Growing up on a small mixed farm in Oak Lake, Manitoba, Larry G., attended a one-room school for the first 6 years of his education. Through his life, farming and agriculture have played supporting roles in his aging process, through his degree in agriculture from the University of Manitoba, or the last three years of his working career as a senior editor for the farm newspaper called Grainews.
One of Larry’s many accomplishments, pictured here, is participating and placing in the Manitoba 55+ games—an annual event specifically for older adults. In 2026 for the ninth year, Larry participated again in the 100, 200 and 400 metre races, bettering his time over 2025 in each race. At age 80, Larry is a strong advocate for staying healthy, active, and positive throughout life.
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I am the proud grandfather of 11 grandchildren who range in age from 6 to 26 and enjoy being in the shape I am, so I can enjoy being a part of each of their lives. This summer, when I turn 80 I am hosting a party where I’ve invited 50 friends, who all plan to attend, which makes me very happy. I currently live in Winnipeg, Manitoba with my wife Bev, and have been an ongoing and willing participant with the CLSA since the beginning. One of my favourite things to do is being in the field and participating in the annual grain harvest, which I’ve been doing since 2003. Last year, I drove a grain truck and hauled in 90+ loads of grain, which meant that I was in and out of the truck more than 500 times! If I wasn’t fit, I wouldn’t be able to do what I love doing at harvest. So that means staying fit has become a huge part of my life.
What motivates you to keep participating in the CLSA?
I am a happy participant because it encourages me to maintain my fitness. I am quite pleased to comply with whatever is asked of me, whether physical or mental, because I really do find it a fun thing to do. Outside of the CLSA, my wife and I attended a University of Manitoba’s fitness class every year beginning in 2005. During Covid, the fitness class was suspended and our beloved instructor retired. So, we’ve held our own fitness classes in the basement of our house! We do everything from walking around in warm-up, lifting weights, and generally exercising our upper and lower body. Our routine normally consists of a 10-minute warm-up, 40 minutes of hard work (where we do 2 sets of 12 reps for each exercise, both lower and upper body), and then 10 minutes of cool down.
Can you tell us a little bit about your journey with aging?
So far, it’s been good. In 2009, a friend took a photo of me that I didn’t like. It revealed a belly that I wasn’t happy about and it prompted me to make a change. I decided to do it naturally, and I found that I actually lost weight while eating everything I ever ate, (by eating less of it) without fad diets, supplements or becoming a ‘gym rat.’ I believe that staying fit can help folks with the aging process. I’m proud to say that I’ve lost 20% of my original weight which has enabled me to run in the Manitoba 55+ Games and to work in the fields at harvest. I couldn’t do either without losing weight and staying fit. I decided, after losing weight in the way I did, to write a book, called “A Slimmer You”, which focuses on slowly losing weight without giving up any of the foods I enjoy, and doesn’t require a person to spend tons of time in a gym.
What do you hope the CLSA will achieve?
To me what’s important is that the data that’s collected is being published in research papers. I think the results of the CLSA are already very significant and will continue to be. When this study finishes, I’d be surprised if another one isn’t started. Ultimately, anything that can help seniors stay healthy longer is good.
What does healthy aging mean to you? What’s your current approach to healthy aging?
It means everything. I see people going into hospital who haven’t taken care of themselves, they sit in waiting rooms for hours and are uncomfortable, upset, and I am trying my best to prevent that kind of thing from happening to me as long as I can.
Why do you believe that it is important to study aging and health?
I think for the history and the science behind it. Maybe the right message will reach the right people who might not know and understand otherwise. If it’s mentioned in the media people might pick up on it and take the real facts at face value. And do something about looking after their own health.
How do you stay motivated?
Every morning I get up and say, “I’m happy the be on this side of the sod.” I know it’s easy to get grumpy and sometimes we wake up that way, but I choose to be positive. Sometimes seeing others around me who are dealing with health issues like diabetes, cancer or suffering from a stroke and overall poor health could bring me down, but I choose not to let that happen.
How important is staying active as you age?
It’s very important to me! Like I said, a main passion of mine is to be around harvest equipment, to be in the fields, and to participate in crops being harvested. I also enjoy being able to ride my bike to football games and to actively play with my grandkids. And running in the Manitoba 55+ Games. This is what motivates me!
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Last spring, my wife Bev and I went on a Liberation tour that celebrated the 80th anniversary since our troops liberated folks from France, Belgium, and The Netherlands from the tyranny of the Nazi regime. This tour was really eye-opening and fantastic and taught us a lot of information about World War I and World War II. The tour featured the monuments of Vimy Ridge, the tunnels, from WWI, the gravesites from both Wars, plus the fortifications built by Germans, and mustering points for the Jewish people during WWII. Overall, we thought we knew lots, but we ended up learning so much more. On this trip, I had the opportunity to meet a fellow from the next town from where I grew up, and we found out our families had known one another for years. Long story short, I was asked to deliver my power point presentation of that Liberation tour in his town on November 11th, 2026, which I’m very proud of.
