I'm 58 but everyone says I look like I'm in my 20s. I haven't had any plastic surgery... my secret for ageing backwards is so much simpler and anyone can do it
People approaching their late 50s are often told to slow down, lower expectations and accept that their best years are behind them.
But Edson Brandao is quietly challenging that idea and has left many dumbfounded by his actual age.
At 58, the influencer from Brazil said he is often mistaken for someone in their 20s, and shared that strangers approach him to ask about his youthful 'secret' or assume he's using fillers, Botox or cosmetic surgery.
Brandao firmly denied these claims. Instead, he said the truth is far simpler and more accessible than people expect.
'I've never had plastic surgery. I've never had Botox,' he said. 'What I have is consistency. Anyone can do this.'
Brandao, who turns 59 in February, admitted that he has not always been health conscious. In fact, he said he used to push wellness to the side because he thought he had plenty of time. But when he turned 40, his mindset shifted.
'I realized that aging wasn't something that just happens overnight,' he said. 'It's built by daily habits. I knew that if I didn't start taking care of myself, I would feel it later.'
So for the past 18 years, he has stuck to a strict routine.
Edson Brandao (pictured above), 58, often gets mistaken for someone in their 20s, but he claims he has not had plastic surgery
Pictured: Brandao at age 40. It was around this time that his mindset on aging changed and he adopted healthy habits
Exercise, for one, is a must, he said. Brandao goes to the gym daily, mixing weight training with cardio. 'It's not about being extreme,' he said. 'It's about showing up consistently.'
He believes strength training has helped him keep a youthful look, good energy and strong posture. Cardio, he said, keeps his heart healthy and his mind sharp.
And science backs that up.
A 2024 Mayo Clinic study looking at muscle tissues from 197 people found that resistance training slowed and, in many cases, reversed changes in muscle fibers associated with aging.
Another 2024 review found that strength training improved posture and signs of scoliosis. Bad posture can compress vital organs, reduce lung capacity and hinder circulation, all of which may reduce overall lifespan.
Cardio, meanwhile, increases blood flow and boosts the overall glow of skin, resulting in a more youthful appearance. That extra blood also delivers vital oxygen to cells in the skin, improving skin moisture.
'The body responds to what you ask of it,' Brandao said. 'If you stop asking it to move, it stops responding.'
He is also careful with his food choices. His personal 'avoid list' includes white bread, sugary cereals, fried foods, fast-food meals, processed cheese, sweets, chocolates, sugary drinks and ultra-processed snacks.
'These foods drain your energy and accelerate aging,' he said. 'People want to look young, but they don't want to change what they eat.'
Instead, Brandao focuses on whole foods and fruit, regularly rotating options such as avocado, papaya, figs, berries, oranges, strawberries, blackberries and dragon fruit, depending on what's available and in season.
'Forget Botox,' he said. 'I eat fruit.'
Brandao also includes garlic, blueberries, salmon, turmeric, honey, grass-fed liver and pasture-raised eggs as part of his regular diet.
Pictured: Brandao at age 40. Habits that have helped him look younger include going to the gym regularly and eating whole fruits
Brandao (pictured above) turns 59 in February. 'The number on your birth certificate doesn't define your future,' he said, 'your habits do'
Fruits are packed with antioxidants - compounds that protect the body's cells from damage by unstable molecules called free radicals, which can damage skin cells and break down collagen, a protein that gives skin its elasticity.
Salmon has omega-3 fatty acids shown to help lower inflammation, while turmeric and garlic have been shown to have immune-boosting properties. Liver and eggs are also high in protein, which helps repair muscle and tissues, potentially leading to a younger-looking appearance.
'You don't need supplements to fix a bad diet,' Brandao said. 'You need better food.'
His skincare routine is also simple, as he often just puts frozen cucumber on his face. Experts believe the fruit reduces puffiness and soothes inflammation. It is also about 95 percent water, which boosts skin's hydration.
'It's affordable, natural and effective,' Brandao said of the method.
He believes his appearance and energy come from 'boring but powerful habits.' And with the new year fully underway, he hopes his story will make aging seem less intimidating.
'This isn't about trying to look younger than everyone else,' he said. 'It's about feeling strong, confident and alive at any age.
'The number on your birth certificate doesn't define your future, your habits do.'
