Health
101-Year-Old Shares Her Joyful Longevity Secrets
Health Points
- Staying active and socially connected boosts longevity
- Balanced eating and regular movement benefit physical health at any age
- Positive outlook and meaningful goals nurture well-being in the golden years
Fay Bond’s energy is hard to miss, even at 101 years old. For more than five decades, she kept herself moving by teaching water aerobics and stretching classes, cultivating her garden, and joining a local walking club. When the first health club opened in her small North Carolina town, she and her husband signed up immediately.
Despite all these activities, Bond doesn’t see herself as exceptionally athletic. “I’ve always been aware of when I’ve needed to put off a little weight or put on a little weight, and be active,” she says.
This month, Bond is gearing up to compete in her fourth National Senior Games, set for Des Moines. She’ll be throwing the discus, taking on the shot put, and leaping in the long jump—joining more than 12,000 other older athletes, some as old as 105.
Her daughter, Irma Bond, also a competitor, sparked Fay’s interest in the Games when her mother turned 90. Fay admits she isn’t sure how she’ll place, but that doesn’t dampen her spirit. “If you see something and think, ‘Well, I think I could do that,’ get in, and do it,” she shares. That saying sums up a lifetime of taking chances and staying involved.
Bond and her daughter Irma, medals gleaming after a successful competition at the National Senior Games, are living proof that vitality doesn’t have to fade with age.
Fay’s approach to staying active and healthy goes back to her simple routines. Her daughter Irma says, “Mom has always been health-conscious.” Fay grew and canned her own vegetables, skipped soda and cookies, never picked up smoking or drinking, and relied on old standbys like oatmeal with fruit, chicken salad on pita, grilled fish, and chicken. Red meat was a rare treat, and snacks usually meant yogurt and more fruit.
To this day, Fay avoids overexerting herself before competitions to sidestep injuries—a lesson in body awareness she passed on to her children. Irma credits her own fitness to lessons learned from her mom. At 75, Irma is a daily sprinter and a fellow competitor in the Senior Games. Their athletic sibling is heading to another national competition—this time for water skiing at age 78.
Friendship and connection are cornerstones for Fay. She built friendships in walking clubs, at bridge tables, and through neighborhood gatherings—like her legendary pickled watermelon rind parties. “She’s always been very social,” says Irma. The highlight each summer: Fay’s 55th annual front-yard watermelon cutting, where the whole town gathers around.
Maintaining a “yes” attitude is a Bond family trait. Fay lived independently until age 99, moving in with Irma only three years ago. Now they fill their days with adventure—canoeing, swimming, and whatever grabs their curiosity. “We just enjoy living and enjoy life,” Irma says. “Mom has always been a very positive person.”
Irma remembers that her mother introduced her to the teachings of Norman Vincent Peale, author of ‘The Power of Positive Thinking,’ which made a lasting impact. “That probably did a lot for me growing up as much as anything ever has,” she reflects. Life, the Bonds say, isn’t guaranteed to be long for everyone, so seeing the good each day counts for a lot.
For Fay and Irma, having the National Senior Games on their calendar keeps them motivated. “You need to always give yourself something to look forward to,” they agree. The competitions offer both purpose and excitement—two essentials for anybody hoping to live and age well.
