Once a dedicated pharmaceutical sales representative, he has transitioned into retirement, a phase that offers him the chance to pause and consider the passage of time and the changes it brings.
Geoffrey’s story
Geoffrey Butterworth, an active eighty-year-old, doesn’t hesitate when asked to describe his body. With a twinkle in his eye, he declares, “It’s in good shape! Healthy. Strong. Capable. I’m more than happy for my age. I walk a lot, I play golf, I don’t consider my age a lot; my body is in good condition because I exercise.”
When prompted about what he loves most about his body, Geoffrey smiles. “I don’t want to sound vain, but the thing that I’ve always liked and fussed about is my hair. I’ve got a lot of hair at my age, and it sits in the right position.”
He attributes his fitness to staying active, saying, “Because I keep fit, I move my body, and it helps me on the golf course. I can play golf well. My legs are in good condition, and gardening keeps you moving and active.”
Reflecting on opportunities missed due to body image, Geoffrey confidently shares: “I’ve had a good body image my whole life, so I haven’t let the way I think about my body impact me negatively at all.” Now in his eighties, he proudly acknowledges, “My body is in good condition. When I was young, I never worried about my body because I prioritised my health and looked after it. I cared more about what my body could do.”
Geoffrey has witnessed remarkable societal changes over the last 80 years, including shifts in perceptions of body image and beauty standards, and he shares his thoughts on body image issues in society today. “Advertising is out of step; marketing makes people think they should be different. It wasn’t so prevalent in my day.” He reminisces about the icons of his youth, mentioning, “Paul McCartney, Paul Newman, and Sean Connery were men in my era who were considered to be good-looking or attractive.”
He reflects on the changes that come with getting older, saying: “It’s appropriate to age. You do slow down. I ran a half marathon when I was 43. I can’t run today, but I’m okay with that because I can walk fast; it’s just the progression of life. I walk 7kms on average, five days a week.”
Geoffrey cherishes his body for its capacity for energy and strength for one very important reason. “I’m very grateful for my body because I’ve had the energy and strength to play with my grandkids,” he says with warmth.
Geoffrey expresses his peace with the ageing process, noting, “My body has changed over the years, and the shape of my body has definitely changed. I have a rounder tummy and ‘man boobs,’ as they are referred to. But I’m not fussed about it; I am happy with the way things are.”
With years of life experience under his belt, Geoffrey’s advice to younger generations is simple. “Some people think they are old, and they stop exercising, and it’s the worst thing you could possibly do. As they say, ‘If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it,’ so I’m doing my best to move my body as often as I can … of course, that’s around watching lots of sport on TV; there’s no doubt I love my telly and watching every sport known to man!”
“Don’t wish to change or do anything different. You get one body; be grateful for all the things it can do.” Looking ahead, he hopes, “I’ll be able to keep up the same regime I am now — walking, gardening, golf. Hopefully, the body will stay in the same place it’s in now and look much the same in another ten years.”
Finally, he reassures younger people who worry about their bodies: “Not to worry. It’s the one you’ve got, so make the most of it and look after it.”
In his easy-going manner, Geoffrey’s reflections encourage us all to embrace our bodies, cherish our health, and celebrate the journey of life.