Sven Voelpel on Aging: You Are the Architect of Your Age
Rethinking Aging – Research, Insights, and Personal Perspective
Prof. Dr. Sven Voelpel, professor of business administration and founder of the Demographic Network, presented his new book at the Frankfurt Book Fair:
“Decide for Yourself How Old You Are”
In it, he presents a new image of aging – moving away from decline and fragility, toward self-determination, vitality, and joy of life. His mission: to break age-related stereotypes and highlight untapped potential.
What does “being old” mean today?
We all have days when we feel young and full of energy, and others when we feel tired and worn out.
Our subjective sense of age depends on physical condition, recent activity, and overall life satisfaction.
Voelpel puts it simply: “You are the architect of your own age.”
Mind, body, and emotions – adaptable at any age
Research confirms that our bodies and brains remain trainable, no matter our age.
Tai Chi improves verbal precision
Nordic Walking boosts reaction time
High-intensity interval training increases fitness
If you want to live well in your 60s and beyond, start planning early. Thinking about life at 80 when you're 40 helps you identify what brings you joy – and how to preserve it.
How he experiences aging personally
Voelpel says he sometimes feels like the 17-year-old student from Landsberg, thanks to his passion for learning, but also recognizes his accumulated life experience as a 43-year-old professor.
His recipe for staying young: healthy eating, short high-intensity workouts, and quality time with his two young sons – even if lack of sleep sometimes takes its toll.
Why aging matters for businesses and society
Demographic change, digital transformation, and longer life expectancy are reshaping how we work and live.
Voelpel emphasizes:
Leaders, companies, and society as a whole need to view aging as a resource, not a burden.
The “EY ALTER” Exhibition at the Mercedes-Benz Museum
The interactive exhibition explores aspects of biological, social, and experiential age with hands-on tests:
Memory recall
Hearing and grip strength
Coordination and balance
At the end, visitors receive a personalized evaluation of their “real” age based on their performance.
What connects the book and the exhibition
Both aim to raise awareness and promote a positive view of aging.
Through real-life examples of “young old” people, both the book and exhibition show that aging is relative – and largely shaped by our mindset.
Vision for the 22nd century – “Abolishing age”?
In the book, Voelpel describes the day of a 105-year-old professor in the 22nd century – independent, engaged, and active.
The traditional segmentation of life into education, career, and retirement has given way to flexible life planning, allowing for continuous growth across all phases of life.
The opportunities and risks of an aging society
An aging mind is like a full hard drive – full of knowledge and experience.
Voelpel’s research shows that in crisis situations, employees tend to trust older leaders more than younger ones.
Yes, factual memory may decline with age – but with digitization, we can compensate:
Technology can store knowledge, support concentration, and help us stay organized.
Conclusion: Aging becomes an opportunity – when we consciously choose how to live it.
