Here's a question worth thinking about: if someone offered you 10 more years of life, but most of them were spent battling illness, would you take the deal?
That's the conversation sparked by new research showing Americans now spend an average of about 14 years living with chronic illness, disability, or declining health. Sure, medical advances are helping us live longer, but are those extra years actually good years?
Jerry Granata believes the answer starts with living healthier today. He pointed to processed foods and other lifestyle habits, arguing that taking better care of ourselves now can lead to both a healthier and longer life down the road.
Jim Walker agreed—but added one important ingredient: happiness. He's a longtime fitness enthusiast who's spent 34 years consistently going to the gym, missing only a handful of days. But even he says life is all about balance. Yes, he exercises religiously, but he also enjoys Italian food, an occasional drink, and believes you shouldn't deprive yourself of everything you enjoy.
Of course, Fred couldn't resist having a little fun with Jim's dedication. He joked that Jim "wasn't born, he was made," because very few people have the discipline to stick with a workout routine for three decades. Fred also admitted he's taken a very different approach to fitness, joking that if someone asks him to go for a run, his first question is, "Who's chasing me?"
The laughs kept coming when Fred claimed the gym could actually be dangerous because someone might drop a weight on your head. Jim fired back with an old saying he'd heard: "Every extra heartbeat you use means you die earlier." That got everyone laughing, with Fred joking he'd better start slowing his heart down immediately.
Behind all the humor, though, was a serious point. Living longer is great—but most people would probably choose years filled with good health, independence, and happiness over simply adding more birthdays to the calendar. As the panel agreed, the real goal isn't just a longer life. It's a better one.
By: NBC Palm Springs
July 23, 2026
