During 20 years of working at his family’s supermarket in Pollenca on the Spanish island of Mallorca, Jose Luis-Reig, known as Pep, never gave a thought to the academic (学术的) world. It was only when visiting the classrooms of mainland universitates with his two teenage daughters that he suddenly felt himself at home among the books and atmosphere of learning.

After school Pep had intended to do a degree in biology at Barcelona University but had been called on to help run the family business instead.

But the question of “What’s my role in life?” still kept coming back to him. It wasn’t until a year later that the answer suddenly struck him. When he was at school, other children would come to him with their problems. He became famous and so was invited onto local radio, where the interviewer said, “You’re like a young psychologist.”

Pep was no stranger to change. The family business had originally been a sawmill (锯木厂), but when Pep, then 27, was asked if he wanted to take over, he decided to transform the mill into the town’s first supermarket.

One day in the shop, what the radio presenter said came back to him. After running the idea past his family, he applied to university in Palma to study psychology and, aged 46, was accepted.

“I had to get used to being much older than all the other students,” he says. “In fact, I was older than my professor. But I believe disadvantages can always be advantages. And I ended up helping the others because I’d had more life experience that carries psychological impact, which could reflect classroom theory.”

Pep came top of his year and impressed his tutors so much that he was offered a job researching and teaching, which he still does while studying for a master’s in neuropsychology. Now 52, and still in the job, he adds, “My only regret is not having done it earlier. ”

I’d been at Camp Eggleton for only two days before I got my nickname(绰号) ,Screaming Toad(尖叫的蛤蟆).

When we were on our first nature walk, a tree frog dropped onto my shirt from the branches above. I screamed. I didn't even know I could make a sound like that. Most kids laughed it off and forgot about it. But Stan wouldn’t let it go.

Three days later, Mr. Matt told us we would play a game. The two-person team to find the most treasures hidden in the woods gets something cold. Thoughts of ice cream froze on our brains.

Mr. Matt started reading off pairs of names. My nerves(神经) got completely fried when he said, “And finally, Jay and Stan.”

“If the mosquitoes(蚊子) are biting you, just ask Screaming Toad to eat them for you.” Stan called to the group. One kid laughed, but most of them were already concentrating on looking for treasures.

Then I had an idea,“You know, Stan, if we split up, we’ll have a better chance of finding stuff.” Stan shrugged (耸肩)and walked down the path alone.

Ten minutes later, I heard something that reminded me of myself a few days ago. I ran toward the sound. Stan was jumping around like a monkey, screaming and yelling: “Ants! Ants!”

I led him into a mud puddle(泥坑). He was surprised at first, then he must have realized why I was doing it. The itch(痒) was going away and so were the ants.

“I guess you’re going to have a pretty good story for everyone later.”Stan said worriedly.

“Yeah, I guess so. You’ll probably be known as Dancing Ant from now on.”

That night, we all sat around the campfire. I could see Stan’s worry as clear as daylight. He was waiting for it. But I never said anything. I knew how it felt to be laughed at.

The next day was Game Day. When I was picked for a basketball team, someone called, “No fair! Screaming Toad’s a natural Jumper!”

Stan yelled out, “Knock it off. His name is Jay.”

Since February, Liu Cuilian, 65, has recorded herself learning and practicing surfskating, a type of skating performed on a board.

Liu’s videos shared on social media platforms have attracted hundreds of thousands of views, earning her a loyal following eager to see her surfskating in parks in Chengdu. She said, “I love the feeling of moving in the wind. I have lots of friends, both young and old. We practice surfskating together, and I am full of energy. It feels really beautiful.” This summer, the sport gained popularity in China, with a rising number of people from different age groups taking it up.

Liu became interested in the activity early this year after she visited a shop selling surfskate boards in Chengdu. She was impressed by the colorful designs of the boards, but asked herself if surfskating was for seniors. “I saw some young people surfskating, and I was eager to give it a try,” said Liu. When she was younger, she took part in a range of activities, including table tennis, badminton, shuttlecock kicking and rope skipping.

Encouraged by her son, Liu spent 1,650 yuan ($230) on her first board, and started practicing by observing and learning from other surfskaters. She began filming short videos of her progress, which she posted on social media.

“I overcame my fear and have made progress every day. Standing on the board makes me feel young again,” said Liu, who usually practices surfskating for one or two hours in a square near her home. During weekends, she surfskates for at least three hours in parks with friends. Liu’s son, who also loves sport, surfskates with her during weekends. His friends also encourage their parents to practice the sport, which helps them build an active social life.