The most demanding athletic challenge ever conceived is the decathlon, a battery of 10 consecutive track and field events requiring speed, strength, coordination and an enormous degree of stamina. It is generally conceded that world-class decathletes are the finest athletes in the world, and the crowning glory of this sport is the Olympic decathlon. The winner of the Olympic decathlon is widely celebrated as the world's number-one athlete. It is a truly great achievement that inspires people in many fields, not just athletics.
This month's cover story is about a man who reached the pinnacle of athletic success in 1968 when he won the Olympic decathlon in Mexico City. When Bill Toomey did so, he was 29 years of age, the oldest winner up to that time. Toomey's victory was the product of his incredible determination and dedication for many years. What made his accomplishment almost beyond comprehension is that he became the world's greatest athlete despite a monumental handicap: His right wrist was virtually paralyzed.
However, it isn't Toomey's stupendous athletic achievement that's put him on the cover of Life Extension magazine; it's his efforts today, as a 59-year-old, to compete against aging, disease and death that make his story relevant to life extensionists. Toomey is now going after better health and greater longevity just as fiercely as he fought to achieve victory in the Olympics. Only this time, the potential payoff is far greater than anything he or anyone else has ever achieved...far greater even than the tremendous acclaim he received as the world's finest athlete.
This time, the competition involves lifestyle practices such as diet, exercise, nutrient supplementation, anti-aging therapies, and other instruments of battle against the forces of death. Now, Toomey is competing with other competitors rather than against them. Toomey is sharing his secrets with his fellow competitors in a forum (Life Extension magazine) designed to further a common goal-victory over aging and death! And this time, Toomey is not competing in his life; he's competing for his life, as well as for the quality of that life. This time, Toomey is not competing for fame and glory, but for things of far greater intrinsic value: life, health, vigor, vitality, and the opportunity to experience the fantastic wonders of the 21st century and beyond!
Toomey credits the Life Extension Foundation with much of the new knowledge he's acquired in competing against aging and death. While we greatly appreciate his acknowledgment of the value of Foundation membership, we realize that the war against aging and death is still in its early stages. Although we know a great deal about how to protect ourselves against degenerative diseases and premature aging, we still need major new research breakthroughs before we can crack the maximum life span barrier and unleash the ability to live in good health for centuries.
Another article in this issue, about the latest version of Life Extension Mix, is evidence that we are working day and night to improve (and extend) your weapons in the war against aging and death. The Life Extension Mix formula is changed regularly, to reflect the latest scientific advances in the medical literature and the advice of pioneering scientists and physicians around the world. If you haven't yet tried Life Extension Mix, we invite you to do so. If you already take it, we'd appreciate it if you told others about it, as well as about the many benefits of Foundation membership.
The more competitors we enlist in the war against aging and death, the sooner we'll win that war, and the more of us who will be around to benefit from that victory.
Saul Kent, President
Life Extension Foundation
