THE ART OF LIVING YOUNGER: A CONVERSATION WITH CINDY JACKSON
As part of our Longevity & Lifestyle Retreat at Villa Porto Rapallo, we’re thrilled to feature renowned aesthetics and anti-aging expert Cindy Jackson. Cindy has been empowering people to look and feel their best since 1987, and her pioneering work in Extreme Makeovers has transformed countless lives. At the retreat, Cindy will share her unparalleled expertise on how to maintain maximum youth and vitality, all while enjoying the luxurious surroundings of the stunning Portofino coast.
Hosted by Naturopathic Nutritionist Lisa Pelloso, this retreat brings together a range of experts to help you enhance your lifestyle and well-being from the inside out. Alongside Cindy, we’ll be joined by Karen Burka, a Master Trainer in Gyrotonic®️ and Gyrokinesis®️, who will guide guests through movement and breathwork sessions to revitalise the body and mind. Isobel Kershaw, an Executive Style and Image Excellence Expert, will offer personalised styling sessions, empowering you to use fashion as a tool for confidence and self-expression.
In this exclusive interview, Cindy opens up about her incredible journey from an art student in London to becoming one of the world’s most influential figures in aesthetics and anti-aging. She reflects on the life-changing decisions that revolutionised her approach to cosmetic surgery and shares her holistic strategies for looking and feeling decades younger. At the retreat, Cindy will provide life-changing insights and practical strategies that combine aesthetics, health, and longevity.
Read on to discover Cindy’s expert advice on achieving balance between aesthetics and long-term health, and how you can unlock the secrets to looking and living younger, longer.
©️Cindy Jackson
Cindy, you are well-known in the aesthetics and anti-ageing world. How did your journey begin?
I was born and raised in the rural American midwest, but always dreamed of a more glamorous life. When I saw The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, I decided I would move to London when I grew up. In 1977 I applied to continue my art studies in London through a Harvard University exchange student program. I was accepted and moved to London, just as planned so many years earlier.
A solid art background has always been an integral part of my journey; it’s where I learned about classic proportion and the science of beauty, as recognized by great artists like Michelangelo. There are specific physical attributes that are considered attractive and those that are not. While this may not be politically correct, you can’t change human nature; it’s the way our brains are hard-wired in accordance to the biological imperative.
I always knew my appearance was far from perfect, but my new-found knowledge enabled me to quantify exactly why. At that time, it was merely an observation. As a struggling bohemian art student, I had neither the intention nor the means to do anything about it.
What suddenly changed that made you decide to reinvent yourself, pioneering the world’s first Extreme Makeover?
I was left a small inheritance in the mid-1980s, and decided to spend it on cosmetic surgery to implement all the changes that would, according to classic art, make me appear more attractive. This was despite having never considered cosmetic surgery before. I knew nothing about it so had to start researching from scratch, reading textbooks and speaking to various doctors; there was no internet back then. Fortunately, I have a passion for fact-finding, and I was on a mission. I learned everything there was to know about what works and what doesn’t, what’s possible and what isn’t, which sources to trust and which not to. My approach was both artistic and scientific.
I had no loyalty to any one doctor or clinic as I cherry-picked my way through the cosmetic surgery jungle. As replaced each feature one by one with new improved versions, a whole new face and body began to emerge. With it came huge life changes I could never have predicted in a million years.
In what ways did changing the way you look change your life?
In every conceivable way - from little everyday things, like people smiling at me more, to major life-altering opportunities that were not available to me with the face and body I had before. And, due to the media interest in my transformation, I became world-famous practically overnight. As a result, people who also wanted to harness the power and benefits of cosmetic surgery contacted me from every corner of the globe for advice. That’s how my one-of-a-kind consultancy was established in 1987. I went from a plain farm girl from Hicksville USA to being known as The A-List Consultant due to my illustrious client base.
©️Cindy Jackson
How did you progress from being an expert in cosmetic surgery to your interest in anti-ageing and longevity?
When I started having cosmetic surgery in my thirties, I wanted to look prettier; all the knowledge I’d amassed was for my own use. Then, due to popular demand, I began sharing it with others through my consultancy. Next, my focus organicaly began to incorporate anti-ageing and longevity, again for my own use. Obviously, I don’t do things by halves, so exactly as I had done with cosmetic surgery. I put my love of fact-finding and habit of cherry-picking the best of the best to use - learning what works and what doesn’t, what’s possible and what isn’t, which sources to trust and which not to. After pioneering the Extreme Makeover, introducing Extreme Anti-ageing was a natural progression.
Your approach to anti-aging goes far beyond aesthetics. Can you explain how you balance aesthetic treatments with the deeper aspects of health and longevity?
Many of the same dynamics that apply to aesthetics also apply to anti-aging. Humans are visually-oriented social animals. We draw instant and lasting conclusions about others from the way they look. (Hence the sayings about the importance of first impressions.) Make no mistake, ageism is real. Whenever we observe an old person, we assume certain things about them and treat them differently to someone in their prime. This can manifest in many forms, ranging from respect, deference, condescension, pity, disdain, to complete disregard. And many of these attitudes are tainted by fear. Encountering elderly people is an uncomfortable reminder that someday we too will be old - if we’re lucky.
My solution? Don’t look, act, feel or live old for as long as possible! I believe in maintaining a long healthspan - and also a long youthspan.
Aesthetics play an important role in the mind, body and spirit connection. For example, if you look in the mirror and see a younger face instead of an old woman staring back at you, you actually feel younger inside and have increased confidence. This continuously loops back again through the feedback you receive from others, lifting the spirit and encouraging a more youthful demeanor.
When you look younger, act younger, and live a younger lifestyle, you can stave off the contagion of age discrimination longer - perhaps until a cure is found!
©️Cindy Jackson
At the retreat, you’ll be leading a signature class on Living Younger Longer. What can participants expect from this session, and what are the most important practices for maintaining vitality and youthfulness?
As I’ve always said, the Number One rule of anti-ageing is: Don’t die! You have to take responsibility for your own survival and self-care. That includes how you approach getting older.
Your health comes before all else. I’ve always been extremely risk-averse, and therefore cautious with all medical interventions. Living to a healthy old age doesn’t include taking risks with unproven treatments - aesthetic or otherwise. And, as with field of aesthetics, the booming health and longevity industry is an utter minefield. It’s becoming more so every day as it grows in popularity and profitability.
I’ll be sharing my tried-and-tested anti-ageing methods including diet, exercise, attitude, toxic exposure, stress management, modern medical science, and of course, aesthetic treatments and cosmetic surgery.
Your expertise is based on decades of research and firsthand experience of health and longevity practices. Are there any specific routines you consider game-changers, and will retreat guests have the opportunity to explore them?
Absolutely. My foundation methods are accessible to all. I can say with complete confidence that after my talk, retreat guests will view ageing differently, and will likely incorporate some, if not all, of my proven healthspan and youthspan extending routines into their everyday lives.
The retreat is being held in the serene surroundings of Villa Porto Rapallo. How do you feel this beautiful setting contributes to the overall experience of rejuvenation and self-care for participants?
Taking yourself out of your everyday routine opens the mind to new possibilities like nothing else can. Where better than the stunning Porto Fino coast to discover new pathways to a more healthy, balanced, and youthful future self
Lifestyle & Longevity Retreat Dates:
Wednesday, 5 March 2025 - Sunday, 9 March 2025
