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SPORTS & FITNESS

Mountain View News Saturday, August 10, 2024

HUDDLE UP

With HARVEY HYDE


HOW MANY YEARS?

How many years will you live? If a tragic 
accident doesn’t happen will you live another 5 
years? A decade? Well into your 90’s? Or be 
one of the growing centenarians who make it 
over 100? There’s no way of really pinpointing 
your ‘expiration date’ but there are things you 
can do now to help yourself live the longest and 
healthiest life possible.

This all relates to life expectancy and lifespan. 
Often confused, they are not the same. Life 
expectancy is the average number of years a 
person is expected to live based on current death 
rates, while lifespan is the maximum number 
of years a human can potentially live. Both 
concepts help us understand health and aging 
but are influenced by different factors. Life 
expectancy for men in the United States is about 
73 years. For women 79.

Life expectancy is a measure of the average 
age people in a population can expect to 
reach. It's influenced by factors like healthcare 
quality, lifestyle choices, socioeconomic status, 
environmental conditions, genetics, and public 
health initiatives.

Healthcare Quality: Access to advanced medical 
care, regular check-ups, and effective treatments prolongs life expectancy. Preventive care, like 
vaccinations and screenings, is vital in early detection and prevention of severe health issues.

Lifestyle Choices: Diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption significantly impact life 
expectancy. A balanced diet and regular physical activity reduce the risk of chronic diseases, 
while smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can shorten life expectancy.

Socioeconomic Status: Higher education levels and incomes lead to better health outcomes due to 
greater access to healthcare, healthier food, and safer living environments. Wealthier individuals 
are more likely to engage in health-promoting behaviors and address health issues promptly.

Environmental Conditions: Living in areas with low pollution and access to clean water and 
nutritious food supports longer life expectancy. Pollutants and toxins reduce life expectancy, 
while environments promoting physical activity contribute to longer lives.

Genetics: Hereditary factors influence life expectancy by predisposing individuals to certain 
diseases. A family history of heart disease or cancer can increase risk and potentially reduce life 
expectancy.

Public Health Initiatives: Vaccination programs, health education, and disease prevention 
efforts improve life expectancy by preventing disease spread, promoting healthy behaviors, and 
identifying health risks early.

Health Interventions: Public health improvements, advanced medical treatments, and promoting 
healthy lifestyles can increase life expectancy. 

On the other hand, lifespan refers to the maximum number of years that a human can potentially 
live. The longest documented human lifespan is 122 years, achieved by Jeanne Calment of France, 
highlighting the potential upper boundary of human life.

Lifespan is affected by the aging process, which is the gradual breakdown of cells and body 
functions over time. While some people live close to the maximum age, most do not. Researchers 
study aging and genetics to understand what limits lifespan and how to possibly extend it. This 
includes looking at how genes affect aging, how cells influence longevity, and the potential for 
medical treatments to slow or reverse aging.

As we age so many of us confuse life expectancy with lifespan. I frequently see people in their 
sixties and seventies shocked when they are diagnosed with diabetes, have a stroke, or learn they 
have heart disease. Suddenly, they face their mortality. If you never ate healthy, avoided exercise, 
ignored stress, smoked or drank, you can't expect to live to your full life expectancy.

And it’s not just you we’re talking about. Consider those around you. Chances are you probably 
won’t be perfectly healthy and then drop dead the next day. There could be years of doctors, 
tests, pills, deterioration, pain and suffering. If there is anyone who is close to you, they will be 
going through that too. And they’ll be trying to take care of you instead of working on their 
own health. Collectively, all these habits can rob you (and those you love) of decades of life. And 
decrease your quality of life too. But, if you start now and develop healthier lifestyle habits you 
could boost your own individual life span to live well past 100. 

Most people want to live long 
enough to see a grandchild 
born, family member get 
married or enjoy a milestone 
anniversary. We can’t change 
genetics or biology although 
we can control almost all the 
other habits that lead to an 
early demise. It’s a choice. But 
the clock does keep ticking 
and at some point there won’t 
be a path back. Choose wisely. 
It could mean another 20 
healthy, happy years of life.


Michele Silence, M.A. is a 37-year certified fitness 

professional who offers semi-private/virtual fitness 
classes. Contact Michele at michele@kid-fit.com. 
Visit her Facebook page at: michelesfitness Visit 
her Facebook page at: michelesfitness.

CLIMBING UP AND CARRYING ON (PART 2)

Early on, I was 
told to set goals 
high, and if you 
only achieve 
half of them you 
may call yourself 
successful. Back 
then, it was work 
your way up the 
ladder, start at 
the bottom, learn the hard way, and learn from 
mistakes. Progressing up that ladder -- hoping to 
reach the top.

Today, people want a jump start. Beginning at the 
“bottom” is not the way to go. Beginning at the 
middle (or near the top) is more desired. Hours to 
work and too many bosses to please and rules to be 
followed are not preferrable.

I believe that on the way to the very top, wherever 
you reach, the learning on the way is invaluable 
and cannot be duplicated. I did not get to the 
professional level in my career, but I am grateful 
for the process and all the steps along the way to 
this very satisfying present day. 

Here’s my example. I wanted to be a football coach 
at the highest level. But how to get there? A master’s 
degree was required for a college job. On the way 
to the master’s I helped coach a college freshman 
team. On the way to my masters, my wife worked 
the switchboard at the University. On my way to 
graduation I had to sit out a year of eligibility. 

I played the line, I knew line play but not much 
else. I played the game but didn’t know the whole 
picture of what coaching took. I learned on my 
first ‘job’ how much I didn’t know. My college 
coach realized that, and during varsity games sent 
my 270 pound self up a flag pole with a walkie 
talkie to see plays and send down information on 
the game. (I really think he sent me there to get me 
out of the way.) I did not like that pole rocking left 
and right as I climbed.

We had a good season that year and the next 
when I played, but the main victory was realizing 
how much I had to learn. With my Master’s and 
teaching credential in hand, I went to a new high 
school with their first year of football. As head 
junior varsity coach and offensive and defensive 
line coach. My head coach was a great guy and 
realized we were scheduled way over our heads 
playing schools that had seniors. That was real 
learning. Thrown into the deep end.

Now swim! I coached a JV game on Thursday and 
Varsity line on Friday. 

This was in Arlington California, Riverside. 
During that time I never missed a coaching clinic 
or college practice I could find nearby. (My other 
‘wanna-be’ coaching friends were “groupies”too.) 
During this time I met John Madden, Ernie 
Zampese, rubbed shoulders with Joe Gibbs, Sid 
Hall, Don Coryell and others presenting at clinics. 
My buddy Myron Tarkanian and I were disciples. 
Listening and learning from these guys just talking 
X’s and O’s, hearing all the inside and outs of 
getting started and recruiting and game plans. 

A-temporary one-year job opened up at my old 
alma mater, Pasadena City College (next step after 
high school) Since I had played there, the coach 
and athletic director remembered me. And the 
A.D. was also my commander when I was MP 
in the Army reserves. (A strange but valuable bit 
of networking.) It was a one year job, but it was 
Junior College! Moving up! I asked my wife to 
quit her teaching job in Riverside, and move for 
the Pasadena job and go for it!. When I imagined 
many jobs. I’d say, “my wife is a teacher, she can 
work anywhere we move.” (and she did a few 
times..) 

That job showed me how important recruiting was 
and that I liked it. I toured the valley and found 
players for us. Coached the defensive line and kept 
at those coaching clinics with four-year coaches 
headlining. At the end of the year, I went to powers 
that be and begged to stay at PCC. It happened. 
We had winning seasons, went to the Jr. Rose 
Bowl. Spent a lot of time at the office and the field. 
I learned early, it’s not just genius coaching…. 
It’s players! And I was making contacts and 
relationships with coaches. 

Another step, University of Hawaii was looking for 
coaches and some people thought of me. My best 
friend and I took a chance at the four year level 
and moved to Hawaii. We recruited the heck out 
of Junior Colleges and four year kids who wanted 
to move. U of H went from an 0 –11 school to a 
7- 4 record. The door was opened even wider…. 
however, our head coach decided he wanted 
out, and I returned to PCC with Myron as “co-
head” coaches. With these teams we alternated 
responsibilities -- offense and defense, line, kickers 
backs, calling plays etc. much learning. We won 
a lot of games, and four national championships 
and play offs. 

UNLV was moving to a new conference. I 
interviewed and got the job. (The first junior 
college coach to get a Division I job.) This job 
was challenging and exciting, included travel with 
a shoe contract, a couple of Bowl games, great 
players (Randall Cunningham, Ickey Woods) Our 
team still holds the win/loss record at UNLV. I’m 
proud that our players and coaching staffs moved 
on into pro coaching, administration, other 
championship teams and community leaders and 
important occupations. 

Now out of coaching, my radio shows bring me 
into contact with coaches and players at every 
level. My journey up that ladder, from high school, 
jr college, four year college, as play caller, defensive 
leader, special teams coach and recruiter has given 
me the broadest background of experiences to 
appreciate all aspects of the game and know how 
important each one is. 

Every step was important. I am lucky to have 
been given choices and options working my way. 
I would not change a thing! Now I am talking and 
writing about all those aspects. It’s a great Job!

I think the ladder is the way to go!

Follow me at coachharveyhyde.com for more 
information

Have a winning day!


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