Slowing Down Comes With Age, Or Does It? Dr. Edward Dreyfus Shares His Thoughts

They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression.  Dr. Edward Dreyfus believes that cliche went out the window years ago.  He's been making first, second and third impressions for 80 years, and, as he says, "I'm just warming up."

Dreyfus, a Los Angeles-based clinical psychologist, sex therapist, life coach, author and holder of a black belt in karate, takes a line from the 19th Century writer George Eliot: "It's never too late to be who you might have been."

While in his mid 70's, Dreyfus - after authoring widely acclaimed practice-related books - took up fiction and now has published a library of six novels with motifs taken from his clinical work.

About the same time, Dreyfus charged headlong toward becoming an accomplished master of karate practitioner at age 70 as well as changed his daily habits becoming a vegan and plant-based chef.

One of his latest books and perhaps the one gaining the most traction with interest from Hollywood is "The Midnight Shrink".  It's about a serial killer and a streetwise psychologist with a social conscience who practices out of his van on skid row.

Today, we talk with Dr. Dreyfus who epitomizes the saying of the baseball player Satchel Paige, who played well after what one would consider his prime:  "How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?" The psychologist, who still keeps appointments with several patients a week while focusing these days on writing, makes for a compelling life interview of what seniors can do in later life.  Where does he get his energy? What are his next challenges?  What advice does he have for others who have reached the age where society suggest they slow down?

Inquiring minds want to know