June 26, 2026
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High agency offers a way for people to take ownership of their health choices, persist through challenges and adapt when needed.
Too many men over 50 believe that physical and mental decline are inevitable, along with the limits these changes can place on quality of life. Yet, scientific evidence shows otherwise.
Cultural norms and personal experience still reinforce the perception that aging means decline. The stereotypical image of a paunchy, middle-aged man who struggles physically and can't remember where he put his keys remains etched in the American psyche. Worse, this mindset can reduce motivation to seek preventive care or early intervention. In some cases, it may be intertwined with self-neglect — when people stop meeting their own health needs because of physical limitations, cognitive changes, depression or social isolation.
Fighting this psychosocial battle is at the core of my advocacy. So when I see another cultural trend with the potential to challenge this mindset, I'm all in — especially when it involves men over 50 embracing a concept typically associated with younger, tech-savvy go-getters.
What is this trend? It's called high agency.
High agency has become a hot topic in business, tech and psychology, because it is a powerful concept and a loaded buzzword with multiple interpretations. It emerged in the mid-2010s as a modern rebranding of longstanding psychological and leadership concepts, blending traits such as growth mindset, proactivity and grit into a single label. It gained prominence in 2016 when investor Eric Weinstein described it as constantly seeking what is possible in a "MacGyverish" way — a reference to creative problem-solving inspired by the television character.
For men navigating the aging process, the psychological definitions are most relevant. In this context, high agency refers to the ability to positively influence yourself or your environment. Although very much a contemporary buzzword, high agency draws from decades of psychological research on perceived control, mastery and efficacy — the belief that one can influence outcomes and achieve goals.
Related ideas include growth mindset — the belief that abilities can be developed; proactivity — acting ahead of circumstances rather than simply reacting to them; and grit — perseverance toward long-term goals. These traits are linked to higher motivation, stronger goal commitment and resilience in the face of challenges. High agency also has shaped discussions about personal motivation, because people who feel in control tend to set higher goals and exert more effort.
Stick with me, guys. Yes, this can work for us.
High agency can be a powerful driver for building and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It means taking ownership of your health choices, persisting through challenges and adapting when needed. It provides a practical mindset for setting health goals, acting consistently, managing yourself effectively, learning from setbacks, and taking initiative in your wellness journey. This mindset turns health into a personal project you actively shape, not something that simply happens to you. What does this look like?
High-agency people begin with forethought: defining what "healthy" means for them and setting specific, measurable goals. That mindset then becomes a framework for implementing the plan. High agency means starting small, taking consistent action and not giving up when progress is slow. For example, that could mean improving your diet by beginning with one healthy meal a day and gradually expanding from there.
Self-management — the ability to care for your physical, emotional and mental well-being — is another dimension. High-agency people monitor their habits, adjust as needed and protect their energy for health-promoting activities. In practical terms, they have the drive and discipline to sustain regular exercise and balanced nutrition, get adequate sleep, manage stress and avoid harmful habits such as excessive screen time or smoking.
High agency also promotes learning and adaptation, motivating people to reflect on what works and what does not. That might mean trying a new fitness approach when your current routine is not sticking or adjusting portion sizes when your diet causes discomfort.
High agency thrives with a growth mindset — the belief that you can improve through effort and learning. Mistakes in your health journey, such as missing a workout, are viewed as opportunities to refine your plan, not as failures. High-agency people do not wait for permission or perfect conditions. They seek resources, ask for support and make changes even when obstacles arise. If they cannot access a gym, they find home workouts or join a virtual class.
Finally, high-agency people build their own support networks. They surround themselves with people who encourage healthy habits, share goals, celebrate progress and hold one another accountable. This reinforces agency and motivation.
For many men in their 50s and beyond, high agency offers a way to regain or maintain control over their lives. It aligns with a desire for purpose, independence, and continued growth, even after major life transitions such as career changes, parenting shifts, or retirement planning. The concept of "I can make it happen" can be empowering, especially when paired with a growth mindset — the belief that people can learn, adapt and improve rather than remain locked into fixed assumptions about their abilities.
Whether high agency resonates with a man over 50 often depends on his life stage, values and personal goals. Some men may find the emphasis on constant action and problem-solving overwhelming, especially if they value stability, rest or a more measured approach to life. Others may associate high agency with risk-taking or competitiveness, which can feel out of alignment with their current lifestyle or priorities.
The bottom line is that high agency can be deeply appealing to men over 50 who are motivated by growth, control and purpose. It is not about being always on. It is about having the mindset to act when it matters, adapt when needed and create opportunities where they exist. If a man values self-direction, resilience and the ability to shape his own path, high agency can be a powerful personal and professional asset.
While not identical, grit offers an interesting parallel to high agency. As described by psychologist Angela Duckworth, grit is a personality trait linked to tenacious goal pursuit and the ability to adapt to age-related losses, including physical or cognitive decline. It represents a combination of passion and perseverance for long-term goals. It is about sustained effort over time, even in the face of setbacks, and is often measured by consistency in pursuing goals despite challenges.
Both traits can coexist. A high-agency person may be gritty in their persistence, and a gritty person may act with high agency if they take initiative. According to Duckworth, older adults tend to be grittier than younger adults. She sees this as evidence that grit is not fixed but can grow over time — an encouraging thought.
I love the intergenerational dimensions of lifestyle. I especially love taking cultural trends that lean younger and applying them to those of us over 50, proving that it is never too late to get healthy. High agency may have strong roots in tech and business, but its psychological connections for people over 50 are just as relevant. Age is no barrier to taking control and opening a new world of opportunity built on being healthy.
High agency is within your reach. Check it out.
