The Father of Anti-aging
Dr. Robert Goldman
On the Discovery of Vipassana Meditation and the Law of Impermanence
From the fabled fountain of youth in ancient Greek mythology and the blood of virgins in medieval Europe to stem cell therapy and cryonic preservation in the modern world, the quest for immortality has been part of civilization for as long as humans came to existence.
Over the last few decades, scientists have made several groundbreaking discoveries, particularly in medical sciences, raising hopes about the possibility of living forever or at least celebrating the 100th birthday with the face of a healthy 30-year-old. And we cannot dismiss them as nonsense. Since 1900, human life expectancy has more than doubled with numerous studies confirming that our genetic makeup, allows us to live up to 120 years and beyond with the help of sciences.
Among the leading proponents is Dr. Robert Goldman, a physician, co-founder and Chairman of the Board of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and Chairman of the World Anti-Aging Academy of Medicine. Nicknamed the ‘Father of Anti-aging’, Dr. Goldman’s final legacy goal is to find a cure to the ‘disease of aging’. For over four decades, he has dedicated his life to help people achieve optimal healthspan and well-being through exercise, nutrition, and regenerative medicine.
A few years ago, a friend of his suggested he practice Vipassana meditation, saying it would help him gain a new perspective on life and longevity. After several attempts, he reluctantly agreed and enrolled to the Techo Vipassana retreat in Saraburi province. The retreat was founded by Vipassana Meditation Master Acharavadee Wongsakon, Founder and President of Knowing Buddha Organization (KBO).
After seven days of grueling meditation for almost ten hours everyday in absolute silence, the medical expert and martial artist with over 20 world strength records including Guinness Book of World Records admitted that the retreat was much tougher than the military camp.
But the most transformative change, he says, is his view about life and the essence of being humans; that longevity and healthspan, while paramount in achieving good quality of life, are not the ultimate life goal. It is the understanding and acceptance of the law of nature that holds the key to true happiness.
From a man who views a Buddha image as an exquisite piece of Oriental art, Dr. Goldman is now planning to help promote the Buddha’s teachings in the West.
Can you tell us more about your childhood growing up in New York?
I grew up in a very poor and dangerous part of New York City but everyone was poor so you didn’t even know you were poor. The family unit was very important and you will be happy just as long as you had food and roof over your head. But we all viewed education as the key way to escape poverty so school was very important to us. I was also very close to my brothers and we were all New York City Champion Wrestlers. But I went the furthest in sports and broke my first world strength record at age 14.
How did your family influence your views and who you are today?
Both my parents were very hardworking, honest people and my dad came from a strict miiitary background so discipine was key and hard work was taught from a very young age. Sports were always a big part of our lives.
Originally, martial arts and sports were just to survive growing up in such a dangerous environment. But over time, it was the goal-seeking behavior. The discipline and teaching others took over as the passion.
As the person who has coined the term ‘Anti-aging’, what made you interested in this field?
I created a lot of the technology around sports medicine so anti-aging was merely the next generation of sports medicine, peak performance at all ages. When we established A4M in 1992. We started with only 12 doctors as the professions did not exist. Today, we have over 26,000 members from over 120 nations.
After your experience in Vipassana meditation and better understanding of Buddhism, has your goal changed?
I would still like to go for 100 years and beyond because then, I can teach and help many more people. But Karma will decide the time frame for me. It is beyond my power to change Karma. Still, I can modify the Karma through meditation practice.
I am also slowing down and spending far less time in standard works and more on my personal interests like meditation and my charitable activities.
In the past, my biggest success was creating the personal trainer and antiaging industries. But I do not consider any of failed projects or endeavors failures. Without failing a LOT, you can’t move to legacy and true success. You learn your most from failure. But I never get cocky and overconfident about success. It can quickly turn to failure. You must always keep focus and discipline or you can take success and throw it into the jaws of failure.
I also had some great mentors like Ben & Joe Weider who created the sports of body building, Jack LaLanne, the fitness icon whose world records I broke, Arnold Schwarzenegger and many others and now Master Wongsakon, my Vipassana master.
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