I don’t believe in cheat days! Healthy eating is a lifelong pursuit and identifying food that is appealing gives me a roadmap. I have established rules that I have followed for decades, and it is a rare occasion that I step out of my dietary boundaries. For example, I do not eat food with added sugar in any form; however, if I am a dinner guest at a friend’s home, I will eat dessert. (Or at least a few bites!)
The term Blue Zones has been used to describe places where people live long and healthy lives. What exactly does it take to live a long and healthy life? What is the science and the secret behind longevity and life extension? In this series, we are talking to medical experts, wellness experts, and longevity experts to share “5 Things You Need To Live A Long, Healthy, & Happy Life”. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Nancy Hyman.
Nancy Hyman is a 67-year-old fan of aging. She is 3 years dye-free and has become a silver hair influencer in hopes of inspiring the next generation in aging with style and grace. Nancy is a former orthodontic marketing speaker and writer, now engaged in a second act that includes a big family, friends, relocation and mastering her new social media influencer status. She has been a guest writer for the Pro Age Woman eMagazine with recent interviews with icons Laura Geller and Sandy Linter. You can find her on Instagram @mrssilversass where she’s showcasing her aging, style, wellness, fitness and dye-free journey all with positive mindset and lust new adventures.
Thank you so much for joining us! Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’?
As I close in on 68 years old realize that old age is no longer parked down the street; it is firmly planted in my driveway! I call this stage of life “My Last Quarter” and I aspire to live this quarter on a high note. Significance may be in the area of personal relationships, spiritual pursuits, wellness, pleasurable pastimes, etc.
Can you share with us the most interesting story from your career? Can you tell us what lessons or ‘takeaways’ you learned from that?
I embarked on a new career path at age 40 to partner with my spouse, William Hyman, to achieve a long-term plan for our financial future. During my 25-plus years as the Marketing Director at Hyman Orthodontics I realized that the multiple consultants we hired did not provide the personalized services we were seeking. Hyman Orthodontics served a low-income Hispanic community and practice growth needed to be customized to their needs.
Our patient base needed pre-work and Saturday availability, interest-free financing, ample insurance plans, and amenities that rivaled luxury brands. It was immediately apparent that the combination of high quality plus low fees equals success! Lesson learned!
Find your success formula, continue be true to it and be willing to pivot to stay within your formula with adjustments for market forces.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I am an impulsive, impatient creative force married to a persistent, highly focused man. Bill taught me by example to design a daily plan and resolutely “tick off” the checklist items when completed; a habit that was new to me. My process was not to have a process. I am competent, as an example, in the area of business growth, yet did not follow the simple wisdom of research and testing my ideas.
Reigning me in was not an easy task; however, I did learn to temper my innovations with accountability systems.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Test: As a consultant to the orthodontic industry, I observed the following scenario in hundreds of offices-I was informed that a strategy did not work yet the strategy had not been tested! Team members may be asked to promote a patient-to-patient referral contest yet not implement the strategy behind the promotion. Deciding the length of the testing period is also key. Barring immediate recognition of poor results I recommend a minimum 6-month testing period.
Measure: Utilize software for an accurate understanding of your statistics. Set daily, weekly or monthly goals, depending on your industry, and quarterly, half yearly and annual goals. Never ask “How are collections this month”? “Fine” is not an answer! Ask for the report and review it together.
Revise: Does a strategy lose its effectiveness after a period of time? If the team has consistently implemented a plan and results begin to edge downward it is time to place it in one of 3 categories-discontinue, revise, or table for future consideration. Rather than immediately eliminating a strategy spend time considering upgrades that may reinvigorate effectiveness.
Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s shift to the main focus of our interview about health and longevity. To begin, can you share with our readers a bit about why you are an authority in the fields of health, wellness, and longevity? In your opinion, what is your unique contribution to the world of wellness?
The word “Wellness” encompasses every area of our lives from mental and physical health, fitness and a personal nutrition philosophy. I’ve embarked on a career in writing and social media outreach to support women 50 plus in their journey towards a fulfilled life. I believe that our 50’s start a life-trend of moving forward with either vigor or discouragement. My goal is to reach the women who are without hope or the energy to make these later years an epic part of one’s story.
Seekers throughout history have traveled great distances and embarked on mythical quests in search of the “elixir of life,” a mythical potion said to cure all diseases and give eternal youth. Has your search for health, vitality, and longevity taken you on any interesting paths or journeys? We’d love to hear the story.
Ah, eternal youth! I spent far too much time chasing youth by seeking out seemingly every youth-activating beauty measure. I told myself that I wanted to look good, not young and I was not truthful with myself!
I certainly did want to look young and that is a goal that will never be achieved.
I believe in employing reasonable courses of action and ignoring what can’t be improved.
Research and testing are the key to health, vitality and longevity. Also, to be considered is the feasibility of me staying with a plan based on my habits and interests. I trust Authority Magazine to cut through the quagmire and deliver the wisdom I am seeking.
Based on your research or experience, can you please share your “5 Things You Need To Live A Long & Healthy Life”? (Please share a story or an example for each)
- I don’t believe in cheat days! Healthy eating is a lifelong pursuit and identifying food that is appealing gives me a roadmap. I have established rules that I have followed for decades, and it is a rare occasion that I step out of my dietary boundaries. For example, I do not eat food with added sugar in any form; however, if I am a dinner guest at a friend’s home, I will eat dessert. (Or at least a few bites!)
- Get right back on the horse! While at home I walk 50 minutes per day in the early morning. I honor that commitment while at my home base and modify if I am traveling to a destination where my commitments curtail physical activity. The first morning of my return I resume my walking routine.
- Give your attention to those who want it! Stop wasting time trying to win someone’s approval, love and the attention of those who reject you. There are numerous people who are seeking what you have to offer and your emotional generosity will return to you tenfold.
- Rely on the experts! I seek out authoritative figures whom I admire to provide wisdom in my areas of weakness. Is someone an expert in fitness, healthy eating, and emotional balance? Great! I will study your process and emulate it in a manner that is realistic for me. Collective wisdom is a necessary tool on our path.
- Distractions always distract! If I start to think about pleasurable pursuits such as reading an electronic newspaper, enjoying a cup of hot tea, etc., or projects that command my attention I find it easy to consider forgoing my morning walk. I don’t look for motivation; I simply awaken, get dressed and walk.
Can you suggest a few things needed to live a life filled with happiness, joy, and meaning?
My purpose will change throughout my life, and I encourage reevaluation with each decade or large event disruption.
Meaningful friendships may be a source of joy and happiness and can be equally as important as family; after all, we get to choose our friends! Friendships that run their course through circumstances that kept us together have value as well.
Don’t be harsh on yourself regarding what brings meaning to your life. Perhaps your meaning is your career, interests, relationships, creative outlets, or adventures. You have the opportunity to choose and pursue what drives you.
Ask yourself “What is my definition of happiness, joy, and meaning”? Dream it, plan it, implement it!
Some argue that longevity is genetic, while others say that living a long life is simply a choice. What are your thoughts on this nature vs. nurture debate? Which is more important?
The nature versus nurture discussion is an age-old pursuit. Nurture: the lifestyle choices we are free to make, give us the best opportunity for a satisfying life. I choose a life of hedging nature with my course of action today.
Life sometimes takes us on paths that are challenging. How have you managed to bounce back from setbacks in order to cultivate physical, mental, and emotional health?
Physical Health: Within my own physical limitations due to a neurological condition, I seek fitness through walking and group classes. I swallow my pride when it is necessary to hold on to a bar during Pilates class, yet surely it is better to attend class than skip it due to embarrassment.
Mental Health: I gain mental stability through healthy relationships and checking in with myself when my mind starts to spin into dangerous territory.
Emotional Health: I prefer an “even keel” approach to my emotions. I am uncomfortable with the drama of difficult people and situations, and I ask myself if either may be avoidable. If I am distressed and unable to affect an outcome, prayer and healthy distractions help. Also, I am never without a book and consider reading one of life’s great joys.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life?
I adore this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1802–1883): “The age of a woman doesn’t mean a thing. The best tunes are played on the oldest fiddles.” I am getting older with each passing year and am surprised at the confidence and willingness to break conventional rules that the passing of years brings.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Women 50 plus are demanding to be seen, heard, and valued. We are not disappearing into a meek, quiet life as we claim the right to wear whatever we want, become whatever we want, speak up whenever we want. The days of women disappearing at a certain age are in the rearview mirror.
What is the best way for our readers to continue to follow your work online?
Let’s continue the conversation on Instagram and TikTok (@mrssilversass)
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.