IFP Conference keynote speaker speaker Dr James Rouse told 600 delegates that rich life experiences were worth more than money.

In his “Century Plan” speech he said studies around the world had shown that those who lived long and happy lives were rich in life experiences, family support and good diets with plenty of exercise. Wealth was a secondary consideration in longevity.

Dr Rouse, one of the most popular speakers at the event, told a packed audience that centenarians in many parts of the world did not retire at 65 but remained active, pursuing work or other pursuits long after most of their peers had given up.

Long livers moved into different phases of their life while remaining active throughout their lives.

He cited the example of Sardinia which had many centenarians and others reaching ripe old age but they acted younger than their real ages, remaining active physically and mentally.

Only a tiny minority of centenarians retired at 65, he pointed out. Less than 1 per cent. Those who lived to 100 did not put their feet up and avoid exercise, they remained active he said. In other words “longevity ninjas” don’t do what everyone else does.

He said: “It’s why so few people live to be 100 and the ones who do are unreasonable.”

He urged delegates who wanted to live a long life to have a good diet, such as the Mediterranean diet with plenty of olive oil and to remain active into old age.

He urged delegates to “make a ruckus” and enjoy life as much as they could, become active and try out new, unpredictable things all the time, starting each day with an active, positive attitude and perhaps U2’s “It’s a Beautiful Day” on their music player or equally inspirational music.

He warned that while many wanted to enjoy a long and healthy life it was too easy for people to settle into comfortable, dull habits in life and avoid the new.

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He said: “85 per cent of our self dialogue is holding us down, keeping us down, stopping us from making a ruckus.”

Dr Rouse is the founder of Optimum Wellness Media, an author of 10 books and a successful entrepreneur.

He has coached and presented to Fortune 50 and 500 companies (Coke, Google, NBC, Major League Baseball and US Government) across North America, Europe and Asia on success, high performance living and fulfilment.