Hollywood star Idris Elba has talked candidly about the life lessons he has learned as he has aged.
The 52-year-old actor talked candidly about growing older and approaching his 50s during a recent guest on Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang” podcast.
“I don’t love that, at this age, the age of wellness and consciousness, it is so upon us, yet our bodies fail us,” he said.
Poehler went on to say that just getting out of bed can do harm to someone in their 50s.
Poehler, who is 53 herself, concurred, and the two talked about how, at a certain age, even easy activities like walking may become dangerous.
“I mean, the fact that you can get hurt just getting out of bed,” Poehler said.
She pointed out that Elba still has to “use his body a lot” for his work, and asked how he manages to stay “flexible” at his age.
They exchanged mobility tips, some of which Elba admitted to ignoring.
However, Elba revealed that he practices the squatting method, which Poehler found impressive.
“Your knees can handle that?” she asked.
To which Elba quickly responded, “No.”
They both laughed, agreeing that “getting down is easy.” But getting back up? That’s another story.
Poehler said her age has also brought wisdom — a sentiment that Elba echoed. “In my 30s and 40s, I was sort of blown with the wind,” he said. “In the 50s, I’m like, ‘Nah. That wind has to pass around me.’ I’m not getting as easily influenced.”
He added that he’s no longer “afraid of difficult things or challenges” that once made him uneasy.
He also shared that as he gets older, he “really wants to learn more.”
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