When I think about the fitness icons of my generation, Jane Fonda immediately comes to mind. I was hooked on her upbeat workout tapes, which defined the aerobics craze of the 1980s. But a generation earlier, it was Jack LaLanne, the “Godfather of Fitness,” who first brought daily movement into American living rooms. He led a revolution in exercise long before there were gyms on every corner or streaming classes on our phones.

What I didn’t realize back then was that Jack had a powerhouse partner. His wife, Elaine LaLanne (affectionately known as “LaLa”), was every bit as influential in shaping the fitness movement. While Jack was on camera doing fingertip pushups, Elaine was behind the scenes producing his show, writing books, and championing wellness.

Wisdom at 99: A Podcast Conversation with Elaine LaLanne

Today, Elaine LaLanne is 99 years old and still going strong. She’s a glowing example of what it means to embrace aging with strength, purpose, and joy. I recently listened to an inspiring interview with her on the Women in the Middle podcast, hosted by Suzy Rosenstein. I have highlighted some top takeaways below, and you can listen to the podcast here.

5 Longevity Lessons from Elaine “LaLa” LaLanne

1. Wake Up Your Body—Before You Get Out of Bed. Elaine starts her day with gentle stretches and movement in bed, followed by push-ups at the bathroom sink. She believes movement is medicine, accessible to all.

2. Age Is Attitude. “You’re not old until you’ve lost your curiosity,” she says. Her positive aging mindset keeps her engaged, optimistic, and still sets goals, such as writing books and planning speaking events.

3. Strength Is the Secret Sauce. At 99, Elaine still does modified strength training because, as she puts it, “Muscle is what moves you.” She encourages people of all ages to build and maintain functional strength.

4. Purpose Fuels Vitality. Elaine lives by the idea that everyone needs a project, a passion, and a person to love. Staying mentally engaged is just as important as physical movement.

5. Keep It Simple with Real Food. Long before it was trendy, Jack and Elaine were preaching the benefits of whole-food nutrition. Her advice today? Eat simply, eat real, and stay hydrated.