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Stories and Secrets of Elite Athletes

Uncensored and deep conversations with extraordinary rock climbers, runners, surfers, alpinists, kayakers and skiers et al. Tap into their journey to peak performance, revealing stories, hidden strategies, and the mindset that defies aging and other limits.

Get educated and inspired to chase your own dreams. Come for the stories, leave with tools, tips, and motivation!

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Reviews

Ageless athlete thoughts

"As a Middle Aged professional working single mother of two, I have to be very careful how I spend my few precious free moments and Kush’s podcast is worth every moment! He interviews legends in thei…"

Noell Lewis | Aug. 14, 2025

This is the one!

"Listening to Ageless Athlete is like having a series of intimate conversations with the world's most interesting athletes. If you’re active and want to gain insight and tips during your drives, this …"

digitalpodcaster | May 25, 2024

Inspired to be an ageless athlete

"The interview, storytelling and fun rapport between them made this listen both highly enjoyable and inspiring – feeling pumped to take my training to the next level in this new year. Thanks Kush!"

Michaeliño | Oct. 7, 2024

A must listen!!

"In the crowded world of sports podcasts, "Ageless Athlete" stands out, largely thanks to its host, Kush Khandelwal. What sets this podcast apart is the fascinating guests from adventure sports and Ku…"

Arnold Former Athlete | March 28, 2024

Dkemdidjxnana

"In my 20s, I could do whatever I wanted, life was limitless. In my 30s, I am matured, found peak performance and kept growing in my 40s now, I am injured, distracted and unsure if I will meet my goal…"

CrestedSoul | March 26, 2024

Worth listening to…

"Kush! The conversations and interviews of the athletes are inspirational and fun! I like the ideas, preparations and open mindedness of these ageless athletes focus on life and happiness- looking for…"

Halfhagsibd | March 23, 2024

Inspiring conversations

"A great podcast for any one who wants to learn how to continue to be active and move throughout life. The diversity of guests provides varied ideas and concepts for how to stave off the ever present …"

1966Felix | March 17, 2024

Keep more episodes coming..

"I am approaching 40 myself and love staying active. This podcast really resonates with me. It addresses various struggles I experience, such as finding time to heal, maintaining endurance, managing e…"

Soloconquerer | March 14, 2024

Squeezing the last drops of juice out of the lemon

"After my 30th birthday, I noticed my joints were a bit less flexible, my muscles tired more easily, and excess weight would stay on a bit longer if I didn't prioritize diet and exercise. As this is t…"

lmoochler | March 11, 2024

Inspired to be an ageless athlete

"The interview, storytelling and fun rapport between them made this listen both highly enjoyable and inspiring – feel pumped to take my training to the next level in this new year. Thanks Kush!"

Michaeliño | Jan. 14, 2024

Inspiring Show !

"Thanks for having me on the show Kush… Inspired by the people you’re interviewing and the thought provoking questions… Looking forward to the new episodes. Let’s climb in Yosemite soon. Keep followin…"

NMartinez21 | June 14, 2024

Impressive

"A wonderful listen; a unique idea, great topics, and insightful interviews that capture one’s attention and imagination. The run art episode is my favorite. Super well done ✅"

JsmnBp | July 23, 2024

A truly life changing podcast

"The podcast has truly transformed my life by pushing me out of my comfort zone. It has inspired me to try difficult things and get out in nature while doing so. Hearing stories of people in their 40s…"

Ritu | Aug. 7, 2024
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Recent Episodes

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Stop Living in the Gray Zone — The 80/20 Rule for Training and Life | Matt Fitzgerald
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July 15, 2026

Stop Living in the Gray Zone — The 80/20 Rule for Training and Life | Matt Fitzgerald

Ageless Athlete Newsletter. Weekly longevity insights + behind-the-scenes. No spam ever. 🚨 Most athletes know how to train hard. Far fewer know how to go truly easy. Matt Fitzgerald is one of the most influential writers and coaches in endurance sports. After developing severe long COVID, Matt lost the ability to run for nearly three years. Then, despite the risks, he committed to running a 100-kilometer ultramarathon through the Arizona desert. For Matt, it was about much more than rea...
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Get These Sleep Habits Wrong After 50 - And You May Decline Faster | Dr. Martin Kawalski, Sleep Expert
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July 8, 2026

Get These Sleep Habits Wrong After 50 - And You May Decline Faster | Dr. Martin Kawalski, Sleep Expert

Ageless Athlete Newsletter. Weekly longevity insights + behind-the-scenes. No spam ever. 🚨 Sleep is not just about feeling tired tomorrow. In this episode, Stanford sleep researcher Dr. Martin Kawalski explains why sleep often gets harder after 50, why older adults do not simply “need less sleep,” and why getting the basics wrong for long enough may affect how well we age. One of the biggest ideas from this conversation: sleep regularity may matter more than total hours. Martin explains why c...
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He Missed the Cutoff by 17 Minutes — Then Came Back at 80 | Bob Becker
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July 1, 2026

He Missed the Cutoff by 17 Minutes — Then Came Back at 80 | Bob Becker

Bob Becker didn't discover running until he was 57. Twenty-five years later, at the age of 80, he returned to Badwater 135—one of the world's toughest ultramarathons crossing California's Death Valley in temperatures exceeding 120°F—and became the oldest official finisher in the race's history. This is Bob's second appearance on Ageless Athlete. In our first conversation, we explored how he discovered endurance sports later in life and the remarkable story of missing the Badwater cutoff by ju...
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The Truth About Strength No One Tells You — Until Life Breaks You | Ethan Pringle
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June 24, 2026

The Truth About Strength No One Tells You — Until Life Breaks You | Ethan Pringle

Ageless Athlete on Substack - 1-2x / month. No spam. Longevity insights + behind-the-scenes. 👌🏾 Ethan Pringle has climbed some of the hardest routes in the world. But this episode is about the kind of strength climbing does not train you for. After his father suffered a devastating stroke, Ethan found himself living two lives: pro climber on the road, and son/caregiver back home. We talk about grief, fear, failure, aging parents, turning 40, becoming a father, and what strength means when lif...
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You’re Aging Faster Than You Think — The Scientist Who Plans to Live Forever | Dr. Bill Andrews, 74
June 17, 2026

You’re Aging Faster Than You Think — The Scientist Who Plans to Live Forever | Dr. Bill Andrews, 74

Most of us think aging happens slowly in the background. Dr. Bill Andrews thinks we may be aging faster than we need to. Bill is a molecular biologist, founder of Sierra Sciences, and a longtime researcher in telomere and telomerase biology. He has spent most of his life asking whether aging itself can be slowed, reversed, or even cured. He is also an ultra runner. At 74, Bill still runs every day, has completed 100-mile races, and continues to test what the body may be capable of as the decad
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The Uncomfortable Skill Most People Avoid — The One That Sets You Free | Beth Rodden
130
June 10, 2026

The Uncomfortable Skill Most People Avoid — The One That Sets You Free | Beth Rodden

Beth Rodden is one of the most influential climbers of her generation—known for major Yosemite free climbing, multiple free ascents on El Capitan, and routes that helped push standards forward. I came into this conversation expecting more about training, aging, and climbing goals. Instead, Beth took us somewhere rarer: the inner work behind the highlight reel. She speaks with a kind of directness that’s almost unfamiliar—about self-doubt, insecurity, injury, and what it feels like to be seen as
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About the Host

Kush Khandelwal Profile Photo
Kush Khandelwal

Kush Khandelwal is a lifelong explorer on a mission to uncover the secrets of ageless athletes. Fueled by a childhood spent exploring the Indian Himalayas, his passion for adventure led him to embrace climbing and surfing in the United States and beyond.

Inspired by the enduring spirit of these peak performers, Kush created the Ageless Athlete podcast. Through intimate conversations, he taps into the training, recovery, and mental approaches, uncovering the secrets to lifelong athleticism. More than just a host, Kush is a relatable guide, sharing his own journey and vulnerabilities along the way.