How 73-Year-Old Surfer Joseph Grassadonia Stays Fit with Fasting, Fitness, and CBD

Joseph Grassadonia: Riding the Wave of Longevity

Meet Joseph Grassadonia—a 73-year-old fitness visionary, lifelong surfer, and publishing pioneer who’s redefining what it means to age with power, purpose, and passion.. As the longtime editor of OnFitness Magazine, Joseph has spent a lifetime riding waves, and he's nowhere near finished. With eyes set on another decade or more in the surf, he’s combining relentless training, cutting-edge recovery strategies, and the power of CBD hemp oil to keep his body primed for peak performance. Join us as we delve into the mind and methods of a true master athlete—showcasing how Joseph conquers the physical demands of surfing after 70 and continues to inspire anyone who believes greatness has an expiration date. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.

Joseph Grassadonia surfing Sunset Beach 2021

From Italian Shores to California Swells

Joseph’s connection to the ocean runs deep. Growing up in the Italian beach town of Lerici, he caught his first wave at age ten—and was instantly hooked. When his family later moved to Santa Cruz, California, surfing quickly became a cornerstone of his identity. While studying at the University of California, Santa Cruz, he built his academic and work schedule around the tides.

A Career Built on Passion and Print

During his senior year at UCSC, Joseph co-founded an art magazine with friends, opening an office the very day he graduated. That publication would be the first of many—over the years, he launched 12 magazines and a weekly newspaper, establishing himself as a creative force in independent media. But even as his businesses grew, he never let go of his love for surfing.

"I knew I wasn't destined to be a 9-to-5 guy because when the sun was up, I wanted to go surfing," he said. "I'd bring my surfboards into my office or leave them in my car, get to work early, and take two hours to go surfing at lunchtime. Of course, I could get away with that since I owned the company!"

At 73, Joseph Grassadonia locks into a wave at Sunset Beach with unwavering focus—proof that experience and determination carve just as deep as youth.

The Wear and Wisdom of Time

After more than six decades of surfing waves around the world, Joseph knows the toll the sport can take on the body. “When you're young and doing aggressive stuff, you think you're getting away with it, but you're not,” he says. “These injuries come charging out at you in your 50s.”

That physical wake-up call pushed Joseph to reimagine how he trained, ate, and recovered. Today, he’s turned to science-backed routines and lifestyle habits to maintain strength, flexibility, and clarity.

Intermittent Fasting & the Fitness Formula

For over a decade, Joseph has embraced intermittent fasting as a key pillar of his health and longevity—an approach he credits with keeping him lean, energized, and mentally sharp well into his 70s. This disciplined lifestyle, combined with consistent gym workouts and weightlifting, has not only helped him maintain peak physical condition but also significantly reduced chronic pain. It's a strategy that supports his active life, whether he's hiking, lifting, or carving waves. These days, Joseph’s approach to surfing is all about quality over quantity; instead of daily sessions, he now hits the waves two to three times a week near his home on the North Shore of Oahu—staying strong, sharp, and fully in tune with his body’s rhythm.

The CBD Edge

Joseph discovered a game-changing addition to his active lifestyle when master surfboard shaper Jeff Bushman introduced him to CBD oil. For Joseph, it was the missing piece in his quest to stay fit, energized, and pain-free. “What I like about CBD is that I can get the benefits of marijuana without the high,” he explains. “At my age, I want to have as much clarity as possible.” Since integrating CBD into his wellness routine, he’s experienced greater comfort and recovery, allowing him to stay active in surfing, hiking, and working out. What started as a personal breakthrough has since rippled through his community on the North Shore of Oahu and beyond, with more older athletes turning to CBD for its natural support. Joseph sees this word-of-mouth movement only growing stronger as others begin to feel the benefits for themselves.

“Surfers are a tribe, so other people may not experience the same level of pain as an older, aging athlete. But if you have pain, you’re not having a quality of life,” he said. “If you couple working out and eating appropriately with a disciplined CBD oil regimen, I find it to be one of the best natural things you can do to reduce symptoms of ailments.”

Still charging Sunset Beach at 73, Joseph Grassadonia proves that passion, discipline, and a love for the ocean never age. Photo by Noa Napoleon

Living Proof That Age Is Just a Number

Joseph Grassadonia is more than a surfer—he’s a blueprint for aging with intention. He’s showing what’s possible when wellness isn’t a phase but a lifelong practice. Through fitness, fasting, and forward-thinking recovery methods, he’s not just extending his life—he’s elevating the quality of every day.

His message is simple, but powerful: With discipline, curiosity, and self-care, your best years might still be ahead.

*FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) DISCLOSURE: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always check with your physician before starting a new dietary supplement program.

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