Photo of Mark Neese when he was a young Airman stationed at Rickenbaker Air Force Base, Columbus, Ohio. He was a Dog Handler tasked with guarding KC 135’s and poses with in uniform with his dog by his side.

Good Fortune and Six Flags over Texas | Healthy Aging Series: S12 E9

I was struck by lightning once. Well, almost. I was a 20-year-old Airman stationed at Rickenbaker Air Force Base, Columbus, Ohio. I was a Dog Handler tasked with guarding KC 135’s. Central Ohio, like much of the Midwest, can have some hellacious thunderstorms. During one stormy night, another Dog Handler and I were walking the…

Photo of Mark Neese and the rest of the men from his time in Military basic training.

Those Who Cannot Remember the Past | Healthy Aging Series: S12 E8

I remember my first day of basic training. I remember learning how to tie my shoes. I remember being driven to kindergarten in the pouring rain by Pammy’s mom and saying, “Look at all that piss.” I remember walking across the stage and getting my Master’s in Social Work. I remember holding my mother’s hand…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Photo of Mark Neese, owner of True North Counseling, on a hiking trip.

10 Habits for the Apocalypse | Healthy Aging Series: S12 E1

I wake up. Check my phone. Weather. E-mails. Amazon Prime deliveries. My wife gets up and makes coffee for us. I sit up on the edge of the bed. My wife is delivering coffee, and I get a good hug. I walk to the bathroom and take care of business. After taking care of business,…

Mark Neese poses with a copy of the 2025 Harvard Health Annual for the Season 12 teaser of the Healthy Aging Series on the True North Counseling blog.

Taking Care of Yourself Boot Camp | Healthy Aging Series: S12 Teaser

Have you ever been to a Tent Revival or Crusade? I think they still have them. They can be frightening. I mean, after all, weren’t they designed to scare you? Kind of? Billy Graham is the evangelist that I remember watching on TV back in the 70s and 80s. He warned his audience that we…