“The sooner you become more health conscious, the more likely you’ll live a long and healthy life.” Ready to become more health conscious now? This series of blogs is written by Mark Neese, LCSW, BCBA. To see more entries in this series, click here.

A family photo of Mark Neese, co-owner of True North Counseling, when he was young.

When the Disapproval Rating Hits Home | Healthy Aging Series: S11 E21

Dad’s Bad Idea I grew up in rural Southern Indiana, not too far as the crow flies from where Lincoln spent his formative years, around 10 miles from Spencer County. For some reason, Dad was happy bouncing around Warrick County. One of the places we landed was a 50-acre farm with a 100-year-old two-story farmhouse….

Mark Neese of True North Counseling taking a break while hiking.

Long Live the King | Healthy Aging Series: S11 Interlude

OK, so ask me how I’m doing. There’s lots of uncertainty in the world, in our country. Families are struggling for lots of reasons. Is there going to be a recession? What about the Rule of Law? What about Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security? So, how am I doing? I’m doing, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! as Bert and…

Mark Neese and his father in law running the Air Force Marathon.

When the Chickens Come Home to Roost | Healthy Aging Series: S11 E20

I’ve run two marathons in my life. The second marathon I ran, I called, “When the Chickens Come Home to Roost Marathon.” Actually, the name everyone else chose to call it was, The Air Force Marathon. First, why did I run it? Well, the answer is, I wanted to impress the man who I would…

Mark Neese of True North Counseling running in a race.

It’s Time to Take it to the Streets | Healthy Aging Series: S11 E19

“I am a jogger!” says no one today. OK, there was a time, many years ago that I referred to myself as a jogger. In 1978, I was attending college in Portland, Oregon and started jogging. Prior to that, I hadn’t even thought about jogging. I was a Long Jumper in high school and ran…

Mark Neese of True North Counseling sitting in a camping chair in the woods.

I Have Wasted My Life | Healthy Aging Series: S11 E18

I was scrolling this morning, and I happened to see a reel from a therapist that had a list of things to avoid in order to take care of your mental health. The first one was: Stop scrolling first thing in the morning. First, I think he’s right. Second, it’s a little ironic that someone…

Mark Neese, owner of True North Counseling, and his wife at Yellowstone National Park.

How to Find Your Voice | Healthy Aging Series: S11 E17

My very first trip out west was in January 1979. I was headed to college in Portland, Oregon. I was raised around a little snow in Southern Indiana, but I know it’s not Minnesota or the Rockies. I’d recently been discharged from the Air Force in September, spent six weeks visiting my parents in Southern…

Mark Neese of True North Counseling hiking the Rim to River to Rim of the Grand Canyon with his son.

Confessions of a Former Couch Potato | Healthy Aging Series: S11 E16

It took 13 hours, but I finished my second Rim to River to Rim of the Grand Canyon. When I finished, the first thing I did was call my wife and tell her that I would never, ever, under no circumstances, ever do it again. “I know you Bear,” she replied, “Once you recover, and…

Mark Neese hiking with his granddaughters. True North Counseling Blog.

How to Learn the Meaning of a Minute | Healthy Aging Series: S11 E15

I loved working at UPS. I was a load supervisor on the South Ramp. Mind you, that was 30 years ago. If you ever worked there, I know you would agree that the ramp was organized confusion. And yes, it was stressful. At any given time, there were dozens and dozens of aircraft, 747s, Airbus…

Young Mark Neese of True North Counseling and his family.

Pope Francis and Religion that Heals | Healthy Aging Series: S11 E14

I’m not a Catholic, but I felt the loss of Pope Francis. I’ve been reading Thomas Merton lately, and I think Pope Francis was that kind of Catholic. They rejected certitude and coerciveness in religion. They supported a more tolerant and inclusive Catholicism. There was healing in their message, at least for me. Toxic Religion…

Mark Neese of True North Counseling writing for the Healthy Aging Series

Life is Like a Road Trip | Healthy Aging Series: S11 E13

Having a Kansas Moment I hate driving through Kansas. I can see many heads nodding in agreement. But I do love road trips. I’ve driven out to Colorado several times. Three times in one year during the pandemic. It took my back six months to heal up from those road trips. Why do I dread…