a back up plan , some people who can communicate to forum if it happens that you can not so that forum members have some means to help you .

[Chip]

Posted by Bill Ryan (here)
Dear Friends, I was inspired to start this new thread after DNA's very kind post here on my recent Birthday thread;

Posted by DNA (here)
Living life on your terms, now and hopefully forever.
Happy birthday Bill keep doing what you're doing, it's working.

That made me ponder quite a lot. What have I actually "been doing"??

So this is just an immediate first-thoughts bulletpoint list.

• I've been taking supplements regularly ever since I was about 30.
• I don't drink or smoke, or ever took any kind of recreational drugs.
• The last injection I had for anything at all was for Yellow Fever nearly 50 years ago.
• I've always been physically active, and have been lucky enough never to have had any serious injuries.
• I don't use a cellphone, and don't actually have a signal at my house anyway. (I also turn my Wifi off at night.)
• I recently threw away all my plastic containers and now just use glass (because of the microplastics problem). Even when hiking in the mountains, I now use a glass water bottle.
• I do make sure I go hiking regularly. 50 years ago, I could go for 6 months not doing a thing and immediately be very active again with no problem. Now, that won't work at all! So I have to maintain my level of activity, or else I'd lose my fitness quickly.
• (importantly) I follow all the Health and Wellness threads on Avalon closely, and I continue to learn and adapt a lot. Examples have been getting a Spooky2 Rife Machine, using C60 (which I also introduced to my young super-athlete friends Noam and Pema, who now use it preparing for all their races), being advised how to fix my problem on the Thyroid Question thread, continuing to learn about Water Fasting, and taking good advice from Mike about supplements on the Heart problems and arrhythmias thread. (I occasionally use to get a tachycardia when hiking, which is always alarming, but that's not happened now for over a year.)

If anyone else is doing something valuable that I'm missing, please do share it here!!

~~~

But the philosophical aspects of Stayin' Alive are far more profound.

• What am I actually stayin' alive for? (I have no family or children.)
• Do I really want to keep going till I'm 95 or 100?
• If (or rather, when!) I leave this life, how and when would I prefer that to happen??

Bill, this is a powerful reflection.

The practical things you’ve been “doing” clearly matter — discipline, consistency, staying physically active, being intentional about what you put into your body and environment. That kind of steady stewardship of one’s health doesn’t happen by accident. It reflects self-respect.

But what struck me most wasn’t the supplements or the hiking.

It was the deeper question: What am I actually stayin’ alive for?

I’ve come to believe that staying alive isn’t just about extending years — it’s about refining presence. It’s about becoming more conscious, more intentional, more at peace with oneself as time goes on. The goal isn’t merely to reach 95. It’s to arrive at each year with clarity, autonomy, and a sense that we’re still growing.

For those of us without children or traditional legacy markers, the meaning can feel less obvious — but I’ve started to see that influence isn’t limited to family trees. It’s in conversations, encouragement, mentorship, shared ideas, steady example. Sometimes just living thoughtfully and honestly is its own quiet contribution.

As for how long to go — I don’t think the number matters nearly as much as the condition of the spirit while we’re here. If we can remain curious, adaptable, physically capable, and mentally engaged — that’s vitality. If we can meet the end, whenever it comes, without fear and without unfinished resentment — that’s success.

To me, “stayin’ alive” isn’t about clinging. It’s about participating. Fully. Gratefully. Deliberately.

And from everything you’ve shared over the years, I’d say that’s exactly what you’ve been doing.

God Bless you Bill
And Happy belated birthday brother

[bobme]

Happy birthday Bill. I think you are doing exactly What you were born to do. You bring people together, without the arrogance and greed that other forums founders do not have.

You do not ask for membership , or advertise with intent to make yourself more wealthy as most others do. That is A gift most do not have these days.

So thank you for sharing that with me and others who truely get what you do.

[Bill Ryan]

Wow, what an interesting thread I started! My warmest thanks to everyone who's posted so generously to share their own kind and valuable thoughts.

I should have added to my opening post that there's no way I'm being negative, forlorn or defeatist about anything at all. I'm always positive and wake up every day looking forward with great interest to either what I might do or what the day might bring. I never ever have to drag myself out of bed in the morning.

One important factor in my bulletpoint list of what I've "been doing" I completely forgot to include. It might even be the most important. That's this:

• I always think of myself as a young person. I really do. Not a kid! But I'm kind of permanently stuck at believing I'm 30 or 40. I suspect that might make quite a lot of difference to my general well-being. (It's not anything I do 'deliberately'! I just can't help it.)

~~~

Posted by grapevine (here)
Would you mind sharing with us what supplements you take, particularly the C60 which I'd never heard of before but sounds very intriguing from the link. How does it work?

https://www.sesres.com/blog/what-is-c60

I take all the standard vitamins and minerals. What I also take that's not so standard is:

• Krill Oil
• Lutein with Astaxanthin (for eyesight)
• Vitamins K and K2 (which help to absorb D3)
• Borax (for joints, see this thread: The Borax Conspiracy)
• DHEA
• Vitalzym (an enzyme complex recommended by Perdido in this post)
• MSM, Glucosamine and Chondroitin (also for joints)
• Rutin
• Lion's Mane.

That sounds like a lot! But I actually take it all very sparingly, every 2-3 days and often just half or less of the recommended doses.

These are the only things I take every day:

• CoQ10
• Collagen powder
• Turmeric powder
• D-Ribose (recommended by Mike as a heart-health supplement)
• Maca
• Raw cacao (do see the interesting Raw Cacao thread).

Re C60, here's the 9-page Avalon thread, which has a LOT of info on it:

• Carbon 60 (C60) Antioxidant that works at the DNA Level!

[shaberon]

It sounds like there is no plan other than being on a mountain in Ecuador.


I am on top of a hill coming off the Uwharries, usually considered the oldest mountains in the world. I think that's just because they have rocks in them. They're not big enough to have a mountainous ecosystem or climate effect. The difference between us is that mine is not really by choice.

You recently posted that you rarely speak to anyone.

I feel what is missing is the ability to go around in the third dimension and mix with aggregates of humanity. That we are supposed to do something outside ourselves, that involves interaction, and that is the way I am looking to go. Do you see anything "out there", or any reason for grouping that might be worthwhile?

[Bruce G Charlton]

"I always think of myself as a young person. "

I would suggest, tentatively, that maybe this is not really a good attitude!

Some 25 years ago (before I was myself old) I was attracted by Jung's idea that ideally each life (or rather, each human life that is of the "Biblical" duration of three-score years and ten) has at least four different stages or phases, each with its own distinctive task. Joseph Campbell often talked about this, and endorsed it.

Without being prescriptive; the last "quarter" of life, old age, properly has its own spiritual tasks, often to do with "death".

In which case, it would not be a positive thing to try and maintain the attitudes and activities of some earlier stage...

Of course everybody is unique - and Jung's is only a very generic schema. Nonetheless, it has wisdom IMO.

In our culture, where there is no socially-given role for old age (i.e. the old are socially approved almost entirely for seeming to stay younger in appearance and activities) - those who live to old age need to seek out for themselves what it is that they ought to be doing, because it is unlikely that anybody else will encourage them in this spiritual work.

?

[jaybee]

Posted by DNA (here)
Your job should you choose to accept it is this.
Live through whatever is about to happen and document it via ink and paper.
You should start right away.
When things settle down into any kind of normalcy there will be lots of young women looking for leadership.
It will then be your job, nay sir, your duty to spread those incredible non jabbed genetics and have as many children as possible.
I'm not kidding.
You take care of yourself sure, but there's a fundamental genetic signature to you that makes you special.
I've seen you in person.
I've hugged you via the mighty bro hug.
It was only six years ago.
You emit vitality, sturdiness and male masculinity.
It's a damn shame you haven't had any kids already but it is what it is.
That being said someone has to perform clean up duty.
You are going to get through this so I'm just saying

This deserves a reply.... ...... so here goes...............


Re the bolded ...... What the hell are you trying to do to Bill?.....indirectly bump him off!!!!

This thread is about Stayin' Alive not Expirin' Pretty Quickly.... (albeit with happy smile)

For the love of God and all that is holy Bill wouldn't last long servicing a large harem of childbearing young women night and day - then having babies and toddlers all over the place disturbing his peace -

Come on....

It would take more than a few supplements to get through all THAT -

And don't forget Bill was a Tibetan Monk for a thousand years (I don't think it was the same one - a few of them if I remember right )......and climbing Everest wasn't a walk in the park and took up quite a lot of physical and mental energy - one man can only do so much -

Now...... I would maybe volunteer to be part of the little Ecuador Eugenics Project if I could 'do an Elizabeth' - - -
that's Elizabeth who became 'with child' and gave birth to John the Baptist, he of Bible Fame - when she was waaaay past the menopause - but those days are over for me (touch wood)

Oooooookaaaaay - I'd better quit while I'm ahead....haha




PS. - to Bill - that Big Bro Hug obviously got DNA thinking.....about your DNA ....but there's always the Next Life eh - should you chose -

[Vicus]

BUT...if you persist in "disturb" your idyllic life, best for that are women...

[grapevine]

Posted by Bill Ryan (here)
I should have added to my opening post that there's no way I'm being negative, forlorn or defeatist about anything at all. I'm always positive and wake up every day looking forward with great interest to either what I might do or what the day might bring. I never ever have to drag myself out of bed in the morning.

Many thanks for clarifying Bill. I thought I'd had hold of the wrong end of the stick, judging from some other posts.

Thanks too for the vitamins/minerals info.

[seekingtruth]

Happy belated birthday Bill.

Thanks for contributing greatly to my awakening.

This just came across my desk, somewhat serendipitously.

"The secret to living well and longer is:

Eat half,
Walk double,
Laugh triple,
And love without measure."

Many happy returns.

[Heart to heart]

My mantra to myself is “I shall never be an old lady!” Repeated 3 times, and I never will because in my head and heart I shall always be young. I may no longer be able to dance but I can tap my feet to the music of life, always be a mystical storyteller for whoever gathers around my kitchen table, and know that every day brings its own magical synchronicity, my forever connection to the universal Godhead!

[Rizotto]

Thanks Bill, interesting topic. My strong feeling right now is that 'staying alive' will be drastically impacted by the impending USA-Israel attack on Iran.
Because it will mean WW3, and most likely nuclear war. Major destruction of infrastructures world wide will result in food shortages, contaminated water, etc.
In other words, major die off.

On one hand, living in a country far from the conflict up in the mountains in the tropics might afford some protection. But for those living in harsh climates it will be dire.
(Oh well, personally I wasn't looking forward to living into advanced old age, so a shortened span wouldn't be so bad.)

Sorry for the sombre thoughts, but world destruction has been overwhelmingly over my thoughts, and all over the internet.

How is everybody here thinking of surviving this (so preventable) destruction?

[Ravenlocke]

Hi Bill,

Sorry that I did not see your request for monetary help till today and I apologize as well for not following up how you are doing with the plumbing issue. Both those things can be a bit of downers amidst what is all going on in the world right now.

But you know you really are a beacon of hope and inspiration for so many that visit here on Avalon.

Your Avalon board among other things, gives a lot of people a chance to interact, to share information, to express themselves where they cannot elsewhere, or to just get information on topics that interests them, or to reach out to each other. You made that possible us Avalonians and visitors.


I apologize I have to run right now but A Big Thank you for all you do in this world whether you know it or not.

Take care,
God Bless you,

Later,

Ravenlocke

[Bill Ryan]

Posted by Bruce G Charlton (here)
"I always think of myself as a young person. "

I would suggest, tentatively, that maybe this is not really a good attitude!

Some 25 years ago (before I was myself old) I was attracted by Jung's idea that ideally each life (or rather, each human life that is of the "Biblical" duration of three-score years and ten) has at least four different stages or phases, each with its own distinctive task. Joseph Campbell often talked about this, and endorsed it.

Without being prescriptive; the last "quarter" of life, old age, properly has its own spiritual tasks, often to do with "death".

In which case, it would not be a positive thing to try and maintain the attitudes and activities of some earlier stage...

Of course everybody is unique - and Jung's is only a very generic schema. Nonetheless, it has wisdom IMO.

In our culture, where there is no socially-given role for old age (i.e. the old are socially approved almost entirely for seeming to stay younger in appearance and activities) - those who live to old age need to seek out for themselves what it is that they ought to be doing, because it is unlikely that anybody else will encourage them in this spiritual work.

?

Bumping the thread with a response to Bruce's most interesting and thoughtful post above.

I pondered on this for quite some time, and mentioned it a couple of weeks ago when I was chatting with my two young super-athletic friends Noam and Pema.

(For those who may be unfamiliar, Pema is a small girl who's only just turned 13 — and yet she's the #1 woman mountain trail runner in South America, the #1 woman under 18 in the world, and #20 in the world among all ages everywhere. Meanwhile, Noam is aged 21, also #20 in the world: not a once-in-a generation talent like Pema, but still an elite athlete. Taken together, they're a unique brother-and-sister combo.)

Here's Pema, a photo taken a year ago. That's not a 'normal' portrait of a 12-year-old.



Our conversation was all about mental attitude towards (a) achievement and (b) living the best life. They have a LOT of personal experience in this, as they've both consciously deviated WAY beyond the standard expectations of society. And they love it.

Neither has ever spent a day in school, yet they both speak 4 languages and are highly intelligent, competent, responsible, and mature beyond their years. If Carl Jung were to argue that Pema should just be like every other little girl (because that's her 'current stage in life', as it were), then she'd simply be mediocre in every way. Just like almost every other little girl.

But she's chosen not to be mediocre. That refusal to be conventional has brought out the very best in her in the most extraordinary ways.

So the message here, I'd suggest, is that human society throughout history has always had champions in every field — not just sport! — who have each dared to depart from society's norms to become exceptional.

That list of people has been recorded and celebrated in history's texts for thousands of years. Myths are frequently built on the achievements of real men and woman who have all bucked the system and refused to be like everyone else around them.

We need people to depart from the norm and be beacons visible to others that may be inspiring. In my own case (which is insignificant, and barely visible to anyone! ) the message I might possibly convey, at least to some, is that one absolutely doesn't have to "be one's age" mentally, emotionally or physically.

[RunningDeer]

For me, aging is a mindset. I'm coming up on 76 years young. Quality of life at every stage depends on how I choose to live each day. I don’t just want to exist. I want to live well. To support that, I’ve made strength training a regular part of my routine, including exercises like dumbbells, squats, chair squats, and heel-toe raises. These help me build and maintain muscle, supporting overall health and reducing the risk of sarcopenia.

* People naturally lose muscle mass with age. This process is called sarcopenia, and it begins gradually as early as your 30s, accelerating later in life.

I also track my protein intake. Protein builds and repairs muscles. It’s important for optimal muscle and cellular health, aging, disease prevention, and optimal body composition.

Some notes I’ve gathered along the way:

Older adults need more protein per meal, not just per day. With aging, the body becomes a bit less responsive to protein. Therefore you need slightly higher protein per meal to maintain muscle and bone.

The Bigger Longevity Predictors (for age 76), the strongest predictors of survival are:

• Leg strength
• Grip strength
• Walking speed
• Balance
• Bone density
• Recovery from illness

Not:

• Visible muscle gain
• Lower body fat
• Scale weight

If you maintain strength and avoid frailty, you’re in the protective zone.

If someone maintains consistent resistance training and adequate protein intake (whether omnivore or carnivore), the loss is much smaller than average but some age-related decline still typically occurs due to hormonal changes, neuromuscular shifts, and recovery capacity.

Here’s what research generally shows:

Average Muscle Mass Loss (Sedentary Adults)
These are approximate cumulative losses compared to peak muscle mass (typically around age 30–40):

• Age 50: ~5–10% loss
• Age 60: ~10–20% loss
• Age 70: ~20–30% loss
• Age 80: ~30–50% loss

After age 60, the rate often accelerates to about 1–2% muscle mass per year, and strength declines even faster (1.5–3% per year).

With Consistent Resistance Training + Adequate Protein

If someone:

• Lifts weights 2–4x per week
• Eats adequate protein/kg per bodyweight daily
• Maintains adequate calories and sleep

The numbers change significantly:

• Age 50: ~0–5% loss
• Age 60: ~5–10% loss
• Age 70: ~10–15% loss
• Age 80: ~15–25% loss

Some individuals maintain nearly all their muscle mass into their 60s and even 70s with proper training.

Bottom Line
If you:

• Train hard consistently
• Eat sufficient protein
• Maintain calories
• Prioritize sleep

You can likely limit lifetime muscle loss to:

• ~5–10% by 60
• ~10–15% by 70
• ~15–25% by 80

Instead of the 30–50% seen in sedentary aging.