At 88, UK-based endurance athlete Paul Youd runs ultramarathons, logs thousands of push-ups a week, and spends his downtime talking to strangers about animal rights. It’s a level of activity he couldn’t have imagined in his 40s, when arthritis began limiting his mobility. “Everything was painful,” Youd says. “I tried to run back then, but my knees were sore, and I gave up after six weeks.”
But in his 60s, Youd went vegan for ethical reasons and ended up reaping some unexpected benefits. “All the arthritis pain went away,” Youd recalls.
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, he started running laps around a 20-yard track in his garden, and he hasn’t stopped moving since. Today he’s completed dozens of ultramarathons to raise funds for animal sanctuaries, and he aims to run 100 of them by his 100th birthday.
That journey is the subject of More Like Paul, a new short documentary directed by Damian Sciberras. Sciberras, who first heard about Youd through fellow volunteers at an animal sanctuary, saw in his story a chance to showcase the benefits of a vegan lifestyle without preaching. “Paul is living proof that we can make better decisions for the animals, for the planet, and for ourselves,” Sciberras says.
The film has resonated beyond the vegan community, winning best documentary short at the Bournemouth International Film Festival.
“I opened myself up to Damian because I want to show people what’s possible,” Youd adds. “Here I am: I’m 88, on no medication, living my best life.”
Watch our video interview with Youd and Sciberras below and scroll on to read highlights from the conversation. Then be sure to check out More Like Paul on Vimeo On Demand. (Fifty percent of profits go to Hakuna Matata Animal Trust, a sanctuary featured in the film.)
What led you to go vegan in the first place?
Youd: I used to love my T-bone steaks, and chops, sausages, bacon, the whole gamut. Then mad cow disease came on the scene. And I thought, “Well, I don’t want to get that,” so I gave up meat in the early 2000s. I found that relatively easy. For some reason, which I can only explain by saying that I became more empathetic, I started looking into the dairy industry and the egg industry, and I didn’t like what I saw, so I went vegan. I gave up meat for my health, but I went vegan for the animals.
But you ended up noticing some benefits to your health, as well?
Youd: Yes. Before, the arthritis in my fingers was so bad that I couldn’t even shake hands. I went vegan, and all the pain went away. My hands are still a bit gnarled and twisted because that damage had already been done. But the pain is gone.
How did you become a runner?
Youd: I hadn’t tried to run in years. But [in 2020], I was chasing my grandson, and I thought, “Hang on, my knees are not hurting!” And then the COVID lockdown came, and I thought I’d come out of lockdown with a new skill. By June [2020], I felt strong enough that I decided to do 10K every day for 10 days to fundraise for an animal sanctuary. I thought over the 10 days I would get more tired, but as the week went on, I got stronger. Then I thought, “How do I keep this level of fitness?” Someone on Facebook suggested ultramarathons. I found one that was pretty close to me—a 100K across [England’s South West Peninsula]—and I just fell in love with the picture on the website. I thought, “I’ve got to do this. What an adventure that would be.” And it turned out to be exactly that. I’ve been hooked ever since.
What drew you to ultramarathons specifically?
Youd: With a regular marathon, you run 26 miles, and you don’t stop. Ultras are different. Most people who do ultramarathons walk them. You walk about 8 miles, you sit down, you have a cup of tea and a bit of cake, and then you do another 8 miles, on to the next rest stop, and you keep on going. It’s just a question of putting one foot in front of the other. There’s such a lovely community. You’re pitting yourself against the elements and against yourself, just to see what you can do. I do a mixture of virtual ultras and actual ultras: three actual ones, and three virtual ones a year. I’ve signed up to do the Silk World. It’s a 642K. It gives me something to get out there for.
What keeps you motivated to push beyond your limits?
Youd: I came across David Goggins on Rich Roll’s podcast. Goggins is one of the fittest men around—he’s done the Navy SEAL training three times—and he was saying how we can all do much more than we think we can. He also said that nothing happens in your comfort zone. You’ve got to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. That set me thinking: “We can all do more than we think we can. What can I do? I’ve done these 10Ks, now perhaps I can do a bit longer.”
I also think of Fiona Oakes, a runner with records on all seven continents who runs despite missing a kneecap. She does it to fundraise for her animal sanctuary. Whenever she runs, she’s in pain. So, what do I have to complain about? I’m totally fit. I have no injuries. And then of course, I think of the animals, who are in such a dark place. My suffering doesn’t even register. So I get out there and do it.
Why are big goals important to you?
Youd: I need a specific goal to work toward, otherwise I’ll just let things slip. When I got into running, I was already working toward another challenge, which I had set at 80: to do a million [push-ups] by the time I’m 90. I do a thousand every three days. That keeps me fit. And the fitter you are off the trail, the fitter you are on it. I’m up to about 840,000 push-ups now. Goals like that motivate me to get out there. The health benefits [of exercise], like keeping dementia at bay, are another good motivation.
You talk in the film about hating injustice and unfairness. Has that always been part of who you are?
Youd: I’ve always wanted to help people. One of my go-to sayings is that I want to increase the amount of well-being in the world. I’ve always had the attitude that if I can help my neighbor, then I will. Because it’s good for me, really. I think giving is the secret of a happier life. Giving and love.
Activism is a big part of your life now. How do people respond when you talk to them about veganism?
Youd: I find that most people are very receptive. … Very occasionally, someone will say then and there that they’re going vegan, and that’s very gratifying to hear. But generally speaking, we’re just sowing a seed. Hopefully, they’ll learn more from other people, and the information will collate, and eventually they’ll go vegan. That’s our hope.
Who do you most hope sees the documentary?
Youd: I hope non-vegans see it and understand the merit of giving up animal products. They can see how it’s benefited me and the animals. Maybe a seed will be sown. They might think, “If I did that, maybe I’d live a healthier life.” I’m not particularly worried about longevity, but I do want to live healthily for however long I have.
What else is on your bucket list?
Youd: I want to play with my great-grandchildren, when they arrive. They’re not even on the scene yet. But I want to get down on the floor and play with them.
Do you have a go-to post-race meal?
Youd: I’ll cook up a quick red lentil dal or curry. That’s my go-to. Plus a hunk of bread and some broccoli. I’m quite happy with that. I call red lentils vegan fast food, because they can be ready in 10 minutes.
What would you say to someone who feels like they’re too old to go vegan?
Youd: It’s never too late. Whatever age you are, there are benefits. I’m well aware of the problems you have in the states with the health care industry. If people are finding their health costs magnified, which they seem to be at the moment, the simplest, cheapest thing they can do is go vegan. … Not only is the food cheaper but you’re going to save money on medical bills.
Photos courtesy Will Reddaway and Damian Sciberras
