Imagine this scene: a woman stands at the base of a trailhead, gazing up at a 10,000-foot peak. Ellen is 72, her boots are scuffed from decades of climbs, and her eyes gleam with a fire that says, I’m not done yet. We recently met at a dinner party, and what Ellen shared with me was inspiring: “I don’t climb mountains because I can. I climb them because they remind me of who I am—and who I want to be at 92.” Ellen isn’t chasing youth; she’s curating her energy and resilience for the long game.
Another scene is in a bustling city. There is Michael, a lifelong New Yorker who, at 58, describes himself as ‘an unofficial concierge’ due to his knowledge of museums, theater, fashion, and the lively Sunday dinners he hosts. He swears the chaos of New York keeps him feeling young and resilient and plans to enjoy it for decades to come.
Ellen and Michael aren’t working in traditional careers but are CEOs in their own right. They are both Chief Energy Officers (CEOs), a title we’d all do well to claim if we want to live a life as rich and vibrant as it is long.
Longevity isn’t about tacking on extra years to exist for longer—it’s about infusing life with the kind of authenticity, vitality, and joy that enables you to flourish now and in service of your future undiminished self. To do so, it’s essential that you understand that your energy isn’t an ocean; it is vast and endless. It’s a reservoir, precious and finite, demanding your attention and stewardship.
So, how do you lead your life like Ellen and Michael do—sustaining your version of peak performance today while banking vitality for tomorrow? It starts with mastering the Energy Trifecta.
Intrapersonal Energy
Intrapersonal energy is best described as your mojo—the positive energy that starts on the inside and radiates to the outside. Think of intrapersonal energy as a wellspring, bubbling up from your thoughts, emotions, and physical, spiritual, and cognitive training. It’s limited, so approach it like charging your phone battery when you know you’ll be out for the day: fully charge it the night before, check the level before you head out, and monitor it as the hours pass, deciding when it’s time to recharge.
The trick isn’t just knowing you’re drained—Ellen and Michael could not have lived their best lives if they consistently let their tanks dip into the red zone. They habitually check in with themselves to spot the dip and refill with intention—a brisk walk for her, a cappuccino for him, and, for me, a well-timed power rest for 10 minutes to refill my reservoir.
Pause and Consider:
What’s one signal you’ve been ignoring that tells you when your energy is dipping?
How can you find ways to recharge?
Interpersonal Energy
If personal energy is a spring, interpersonal energy is like a bank account—credits and debits dictated by the people you surround yourself with. The colleague who lifts your spirits? A deposit. The chronic complainer who leaves you limp? A withdrawal. Relationships aren’t just feel-good extras; they’re the scaffolding of resilience. Ellen hikes with a crew who cheer her on, and Michael thrives with the close friends and acquaintances he mixes up at his dinner parties—neither lets draining ties drag them down. Leadership wisdom applies here: invest in connections that fuel you and audit the ones that don’t. Your future self will thank you.
Pause and Consider:
Who in your life fills your emotional account—and how can you carve out more time with them this month?
Who draws down your energy—and what’s one boundary you could set to protect your reserves?
Universal Energy
This is the overlooked gem: universal energy isn’t tied to your to-do list or fading daylight—it’s the low-hanging fruit, a renewable current flowing from purpose, beauty, and connection to something bigger. It’s the awe inspired by a sunset, the quiet pride of volunteering at a shelter, the emotional response to hearing a favorite song. What saps us is disconnection from ourselves, others, and the beauty that exists in the world around us. Ellen’s mountains are her cathedral; Michael’s love affair with New York sparks joy. My service in the community leaves me feeling I’ve gotten more than I gave. Tap this well, and you’ll find a sense of equanimity, joy, connection, and even stamina you didn’t know you had.
Pause and Consider:
What activities light you up, and how can you weave them into your life in ways that amplify your energy?
Can you find an act of service that is a contribution to others and lifts you up?
Ellen and Michael’s journeys are consciously curated. You can do the same. As your own Chief Energy Officer, you’re not just managing a resource; you’re architecting a life of authenticity, joy, and connection. The choices you make today—how you think, who you lean on, what you give yourself to—aren’t just for now. They’re deposits in a longevity fund that pays dividends in what I call your Trophy Years: those later decades when you’re still climbing, still laughing, still you.
I had the privilege of sitting down with Michael Krasny at Commonwealth Club World Affairs in San Francisco for a conversation that felt both timely and timeless: Living Longer, Living Better: The Art and Science of the New Longevity. Dive into my conversation with Michael Krasny at The Commonwealth Club. We discussed all things longevity, flourishing, and activating your energy stewardship like Ellen and Michael—sustaining peak performance today while banking vitality for tomorrow.