Mark Neese and his wife visiting Shaker Village in Pleasant Hill, Kentucky.

The Fountain of Youthfulness | Healthy Aging Series: S12 E7

“In advertising, sex sells, but only if you’re selling sex,” wrote Jef I. Richards, a professor of advertising at Michigan State University in 1998. But that was not the first mention of using sex in advertising. In 1871, Pearl Tobacco featured a naked maiden on its packaging. I think there are many advertising agencies that...

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A print by artist, Kathy Sullivan of a winged woman, possibly an angel, carrying a banner that says, "You Can Choose Joy."

Happiness is a Choice | Healthy Aging Series: S12 E6

Disappointment Doesn’t Always Lead to Disaster My son and I were backpacking in Canyonlands National Park this past month. I was probably carrying 70 pounds in my pack due to the extra water and camera equipment. I’m sure he was carrying about the same weight. Our plan was to backpack 1 1/2 miles to the first...

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Mark Neese of True North Counseling poses for a photo while on a hike.

Preparing for Your Own Armageddon | Healthy Aging Series: S12 E5

It was May 19, 1980. I had just spent three days on a religious retreat at the Havilah Retreat Center about 100 miles north of Vancouver, Washington. As a religious studies Student-Intern, I was asked to be part of a Deacon’s and Deaconess’ spiritual awakening weekend. They were such wonderful people. Gracious. That’s how I...

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Mark Neese with his cat, Hansel.

Dog is My Copilot | Healthy Aging Series: S12 E4

I have learned to enjoy solo backpacking, mostly. My first solo backpacking trip was in the Grand Canyon about 20 years ago. I was going to do three nights and four days solo and then join a small group of friends for an additional three nights at the bottom of the Canyon. Solo backpacking requires...

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Mark Neese of True North Counseling

Discovering Your Superpower | Healthy Aging Series: S12 E3

My Superpower I wanted to quit. I was a quarter of a mile from the summit of Mount Quandary, and I wanted to quit. I could see a small crowd of hikers gathering at the top. Sitting. Enjoy enjoying a snack. Laughing. Prior to Quandary, I had summitted twelve 14ers. In fact, I had done...

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Mark Neese of True North Counseling while on a hike.

Defusing Your Ticking Time Bomb | Healthy Aging Series: S12 E2

Jim Fixx died from a heart attack while running, on July 20, 1984, at age 52. Does that name ring a bell? Fixx was a runner and wrote the best-selling book, “The Complete Book of Running.” He played a major role in the Running Revolution. In 1967, at age 35, Fixx decided that he needed...

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