Ep 712: How to Become Harder to Kill
Building Strength, Fitness, Mobility & Physical Reserve
Getting older is guaranteed. Becoming weak, fragile, and incapable isn't.
As we get older, the goal of fitness should evolve.
It's not simply about having bigger muscles, losing a few pounds, or looking good in a T-shirt. Those things can still matter, but there's something much more important happening beneath the surface:
Are you building a body that can handle life?
In the latest episode of the Jeremy Scott Fitness Podcast, we break down what it really means to become “harder to kill” after 35 and why building strength, muscle, conditioning, mobility, and physical reserve may be some of the most important things you can do as you age.
The goal isn't to stop aging.
The goal is to age with capability.
What Does “Harder to Kill” Actually Mean?
“Harder to kill” isn't about being invincible.
It's about having enough physical capacity and reserve that when life inevitably throws something at you, you're better equipped to handle it.
An illness.
An injury.
A surgery.
A long period of inactivity.
A stressful season of life.
Or simply the physical demands that come with getting older.
The more strength, muscle, cardiovascular fitness, mobility, coordination, and overall physical capacity you have going into those situations, the more you have to work with.
That's what physical reserve is all about.
You don't want to wait until you need strength to start building it.
You want to build it before you need it.
Why Strength Training Becomes More Important After 35
Muscle isn't just about aesthetics.
Strength isn't just about how much you can lift.
Maintaining muscle and strength as you age can help you continue doing the things you want to do. Whether that's playing with your kids, traveling, hiking, playing sports, carrying your luggage, getting up off the floor, or simply remaining independent.
That's why strength training should remain a foundational part of your fitness program well beyond your 30s.
And you don't necessarily need to train like a professional athlete.
You need to train consistently and intelligently.
The goal is to maintain, and ideally continue developing the physical qualities that allow you to live your life.
Muscle Is Your Physical Reserve
One of the biggest mistakes people make as they get older is thinking that losing muscle is simply a normal part of aging that they have to accept.
Some changes are inevitable.
But your training, nutrition, recovery, and lifestyle choices still matter.
Building and maintaining muscle gives you something to draw from when your body is challenged.
Think about it this way:
If you're forced to spend several weeks recovering from an injury or surgery, you're going to lose some fitness and physical capacity.
Someone starting with more muscle, strength, and conditioning has a bigger reserve to work with.
That's one reason why building your physical capacity today matters for your future self.
Conditioning Matters Too
Strength gets a lot of attention, but being strong without having the conditioning to support it isn't enough.
Your cardiovascular system matters.
Your ability to recover between efforts matters.
Your ability to walk, hike, climb stairs, play a sport, chase your kids, or handle a physically demanding day matters.
This is why a well-rounded fitness program should include some form of conditioning alongside strength training.
You don't have to become an endurance athlete.
You simply need enough cardiovascular capacity to support the life you want to live.
Don't Lose Your Mobility
Strength and conditioning are only part of the equation.
You also need to be able to move.
Mobility tends to become increasingly important as we age because the goal isn't simply to have strong muscles; it's to be able to use those muscles through useful ranges of motion.
Maintaining mobility can help you continue performing everyday movements, training effectively, participating in sports, and staying physically capable.
That's why mobility shouldn't be treated as something you only do when you're already stiff or injured.
It should be part of your regular training.
Strength + conditioning + mobility = a more complete approach to fitness after 35.
Train for the Next 30 Years — Not Just the Next 30 Days
One of the biggest mindset shifts that happens with age is realizing that your training needs to serve your future self.
When you're younger, it's easier to get away with training simply because you can.
You can beat yourself up.
You can recover.
You can ignore mobility.
You can skip sleep.
You can eat poorly for a few days.
Eventually, those decisions catch up with you.
Training after 35 doesn't mean you need to stop working hard.
It means you should start training with a bigger-picture perspective.
The question becomes:
“Will the way I'm training today help me still be strong, athletic, mobile, and capable 10, 20, or 30 years from now?”
That's a much better question than:
“How sore can I get this week?”
Fitness After 40 Is About Capability
There's a major difference between looking fit and being physically capable.
You can have a good-looking physique and still struggle with basic movement, poor conditioning, or a lack of strength.
The goal should be to develop a body that can actually do things.
Lift.
Carry.
Run.
Jump.
Climb.
Move.
Recover.
Play.
And continue participating in the activities you enjoy.
That's particularly important for men and women over 35 who don't want to simply “slow down” because they're getting older.
Your birthday doesn't have to dictate your physical capabilities.
Build Your Physical Reserve Before You Need It
You don't build strength during the emergency.
You build it beforehand.
You don't develop cardiovascular capacity when you're sick.
You develop it beforehand.
You don't suddenly become mobile when you need to move well.
You practice mobility beforehand.
This is the concept of physical reserve.
Think of it like a savings account.
You make deposits for years so that when you eventually need to make a withdrawal, there's something there.
Your training is making those deposits.
Every strength session.
Every conditioning workout.
Every mobility session.
Every healthy meal.
Every night of quality sleep.
They're all contributing to the physical reserve you're building for your future.
The Goal: Stay Strong, Athletic & Independent
Ultimately, becoming “harder to kill” isn't about chasing some extreme fitness goal.
It's about staying strong, athletic, independent, and capable for as long as possible.
That's the philosophy behind Old Man Athletic — training designed around maintaining and developing the physical qualities that matter as you get older.
Because getting older is inevitable.
But becoming weak and incapable doesn't have to be the goal.
Don't Just Train for the Mirror
Your physique is only one measure of fitness.
Ask yourself:
Can I carry something heavy?
Can I get off the floor?
Can I climb a flight of stairs without getting destroyed?
Can I hike?
Can I play with my kids?
Can I react quickly?
Can I move laterally?
Can I get up and down from the ground?
Can I still do the physical activities I enjoy?
Those questions reveal a different kind of fitness.
And that's the kind of fitness that can have a major impact on your quality of life.
The Goal Isn't to Train Like You're 20
There's an important distinction between training to stay athletic and trying to recreate your 20-year-old training program.
You don't have to prove anything.
You don't need to destroy yourself every workout.
You don't need to chase personal records constantly.
And you don't need to train through every ache and pain.
Instead, your training should become smarter.
Focus on:
Quality movement.
Progressive strength training.
Mobility.
Conditioning.
Power.
Recovery.
Consistency.
The goal is to still be training, and still enjoying your body years from now.
Listen to the Full Episode
If you're over 35 or you're simply interested in building a body that will serve you for decades to come this episode is worth a listen.
In this episode, we dive deeper into:
Building muscle after 35
Strength training as you age
Conditioning and cardiovascular fitness
Mobility and movement
Developing physical reserve
Training for longevity
Preparing your body for illness, injury and surgery
Staying athletic after 35
Maintaining independence as you age
Why your training should change as you get older
How to build a body that's capable for the next 30 years
Listen to the full episode below and start thinking beyond the next workout and start training for the next 30 years!
Want to Train Like This?
If you're over 35 and want a structured approach to staying strong, athletic, mobile, and fit as you age, check out Old Man Athletic.
It's designed around the idea that your training shouldn't just make you look better today, it should help you remain capable tomorrow.
Use code PODCAST20 at checkout to save $20, as mentioned in the episode.
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