It was far from what Professor Robert Sleigh was used to, but the retired philosophy teacher didn’t let retiring stop him from living life to the fullest and he entered the World Championships of Indoor Rowing to prove it!

The 75-year-old ex-professor finished the race sore, nauseous and in first place in his age group! Sleigh went from philosophy professor to gold medalist in a matter of minutes. 

Indoor rowing is such a brutal sport and the competition is so tough, Sleigh was counting down the days until he turned 75 so he could compete in an older age bracket. 

He talks with Growing Bolder about what he learned about the later stage of life through his competing in the championships.