Michael Gable’s idea of a rest day is a 8 km hike with his dog. At 65, he has lived with type 1 diabetes for 61 years, building a career in clinical chemistry, nutrition and diabetes care while taking on bodybuilding, obstacle races and ultramarathons. Newly retired, he is still looking for ways to learn and keep doing the things he loves.
That curiosity also brought him to Unbroken. Four months into taking it, he finds it easy to naturally fit into his routine.
“With Unbroken I feel less sore and ready to get back to the activities I love.”
A life shaped by diabetes and curiosity
Michael was around four when he developed type 1 diabetes. By high school, he understood how much it asked of both the person living with it and their family. In a scholarship application, he wrote that he wanted to work in diabetes research.
He studied clinical chemistry, worked in pharmaceuticals and engineering at AT&T Bell Laboratories, then returned to health and nutrition within the Johnson & Johnson family of companies. His work at McNeil Nutritionals connected him with diabetes organisations, and he later worked in diabetes care, on glucose meters, test strips and software.
He brings the same interest in how things work to his own life. He has logged his meals and activity for around 12 years, with handwritten records stretching back further.
Still finding new things to learn
Michael’s sporting history includes natural bodybuilding, rugby, seven Tough Mudder races and two ultramarathons. Today he covers around 160 km a week across hiking, cycling and spin, with weight training three times a week. At home in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, he hikes with his wife Kathy and their Australian Shepherd, Comet. They travel to explore new trails and have recently taken up pickleball together.
After retiring in March, Michael finally booked a diabetes training camp for adults. Kathy, a retired nurse, told him to stop talking about it and go. Education sat alongside swimming, cycling, running, boxing, yoga, surfing and lifting. In one group exercise, participants were grouped by how long they had lived with type 1 diabetes. Beyond 60 years, only Michael and one other person remained.
Looking at the younger people around him, he hoped his presence showed them an active future they might not yet have imagined.
“With the appropriate training and knowledge, you can do anything.”
How Unbroken came into his routine
At camp, Michael rode with his coach, Mike Hebe, who takes Unbroken after training. Their conversations continued after camp. One comparison stayed with Michael: Mike would rather skip a coffee shop drink than his Unbroken. Michael ordered while still at camp in June.
An evening habit
After exercise, Michael mixes one tablet with cold water and ice and puts it in the fridge while he has dinner. He drinks it later, close to bedtime. Mango is his favourite flavour.
“What Unbroken is for me is part of my regimen. It’s not supplemental. This is something I do now every single day.”
Less soreness and more room for the things he loves
Michael shares his personal habits:
- Strength training three times a week, for everyday mobility and independence.
- A walk after dinner, often with Kathy and Comet.
- Eating for the day ahead, so he has fuel for demanding sessions.
- Always learning, from specialists and from other people’s experience.
Making the most of the years ahead
At 65, Michael says he is in the “last 25%” of his life. He wants those years to hold new trails, adventures with Kathy and chances to encourage others.
“I’m in the last 25% of life and I want to make some noise on my way out.”
He now volunteers with Diabetes Training Camp. His three words for himself: passionate, committed, searching.
If you live with diabetes, talk to your care team before changing your exercise, diet or supplements.
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Fireside questions with MichaelEarly bird or night owl? Night owl. Running shoes or cycling shorts? Running shoes. Mountain trails or coastal roads? Mountain. Always mountains. Solo workout or good company? Solo, because it is hard to find someone who can keep up with me. Favourite post-workout meal? Grilled chicken with fresh fruit salad. Go-to Unbroken flavour? Mango. A new sport in your life? Pickleball, with Kathy. Your motivation song? “The Sweetest Victory” by Touch, from the Rocky IV soundtrack. Describe yourself in three words. Passionate, committed. Searching. |
The difference Michael talks about most is muscle soreness. A demanding session still takes energy, but he says feeling less sore afterwards makes it easier to return to the activities he enjoys. After briefly stepping away from Unbroken while on holiday, he noticed the improvement again when he resumed his routine.*
A longtime Rocky fan, Michael still finds inspiration in Sylvester Stallone. He speaks about what he has read of Stallone’s changing approach to training: a shift from building bigger muscles towards mobility and everyday capability as he gets older. For Michael, that makes sense. Strength has value in getting out of a chair, using the stairs and moving comfortably, as well as in the weight room.
He wants to maintain both the frequency of his exercise and the effort he brings to it. Feeling better between sessions helps him keep that rhythm, whether the next day involves lifting, riding or heading into the mountains with Kathy.