In Episode 14, Dr. Marilyn Ward and Dr. Sarah Gordon welcome their guest, Joe Simonetta, the 2025 National Senior Games Triathlon Gold Medalist. Joe achieved this accomplishment at the age of 82. He completed his first triathlon at age 80.

Through years of physical fitness and sports participation, he has entered into his older adult years physically fit and competitive, proving that you are never too old to challenge yourself to work hard towards your goals and dreams.

In this approximately hour-long conversation, Dr. Ward and Dr. Gordon allow Mr. Simonetta the time to take the listeners through his life's journey, from his college years as a competitive athlete at PENN State University, to his early professional years as a tennis pro, building new programs and raising the bar on tennis programs at the National level. He also shares his evolution as an architect with a degree from the University of Colorado, and onward to study divinity at Harvard University.

He chronicles the influences of the years he considered politics as well as others encouraging that path for him, and how all of his life experiences led to a pinnacle moment (brought to him through a recurrent dream) that gave him clarity and focus on his calling: to create something much bigger and purposeful, "Taolism: The Architecture of Life."

This book is based on an ethics-driven philosophy that explores what it means to live wisely, responsibly, and sustainably in today's world. Mr. Simonetta pulled the first letters of "The Architecture of Life" (TAOL) and developed his philosophy called "Taolism." In Taolism, being healthy, being kind, and respecting the environment is what unifies us to live "fit beyond ourselves."

Dr. Ward and Dr. Gordon were intentional in letting this episode run longer to allow Mr. Simonetta time to share the complete story of how his life evolved with great passion and purpose. His life story, as shared through this episode, tells an inspiring history of life guided by discipline, hard work, mental fortitude, resilience, passion, purpose, a curiosity for life and discovery, and a commitment to physical fitness.

In essence, Joe Simonetta shows us what healthy aging can look like, with a purpose-driven, optimistic, and forward-thinking approach, motivated to age with great mental, physical, social, and cognitive health.

Give this episode time, as Joe provides details that weave you through his remarkable life. Dr. Ward and Dr. Gordon were honored to have him on the show and hope you find this episode inspiring to live your best life "from the inside out."

As with all episodes on "The PhD Journey Unplugged," all information in this episode is for informational purposes only and should not be used or deemed professional advice.