94-Year-Old Embraces CrossFit, Healthy Living

Ninety-four-year-old George Evans of South Wales, U.K., has been active his entire life. Orphaned at 12, he took up dance at 14, worked as a locomotive fireman during World War II and was an avid swimmer.

Today, Evans, who lost his wife and lifelong dance partner three years ago, maintains an independent lifestyle, continuing to drive, cook, clean, and garden.

“There’s nothing … that I really can’t do physically,” he says. He is also extremely mindful of his nutrition, abstaining from all sugar.

At the urging of a neighbor, Evans visited Reebok CrossFit 365 in Skewen, South Wales, at the age of 92. Since then, he’s come into the box every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Evans always starts off with 300 meters on the rower, then proceeds to lift weights or tackle any other movements his coach, Sophie McLean, recommends.

“He surprises me every time he comes in here with what he can do,” says McLean, who views Evans as more of a friend than a client.

She continues: “I think when people get over a certain age, they think, ‘Oh, I shouldn’t really do that because I’m too old.’ But you’re never too old, and it’s never too late to start.”

Orphaned at such a young age, Evans says he knew he had to take care of himself “because there was no one else really that could do that for me. I hope that … I can continue now until I’m perhaps 100.”

Originally published – Oct. 28, 2017.