I’m 66 years old. And honestly? I’ve never felt better in my life.
Yesterday, I finished a 10-mile training run for my eighth marathon. This morning, I checked on my two beehives in the backyard. Right now, I’m writing this blog with more energy than I had in my 40s. And later tonight, I’ll probably write some poetry or play music with friends.
Most people my age are asking: “How old do I want to get?”
But I’m asking a completely different question: “How do I want to get old?”
See the difference? One is about quantity. The other is about quality.
The Truth About Aging
Society has taught us that getting old means getting sick. That wrinkles, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, memory loss, and endless medications are just “normal parts of aging.”
But here’s what I’ve discovered in my 16+ years of living a plant-based raw food lifestyle: Aging doesn’t have to mean declining.
When people see me running marathons at 65, they say, “Wow, you’re so lucky! Good genes!”
Luck? Genes?
No, my friend. It’s a choice. Daily, conscious choices.
My Wake-Up Call
Let me be honest with you. Before I started my raw food journey on December 6th, 2009, I ate like a pig. Anyone who invited me for dinner knew I would eat enough for two people! I loved food, and I thought food loved me back.
Fortunately I wasn’t sick. I wasn’t overweight. I’ve been 148 lbs my whole adult life. But deep inside, something didn’t feel right.
One night, during my mother’s birthday celebration at my brother’s house, I casually mentioned that I planned to go raw food on January 1st, my new year resolution. My brother-in-law looked at me and said, “Why wait? Why not start now?”
That question hit me like lightning.
Why wait?
I had just finished eating a delicious hot Frankie made by my sister-in-law. And I knew, right then, it would be my last cooked meal.
The next morning, I began eating only raw plant foods. No long planning. No dramatic preparation. Just a decision made from the heart.
That was over 16 years ago. And I never looked back.
How I WANT to Get Old
I want to get old:
With energy – Not dragging myself through the day, but bouncing out of bed excited for what’s ahead.
With clarity – A sharp mind that can write poetry, solve problems, and learn new things at 65, 75, 85.
With strength – Muscles that can run, lift, play, and enjoy life without pain or limitation.
With joy – An emotional state that isn’t dependent on pills, but comes naturally from living in harmony with nature.
With purpose – Sharing this message, helping others discover their own path to vibrant health.
With freedom – Not being a slave to doctors, hospitals, medications, or disease.
With gratitude – Waking up every single day thankful for this incredible body and this beautiful life.
That’s how I want to get old.
And raw plant foods are the foundation that makes it all possible.
What Raw Food Has Given Me
People ask me all the time: “Axay, what’s so special about raw food? Why not just eat healthy cooked food?”
Here’s what 16 years of this lifestyle has shown me:
Physical Transformation:
- Seven marathons completed (training for my eighth)
- No medications, no health issues
- Energy levels of someone half my age
- Perfect digestion and elimination
- Deep, restful sleep every night
- Ideal body weight maintained effortlessly
Mental Clarity:
- Sharp memory and focus
- Creative flow for poetry and writing
- Calm, balanced emotional state
- No brain fog or afternoon crashes
- Quick problem-solving abilities
- Still learning and growing at 66
Spiritual Connection:
- Deep sense of peace and harmony
- Connection with Mother Nature
- Gratitude flowing through every day
- Purpose and passion for life
- Joy that comes from within
But the most important thing? I feel aligned with nature.
The Simple Truth
Look, I’m not here to convince you to go 100% raw overnight. That’s your journey, your choice, your timeline.
But I am here to plant a seed of possibility in your mind.
What if the way you’re eating right now is slowly stealing your future? What if every cooked, processed, packaged meal is building disease brick by brick in your body?
And what if the solution was simpler than you ever imagined?
“If It’s Not Made By Mother Nature, It’s Not Going On My Plate.“ – That’s my philosophy.
Mother Nature already designed the perfect food for us. Fruits bursting with life force. Vegetables packed with nutrients. Nuts and seeds full of healthy fats. Leafy greens that alkalize and energize.
No cooking required. No processing needed. No confusion about “what to eat.”
Just pure, living food that brings pure, vibrant life.
The Choice Is Yours
I’m not asking you to be like me. I’m asking you to question everything you’ve been taught about food, health, and aging.
I’m asking you to get curious about your own body.
I’m asking you to consider: What kind of old person do you want to be?
Do you want to be the 66-year-old taking 10 medications and struggling to climb stairs?
Or do you want to be the 66-year-old running marathons, writing poetry, keeping bees, and inspiring others with your vibrant energy?
The difference isn’t luck. It isn’t genes. It isn’t money.
The difference is what you choose to put on your plate. Every. Single. Day.
Start Where You Are
Maybe you can’t go 100% raw today. That’s okay.
Start with breakfast. Have a big fruit smoothie instead of cooked cereal.
Start with snacks. Grab an apple instead of chips.
Start with one meal. Make a huge colorful salad for lunch.
Every raw meal is a win. Every piece of fruit is healing. Every vegetable is medicine.
Small steps, taken consistently, create massive transformation over time.
I should know. I’m living proof.
My Invitation to You
At 66, I feel like I’m just getting started. I have more marathons to run. More poems to write. More people to inspire. More adventures to experience.
And I want the same for you.
Not because I’m selling you something. Not because I need to prove anything. But because I genuinely believe that everyone deserves to age with vitality, joy, and freedom.
This raw food lifestyle has given me that gift. And it’s available to you too.
So I’ll ask you again: How do YOU want to get old?
Think about it. Sit with that question. Let it marinate in your soul.
And when you’re ready to explore this path, know that I’m here. The Raw Food community is here. Mother Nature is here, waiting with open arms and abundant gifts.
Age is just a number. But how do you age? That’s up to you.
Choose wisely. Choose consciously. Choose life.
Need Help Getting Started?
I understand that starting a plant-based raw food journey can feel overwhelming when you’re doing it alone. You might have questions. You might need guidance. You might want someone who’s walked this path to hold your hand through the transition.
That’s exactly why I created my Plant-Based Raw Food Coaching Course.
If you’re ready to transform your health but need personalized support, structure, and accountability, I’m here for you. Whether you want to go 100% raw or simply add more living foods to your life, my coaching will meet you exactly where you are.
Send me an email at Guru@RawFoodiest.com with the subject line “Coaching Course” and I’ll send you all the information about how we can work together to create your own vibrant health transformation.
Your journey to aging with vitality starts with a single step. Let me walk beside you.
With love and raw vitality,
Axay Shah – Raw Food Guru 66 years young and still running strong
🌱 Contact: Guru@RawFoodiest.com
🌐 Website: RawFoodiest.com
💚 Philosophy: “In Nature We Trust”™
P.S. – If this message resonates with you, don’t keep it to yourself. Share it with someone who needs to hear it. Together, we can create a world where aging means thriving, not declining. Where 66 looks like marathons, not medications. Where life force flows through every cell, every breath, every beautiful moment.