When does ‘midlife’ begin?
I have asked, and been asked, this question. For more years than I care to admit, I’ve identified myself as being in ‘midlife.’ As long as I don’t know when my life will end, I am in the middle of it.
In certain milieux, however, people a good bit younger than I am are considered “old.” Top-level professional sports are a prime example. In most team sports, athletes are considered to be at their peak around 30 years old; most are out of the game by their late 30s. Eddy Merckx, widely considered the greatest cyclist of all time, rode his final race at 33 years old. The only five-time Tour de France winner before him, Jacques Anquetil, rode his last at age 35 and the next “fiver;” Bernard Hinault, retired on his 32nd birthday. And some athletes, like gymnasts, rarely compete after their mid-20’s:
Knowing what is considered “old” in sports made this all the more impressive:
Aaron Rodgers joins Tom Brady, Drew Brees and HOF Brett Favre as the only QBs since 1950 to start a playoff game at 40+ years old 👏@steelers | #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/ga6JXdX6aG
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) January 13, 2026
