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The Secret of Life

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From a diagnosis of advanced stage cancer, to competing in a triathlon at the age of 68

Dr. Gilkis’ unique memoir and life-changing message is: physical activity is for everyone at any age and it can improve the quality of life as well as physical and mental health, dramatically. This message comes from Gilkis’ deep personal understanding due to his own choices, which he suggests everyone implement!

In this book, Dr. Gilkis dismantles the myth that sporting activities are only for the young and strong, or that it has to be an unpleasant and difficult task. It shows how sporting activities can be almost effortless while being a source of joy and satisfaction. “A little is a lot” is the message the author wants his readers to receive, so each and every one – at any age and physical state, can be encouraged to start!

190 pages, Paperback

Published January 7, 2019

236 people are currently reading
70 people want to read

About the author

Zeev Gilkis

5 books3 followers
Zeev Gilkis, PhD, was the founder of AMIT, an institute for bio-medical development at Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.

For more than eight years, he was the CEO of the institute and led the establishment of five start-ups in various fields of medicine, serving as the chairman of the Board of Directors of all five.

For over 11 years Gilkis held senior management positions at Comverse Technology which was at the time an S&P 500 company.

He earned his PhD with a thesis on Artificial Intelligence, and in addition holds graduate degrees in mathematics, statistics and computer sciences and a Master of Science in mathematics.

Gilkis served in the mythological 8200 SIGINT unit of Israeli Intelligence for 17 years, and was awarded the highest “Award for Israeli National Security” by the President of Israel. He also served as the first Israeli military attaché to Poland and Hungary.

In addition to his diversified career, Gilkis has devoted most of his free time to neuroscience, health and nutrition.

He is the author of the books: Unlock Bliss: A Memoir of Getting Happier; The Secret of Life: A Memoir of Getting Younger, Running Back in Time and The Beautiful Addiction.

He is a vegan, and practices yoga and meditation.

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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Sherin.
355 reviews10 followers
September 23, 2020
Dr. Zeev Gilkis, PhD, the author of the book Secret of Life, and founder of AMIT, an institute for bio-medical development at Technion, has also held other high profile positions including one with the Israeli Intelligence, has poured his heart out and his passion in this book to inspire, motivate and help others in their quest to stay healthy and happy.

Age is just a number and this man goes on to prove this, and has taken a methodical and scientific approach to reverse the clock and achieve great feats. He chose not to sulk and let age dictate his life, instead decided to take action and make things happen, his way. This book is an honest portrayal of his journey with gritty details that aren't polished to just hype or motivate, but rather a real insight into reversing the ravaging effects of ageing on his body and how he conditions his mind and body to become fit and healthy in his late sixties - seventies.

So, if you're looking to reverse the clock, or just an individual on the quest to undo ageing damage, or prevent it, this is the right book for you. While we all don't need to run a marathon, being healthy, independent and contributing to life is something we all aspire to do - this book shows you the way.
Profile Image for Grady.
Author 51 books1,822 followers
February 28, 2019
L’chaim!

Israeli author Zeev Gilkis earned his PhD with his thesis on Artifical Intelligence and other degrees in mathematics, statistics, and computer science – a man of today! He founded of AMIT, an institute for bio-medical development at Technion established five start-ups in various fields of medicine and held senior management positions at Comverse Technology (Nasdaq CNSI). Of particular interest is his service in the mythological 8200 SIGINT Unit of the Israeli Intelligence for 17 years: he was awarded the highest "Award for Israeli National Security" projects by the President of Israel. His focus - neuro-science, health and nutrition. His first book was THE ART & SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS and now he continues that train of thought in THE SECRET OF LIFE.

While there are many self-help books about health and how to achieve and maintain it, few are is immersive as Dr. Gilkis’ refection on his own life challenges and the manner in which he is defying growing old. His approach to the incorporation of sports and physical activity into our living program is both inspiring and instructional and full of hopeful possibilities. Believing that physical and mental health are nurtured by constant physical activity may seem like a foregone conclusion, but as Dr. Gilkis presents his case the facts are there – in a most accessible manner.

Sharing his memoir makes the concepts he presents more attractive: prevention of disease and of aging are the practical results of physical activity including the rewards we can receive in self-esteem and joy. To share the ideas of progressive physical activity as the guide to defy aging and to improve both mental and physical health is important, but in this book Dr. Gilkis offers step by step guidance on how to embrace his ideas and make them part of our living a life that is happier, healthier and ‘aging resistant’! Recommended.
Profile Image for Picardy3rd.
81 reviews4 followers
February 7, 2022
I'm not even sure what I think of this book.
I've been waiting to read it for a long time, hesitating bc I have a hard time spending $ on short books. Finally I did and I'm disappointed. I can't even remember quite what I thought this book was about that I wanted to read it so much, but it wasn't very satisfying. Maybe bc his story seemed easy. He wanted to learn to surf so he did. He wanted to triathlon so he did. idk.
I feel like I need to listen again but
eat right and move your body is not so secret.
Profile Image for Barbara.
136 reviews
November 22, 2019
I didn’t finish this book. It was very disjointed - hopping from one topic to another and back again with no segues. I did enjoy the part about the Alexander Technique because I had an older college professor who practiced it. I’ll look into that.
1 review1 follower
May 26, 2020
Mostly personal history

Very little about how one should approach exercise in later years; mostly about his personal history of exercise. Would not recommend this book.
1 review
July 12, 2020
Enjoyable and motivating!!

I truly enjoyed reading this. It inspired me to want to get out there and move my body. Now, I wish the author would come out with a vegan cookbook. :)
2 reviews
January 2, 2023
I love it 🚴‍♀️ nice book

I enjoyed the book. nice to read and additionally useful information. recommended 100 % this book not only as a triathlete but as a human being.
Profile Image for Grady.
Author 51 books1,822 followers
June 17, 2020
The art of growing Younger!

Israeli author Zeev Gilkis earned his PhD with his thesis on Artificial Intelligence and other degrees in mathematics, statistics, and computer science – a man of today! He founded of AMIT, an institute for bio-medical development at Technion established five start-ups in various fields of medicine and held senior management positions at Comverse Technology (Nasdaq CNSI). Of particular interest is his service in the mythological 8200 SIGINT Unit of the Israeli Intelligence for 17 years: he was awarded the highest "Award for Israeli National Security" projects by the President of Israel. His focus - neuro-science, health and nutrition. His series of books he collectively titles YOUNGER THAN EVER Includes UNLOCK THE BLISS, THE SECRET OF LIFE, and RUNNING BACK IN TIME.

Dr. Gilkis is a role model for the ‘older generation’ – whenever that starts these days! While there are many self-help books about health and how to achieve and maintain it, few are is immersive as Dr. Gilkis’ refection on his own life challenges and the manner in which he is defying growing old. His approach to the incorporation of sports and physical activity into our living program is both inspiring and instructional and full of hopeful possibilities. Believing that physical and mental health are nurtured by constant physical activity may seem like a foregone conclusion, but as Dr. Gilkis presents his case the facts are there – in a most accessible manner.

Fortunate for us Dr Gilkis now presents all three of his fine books in a set. To share the ideas of progressive physical activity as the guide to defy aging and to improve both mental and physical health is important, but in these books Dr. Gilkis offers step by step guidance on how to embrace his ideas and make them part of our living a life that is happier, healthier and ‘aging resistant’! Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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