Growing Bolder: Orlando author defies ‘cult of youth’
Growing Bolder is a media company, a radio show, a TV series and a magazine from former TV anchor Marc Middleton. Now it’s a book, too, with the publication of his “Growing Bolder: Defy the Cult of Youth, Live with Passion and Purpose.”
“I know there’s a cult of youth,” said Middleton, 67. “I honestly believe that we are all the victims of a form of mass cultural hypnosis, a propaganda campaign that has been foisted upon us from the time we were young.”
Middleton cites multiple studies that show people, from a very young age, have a biased belief about growing older. He pointed to advertising campaigns and ageism in the workplace that make people feel inadequate.
“All this messaging we have been exposed to since we took a first breath starts to prey upon us,” he said. “We have been programmed to believe that, beyond a certain age, we, by design, lose strength, power, intellect and passion. All of these things have nothing to do with age.”
Rowdy Gaines, a threetime Olympic gold medalist in swimming, praises the book in a blurb: “If you’re discouraged by the thought of growing older, read Marc Middleton’s book. ‘Growing Bolder’ exposes the lies, reveals the truth and provides the pathway to a better tomorrow.”
Middleton has fought back against ageism through his Growing Bolder media company, which he founded after leaving WESH-Channel 2 in 2006. Middleton strives to rebrand aging and change attitudes. A central point for him: Our belief system about aging is crucial in determining how we age.
He shares what he’s learned in his book, which came out in March. He’s working on an audio version, and he will speak at 1 p.m. May 16 at the new Center for Health & Wellbeing in Winter Park. The event is free, but space is limited. Registration will open to the public soon at YourHealthandWellbeing .org.
Middleton has found a receptive audience for his other projects. In November, his company won $75,000 in a pitch contest from American Public Television. Growing Bolder suggested a way to overhaul pledge programming on public television through a special called “Launchpad to What’s Next.” The show will be recorded May 30 at the Sharon Performing Arts Center in The Villages for broadcast on national television in December. Each seat is $30.
In the show, host Middleton and colleague Bill Shafer, another WESH
alum, will draw on longevity, finance and fitness experts to illustrate how people can reinvent themselves and seize opportunities beyond what has been considered normal retirement.
Middleton billed the show as “creating a threering circus of inspiration that motivates people.” They will take the show on the road to Albuquerque, N.M., on June 18 during the National Senior Games.
The Growing Bolder magazine, which publishes quarterly, has expanded from 32 pages to 100, and it’s on higher-quality paper.
The “Growing Bolder” TV show just started its fifth season and will deliver 10 episodes. The show airs at 10:30 a.m. Sundays on WUCF TV, Orlando’s PBS station. Sample topic: “The Key to Active Longevity.” The series aired on more than 300 stations last season, and Middleton expects the same this season.
The “Growing Bolder” radio show, which is heard at 7 a.m. Sundays on Orlando’s 90.7 WMFE, is also distributed as a podcast through NPR One. It also can be heard at 9 a.m. weekdays on WMFV, WMFE’s sister station and the new NPR affiliate in The Villages.
Every project demonstrates the Growing Bolder philosophy of showing ordinary people living extraordinary lives.
“The magic of personal transformation happens when we can see ourselves in others,” Middleton said.