MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Motoring
  • Video
MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Motoring
  • Video
Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

Hugh Jackman Showed Off His Abs During a Shirtless New Years Polar Bear Plunge

Hugh Jackman Showed Off His Abs During a Shirtless New Years Polar Bear Plunge

Rap Music Could Help You Beat The Blues

Rap Music Could Help You Beat The Blues

Loneliness Isn’t Just Sad – It Reshapes Your Brain

Loneliness Isn’t Just Sad – It Reshapes Your Brain

Ryan Reynolds Gets Anxiety Too - Here's How He Copes

Ryan Reynolds Gets Anxiety Too - Here's How He Copes

{headline}

{headline}

Mental Strength And Motivation Tips From A Special Forces Commando

Mental Strength And Motivation Tips From A Special Forces Commando

How To Stay Happy And Mentally Healthy Working From Home

How To Stay Happy And Mentally Healthy Working From Home

How To Manage Your Mental Health During Coronavirus Isolation

How To Manage Your Mental Health During Coronavirus Isolation

{headline}

{headline}

What It's Like To Trek Kokoda From Someone Who's Done It 99 Times

What It's Like To Trek Kokoda From Someone Who's Done It 99 Times

How One Man Turned To Soul Therapy When He Hit Rock Bottom

How One Man Turned To Soul Therapy When He Hit Rock Bottom

7 Reasons Why You’ve Stopped Gaining Strength And Muscle

7 Reasons Why You’ve Stopped Gaining Strength And Muscle

What Causes Man Boobs and How Do You Get Rid Of Them?

What Causes Man Boobs and How Do You Get Rid Of Them?

The Therapy Method That's Like HIIT For Anxiety

The Therapy Method That's Like HIIT For Anxiety

Depression, Drug Addiction And Suicide Abnormally High In Defence Veterans

Depression, Drug Addiction And Suicide Abnormally High In Defence Veterans

17 Of The Best Present Ideas For Men

17 Of The Best Present Ideas For Men

  1. Home
  2. Celebrity

Will Smith Just Turned 50, And Celebrated In The Most Bad-Ass Way

What else would you expect from the Fresh Prince - by Scott Henderson
  • 08 Oct 2018
Will Smith Just Turned 50, And Celebrated In The Most Bad-Ass Way
Getty Images

Firstly, can we please marvel at the fact that Will Smith is 50? The man is a ball of youthful energy and it seemed like just a short few years ago he rocked up to stay with his Aunt and Uncle in Bel Air. He's following in a long line of Hollywood leading men who simply refuse to age or slow down, and if his half-century celebrations are anything to go by, he'll be kicking around like a Fresh Prince for years to come.

To mark the momentous occasion, Mr. Smith flew his family out to the Grand Canyon... seems normal for a typical American family right? Well not exactly, because that's where the normalities end. Will then chartered a helicopter out over the middle of the canyon, only to bungee jump out. As you do.

willsmith View Profile
1.4m likes - View Post on Instagram
#COMMIT - 🎞: @westbrook @davec9k

"Anytime I'm scared of something, I feel compelled to attack it," said Smith in the lead up to the jump. And in that single quintessentially Smith-like statement actually goes a long way to explaining the longevity of his career, and the levels of success the film icon has experienced. At least that's what science is saying.

“Moderate stress enhances learning," explains Laurence Gonzales, author of Deep Survival, a book that examines the neuroscience behind fear. "When two neurons fire together, they become wired together….So risk is an integral part of life and learning. A baby who doesn’t walk, for example, will never risk falling. But in exchange for taking that risk, he gains the much greater survival advantage of being bipedal and having his hands free.”

willsmith View Profile
3m likes - View Post on Instagram
First Day of 50! I'm just getting started. I'm gonna celebrate for 365 days. #willsmiththejump 📷: @alansilfen

According to further research from the Texas A&M University, adventure sports bungee jumping and white-water rafting all induce cortisol and epinephrine, aka adrenaline, at a level higher than any workplace or mundane social situation. Activities that are more physically and mentally stressful assist your body in reacting well to everyday stresses, suggests the team.

“Mindset impacts emotion, which alters biology, which increases performance. Thus, it seemed, by tinkering with mindset — using everything from physical to psychological to pharmacological interventions — one could significantly enhance performance.” suggests Steven Kotler, author of The Rise of Superman: Decoding the Science of Ultimate Human Performance.

willsmith View Profile
2m likes - View Post on Instagram
You know you're doing something crazy when your Wife & your X-Wife are in TOTAL AGREEMENT! #Repost @jadapinkettsmith ・・・ Congrats @willsmith! You did it! But no more! @shereezampino almost had a Heart Attack!😆

The book is yet another resource that suggests elite performers in all areas of life (this definitely includes Will Smith) continually seek to harness their emotions, such as fear. So should you follow suit?

While your access to both a helicopter and the Grand Canyon may be limited, science and statistics seem to say a resounding 'yes'. In terms of safety, only 1 in 500,000 bungee jumps results in a fatality. While that seems high, it's extremely low and unlikely. For perspective, you're 5 times more likely to die during a dance party... true story.

  • News
  • Life
  • Celebrity
Scott Henderson
Scott Henderson
Scott is the Editor of Men's Health Australia, where he oversees all editorial content of the country's largest men’s magazine. As a fitness addict, adventure sport lover, and passionate story-teller, Henderson is committed to living the Men’s Health brand.

Subscribe Now-6 Issues just $36.99

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Subscribe Now-6 Issues just $36.99

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Recommended to you

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

Hugh Jackman Showed Off His Abs During a Shirtless New Years Polar Bear Plunge

Hugh Jackman Showed Off His Abs During a Shirtless New Years Polar Bear Plunge

Rap Music Could Help You Beat The Blues

Rap Music Could Help You Beat The Blues

Loneliness Isn’t Just Sad – It Reshapes Your Brain

Loneliness Isn’t Just Sad – It Reshapes Your Brain

Ryan Reynolds Gets Anxiety Too - Here's How He Copes

Ryan Reynolds Gets Anxiety Too - Here's How He Copes

{headline}

{headline}

Mental Strength And Motivation Tips From A Special Forces Commando

Mental Strength And Motivation Tips From A Special Forces Commando

How To Stay Happy And Mentally Healthy Working From Home

How To Stay Happy And Mentally Healthy Working From Home

How To Manage Your Mental Health During Coronavirus Isolation

How To Manage Your Mental Health During Coronavirus Isolation

{headline}

{headline}

What It's Like To Trek Kokoda From Someone Who's Done It 99 Times

What It's Like To Trek Kokoda From Someone Who's Done It 99 Times

How One Man Turned To Soul Therapy When He Hit Rock Bottom

How One Man Turned To Soul Therapy When He Hit Rock Bottom

7 Reasons Why You’ve Stopped Gaining Strength And Muscle

7 Reasons Why You’ve Stopped Gaining Strength And Muscle

What Causes Man Boobs and How Do You Get Rid Of Them?

What Causes Man Boobs and How Do You Get Rid Of Them?

The Therapy Method That's Like HIIT For Anxiety

The Therapy Method That's Like HIIT For Anxiety

Depression, Drug Addiction And Suicide Abnormally High In Defence Veterans

Depression, Drug Addiction And Suicide Abnormally High In Defence Veterans

17 Of The Best Present Ideas For Men

17 Of The Best Present Ideas For Men

MensHealth
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • Women's Health

Our Network

  • Paragon Media Pty Ltd
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Men's Health

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe Now-6 Issues just $36.99

Shop This Offer
Subscribe Now