Kevin Costner, the acclaimed actor, film director, and producer, has captivated audiences for decades with his memorable roles in films such as The Untouchables, Field of Dreams, and Dances with Wolves, as well as his recent portrayal of John Dutton in the popular series Yellowstone. At 68 years old, Costner has managed to maintain a youthful vigor and balanced lifestyle, intriguing fans who wonder about his secrets to aging gracefully. Unlike many Hollywood celebrities who adhere to strict diets and rigorous workout routines, Costner embraces a modest and relaxed approach to wellness.
A Mindset of Acceptance and Gratitude
One of the key elements of Costner's approach to aging is his positive mindset. In an Instagram post celebrating his 68th birthday, he shared the sage advice, "Don't believe what they say about getting older. Each passing year is a gift, and it gets better and better with time." This perspective reflects an acceptance of the natural aging process and an appreciation for the experiences and opportunities that each year brings.
The "Daddy Workout": Staying Active Through Parenting
Costner has become synonymous with American sports movies. To stay in shape for such athletic roles, Costner embraces an active lifestyle, particularly through engaging with his children. He jokingly refers to this as the "Daddy Workout." He told the Chicago Sun Times that, while getting in shape for spy film Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, parenting was his gym. “Forget hand weights. Just lift up my kids about a million times a day,” he says, “Then go running after them when they take off in about a zillion different directions.”
He told GQ Australia, “I work hard at playing harder than them". Costner's history as an athlete also contributes to his fitness. He told The Guardian that he grew up playing “the traditional American sports”- basketball, baseball, and football.
Embracing the Great Outdoors
While Costner may not follow a strict workout regimen, he prioritizes spending time outdoors and staying active. He told GQ Australia, “I’ve been real lucky about a lot of things in my life, but one of the things has been this ability to stay healthy. I think one of the big things that helps me is that I don’t sit it out. I move. I get out there and take the biggest bite out of life that’s possible.”
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Some of his favorite outdoor activities include horseback riding and exploring tide pools with his children. Living on a Santa Barbara ranch with a horse trail leading to the ocean makes it easy for him to incorporate these activities into his daily life. Costner also enjoys fly fishing, a hobby he shares with Jimmy Kimmel.
In addition to recreational activities, Costner engages in handiwork on his ranch in Aspen, Colorado. He told Late Night with Conan O’Brien, “I’m not pushing cattle around, but I work it. I build the roads and do all the stuff, just because it’s what you do.” This hands-on approach to maintaining his property keeps him active and connected to the land.
A Hunter-Gatherer Approach to Food
Costner's approach to food aligns with his outdoorsy and laid-back lifestyle. While he hasn't revealed many details about his go-to meals, glimpses from interviews suggest a hunter-gatherer mentality. During an Entertainment Tonight tour of his ranch in Santa Barbara, Costner pointed to his coastal view, saying, "I go right out there for lobster." In another interview on The Rich Eisen Show, he mentioned hunting quail and rabbit while on set in Arizona. He also admitted to foraging for mushrooms with a stuntman on the set of Robin Hood.
Despite his seemingly healthy habits, "Yellowstone" chef Gabriel "Gator" Guilbeau revealed that Costner is a "picky" eater. He prefers simple ingredients and recipes, such as bread pudding. Guilbeau also shared that Costner jokingly tells him he's on a diet and off sugar, but then asks for an apple pie. Prior to filming "Yellowstone," Guilbeau believes Costner may have lived off canned chili and hotdogs.
The Power of Music and Artistic Expression
Beyond his physical activities and dietary habits, Costner finds fulfillment in playing music. As evidenced by his Instagram handle, Kevin Costner & Modern West, he often performs country music with his band. Studies have shown that engaging in artistic activities, such as playing music, can positively impact mental well-being by reducing stress and improving mood.
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Costner revealed that he's lucked out with many things in his life, one of them being his ability to remain healthy. He said (via GQ), “How do I stay healthy at this age? I have little children, and I work hard at playing harder than them,” adding, “I love a little horseback riding, followed by taking the kids out to the tide pools and just running around looking for crabs. I’ve been real lucky about a lot of things in my life, but one of the things has been this ability to stay healthy. I think one of the big things that helps me is that I don’t sit it out. I move.It’s clear that Kevin Costner loves life-and it loves him right back at 67 years old. According to Hollywood Insider, the celebrity has many positive, wonderful interests, and one is being a humanitarian. He has invested a great deal to help maintain a clean and healthy world. Costner is also quite dedicated to his family. The talented actor also happens to be a popular musician and toured with “Kevin Costner & Modern West,” his country rock band, during his time away from the acting scene (via Hollywood Insider).
Balancing Career and Personal Life
Costner's dedication to his family is evident in his efforts to balance his career with his personal life. However, his demanding work schedule has reportedly caused some strain. A source close to his wife, Christine Baumgartner, revealed that she asked him for a divorce because she was "unhappy" with his work schedule. The source told People that "Christine wants them to spend family time at their Santa Barbara home. During filming, Kevin is not around very much. His absence has been very hard for her."
Despite these challenges, Costner remains committed to his passion projects, such as his upcoming western film Horizon. He has even mortgaged property to finance the film, demonstrating his belief in the story and his willingness to take risks for his art.
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing New Opportunities
Costner's departure from Yellowstone has been met with mixed reactions, but he sees it as an opportunity to pursue new creative endeavors. He is currently focused on Horizon, an epic western that he plans to split into four films. The story will cover a 15-year period around the American Civil War, exploring the expansion of the West and the treatment of Native Americans.
Costner told Deadline, "I’m not a gambler. People might look at this and say, Oh, this is a gamble. And I go, Well, I guess it is, but do I want to go to Vegas and gamble? No. I’m not that kind of gambler. I gamble on the love of story. I’m gambling on people, in a sense. I can’t make them go to the theater, but if they get there, I’m going to try to take care of them the best I possibly can."
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