Seizing the years with Geoff Livingston
I recently had the pleasure of catching up with Geoff Livingston, a seasoned marketing expert and dedicated advocate for living a balanced, mindful life. As we connected online, I couldn’t help but admire how he starts his day—already in the thick of his morning routine, driving kids around and diving into the chaos of family life on a dark and misty East Coast winter day.
In our conversation, Geoff shares his unique perspective on the importance of slowing down, appreciating the present moment, and getting kids out into nature. He opens up about his sister’s stroke and how it deepened his appreciation for health and well-being. Geoff’s approach to wellness—rooted in family, nature, and personal growth—is both inspiring and practical for anyone looking to lead a more fulfilling life.
Rachael: What was the moment that made you decide to take control of your health and start running?
Geoff: I’ve had periods where I’ve been in great shape, like I feel I am now, and other times where I’ve been really heavy. I’ve always been active—hiking, lifting weights, or walking the dog—but there have definitely been ups and downs.
Back when I was 40, I ran an 11-mile Tough Mudder without training properly. I thought I could handle it, but I ended up blowing my knee out. That injury set me back five years. My doctor always jokes, “Men die before women because they’re stupid.” It’s a running joke in our house. Even though I was in good shape, I didn’t train smartly. I paid the price, which led to reconstructive surgery on my right knee. After that, I just didn’t feel right. I gained a lot of weight and started dealing with other injuries—my heel, my back.
Then, in 2020, during the pandemic, I hit my heaviest weight. I was easily over 250 pounds or 115 kilos. I was afraid to even step on a scale, afraid of what the actual number would be, and I never did find out. Being stuck at home, near the fridge, unable to go anywhere, I gained a lot of weight. My kid started calling me Santa Claus because of my white beard. It was funny, but also a wake-up call.
I got tired of it. I downloaded a Couch to 5K app on my phone and started running. At first, I couldn’t even run 100 meters. I was disgusted with myself, but I stuck with it. Three months later, I ran my first 5K in a decade.
I got a running coach, Jake, from the UK. He’s retired now, but he was fantastic and had a great podcast. He helped me keep going. I dropped about 30 pounds I think, and got down to 230 lbs or 105 kilos, and started running Spartans and other obstacle course races.
Rachael: Was it more about lifestyle, overeating, or just a mindset of “that’ll never happen to me”?
Geoff: A mix of things. I didn’t take care of myself properly, and I let stress and bad habits creep in. Then, my sister had a massive stroke. She still can’t talk or work full-time. Seeing her go through that was a wake-up call.
I left a stressful, toxic job, which helped a lot. I started tracking my calories and paying attention to what I was eating. Between that and reducing stress, I shaved off another 40 pounds, where I currently am now.
In October of 2022, I ran my first marathon at 51—the Chicago Marathon at 4:13. Since then I have continued to train, and just finished in under four hours with a 3:48. That process of marathon training changed my mindset completely. It’s not just about running; it’s about a lifestyle shift—diet, fitness, stress management. I found it hard to achieve progress without looking at the holistic view.
Rachael: That’s incredible. What’s kept you motivated through it all?
Geoff: Honestly, I felt like I was too young to be in such bad shape. I’ve always had an affinity for being active, but I let life get in the way. Now, I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life—or close to it. It’s about consistency, learning, and making better choices.
And here in the United States, the food culture doesn’t help. Portions at restaurants are always one and a half to two times what you should probably eat.
Rachael: Absolutely. Food can be such a comfort, especially when you’re stuck at home, like during COVID. You mentioned going to the fridge all the time—it’s hard.
Geoff: Exactly. The key is understanding that food is a source of energy and goodness, not something debilitating. Eating whole foods, good grains, and the proper amount of food is important. It’s about being mindful of the levers that food provides for how we feel.
On the other hand, we also need to be careful about the shaming that comes with weight and fitness. There’s a lot of pressure, especially online, to look a certain way.
For example, there’s this stereotype that a runner should look really skinny and almost bony. I don’t look like that—I’m a big guy, kind of beefy. Even now, I’m 190 pounds (about 90 kilos), though I’ve got a thin waist.
Rachael: Running is something everyone can do. There’s no way to look like a runner—you just need a human body capable of running.
Geoff: Absolutely. That’s a great point. I think people need to find what works for them, fuel appropriately, and accept their body for what it is—not what the media or the internet tells them it should be. For me, I have to be mindful about fueling properly so I feel good, not like I’m losing it while running or going about my day.
Rachael: How has the event with your sister, which must have shaken your whole family, affected your relationship with her?
Geoff: It’s been a journey. She’s almost three years along the path to recovering from her stroke, and I’ve been improving my health and wellness. We are now sharing fitness tips, which is kind of cool.
But she’s my biggest fan. Whenever I’m running or doing something active, she’s the first person to applaud it. She’s really rallied around our relationship.
Rachael: I feel like awareness around strokes in general is quite low. I was definitely in my late 20s before I even realised what a stroke was or what it could do. What’s your take on that? Has awareness about strokes been a topic in your family or among friends in recent years?
Geoff: Yeah, I think understanding of strokes is very poor in the United States. People just don’t grasp the recovery process or how the inability to speak can lead to loneliness. It’s like being around a human tsunami—there’s this wave of retraction after the initial event, leaving only wreckage.
Here in the U.S., we don’t value long-term well-being enough. There’s a lack of support for people with health issues, and that’s just the nature of our economy and healthcare system. But the repercussions for someone who’s had a stroke can be severe.
Strokes are common enough, like heart attacks. You know they happen, but it’s still shocking when someone you know experiences one.
Rachael: So what does living your life well mean to you? And what does it mean to live well for a long time, even when such unexpected events as a stroke can affect us or our families?
Geoff: That’s a great question. People have different definitions of health and doing well. My sister has her own definition right now, which is very different from mine.
I think the answer is presence. Living well means being there for yourself, for others, and for your responsibilities. It means appreciating everything amazing and beautiful around you. We should not take anything for granted.
Before we started recording, we were talking about the foggy weather. It was dark and moody, almost like a novel. If you’re not present, it’s hard to appreciate those little moments.
For me, it’s about being able to look at my child—my 14-year-old—and enjoy life. Even when they’re giving me grief in a very typical teenager way, I still have that sense of love and pride that only a parent understands.
Rachael: That’s beautiful. It’s those moments when you realise you have this precious human in your life.
Geoff: Exactly. I remember when they were born. Watching them grow from zero to who they are now is incredible. Even when they’re being cheeky, it’s hard not to laugh and love them for it.
You know, health really has three different facets to it.
Right, there’s the physical, which we talk about a lot because it’s the easiest to see and manage. But it’s not necessarily easy—it still requires vigilance.
Then there’s the mental. Mental wellness is tricky because we can get caught up in work, bad habits, or thinking that life isn’t going our way. Even when we’re resting, it takes vigilance to rest mindfully.
And finally, there’s the spiritual. I can’t tell people what the right spiritual path is for them, but I believe it’s important to find some way to get right with nature, a higher power, or even just the larger way of the world.
If we don’t, we risk trying to control everything, and that’s when things go wrong. You end up being that person yelling at people on the highway.
Personally, I start my day with quiet meditation. I lean toward Zen practices, but I know others might find their peace in different ways—whether it’s through faith, walking in the woods, or something else entirely. It’s about cultivating what works for you.
Rachael: I love how you’ve touched on these three aspects. They really do need to come as a package. A lot of people focus heavily on one aspect—like physical health—while neglecting the others. Over time, that imbalance catches up with you.
For me, this really hit home in my late 20s when I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition. I was doing university, teaching, running marathons, weight training, and taking intense gym classes.
I had no time to read, spend time with God, or even just contemplate. It all started to show in my body—I had rashes, no menstrual cycle, panic attacks—it was like my body was trying to put the brakes on.
Geoff: Yeah, it’s so important. I think we’ve moved away from feeling connected to ourselves and the world around us. Even contemplating that connection feels almost discouraged now.
Rachael: What’s in your toolkit for managing your “Zen-ness”? How do you start your day or stay grounded throughout it?
Geoff: My morning routine is essential. Before this call, I was journaling—it’s like a meditation for me. I just let the thoughts flow onto the page. Journaling helps me clear my mind. It’s like letting the “squirrel” out of my brain, as some people say. Once it’s all on paper, my head feels clear, and I’m ready for the day.
I also read a meditation or two each morning. There are so many books out there—Marcus Aurelius is a classic. I start my day with that and some spiritual reading, which is a bit more Zen-oriented. Those two practices—journaling and reading—are my basics. They help me stay grounded and present.
Rachael: That’s beautiful. It’s like you’ve created a toolkit for living well.
Geoff: Exactly. Living well isn’t just about managing the chaos—it’s about creating space to appreciate life.
I also take time for meditation once or twice a week to calm myself. It might be five minutes or 30 minutes, depending on the day.
Beyond that, I spend about two and a half to three hours a week in the woods or on trails. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “In the woods, we return to reason and faith.” I really resonate with that because I get both the spiritual and physical benefits from being outdoors.
Rachael: That’s so true. There’s a lot of research now about how humans need to cultivate a sense of awe about the world we live in. It’s something we’re losing, probably because we spend so much time on our phones or indoors. Apparently, in this day and age, our collective sense of awe is pretty low.
Geoff: Getting out on the trails is very helpful for me. I love being in the woods or a park—it’s a grounding experience.
Rachael: I’m curious—what’s on your bucket list or what are your ambitions now?
Geoff: I’m 52 right now, so I’ve been thinking about that a lot.
For the next four and a half years, I’ll still have responsibilities with my child. After that, it’s about continuing to find fun things to do outside.
One of my goals is to run an ultra-marathon. Just a short one, like a 50k, but it’s something I’d love to achieve. There’s a trail race here called Grindstone, which is about 50 kilometres with 1,500 meters of elevation gain.
It might take me a long time to train for it, but I like proving to myself that age is mental in many ways.
Another thing I love is sharing outdoor experiences with my kid. We’ve visited a lot of national parks together. Even when they were two, we went to the Grand Canyon. At four, we visited Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii. Recently, we went to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons.
This year, we’re planning to visit another group of national parks, Arches Bryce and Zion. My kid actually wants to go back to Yellowstone, which I consider a victory. The last trip my sister took was with me, my kid, and her daughter, Julia. We went to Yellowstone. That’s a special memory.
Rachael: That’s beautiful.
Geoff: It’s all about creating these meaningful experiences. And now, with my kid, I want to share that appreciation for the outdoors. They’ve started to enjoy hiking, but I also know that sometimes these things are like seeds that just sit there. They’ll appreciate it when the time is right.
Rachael: That’s really important, and it’s great that you’re spreading that love for the outdoors and physical activities with your family.
Geoff: Yeah, it’s important to share those experiences with them. It’s about building those moments together.
Rachael: Absolutely. So, as we wrap up, do you have any advice for people in their late 20s or early 30s? Anything we can start thinking about now to stay healthy and vital as we get older?
Geoff: I think it’s about being active and finding what you love. Whether it’s running, hiking, or something else, just keep moving. It’s all about building that foundation now, so you’re ready for the future. It’s about finding contentment with what you have and not constantly chasing more. Enough is enough. I might never achieve another personal best, but just running is amazing to me. Experiencing a race is exhilarating, and I am enjoy the entire experience. And that goes for life in general, not just in running or training. It’s about balance.
I think developing a sense of presence is key. It helps you appreciate what you have. When you realize that today could be your last, you start living with more gratitude.
Rachael: That’s such a great perspective. It’s about living with intention, right?
Geoff: Yes, exactly. Living well and appreciating the moment.
Thank you so much, Geoff, for sharing your story with us!
If you would like to be featured or know someone who would be great to feature, please don’t hesitate to email yourfriends@helloyeu.com 😊
Seize the years,
Rachael Jennings | Co-Founder + CBO, Yeu
