Changing the Game: For Peak Stage Adults

As Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of our award-winning global media digest and CEO/ReImaginator for 360° Nation, I was delighted to have the opportunity to get better acquainted with Gustavo Zylberberg, Co-Founder & CEO of Vitalcy — the pro-age guide to living, and the pioneer of the #peakstage movement.  Learn more as you enjoy our inspiring Interview with Gustavo below ⤵︎

We’d like to hear about your professional journey before Vitalcy.

I am a Physical Therapist by trade, having earned a Doctorate with honors from Touro College in 2008. I worked with individuals across all ages, from newborns and toddlers through adulthood and end of life. I’ve always been fascinated by the adaptation that occurs throughout the lifespan, and the new challenges and opportunities that arise with each new year. As an entrepreneur, I’ve worked in various capacities in other industries, primarily focused on business development, growth, and financial analysis.

Tell us about Vitalcy and the inspiration behind it.

Vitalcy is about lifelong purpose and the rediscovery that occurs during specific life transitions, namely empty nests and retirement.

We are seeking to change the way adults approach, enhance, and prolong the Peak Stage of their lives, which is where these transitions occur.

As a child, I grew up one block away from my great-grandmother, who lived to be 104 years old. Sharp as a knife, she could speak seven languages, cook, clean, and move around by herself for almost her entire life. I was able to learn during my youth the difference between reaching a numerical milestone and living a certain number of years, and the importance of adapting your purpose as you reach different stages in life.

We were inspired to identify this Peak Stage, which is a stage in life that we have coined. Gone are the days of the perception of the 50+ demographic with rocking chairs and early bird specials, as today’s adult seeks adventures, purpose, and fulfillment to carry them through this precious point in their lives. The Peak Stage is what we define as the point where you have constantly worked your way up, either in career, family, or personal and financial security. This peak is to be celebrated, enjoyed, and enhanced through connection, inspiration, and aspiration for more.

What’s unique about your company and who is your ideal audience/participant?

Being unique is our ethos. By defining this peak stage, we are creating a first-of-its-kind offering while allowing a community and platform for those who want to be seen, heard, and relevant. We have brought together others speaking our message in order to create a movement, and empower an entire generation to feel visible, heard, and relevant regardless of stage in life.

When did you launch Vitalcy and what’s been your biggest challenge so far?

Vitalcy launched in July of 2020, and it’s been a wild ride since. I’ve been fortunate to learn that it takes a certain level of confidence to execute on the vision of a startup, but that confidence cannot be confused with the mistake of putting your ego first. The challenge in this hurry up and get it done mindset that accompanies a startup is the humility that is needed to execute. I have been so fortunate to learn from others, gather their wisdom and knowledge, and best strategize on how to bring Vitalcy to this point. We are now officially launched and excited to bring in new members to our community on our website (www.vitalcy.com) and social media channels.

Any noteworthy surprises or ‘A-ha’ Moments along the way?

The biggest ‘a-ha’ moment came when I realized that the categorization of 50+ as a demographic was dated and preposterous. What happens in your 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond is so different, unique, and specific. That allowed for us to define this Peak Stage further, and really hone in on what makes us different.

How would you describe your typical day?

I’m a big believer in structure and habits, which are necessary when you are a startup founder who is forced to wear many hats. I always plan deeply in detail for two days out, with a focus on prioritizing tasks and the never-ending meetings so that nothing slips through the cracks.  I also have my daily rituals that I never miss: meditation, exercise, and reading.

Our focuses today are based on product development, marketing and PR, fundraising, and content/branding strategy and tactics. I end each day back where I started: planning out the following two days.

What about your social impact/outcomes?

Early on, I was saddened to learn that 25% of adults over 65 today suffer from Social Isolation. I view Vitalcy as the proactive solution to this preventable problem, by creating a community and network for adults to always have a next adventure to chase.

What’s the next big thing/challenge for Vitalcy?

The next big thing for us is in finding the perfect people to help us in our journey. We are looking to meet:

• Individuals who want to join our movement
• Investors who want to invest their expertise, knowledge, and capital into a company that is looking to initiate change
• Collaborators who can help spread our voice and message with unique perspectives

As an experienced leader and entrepreneur, what’s non-negotiable for you?

Integrity, hard work, and the ability to walk the talk. In the world of entrepreneurship, getting things done with high character is the only way to go. We are fortunate to be surrounded by a wealth of individuals working on, creating content for, and guiding the Vitalcy journey who embody these characteristics.

How can our global audience learn more about Vitalcy?

I encourage anyone that wants to learn more to contact me directly. If you are interested in supporting our journey, whether it be as an investor, collaborator, or driver of our movement, I am reachable at any time at [email protected].

From an investment perspective, we are looking to close our current round by early 2022. We are seeking angel investors, both passive and active, who share our vision of purpose rediscovered. For collaborators or drivers of our movement, we are looking for passionate pioneers to deliver content, messaging, and activities to our community. All ideas and potential partners are welcome and open for discussion.

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BONUS QUESTION: What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

I’m a baseball fanatic. Aside from loving to play, I also have coached my older son for 5 years, and just began to coach my younger son’s team this fall. Sadly, I’m also a big New York Mets fan. I take this passion far, as I’m a huge trivia buff and can rattle off many statistics that I’ve known since my childhood!