Movement for Longevity by Sarah Clough

Meet The Woman Determined to Help us All to Live Longer, Better: Sarah Clough

My name is Sarah Clough and I’m a Pilates teacher and The Movement For Longevity Coach… 

My life now is a far cry from my 20’s (spent living in Japan, travelling, and setting up a fashion business), my 30s (spent living and working in Zambia, and setting up an NGO), my 40s (setting up another fashion business and becoming a mother)...

… and then hitting rock bottom.

Life had been the proverbial roller coaster and as I approached my 50s I knew things had to change.

I was worn out, disengaged with life and struggling with aches and pains. Countless appointments with doctors, lots of medications, scans, seeking out different treatments, were not getting me anywhere. One Doctor actually told me it was only to be expected as I got older.

At this point all I could think was “Really? Is this it?”

But fate has a funny way of working and thankfully at this time we went on a holiday that was to change my life. 

How a random conversation with a stranger sparked the first steps to becoming the Movement Longevity Coach.

 Telling her I had a dream to become a Pilates teacher (something I’d never dared voice to anyone else for fear of being laughed at) was my catalyst.

That was all it took to realise the only thing holding me back was not my age or ability, but my mindset…

Fast forward and at 50 I retrained and opened up a Pilates Studio at home. When I outgrew that I opened up a bigger one.

Embracing Life Changes

At 57 life changed for us all (2020 - we all remember that!). I closed down my brick and mortar business and had to learn a new way of working which embraced technology and teaching live classes online. (Who says we are too old to learn new things?).

At 59 I became a movement and longevity coach and launched an online programme for women struggling with lower back pain. For women who want to get back to being active once again, only this time feeling stronger, more resilient and with more energy than ever.

My life after 60

And at 60 I can honestly tell you that I am stronger, have more energy and a greater passion for life than ever. Getting older and getting old are two very different things.

I tell you this because I want to inspire you to take action. I don’t want you to accept anything less than you deserve.

My mission in life is to help as many women as possible achieve healthy longevity .

However ‘healthy longevity’ has become a bit of a buzz phrase - often discussed in relation to tech billionaires, like Bryan Johnson, who captured headlines with his extensive biohacking regimen. 

Johnson’s entire day is structured and involves 100 different protocols. From getting up at 4.30am to complete his 2 and half hour long morning routine which includes taking dozens of pills and supplements, doing 35 carefully planned exercises and eating exactly 1977 calories every single day. 

The Alternative

On the other side of the spectrum is a world of wellness which is well within the reach of all of us. Simple, enjoyable, and cost-effective practices that can easily be incorporated into our daily lives that significantly impact our wellbeing.

‘Fortune Well’ recently reported the results of The Rejuvenation Olympics - an online competition that tracks and ranks about 4000 participants in terms of their biological ageing. 

“Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves”

• At No 2 in the Rejuvenation Olympics is a 55 year old single mother from Phoenix, Julie Gibson Clark, who eats a plant based diet, exercises, and meditates. Her biggest health expenditures are a $27-a-month gym membership and a $79-a-month supplement subscription. 
• No. 5 on the list is 63 year old Amy Hardison, who says it’s about eating healthily, keeping moving, and staying connected to others to combat the health risks of loneliness. 
• No. 6 on the list is 46 year old Byran Johnson, who spends approximately $2 million a year on his biohacking regime. 

Be A Part Of A Quiet Revolution:Movement for Longevity

There is a quiet revolution going on. Ordinary women like you and me who are not buying into an outdated view of women as we get older.

• Women who are challenging the status quo and inspiring younger generations to do the same.
• Women who know that challenging themselves physically and intellectually is necessary to reduce the risks of age-related diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, dementia…
• Women who believe that we can slow down or even reverse the ageing process and in so doing thrive.
• Women who are fulfilling their dreams.

The thing that sets these women apart is that they understand they cannot outsource their health. They understand that looking after themselves is not selfish but an absolute necessity.

Movement for Longevity: My top tips for living the life you want to live

1. Factor 'moments of joy’ into every day . Maybe a freshly brewed cup of coffee, chatting to a friend, doing a meditation, picking some flowers, lighting a candle, reading a book…
2. Take a brisk walk (in the morning if possible)
3. Do breathwork daily such as ‘Box Breathing’. (Inhale for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, exhale for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4)
4.  Practise ‘Time Restricted Eating’ (fasting overnight for 12 hours)
5. Do 20 squats every single day. (If you’re not sure how to do them correctly check out my YouTube video: Perfect Your Squats)
6. Share your dreams … and they are more likely to become a reality.

Your daily habits are like the pixels in a photograph. On their own they seem small and insignificant. See them all together and you have a picture bursting with colour and life.

What does this all add up to? 

Living longer and better is not rocket science. All it takes is a bit of focus and commitment.

Understand the key components and do them every day and not only will you be healthier but you’ll be happier too. 

To get more tips, advice and support follow me on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube or visit www.sarahclough.co.uk and join the tribe of women re-defining getting older!