The Secret of Life: A Memoir Of Getting Younger

by Zeev Gilkis

Age doesn't matter! If we live right, we don’t have to age! Dr. Zeev Gilkis is a cancer survivor who began competing in triathlons and surfing waves in his sixties. In a conversational style and a friendly manner, the author is sharing his secrets about living better and longer, while enjoying every moment! You too can enjoy life more and achieve anything you dream of! A sample from the This book is magically useful The genius of this book is, as I pick it up to read it, I immediately feel the urge to do something healthy, usually exercise on the spot. It is as if the book is encoded with a magic formula that makes you more sportive and it has a unique format that mixes story, science and handbook sport tips. Got Me Up and Moving! A relaxing and yet inspiring book. I tripled my physical activity in the time it took to read it. The author provides solid scientific explanations for the long-term benefits of moderate physical activity. Never too late, and never too early. I am probably not the target audience of this book as I am in mid-thirties, but I am glad that I read it in the beginning of a year, and shared what I learned from this book with my parents, who are definitely the target audience of the book. This book is based on the author’s first-hand experience of starting high intensity physical training and reaching a new level of physical strength at late sixties, and is expected to keep improving or at least plateau for quite some time. It is commonly assumed that for retirees physical activity is limited to a moderate level, but the author provides a different perspective based on widely validated scientific evidence, and further implements it himself. But don’t worry, the scientific part is really easy to process. Unlike some trendy diet theories or training that Hollywood celebrities recommend and probably fade in two years, the author does not create something that you don’t know, but crystallizes what you already know to an approachable methodology. You can feel the enthusiasm of the author and his passion for sharing his scientific-based lifestyle with his readers, and eventually the general public. Also the author succinctly shares his very interesting life story, from Poland to Israel, from mathematics to military and to venture capital, which is different but to a certain degree it also represents a whole generation of a group of people, their migration, and settling. Just like the author said, “ if you’re reading this book, you are supposed to have crossed the midline of your life, which I believe is nowadays, around 50. But even if you’re younger, I’m sure you will enjoy it.” I am younger, and I do enjoy it. Maybe it is intended to encourage elder people set a different expectation of their bodies, but it is indeed very inspiring for younger people to start living physically active as soon as they can. Never too late, and never too early.

Genres: Health

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2019

About the author

Zeev Gilkis, PhD, was the founder of AMIT, an institute for bio-medical development at Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.

For more than eight years, he was the CEO of the institute and led the establishment of five start-ups in various fields of medicine, serving as the chairman of the Board of Directors of all five.

For over 11 years Gilkis held senior management positions at Comverse Technology which was at the time an S&P 500 company.

He earned his PhD with a thesis on Artificial Intelligence, and in addition holds graduate degrees in mathematics, statistics and computer sciences and a Master of Science in mathematics.

Gilkis served in the mythological 8200 SIGINT unit of Israeli Intelligence for 17 years, and was awarded the highest “Award for Israeli National Security” by the President of Israel. He also served as the first Israeli military attaché to Poland and Hungary.

In addition to his diversified career, Gilkis has devoted most of his free time to neuroscience, health and nutrition.

He is the author of the books: Unlock Bliss: A Memoir of Getting Happier; The Secret of Life: A Memoir of Getting Younger, Running Back in Time and The Beautiful Addiction.

He is a vegan, and practices yoga and meditation.

Reviews

[Sherin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Zeev Gilkis, PhD, the author of the book Secret of Life, and founder of AMIT, an institute for bio-medical development at Technion, has also held other high profile positions including one with the Israeli Intelligence, has poured his heart out and his passion in this book to inspire, motivate and help others in their quest to stay healthy and happy.

Age is just a number and this man goes on to prove this, and has taken a methodical and scientific approach to reverse the clock and achieve great feats. He chose not to sulk and let age dictate his life, instead decided to take action and make things happen, his way. This book is an honest portrayal of his journey with gritty details that aren't polished to just hype or motivate, but rather a real insight into reversing the ravaging effects of ageing on his body and how he conditions his mind and body to become fit and healthy in his late sixties - seventies.

So, if you're looking to reverse the clock, or just an individual on the quest to undo ageing damage, or prevent it, this is the right book for you. While we all don't need to run a marathon, being healthy, independent and contributing to life is something we all aspire to do - this book shows you the way.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

L’chaim!

Israeli author Zeev Gilkis earned his PhD with his thesis on Artifical Intelligence and other degrees in mathematics, statistics, and computer science – a man of today! He founded of AMIT, an institute for bio-medical development at Technion established five start-ups in various fields of medicine and held senior management positions at Comverse Technology (Nasdaq CNSI). Of particular interest is his service in the mythological 8200 SIGINT Unit of the Israeli Intelligence for 17 years: he was awarded the highest "Award for Israeli National Security" projects by the President of Israel. His focus - neuro-science, health and nutrition. His first book was THE ART & SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS and now he continues that train of thought in THE SECRET OF LIFE.

While there are many self-help books about health and how to achieve and maintain it, few are is immersive as Dr. Gilkis’ refection on his own life challenges and the manner in which he is defying growing old. His approach to the incorporation of sports and physical activity into our living program is both inspiring and instructional and full of hopeful possibilities. Believing that physical and mental health are nurtured by constant physical activity may seem like a foregone conclusion, but as Dr. Gilkis presents his case the facts are there – in a most accessible manner.

Sharing his memoir makes the concepts he presents more attractive: prevention of disease and of aging are the practical results of physical activity including the rewards we can receive in self-esteem and joy. To share the ideas of progressive physical activity as the guide to defy aging and to improve both mental and physical health is important, but in this book Dr. Gilkis offers step by step guidance on how to embrace his ideas and make them part of our living a life that is happier, healthier and ‘aging resistant’! Recommended.

[Picardy3rd · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not even sure what I think of this book.
I've been waiting to read it for a long time, hesitating bc I have a hard time spending $ on short books. Finally I did and I'm disappointed. I can't even remember quite what I thought this book was about that I wanted to read it so much, but it wasn't very satisfying. Maybe bc his story seemed easy. He wanted to learn to surf so he did. He wanted to triathlon so he did. idk.
I feel like I need to listen again but
eat right and move your body is not so secret.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t finish this book. It was very disjointed - hopping from one topic to another and back again with no segues. I did enjoy the part about the Alexander Technique because I had an older college professor who practiced it. I’ll look into that.

[MICHAEL PACK · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mostly personal history

Very little about how one should approach exercise in later years; mostly about his personal history of exercise. Would not recommend this book.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable and motivating!!

I truly enjoyed reading this. It inspired me to want to get out there and move my body. Now, I wish the author would come out with a vegan cookbook. :)

[Jo13 · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[Ana Pinzon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it 🚴‍♀️ nice book

I enjoyed the book. nice to read and additionally useful information. recommended 100 % this book not only as a triathlete but as a human being.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art of growing Younger!

Israeli author Zeev Gilkis earned his PhD with his thesis on Artificial Intelligence and other degrees in mathematics, statistics, and computer science – a man of today! He founded of AMIT, an institute for bio-medical development at Technion established five start-ups in various fields of medicine and held senior management positions at Comverse Technology (Nasdaq CNSI). Of particular interest is his service in the mythological 8200 SIGINT Unit of the Israeli Intelligence for 17 years: he was awarded the highest "Award for Israeli National Security" projects by the President of Israel. His focus - neuro-science, health and nutrition. His series of books he collectively titles YOUNGER THAN EVER Includes UNLOCK THE BLISS, THE SECRET OF LIFE, and RUNNING BACK IN TIME.

Dr. Gilkis is a role model for the ‘older generation’ – whenever that starts these days! While there are many self-help books about health and how to achieve and maintain it, few are is immersive as Dr. Gilkis’ refection on his own life challenges and the manner in which he is defying growing old. His approach to the incorporation of sports and physical activity into our living program is both inspiring and instructional and full of hopeful possibilities. Believing that physical and mental health are nurtured by constant physical activity may seem like a foregone conclusion, but as Dr. Gilkis presents his case the facts are there – in a most accessible manner.

Fortunate for us Dr Gilkis now presents all three of his fine books in a set. To share the ideas of progressive physical activity as the guide to defy aging and to improve both mental and physical health is important, but in these books Dr. Gilkis offers step by step guidance on how to embrace his ideas and make them part of our living a life that is happier, healthier and ‘aging resistant’! Recommended.