How Hugh Jackman's Secret Weapon Can Help You Age With More Joy

Hugh Jackman, 2017. Photo by Dick Thomas Johnson under CC BY 2.0.

For most of his life, Hugh Jackman was outwardly fearless — leaping from stages, swinging claws as "Wolverine", and owning red carpets with charm and ease. But behind the scenes? He was riddled with quiet fears and relentless anxiety. Then, something shifted. What started as a tool to sharpen his acting became the practice that changed every corner of his life — including how he handles fear itself.

Now, as more people search for clarity in the noise of modern life, Jackman's secret isn't so secret anymore — transcendental meditation. And for older adults looking to reclaim energy, confidence, or just a little calm — it might be the gentlest, most powerful reboot around.

Stripping Away the Mask

At 56, Jackman is no stranger to reinvention. But early in his life, anxiety often ruled him. Heights, darkness, what others thought — fear had him boxed in. Meditation, he says, didn't just reduce that anxiety. It helped him understand it. That awareness, he says, gave him freedom.

According to Jackman, transcendental meditation (TM) — a twice-daily practice done in silence with eyes closed — was like peeling off layers of performance. For an actor constantly wearing masks, this was no small thing. He told Oprah.com, "I would describe it more as a revealing of consciousness—that through meditation on a daily basis, I get to strip away the masks that we build—that I build for myself, small and large—to reach more of a feeling of my true self."

And that "true self" turned out to be calmer, more centered, and yes — more powerful. But what makes this especially meaningful? He didn't start TM for peace. He started meditating to be better at his job. The peace came as a bonus.

Why Seniors Might Find TM Life-Changing

For older adults navigating stress, shifting identities, or even just restless thoughts — Jackman's experience is deeply relatable. Whether you're downsizing, grieving, caregiving, or wondering what's next, it's easy to feel swept up in reactive emotions or low-level anxiety.

Speaking with PEOPLE, Jackman explained, "For me, having that reset at lunchtime, I'll go back in the afternoon, and I can watch people on set, sometimes flagging a little bit, and I'm like, 'Let's get ready to go.' It's not just energy. It's the quality of the energy that makes you feel grounded, feel present, more creative, more able to be spontaneous."

That's not just Hollywood optimism. TM has been linked to improved sleep, reduced stress hormones, and sharper cognitive function — benefits many older adults actively seek, according to PEOPLE. And it's not hard. The practice doesn't demand flexibility, chanting, or even belief in anything. Just 20 minutes, twice a day, in a quiet seat. No apps, no gurus — just you.

Facing Fear With Gentleness

One of the most striking things Jackman shared? That meditation didn't erase his fear. It helped him face it. According to Meditation Lifestyle, he said, "Meditation makes you see very clearly what goes on in your mind, its machinations. So, in some ways, I see more of it—the low-level anxiety — because I'm more aware. And the high-level anxiety just calms down."

For older adults confronting fears of health decline, financial insecurity, or even existential questions — this honest approach can be profound. It's not about ignoring fear. It's about seeing it clearly, and letting it pass through.

You're Not Too Old — You're Just on Time

Some might wonder if they missed the meditation wave. But Jackman, speaking to Meditation Lifestyle, doesn't buy that, saying, "Everyone takes a shower every day, and we don't complain about it. We do it out of discipline. There will always be an excuse not to meditate..."

You don't have to be Zen to start. You just have to be curious. Whether you're 55 or 85, there's a version of you waiting — calm, centered, vibrant. You don't need to change who you are. Just meet yourself, finally, with stillness.

References: How Meditation Changed Hugh Jackman's Life | Hugh Jackman Explains Why He Practices Transcendental Meditation: 'Every Aspect of My Life Changed' (Exclusive) | 'Nothing has ever opened my eyes like meditation,' says Hugh Jackman