Lloyd Kahn spent his early career as an insurance broker. He quit in 1965 and turned to the DIY building movement that grew out of the 1960s counterculture. Soon he was editing the influential Whole Earth Catalog, and in 1973 he published Shelter, a book still called the bible of hand-built homes.
Kahn is now 91 years old. He remains active in publishing, and he still runs, paddleboards, and skateboards — a sport he took up at 65.
Kahn’s Shift From Insurance to Shelter
The move from selling insurance to editing a counterculture catalog was not a small one. Kahn found his place in the DIY building movement. Shelter, his 1973 book, is still considered the bible of hand-built homes.
Skateboarding at 65 and Still Going
Kahn did not start skateboarding as a young man. He picked it up when he turned 65, and he has kept at it since. He also runs and paddleboards, and he treats exercise as part of play rather than as a duty.
In a video profile, Sierra Clark takes viewers inside Kahn’s world. She highlights the habits and philosophy that have let him live and age in a remarkable way. Staying curious, trying new things, keeping in motion, eating well, and making life fun — all of it is part of the mix for Kahn.
The Motto That Shaped His Life
The saying “Stay hungry, stay foolish” appeared on the back of the last Whole Earth Catalog. For Kahn, it is not just a motto.
It has been a true way of life.
What His Routine Looks Like
- Keep moving, whether by running, paddleboarding, or skateboarding.
- Try new activities, even late in life.
- Eat well.
- Make exercise fun so it does not feel like work.
- Stay curious about the world and keep learning.
None of this is a secret formula. Kahn’s approach is simple, and he has stuck with it. The result is a 91-year-old publisher who still publishes and still skateboards.
More on Aging and Health
Sierra Clark’s YouTube channel covers health and aging, and the Kahn profile is one of several videos on the subject. Related pieces include Simone de Beauvoir’s philosophy on finding meaning in old age, life lessons from 100-Year-Olds in a short film, and a 97-Year-Old philosopher pondering the meaning of life.
Kahn’s story fits that larger conversation. He is showing what a life of motion and curiosity looks like at 91.
Source: openculture.com
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