Bios
Chris Crowley
Chris Crowley is the New York Times bestselling co-author (with leading NY internist and Columbia Medical School Professor, Henry S. Lodge M.D. , “Harry”) of the Younger Next Year books which have sold over two million copies and have been translated into 20 languages worldwide. The Younger Next Year books have been called ‘The Boomers’ Bible’ and ‘The Best thing Ever Written’ about fitness and wellness for those over 40. They have become “cult books” for those generations.
In 2013, Chris was the co-author (with Tufts professor of nutrition and muscle physiology, Jen Sacheck, Ph.D.) of Thinner This Year. Thinner This Year is an in-depth look at key issues raised in Younger Next Year, with particular emphasis on nutrition.
In 2016, Chris and Harry published Younger Next Year, THE EXERCISE BOOK, a comprehensive, cutting edge guide to HOW TO DO the aerobic and strength training exercises called for in the YNY books. Leading Physical Therapist, Bill Fabrocini, created the actual regimen. It was designed to be the definitive exercise book of the day.
In the fall of 2016, AARP Magazine (circulation 50 million) ran a special 7-page digest of the Younger Next Year books, written by Chris and Harry. Today, Chris is hard at work on other books, including a guide to curing back pain (with Jeremy James, leading chiropractor and back specialist) and a novel which is nearing completion.
But his greatest pleasure and his main focus is giving Keynote talks and leading Executive Retreats on The Revolution in Aging and Behavior which is the subject of all the Younger Next Year books.
“I truly believe,” he says, “that the most important thing I can do with my life is to spread the word about the Revolution. The way most of us live in this, the best country on earth, is an appalling waste of our potential. And most of it is ignorance. My great task is to make as many as possible realize that we can be radically healthier, more energetic, more fit, more optimistic and effective by making modest, behavioral changes. Putting off 70% of today’s aging (70%!) is a simple matter: Move a lot more!…quit eating crap!…connect with others! The combination of our bone-idleness and the slop we eat and is wrecking our lives and ruining the economy. We spend 20% of our national income on health care. We could save half of that dough because 50% of our bad health is simply the result of the ridiculous way we eat and live. That’s nuts! We simply have to change,” he says. “Being part of that change is what my life is all about. It is deeply worthwhile, and a ton of fun! which is what I bring to the party…making it real but making it fun.”
Chris was born in Salem Massachusetts. He is a graduate of Exeter, Harvard College and The University of Virginia Law School. He spent his 25 year professional career at the New York City law firm, Davis Polk, mostly as a partner in litigation.
Career highlights include having led a team of 40 lawyers in the largest contested takeover case up to that time and bringing – and successfully arguing before The Supreme Court – a pro bono case to get more African-American and Hispanic policemen hired and promoted in the New York City Police Department.
Chris considers himself that comparative rarity: a happy lawyer but he retired early, at 56, because he ‘wanted to live more than one life.’ After retirement Chris and his wife, the portrait painter Hilary Cooper, moved to Aspen Colorado for five years where she painted and he lived out his old dream of being a ski bum and leading the vigorous, outdoor life. During this period, he got the idea for what would become the Younger Next Year books.
Chris and Hilary had a life-changing experience in 1996 when Hilary broke her neck, and very nearly died, in a fall down a steep staircase in an old Victorian house in Denver, where she was doing a portrait. She was told she would be a quadriplegic. Instead, she is ‘one in a thousand’ to walk away and have a normal life after such an accident. Copies of her X-rays appear in a medical text. Her recovery is the central miracle in their lives.
Today Hilary is back to full mobility and deep into her painting. She and Chris are both passionate about biking, skiing, rowing and generally trying to live the Younger Next Year life. Chris and Hilary live in New York City and Lakeville Connecticut with Olive, a Havanese Mountain Dog… a designation created just for her.
I’m Brazilian, I live in São Paulo and I used to be a sedentary person with horrible taste for food (junkie food, soda, french fries, all sort of bad food). Then I’ve read “Younger Next Year” (in Brazil this booke is titled “Fique Mais Jovem a Cada Ano”) back then in May/2013. As soon as I’ve read the last page I’ve decided to change with the incredible support of my wife. Then on July/2013 I came back to swim after 30 years away from pools. I completely changed my diet. Ironically I was born in Belém, a city from Amazon, and I didn’t like fruits. Today I eat 5 to 10 fruits every day plus vegetables, healthy food, healthy juices, water all the time. Also, I swim 6 days a week (1 hour per day exactly at 7 am). I’m 48 years old now and I feel stronger, healthier, happier than ever. Even my work (I’m a Journalist) “flows” much better than before 2013. I look back and I know exactly the day everything changed: when I’ve read the last page of “Younger Next Year”. It’s cliché, I know, but this book was ACTUALLY a life changer for me.
Bravo! Chris
Chris, You have changed my life. At 57 I had come to the realization that I was going to just keep the 25+ pounds on for the rest of my life. Everything changed after I read Thinner This Year. It was like the light bulb just went on for me. I headed out to the gym and worked out like I never had before, six days a week. Eating has never been easier; only the good stuff goes in my mouth now. It’s been five week and I’ve lost six pounds. I’m going to lose that 25+ pounds in six months and it’s never coming back!
How we love hearing from readers of Thinner This Year. As well as Younger Next Year. Great going, Chris
I do the exercise every day along the book and Dr.Lodge Mr.Chris. I run a nursing home more than one in Japan. Now, along with this book, we are trying to exercise every day to our residents. Little by little, people running came out. From Japan. NAOTO MIYAKO
Love the book. Learned a lot! Thanks!!
It’s high time I thanked you for my changed life. Thirty pounds lighter, and with more energy than I had when I was 35, I hit 60 this year without a care.
When I started my Younger Next Year-inspired strength training back in 2005, all I wanted to do was be able to lift my luggage gracefully into the overhead bin while traveling. Now, I have a little 30 pound granddaughter, and I am thrilled to be able to lift her overhead with a smile instead of a grimace.
My goal is to dance until the band goes home at that little girl’s wedding in 30 years or so. And if for some reason I can’t, it damn well won’t be because of some illness that my own lifestyle could have prevented.
Chris, saying thank you doesn’t seem like nearly enough.
My parents shared your book with me, and I loved it. I’m not a fitness/wellness fanatic, but YNY offers a unique approach, and it definitely motivated me. I’m a PGA golf Professional & fairly active in our National Association. Fitness is certainly a component of our sport that we are looking to promote…so when asked to endorse a recent ‘read’ for the members of the PGA, I thought of you. If interested, you can read my quick (and very positive) review in the current (February) issue of PGA Magazine…pg 44. I just wanted to share some positive promotion w/ you! Keep up the great work, and if interested in learning more about me, check out my website at http://www.slicefreegolf.com (and give a ring if you’re looking for a place to tee it up in the NY Metro area). Best,
Brian A. Crowell, PGA
Chris- I have recommended and purchased your book for lots of folks. It is changing lives. If you get the chance, check out my blog all the way back to the beginning. I mention the book twice in my posts. Maybe some of your followers might like my blog. It is basically ski related but very much in tune with Younger Next Year. Regards.
You are an inspiration! all of you! Chris, I am a private type person in many ways, so unlike me to be “public” as this might me(hopefully not)…but couldn’t help from saying “Bravo!” Just fabulous…I am a healthy divorced mom in my 50’s (from Boston)of two young men with your …almost exact dual alma maters! You have inspired me to leap ahead into the future with SIX DAYS a week! and lots to look forward to…I am half way through “for Women” and charged up…about everything! ..Just the jump I needed in the pages of your book, when I was slipping a bit and trying to recharge somehow. I think you ought to start some sort of social network to put like minded, bright,healthy,excited men and women together who are interested in sharing their lives with someone. Would like to hear you speak…Your story is amazing…love your partnership with wife,Henry, and patients. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, passion, joy, and humor!
Coming to Boston ?
Chris and Henry and Jen – I am a moderately fit, 6’6″ Olympic Rower from the 96 and 2000 Olympics. Married to a lovely gal I went to Dartmouth with (long ago), wonderful 5 year-old twins Jack and Katie, a real love of good food and good wine, a strong innate preference for games and competition over training, and a burgeoning career in finance.
As a not-unrelated consequence, at Christmastime I weighed in at a svelte 272lbs, compared to my Olympic race weight of 222. I have since committed to get back under 240, and 230 wouldn’t be bad. I have several friends and coworkers committed to do the same thing, half by 4/15, and half by 9/15. I’m already down to 257 this morning, in no small part due to reading Younger Next Year, getting the journal, and now working my way through Thinner This Year. As they say, when the pupil is ready, the teacher appears.
In short, thank you for your good work. I wish I’d known a fraction of this information when I was training at an elite level.
If you are ever coming through SF (the Book Passage up here in Marin is fantastic and does a ton of author readings/appearances) I’d love to connect. I am also back in NY for work several times a year, and would love to a) book an appointment for a consultation/physical with Henry, and/or b) treat you to lunch or dinner one day.
Thank you!
Ted Murphy
US Men’s 8 1996
US Men’s 2- 2000