Live a Healthier, Happier, and Longer Life: The Secrets to Feeling Young Forever
Mel Robbins (host), Judie Robbins (guest)
In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, featuring Mel Robbins and Judie Robbins, Live a Healthier, Happier, and Longer Life: The Secrets to Feeling Young Forever explores eighty-Six And Energized: Judy Robbins’ Real Secrets To Longevity Mel Robbins interviews her 86‑year‑old mother‑in‑law, Judy Robbins, about how she stays healthy, happy, social, and adventurous well into her late 80s. Judy shares her simple but consistent routines: daily four‑mile walks, light strength and stretching via yoga, a mostly simple diet (with unapologetic ginger snaps and wine), and a strong emphasis on social connection. Beyond habits, she explains how mindset, curiosity, volunteering, and deliberately seeking community helped her rebuild life after widowhood, travel solo, and even live in Cambodia in her late 70s. The conversation reframes longevity as less about perfection and more about movement, connection, courage, and loving your life as it is.
Eighty-Six And Energized: Judy Robbins’ Real Secrets To Longevity
Mel Robbins interviews her 86‑year‑old mother‑in‑law, Judy Robbins, about how she stays healthy, happy, social, and adventurous well into her late 80s. Judy shares her simple but consistent routines: daily four‑mile walks, light strength and stretching via yoga, a mostly simple diet (with unapologetic ginger snaps and wine), and a strong emphasis on social connection. Beyond habits, she explains how mindset, curiosity, volunteering, and deliberately seeking community helped her rebuild life after widowhood, travel solo, and even live in Cambodia in her late 70s. The conversation reframes longevity as less about perfection and more about movement, connection, courage, and loving your life as it is.
Key Takeaways
Move your body every day, even if it’s “just” walking.
Judy has walked at least four miles daily for over 50 years and says it gives her energy, lifts her mood, and has become a non‑negotiable habit—she feels worse if she skips it.
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Pair exercise with something you enjoy to make it sustainable.
She only listens to audiobooks while walking, which turns movement into a reward and keeps her eager to get outside to hear the next chapter.
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Prioritize social connection; don’t wait for others to call you.
Judy proactively hosts dinners, joins community activities, calls old friends, and even moved into a retirement community, emphasizing that loneliness is dangerous for health and mood.
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If you want older loved ones to be more active, do it with them.
Instead of lecturing parents or grandparents, Judy suggests inviting them for walks, classes, or activities together—shared experiences are more motivating than advice.
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You’re never too old to start something new or scary.
From starting to run in her 30s to biking in New Zealand, living in Cambodia, skydiving at 80, bungee jumping, getting a tattoo, and doing a therapeutic MDMA journey at 85, Judy treats fear as a signal to lean in, not pull back.
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Gratitude for basic abilities can anchor a meaningful day.
She begins with the simple thought that waking up, being able to swallow, walk, and brush her teeth is a privilege—and that perspective shapes how she meets the rest of the day.
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As you age, invest less in pleasing others and more in self-respect.
Judy cares far less about others’ opinions now; instead she focuses on listening better, choosing quality friendships over obligations, and doing what genuinely feels right to her.
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Notable Quotes
“It can be five, but it can’t be less.”
— Judy Robbins (on her daily four-mile walk)
“You can’t sit home and wait for people to call you.”
— Judy Robbins
“Loneliness will just bring you down… If you stay connected, you don’t feel alone.”
— Judy Robbins
“We don’t have a lot of time in this world, so I think you reach for the golden ring when you can still see it.”
— Judy Robbins
“Stay in love. Love yourself, love your friends, love your life.”
— Judy Robbins
Questions Answered in This Episode
How might your own health and energy change if you committed to a simple, consistent daily walk like Judy’s, even if it starts at 10–15 minutes?
Mel Robbins interviews her 86‑year‑old mother‑in‑law, Judy Robbins, about how she stays healthy, happy, social, and adventurous well into her late 80s. ...
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If you’re feeling lonely, what is one small social action you could take this week—hosting a tiny gathering, calling an old friend, or joining a local class?
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What is one adventure, class, or experience you keep telling yourself you’re “too old” or “too behind” to try—and what would it take to start it anyway?
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If you tend to lecture your aging parents or grandparents, how could you instead invite them to do an activity *with* you, as Judy suggests?
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What would change in your life if you cared less about what others think and more about whether you’re proud of how you spend your time and who you’re becoming?
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Transcript Preview
JJ.
Yeah. (laughs)
(laughs) I'm so glad you're back. You went skydiving for the first time at the age of 80.
(laughs)
You got your first tattoo at 85.
(laughs) Oh.
Now that you're 86, what is your exact workout and movement routine?
Oh, well, I walk every day, four miles anyhow. It can be five, but it can't be less.
(laughs) What about water, how much water do you, do you drink?
Uh, not enough. I do have kombucha, apple cider vinegar-
Yes.
... and a fresh orange. So, I think to myself, (laughs) "You know, that's liquid." (laughs)
Yes. (laughs)
Oh, I have one other thing to add.
Tell me.
With my smoothies, I always have at least four ginger snaps. (record scratch sound)
Like cookies? (laughs)
Yeah.
Okay. Four?
Well, sometimes more, but... (laughs)
(laughs) Oh, my God. This is not a health episode, everybody.
(laughs)
A lot of listeners, Judy, are curious, what is your biggest regret now that you're 86? (clock ticking sounds) (intro music) Hey, it's your friend Mel, and today you and I are spending time with one of the smallest, badass-est women I know. I know, again, another word that doesn't really make sense, but you know what I mean. I'm talking about the pint-sized powerhouse, my mother-in-law, Judy Robbins. Now, she clocks in at 4'11", and that's with heels. She is smart, she's entertaining, she's loving, she's fun, and she is almost 87 years old. But she's not even close to being done with life. In fact, Judy does more before 10:00 AM most mornings than I do. And today, she's back on the podcast taking your questions, because when she was here about a year ago, you almost broke the internet (laughs) with the amount of questions that you sent in. You wanted more from Judy. And so I got a stack of them right here. I have no idea (laughs) what she is about to say, which is part of the fun. So pull up a chair, because I invite you to join this deeply fun and profound conversation with me and my mother-in-law, Judy Robbins. And I have no doubt you are gonna love her as much as I do. So please join me in welcoming back the one and only, Judy Robbins. JJ.
Yeah.
(laughs) I'm so glad you're back.
It's good to be back, Mel.
We have so many questions, uh, from listeners around the world from your last appearance on the Mel Robbins podcast. You have been a fan favorite. Does that surprise you?
It does. Yes, it does.
Well, I think it's fantastic and I'm not surprised, and here's why. It's one thing to hear the research and the strategies and the recommendations from a medical doctor or somebody who researches it.
Mm-hmm.
It's another thing to hear the secrets of an 86...
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