Dr. Gladys McGarey is 102 and still practicing medicine

Who we're talking about: Dr. Gladys McGarey, a practicing family physician who happens to be 102 years old. Dr. McGarey has been practicing medicine for the past 80 years — since the middle of World War II. In those intervening decades, she also found time to co-found The American Holistic Medical Association, and was the first physician to use and teach acupuncture in the U.S.

And the news is: Dr. McGarey has now written a book, The Well-Lived Life: A 102-Year-Old Doctor's Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age, which comes out in a few weeks' time, on May 3rd.

In general, your Long Youthspan editor is wary of the "Let’s ask the aged how to live our lives" genre. I figure each stage of life is unique, and people at each stage value different things. That's why I'd be just as wary of giving an 8-year-old advice from my current perspective. (By the way, if you are 8 years old, I encourage you to start a newsletter today. The sooner the better.)

That said, I heard Dr. McGarey speak on a recent episode of the James Altucher Show. She was smart, sharp, and full of interesting stories and experiences. She was worth listening to for those reasons alone — though of course, the fact she is 102 years old, and still working, and as a physician, gives extra weight to her words.

The big picture: A growing number of people today say they plan to live to 120 and to be healthy and productive the whole way. If you want a sneak preview of what that future might look like, then take a closer look at Dr. Gladys McGarey today.

As I mentioned above, Dr. McGarey's book is available on preorder. Or to hear the "Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age" directly from the doctor's mouth, here's her appearance on the James Altucher Show, which is where I came first across this impressive lady.