A quiet cultural shift is underway, powered not by celebrity campaigns or industry slogans, but by individuals who are willing to challenge the assumptions society makes about growing older. These individuals are what we call Agefluencers. They are people who reshape how we think and talk about aging by engaging earnestly, sharing openly, and challenging the outdated scripts that have long defined the later chapters of life. We are coining the term Agefluencer to describe someone who engages in conversations that challenge norms, dismantle ill‑formed perceptions of age, and help redefine the world we wish to grow old in while celebrating life at every stage. This spirit of truth‑telling and optimism captures the heart of a movement that has always been a core part of our work and identity at Transforming Age.

The Agefluencer philosophy recognizes that while aging includes challenges, it is also rich with gifts. Wisdom becomes deeper. Perspective sharpens. Purpose grows clearer. The stories we share about the people who shaped our beliefs about age are often quiet but powerful. At Transforming Age, we recently conducted a workshop to reflect on the individuals who influenced our own views of aging. These reflections demonstrate that the most profound Agefluencers are often found not on stages, but in daily life. People like Ken M., who modeled resilience and generosity even while battling illness, or Ms. Pat, an 86‑year‑old crossing guard whose daily presence inspires her community to remain active, connected, and kind, or Maria D., who challenges stereotypes simply by living with authenticity and purpose.

Alongside these everyday examples stands one of the most visible Agefluencers shaping the national conversation about aging today: Chip Conley. His influence aligns powerfully with the goals of the Agefluencer movement. Chip has been featured on TA Live and shares our commitment to reduce stigma around aging, elevate longevity literacy, and provide tools that help people rethink midlife as a time of growth and positive transformation. His book Learning to Love Midlife reframes this life stage not as a crisis but as a chrysalis, a period of reinvention that allows individuals to shed old assumptions and step into a renewed sense of purpose. He founded the Modern Elder Academy, the world’s first midlife wisdom school  that has grown into a dynamic community.

As this movement grows, the next step belongs to each of us. Take time to spot the Agefluencers who have shaped your own life, whether they are family members, coworkers, friends, teachers, or public voices whose ideas opened your thinking. Examine the ways your own perception of age may be limiting your experience, influencing your expectations, or quietly shaping how you view your future self. Look closely for the unconscious ageism and bias that can surface in casual comments, jokes, assumptions, and language. When you notice it, name it. Challenge it. Stand up against it. By doing this work individually and collectively, we create a cultural shift in which aging is no longer defined by decline, but by possibility, connection, meaning, and strength.