AGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
Meet the over-50s breaking free from expectations
By Jeevan Nerwan
Step into Romford Ice Rink on a Wednesday morning and you might think you’ve stumbled into a beginners’ lesson for teenagers.
Shuffle a little closer, and you’ll spot Amarjit, 60, steadying herself on the ice - finally committing to the hobby she’s quietly dreamt of for years.
Amarjit is part of a growing movement of older adults ‘aging against the machine’, setting aside society’s expectations and chasing interests usually reserved for the young.
“The very first time I stepped on the ice was back in the ‘70s, it was a school trip to Silver Blades in Birmingham,” said the mother of five.
“After that, life got in the way. And ice skating seemed like the kind of thing you leave behind at school.”
She still remembers the thrill of watching Torvill and Dean win the Olympic Gold in 1984.
“When my kids would talk about going skating in the winter, I always thought, 'I’d love to do that'. But I didn’t know how.”
So this year, she decided to learn.
She signed up to a beginners’ course at her local rink.
“Oh, it was amazing," she said.
"When I skate, I feel free. It's like I'm floating. It’s so much fun.”
At the turn of the 20th century, the average girl could expect to live to just 50.
But with a life expectancy of 87, Amarjit is just getting warmed up on the rink.
"When I skate, I feel free. It's like I'm floating."
Amarjit celebrated her 60th birthday on the way to Mexico
Amarjit celebrated her 60th birthday on the way to Mexico
Almost one in five of England’s population are aged 65 and over. This group is expected to rise to more than a quarter of the population by 2065.
Calculate your average life expectancy below
Source: Office for National Statistics, updated February 2025
“I’m blessed with my health, which pushes me to take advantage of it,” said Amarjit.
“If there’s something you’ve wanted to do but you haven’t given it a go, just take one small step.”
Celia’s story is similar to Amarjit’s in spirit, though it involves trainers rather than ice skates.
Her Hyrox journey began at 68—with a single 100-metre run.
“I sat at home afterwards with a cup of tea and felt so proud of myself,” said the former doctor.
100 metres became 5k, which evolved into training for Hyrox, a competitive race combining strength and endurance.
Before she knew it, Celia was breaking world records and becoming a double Hyrox world champion.
“It’s all about adding life to my years. I want to live a healthy life and do all of the things I love for as long as possible,” she said.
On Instagram, she goes by @badass_gran1, a fitting handle for a world champion in her seventies.
“If I’m honest, I didn’t realise it was going to be as hard as it was," said the mother of two.
"In Hyrox, whether you’re 20 or 70, you do the same thing. You shift the same weight.
“It was a very new sport in 2022 and there were very few older women there at the time.
“I really didn’t want to make a fool of myself.”
According to Celia, many Hyrox exercises reflect everyday life.
“If you think about it, I squat to pick up my grandchildren, bend to pick up the shopping and jump to reach something at the top of the cupboard.”
2024, Hyrox Birmingham
Professional Hyrox doubles with Celia's daughter using a 125kg sled.
2024, Hyrox Glasgow
Celia broke the existing world record by a few seconds at 70 years old.
2025, Hyrox Manchester
Rowing mixed doubles, Celia's strongest Hyrox station.
But it’s not just physical challenges that people are taking on - some have headed back to the classroom.
When Dave was 18, he didn’t give too much thought about what he wanted to study at university.
“To be honest, I just picked a subject that looked alright. I didn’t know much about it, I just got on with things," said the 52-year-old.
He quickly began his career in IT, working his way up the ranks.
But last year, he returned to education to chase one of his longest-standing passions.
“I was always in bands before the kids came along. As a teenager, I really enjoyed the technical side of sound production.
“So I went back to college to train to be a live sound engineer. Honestly, I think it’s the coolest thing in the world.”
He’s also recently taken up woodworking and upholstery.
Sitting on a teal velvet Chesterfield sofa he crafted over six weeks, the father-of-two said, “Sure, I could’ve bought it for half the price and had it delivered in a fortnight. But... that’s not really the point, is it?”
The sofa doesn’t actually fit in his new house but this is apparently also besides the point.
People are not only living for longer but generally also aging in better health.
"Healthy life expectancy
has increased at a similar pace, with additional years
largely free from chronic illnesses. Recent studies have
documented significant improvements in the physical
and cognitive abilities of individuals over the age of
50 in some advanced economies."
For many, life after 50 is marked by watching the steady decline of aging parents.
“It sneaks up on you,” said Dave.
“My parents are getting older and as much as I’d like to believe that they’ll be around forever, their health is deteriorating.
“I joke with friends that we need a support group for people whose parents are aging. Because it’s crept up on all of us.”
Amarjit’s mother is nearly 82.
“My mum used to be so active but now her mobility is declining. That’s why I want to make the most of my good years,” she explained.
“I’ve seen how much more difficult it gets when you don’t have the freedom to move around as you once did. Just that thought makes me want to do as much as I can, while I can.
“I want to travel the world, exercise, and walk everywhere. I might have my free bus pass but I don’t think I’ll be using it yet.”
After all, who needs a bus when you’ve got your ice skates ready?
Whilst some research suggests that people in older age prefer familiarity over novelty, Dave disagrees.
“I’m focused on working on myself now, and trying new things,” he said.
“There’s always something new to try and I’ll be pretty upset if I haven’t done everything by the end."
Amarjit's job at a leisure centre keeps her motivated.
“Every day I see people aged 70 and above coming in at 6am to work out,” she said.
“I think to myself, 'Why are you coming in now? You’ve got all day!' But they’re full of energy - bouncing around! I love that.”
The Centre for Ageing Better, a non-profit organisation seeking to shift societal views on growing older, is leading an age-friendly movement.
“Pursuing new hobbies and interests should be no more remarkable for a 60-year-old as it is for a 16-year-old,” said Katherine Crawshaw, Co-head of the Age Without Limits campaign.
“Curiosity, passion, enthusiasm, a desire to be active – these are not just the preserves of youth.
“It is society’s preconceived ideas which mean we don’t equate them with growing older.
The Centre for Ageing Better's Age Without Limits Campaign seeks to question stereotypes about older people
The Centre for Ageing Better's Age Without Limits Campaign seeks to question stereotypes about older people
“The benefits of taking up new interests, and including active pursuits such as ice skating or Hyrox, are widespread.
“Being active is good for our health at any age, improving mood and mental health, sleeping patterns, increasing energy levels, and reducing the risk of an early death.”
For Amarjit, Celia, and Dave, the second act of life isn’t about slowing down.
It’s about lacing up skates, lifting heavier weights and turning up the volume.
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