Why a Fashion Mogul Is the Model for Lifelong Wellness

Mighty Oak Athletic Podcast S2:E40 - Why a Fashion Mogul Is the Model for Lifelong Wellness

Brunello Cucinelli is one of the most successful fashion designers in the world. His cashmere empire, built from the hills of Umbria, Italy, has made him a billionaire. But ask him what he’s proudest of, and it won’t be revenue or runway shows. It will be his life—his actual life. His routine. His rhythm. His ability to move, to think clearly, to love his family, and to work with joy. At 71 years old, Brunello isn’t just getting by—he’s thriving, fully engaged with the world around him.

And he’s given us something more valuable than another style trend: a model for aging well.

Brunello wakes at sunrise, devotes time each morning to movement and physical training, eats simply, takes afternoon naps, and ends his workday on time—not because he lacks ambition, but because he believes life is meant to be lived in balance. He applies the same care to his thoughts as he does to his body. He reads philosophy, strolls through his restored medieval village, and believes in training the soul as much as the muscles.

This is not the typical lifestyle of a CEO. But it might just be the future of health.

At Mighty Oak Athletic, we coach student athletes to improve performance, prevent injury, and build resilience. But our work also plants the seeds of habits that last well beyond their playing days. And parents—often the drivers of their children’s health decisions—need guidance, too. That’s where the real opportunity lies: using the tools of sport to teach a lifestyle that sustains you through every season of life.

Here’s what we’re learning—from Brunello’s example, and from our own training floor.

1. Make Movement a Daily Ritual, Not a Chore

This isn’t about high-intensity intervals or chasing personal records into your 70s. It’s about consistent, intentional movement adapted to your age and lifestyle. The goal? Stay strong enough to keep doing what you love.

Whether you’re a teenager working to build explosive power or a parent recovering from injury, the principle holds: move every day with purpose. Walking, squatting, stretching, swimming, and strength-based training all have their place. At Mighty Oak Athletic, we encourage our athletes—and their families—to train not just for now, but for the decades ahead.

2. Eat to Feel Light and Energized

Forget extremes. Brunello’s approach to nutrition is grounded in tradition and simplicity: fresh foods, light meals, and consistent routines. It’s not about restriction—it’s about feeling light, energized, and clear-headed.

At Mighty Oak Athletic, we teach our athletes to fuel performance and recovery with whole, nourishing foods. We also support families in making sustainable nutrition choices. Whether you’re on the field or in the office, the way you eat shapes the way you live.

3. Prioritize Rest and Sleep

Recovery is not a luxury—it’s essential. Brunello takes a 20–25 minute nap each afternoon and prioritizes quality sleep at night. He doesn’t view rest as lost time but as a powerful tool for physical, mental, and emotional renewal.

We encourage student athletes to protect their recovery time and build good sleep habits early. For parents, modeling this balance is just as important. Sleep impacts everything from hormone regulation to injury risk. It’s one of the simplest—and most overlooked—paths to better health.

4. Think in Decades, Not Days

Brunello trains for about two hours a day, balancing strength work, swimming, and sports like tennis or soccer. But what makes his routine remarkable isn’t the volume—it’s the longevity. He’s adapted his training as he’s aged, slowing the tempo, adjusting the intensity, and focusing on consistency over intensity.

At Mighty Oak Athletic, we train for the long game. We help kids get faster, stronger, and more confident—but we’re also teaching them how to listen to their bodies, how to recover, and how to adapt over time. We want them thinking in decades, not just seasons.

5. Be a Guardian, Not Just an Owner

One of Brunello’s most powerful beliefs is this: You are not the owner of your body, your company, or even your role in the world—you are its guardian. This shift in mindset changes everything. Ownership invites fear. Guardianship invites responsibility, humility, and freedom.

Our athletes are stewards of their own growth. Their parents are stewards of the family’s health culture. At Mighty Oak Athletic, we see every training session as a moment to reinforce this: take care of what you’ve been given, and it will serve you well.

Brunello’s life reminds us that health isn’t a trend to follow—it’s a craft to be practiced. It’s not about squeezing more into the day. It’s about building a rhythm that sustains you—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Whether you’re 17 or 71, this lifestyle is within reach.

And it all starts with a single question: Are you living reactively—or training intentionally?

At any age, in any season, the choice is yours.