Living Without limits At 80: Rae’s Journey To A Life Of Health, Adventure & and Fulfillment

Melanie Toebbe was the Content Creator on the 2024 Viva Italia Cycling Tour .

As the Content Creator on the Viva Italia Tour, I had the privilege of meeting countless, remarkable people, each with their own story. But there was one individual who captured my attention in a way I hadn’t expected – Rae Simpson, an 80-year-old Canadian adventurer with a contagious zest for life. His story was not only inspiring for me but has the potential to encourage other participants and younger generations alike. Rae, with his unstoppable spirit and dedication to staying active, serves as living proof that age is truly just a number.

Rae’s interest in fitness began as a dedicated runner but as he experienced the wear and tear of years of running, culminating in several joint replacements, he adapted by finding a new passion in cycling. “I’m actually a runner, ” Rae says, “but with joint replacements, running wasn’t the best choice anymore. So, I switched to cycling, and it’s been fantastic. It allows me to see the world while being gentle on my joints. ”

His transition from running to cycling is a testament to his adaptability and determination to remain active despite physical setbacks. This shift hasn’t slowed him down. If anything, it’s opened up new horizons and allowed him to keep pushing his limits. Staying fit isn’t just about grand adventures for Rae, it’s about daily movement. He continues to ski in the winter, volunteer, and cycle regularly with his wife and friends.

He explains that he doesn’t train specifically for TDA tours, his active lifestyle back home keeps him in shape. “At home, I combine daily exercise with my regular life. I’m not cycling 100 kilometres every day like on this tour, so the first week is always tough. But the key is to keep moving.” His advice for others is simple: prioritize daily activity. An active lifestyle doesn’t require gruelling workouts every day. Instead, it’s about staying consistent with movement, whether that’s cycling with friends, walking, or engaging in outdoor hobbies.

For this cyclist, age isn’t a limitation, it’s a motivation. The knowledge that time is finite drives him to seize the day. “The fact that we’re getting older is my motivation to do things now.” Just a year ago, he underwent double knee replacement surgery, yet here he is, cycling across Italy and inspiring others. His perspective on aging is refreshing. “Someone once told me: growing old is unavoidable, but growing up is optional.” Rae’s youthful approach to life is a reminder that adventure knows no age limits. He’s living proof that physical age doesn’t have to dictate what’s possible.

Adventure, to Rae, means stepping outside of the comfort zone and embracing the unknown. His adventures have ranged from running marathons to traveling the world on two wheels with TDA. “Adventure means getting into something I haven’t done before and in the end, you can say: Yes, I can do it.”His greatest adventures, such as cycling from Cairo to Cape Town, have been the most fulfilling. “Everything that’s challenging is a chance to get a great moment of fulfillment. You just have to go a little bit beyond your comfort zone.” For Rae, adventure isn’t just a physical journey, it’s an emotional and mental one.

His advice for living a long, adventurous life resonates with people of all ages. “Figure out what you are passionate about and stay passionate about it. Don’t put it aside. Doing something you really love, that’s where your energy comes from.” Rae believes that staying true to one’s passions can help maintain both energy and joy throughout life. His experiences are a reminder to chase what makes you happy and to keep pushing boundaries, no matter your age.

Rae’s story on the Viva Italia Tour is a tribute to the human spirit and its endless capacity for resilience and growth. At 80, he is living a life full of energy, adventure, and passion, undeterred by age. His journey exemplifies that adventure is not a destination but a lifestyle choice, one that he intends to follow as long as his body allows. For anyone questioning whether it’s too late to start a new adventure or take on a challenge, his story offers a resounding answer: it’s never too late. As Rae continues to pedal through Italy’s scenic roads, he’s inspiring not just his fellow participants but all who encounter his story to live adventurously and embrace each day with enthusiasm.

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