Younger Than Last Year
Buy the Book
Product Details
Publisher: Kaiju Kastle Media
Release Date: October 27, 2026
Formats: Paperback, Ebook
ISBN: PB: 979-8-9963505-0-6; EB: 979-8-9963505-1-3
Trim: 5.5 x 8.5
Page Count: 153
The Seven Foundations of the Art of Life
Robert W. Troch III
What does it mean to live fully—not someday, but now?
For Robert W. Troch III, the answer lies not in a fixed program but in a practice of small, meaningful steps every day.
In Younger Than Last Year, Robert draws on more than three decades of fitness training, coaching, and lived experience to distill the seven foundations of the Art of Life, an approach to how we move, think, and show up in our lives:
Mindset of Awareness
Breathing
Rest and Recovery
Fuel
Mobility and Flexibility
Strength
Passion
Through this combination of health, fitness, and philosophy, Robert shows how small, consistent changes improve how we recover, perform, and enjoy deep connection with our body.
Accessible to beginners and competitive athletes alike, Robert’s foundations meet people where they are and provide the tools not for perfection but for steady progress toward a healthy, intentional life.
All proceeds from Younger Than Last Year will support Kaiju Kastle, a nonprofit established in Robert’s memory that champions a community of model kit hobbyists.
About the Author
Robert W. Troch III (1960–2024), a lifelong Brooklyn resident, was a Renaissance man and cofounder of Younger Than Last Year. He brought decades of experience in strength and conditioning, nutrition, yoga, and a mindset of awareness to his classes, inspiring students with humor, curiosity, and practical guidance. His wife, Grace, and his daughter, Georgia, assisted in the completion of Younger Than Last Year, helping to fulfill Robert’s dream of becoming an author.
Learn more about Younger Than Last Year at www.youngerthanlastyear.net.
Reviews
“Younger Than Last Year gives runners and athletes of all ages a holistic plan to follow. It’s authentic: no gimmicks and no promises. Delivered in a clear, encouraging style with daily practices at the end of each chapter, Robert Troch’s Seven Foundations challenge us to listen to our bodies, strengthen our minds, and appreciate the world around us. With this book, Robert gifted us with his legacy. He has taught us not only how to train but how to live.” —Liz Robbins, journalist and author of A Race Like No Other: 26.2 Miles Through the Streets of New York
“Younger Than Last Year is a life-changing stroll through the woods with a wise and funny friend who knows the trail to fitness. Robert Troch shows us that it’s never too late to begin the journey. I read [this book] at age sixty-seven with a bad back. Now I’m doing four-mile walks.” —Mark Bulik, author of The Sons of Molly Maguire and Ambush at Central Park
“Robert saw his life as a personal work of art: never finished but always requiring renovations and improvements. He encourages the reader to become their own art historian, critic, restorer, and preservationist. As a fitness professional, I found his lessons practical and profound and a beautiful, inspiring final gift.” —Dan Gibbard, personal trainer
“Robert’s book is an enjoyable way to learn about the pillars of health and longevity. His in-depth knowledge and experiences are inspiring, especially his views on aging and exercise. I am grateful to Robert for sharing his expertise with those who missed the chance to work directly with him!” —Janet Olsen, healthy living practitioner
“I started training with Robert when my daughter was born. I wanted functional strength—the carrying, lifting, and keeping up with fatherhood. What he taught me was how to be present. ‘Living life,’ Robert writes, ‘is far more important than living longer.’ This book is him on the page: irreverent, insightful, and humble. You don’t need to be an athlete to read it. You just need to be someone who plans to get older.” —Dan Long, former client
“Robert Troch, the master craftsman who rebuilt my world, through your book, you teach us that strength is built with intention, like a kaiju kit, piece by piece. Your patience guided us through complex kits. You showed us that mistakes can be mended, and broken pieces can create beauty.” —Marcellus Winters, pastor and former mentee