At a recent event, Michael Clinton stood before the audience and asked a simple question: “How many of you want to live to be 100?” About half the hands went up. Then he posed a follow-up: “And how many of you want to live to be 100 with your mobility, your mind, your quality of life intact?” Suddenly, every hand shot up.
For Michael, a former publishing executive turned longevity expert, the distinction is crucial. “It’s not just about adding years to your life,” he says. “It’s about redefining what those years look like.”
Australia is living this reality. Life expectancy now sits at roughly 84.2 years, among the highest in the world, and Australians over 65 are projected to nearly double by 2042. Alongside longevity comes a cultural shift: more than two in five seniors now view ageing positively, and two-thirds report feeling more content with their lives than in their youth.
Older Australians are increasingly recognised as active contributors – mentoring, volunteering, and driving community initiatives – challenging traditional stereotypes of frailty or irrelevance.
Michael encourages all of us to adopt the same mindset. “We’re living longer, yes,” he says, “but it’s the quality that matters. We talk about the hundred-year life not to scare people, but to prepare them. The sooner you engage with your health, purpose, and opportunities, the better your life will be.”
For him, genetics account for only about a quarter of longevity; the rest is lifestyle, mindset, and meaningful engagement. Movement, nutrition, sleep, and community, he insists, are often framed as basic, yet they’re critical foundations.
These principles are echoed in Australia’s shifting retirement landscape. Traditional abrupt retirement at 65 is giving way to phased transitions, semi-retirement, or bridge employment. Seven in ten older Australians see ongoing work as a normal part of later life, valuing flexibility as much as financial stability.
He notes that this is not just about work, but about purpose: “If you’re 60 and thinking of retiring, ask yourself what you’ll do for the next 30 years. That’s a long time to sit still.”
Michael’s research, distilled into his book Roar into the Second Half of Your Life, presents the ROAR framework which asks readers to: Reimagine yourself, Own who you are, Act on what’s next and Reassess your relationships.
He shares stories of people who’ve reinvented themselves: a woman in her seventies took up welding and launched a small business producing equestrian-inspired homewares; another pursued mystery writing in her fifties, ultimately publishing nine books.
“Take a baby step,” he advises, which could look like doing a short course before committing to a whole degree if you’re considering going back to study. “Test the waters, see what excites you. It doesn’t have to be a giant leap.”
While it’s often seen as being championed by men, the longevity ethos resonates particularly with women, who are major drivers of the economy. Australians aged 50+ are leading growth in sectors ranging from fitness and holistic health to wellness tourism and personal care.
He points to the rising visibility of older women as role models in media, fashion, and film. “We’re seeing a reinvention of what it means to be 50, 60, 70,” he says. “These women are showing younger generations – and themselves – that age is not a limitation, it’s a platform for new achievements.”
Technology and personalised medicine are accelerating these opportunities. Longevity clinics such as the Longevity Medicine Institute and ELIXA Longevity Centre, offer genetic testing, bio-age assessments, gut microbiome analysis, and targeted anti-ageing programs.
He emphasises that understanding your health metrics and tracking preventative measures is critical. “Own your numbers,” he says. “Know your health, know your wealth, and make decisions to shape your life, not just react to it.”
Beyond physical health, he highlights mindset and community as key drivers of a fulfilling second half. “Surround yourself with people who support your reinvention,” he advises. “Edit out those who don’t lift you up. You need cheerleaders, mentors, and collaborators.”
And society is catching up – albeit slowly. Intergenerational learning and age-friendly initiatives are gaining momentum, reinforcing the value of community engagement and active participation.
For those unsure where to start, he recommends a simple, practical approach: identify what brings you joy, even in small doses, and explore it incrementally. From there, test, iterate, and expand. “The first step is always the hardest,” he says. “But once you take it, you begin a process of discovery that can shape decades of your life.”
In a society where older Australians are living longer, healthier, and more engaged lives, the message is clear: longevity alone is not the goal. It’s about crafting a life that remains vibrant, purposeful, and fulfilling.
As Michael puts it, “You don’t just want to live longer – you want to live better.”
6 simple steps to explore what’s next
Not sure what your second (or third) act might look like? Start small. These low-pressure prompts can help spark ideas without committing to a full reinvention.
Follow your curiosity
List five things that genuinely interest you – podcasts you gravitate towards, topics you Google, hobbies you envy in others. Patterns usually reveal purpose.
Take a test drive
Before enrolling in a degree or quitting your job, sample the idea. Do a one-day workshop or try a short online course.
Borrow a different lens
Ask three people who know you well what they think you’re great at. Others often see strengths you overlook.
Audit your energy
For one week, track what activities leave you buzzing – and what drains you. The next chapter should tilt towards the former.
Build your cheer squad
Find one person – a friend, colleague or mentor – who will support your exploration, not shut it down. Accountability works at any age.
Try a ‘micro mission’
Set a 30-day experiment: write 200 words a day, walk a new route every morning, volunteer once a week. Exploration doesn’t require a life overhaul – just momentum.
