At 102 years old, Mike Fremont holds world records, completes marathons, and still does chin-ups.
His secret? A vegan diet he adopted three decades ago after a life-threatening cancer diagnosis.
In a recent episode of “The Icons” podcast, Fremont shared the lifestyle choices that transformed his health and extended his life far beyond what doctors predicted.
His story offers powerful lessons about nutrition, resilience, and finding purpose at any age.
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The Cancer Diagnosis That Changed Everything
In 1992, at age 69, Fremont faced a devastating diagnosis: colorectal cancer.
Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic delivered an ultimatum that would alter the course of his life.
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Operate or die in 3 months that’s what they told me.
The surgery would cost hundreds of dollars but came with a permanent consequence—wearing a colostomy bag for the rest of his life. Fremont underwent the procedure, but he wasn’t content to simply survive.
He believed his diet had contributed to the cancer, particularly animal products like milk. Determined to take control of his health, Fremont made a radical change: he eliminated all animal protein from his diet.
The Vegan Transformation
Fremont hasn’t consumed meat, fish, or dairy in over 30 years.
His plant-based approach focuses on vegetable proteins like broccoli and beans rather than traditional animal sources.
I believed that the food that I ate had contributed to the cancer for example milk you wouldn’t think would you.
Within a week of adopting the vegan diet after surgery, Fremont experienced relief from debilitating shoulder and neck pain that had plagued him on the drive to Cleveland. The discomfort never returned.
For Fremont, the dietary shift wasn’t just about cancer prevention—it became a comprehensive lifestyle that he credits with his extraordinary longevity and vitality.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
Why Fremont Believes Veganism Works
Fremont points to both historical precedent and modern athletic performance as evidence for plant-based eating.
He notes that Socrates practiced vegetarianism, and today, major athletic teams have adopted vegan diets to optimize performance.
Every coach in this country ought to be telling his team look you dumbbells you want to get the best out of your bodies go vegan.
His conviction stems from personal experience. At 90 years old, Fremont ran the Huntington, West Virginia Marathon and set a world record for his age group—a testament to what he considers the power of plant-based nutrition.
Running Through Grief
Fremont’s journey with physical activity began long before his cancer diagnosis.
When his first wife died, leaving him to raise three children while running a business, Fremont turned to running as a coping mechanism.
I just decided to because of the stress of raising a family running a business and without a wife mother to my children so I took up running over the dam at the lake with maybe one little kid holding on a little finger of mine.
Running became more than exercise—it was therapy. The activity helped him manage the overwhelming stress of single parenthood and business ownership during what he describes as “probably the worst time in my life.”
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
His lightweight, undersized frame—once a source of insecurity that led him to take up wrestling in college—proved advantageous for distance running. He discovered he was naturally suited for the sport and began entering occasional races.
Breaking Records Past 90
Fremont’s athletic achievements defy conventional expectations about aging.
His accomplishments include:
- World record marathon: Set at age 90 in Huntington, West Virginia
- Canoe championships: Oldest person to compete in national championships at 102
- Mountain climbing: Recently spent 12 days hiking in the White Mountains
- Regular strength training: Continues doing chin-ups and pull-ups
- Half marathons: Transitioned from full marathons after age 90
After his record-setting marathon at 90, Fremont decided to focus on half marathons, including one in Daytona Beach, Florida, which he completed with his current wife.
At 102, Fremont maintains an active routine despite recent falls that have slowed him down slightly. His wife can now outpace him over short distances—a development he accepts with characteristic pragmatism.
The Philosophy Behind Longevity
When asked about his secrets to a long life, Fremont’s answer is both simple and profound.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
It’s simply the lifestyle that we have adopted which is to eat vegan.
But diet is only part of the equation. Fremont emphasizes consistent exercise as equally critical, recommending that everyone adopt both practices.
He’s particularly passionate about sharing this knowledge because of the preventable deaths he’s witnessed. Fremont notes that 53,000 people die annually from colorectal cancer—the same disease he survived.
If they knew what I knew zero.
His frustration with preventable illness drives his advocacy. He’s convinced multiple athletic organizations he founded to adopt plant-based diets, and he believes the message could save countless lives.
Finding Purpose Through Contribution
For Fremont, longevity isn’t just about living longer—it’s about living with purpose.
The greatest excitement the greatest thrills in life in my opinion are being able to help other people do what they need to do.
He describes helping others as “the greatest possible gift to any person no matter how miserable or old or whatever they are.” This philosophy has guided his work founding and supporting approximately half a dozen organizations.
Fremont considers his current years the best of his life—a remarkable statement from a centenarian who’s experienced profound loss and overcome life-threatening illness.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
Practical Advice for Any Age
Fremont’s message to younger generations is direct and uncompromising.
I tell them to change their diets eat well and exercise.
He emphasizes that adopting a vegan lifestyle can actually save money while dramatically improving health outcomes. As plant-based options become more widely available, Fremont finds he can maintain his diet practically anywhere, including most restaurants.
His approach is sustainable rather than restrictive. He occasionally allows himself a glass of champagne once a month if there’s reason to celebrate, but he doesn’t obsess over such exceptions.
The Keys to Staying Motivated
Fremont’s motivation comes from multiple sources:
- Financial security: Retirement without financial stress
- Strong relationships: A 31-year marriage to a supportive partner
- Family connections: Three children, including one who runs the business Fremont founded in 1948
- Physical capability: The ability to do everything he wants to do
- Community engagement: Friendships with people who share his values
These are the best years of my life no question I’m retired I’m secure financially I’m healthy I have this marvelous woman I’ve had for 30 years.
The Legacy of a Century-Plus Life
Fremont views his documented achievements—world records, organizational leadership, dietary advocacy—as his lasting contribution.
More importantly, he’s influenced friends and entire athletic organizations to adopt plant-based diets, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond his personal accomplishments.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
When asked about living to 150—a possibility some longevity researchers consider achievable—Fremont notes that the oldest person in America recently died at 117, and a French woman currently holds the world record at 122. While he doesn’t claim he’ll match those records, his openness to the possibility reflects his optimistic outlook.
Fremont’s story demonstrates that it’s never too late to make transformative lifestyle changes. He adopted veganism at 69, set world records at 90, and continues pushing physical boundaries at 102.
His combination of plant-based nutrition, consistent exercise, meaningful relationships, and purpose-driven living offers a blueprint for healthy aging that challenges conventional limits.
I can do everything I want to do and I’m doing everything I want to do and it’s being responded to what more can you ask.
