Let's talk about longevity and how the science can sometimes be BS.

A listener recently shared a prominent news story with me that suggests that humanity is hitting the upper limit of life expectancy and that people will top out at a maximum age of around 87, 90 for women and 84 for men. To quote the lead study author, S.J. .Olshansky, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at University of Illinois, Chicago: “We’re basically suggesting that as long as we live now is about as long as we're going to live, we're squeezing less and less life out of these life-extending technologies.” 

In this episode, I talk about why this is a great example of how science can be stupid, inapplicable, misinterpreted and misapplied. There are highly competent researchers doing great, important work, with likely highly reliable results, but we also know that this is not always the case. In the case of the Blue Zones, principal researchers admittedly took their liberties with the information about eating habits in order to advance their plant-based agenda. The ways that research relating to exercise physiology can often deliver distorted conclusions because of factors like the nature of the subjects, the duration of the study, and the failure to control confounding variables is something I’ve discussed on the show before, and while I agree that we’re not magically going to live longer because of amazing new drugs, a far more interesting discussion to me is how we are ruining our natural human lifespan potential in modern times.

My personal view on this is that almost everyone has the potential to sail smoothly to 100, taking advantage of modern medical intervention when necessary, but mainly by simply not getting in our own way (and this even includes people that have been dealt a bad hand with genetics such as a family propensity for obesity, heart disease, cancer, and so forth). In this episode, I talk about some ways to not become a statistic and how to actualize your human potential by getting out of your way and doing some cool stuff too, and why the main emphasis must always be on health span, not lifespan.



TIMESTAMPS:

According to a recent articleadvances in medical technology and genetic research are not translating into lifespan overall. Are we really at a plateau? [00:51]

The problem with these studies is that the scientists are looking at a population that is leading a very unhealthy lifestyle in general. [06:57]

In any scientific study, there are many variables so one always needs to view the results accordingly. [11:08]

You may have familial genes for predisposition for things like obesity, heart disease, cancer and so forth, but you need environmental influences to trigger those diseases. [12:07]

Can we do anything to defy those statistics about how long we are going to live? [17:05]

Sleep, rest, relaxation, recovery, and downtime are critically important. [21:45]

Circadian rhythm is a number one concern, according to Dr. Kruse. Minimize the light in your home after dark. [23:47]

Clean up your act. You cannot focus on longevity if you have crap in your life. This includes toxic relationships.  [34:58]

Look at your behavior patterns.  Be positive. Envision your happy healthy life because you are taking control of your diet and exercise for sailing into the long future. [40:22]

The media programs us to believe something that gets us to limit our thinking. [43:49]

When you focus on plant-based eating, for whatever reason, it is high risk unless you also get nutrient-dense foods. We need protein. [46:35]

Walking is the single most essential requirement for your health and longevity. Move frequently and take breaks from your work. [49:57]

Sprinting added to your daily routine is very valuable. [59:56]

Digital technology has played havoc on our social connections. Don’t put health and longevity on the back burner.  Care about it! 01:05:42]

Beware of how consumerism is luring you with its profit-based goal of making money. [01:11:38]

Set simple doable goals. [01:17:33]



LINKS:
Brad Kearns.com
Brad’s Shopping page
B.rad Whey Protein Isolate Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Available in Two Delicious Flavors: Vanilla Bean and Cocoa Bean
B.rad Superfruits - Organic Freeze-Dried Exotic Fruit Powder! Natural Electrolyte Hydration & Energy Powder
WildHealth.com
The Primal Blueprint
Primal Blueprint 21-Day Total Body Transformation
Born to Walk
Podcast with Dr. Jack Kruse, no. 1
Podcast with Dr. Jack Kruse, no. 2
Carnivore Scores Food Ranking Chart
Podcast with Jillian Tureki
Atomic Habits
Outlive
Micro Workouts for the Home and Office
Social Security Actuarial Chart
The Hacking of the American Mind



Join Brad for more fun on: 

Instagram: @bradkearns1

Facebook: @bradkearnsjumphigh

Twitter: @bradleykearns

YouTube: @brad.kearns

TikTok: @bradkearns



We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to podcast@bradventures.com. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you!

Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life:
Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off!
Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount!
Wild Health: Comprehensive online health consultation with blood and DNA testing, personal coaching and precision medicine. Get things dialed in! Use discount code BRAD20 for 20% off!
Take The Cold Plunge online course!
B.rad Whey + Creatine Superfuel: Premium quality, all-natural supplement for peak performance, recovery, and longevity. New Cocoa Bean flavor!
Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience
Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD!
Male Optimization Formula with Organs (MOFO): Optimize testosterone naturally with 100% grassfed animal organ supplement

Brad's Favorites on Amazon

I have a newly organized shopping experience at BradKearns.com/Shop. Visit here and you can navigate to my B.rad Nutrition products (for direct order or Amazon order), my library of online multimedia educational courses, great discounts from my affiliate favorites, and my recommended health&fitness products on Amazon.

Let's talk about longevity and how the science can sometimes be BS.
A listener recently shared a prominent news story with me that suggests that humanity is hitting the upper limit of life expectancy and that people will top out at a maximum age of around 87, 90 for women and 84 for men. To quote the lead study author, S.J. .Olshansky, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at University of Illinois, Chicago: “We’re basically suggesting that as long as we live now is about as long as we're going to live, we're squeezing less and less life out of these life-extending technologies.” 
In this episode, I talk about why this is a great example of how science can be stupid, inapplicable, misinterpreted and misapplied. There are highly competent researchers doing great, important work, with likely highly reliable results, but <a href="https://bradkearns.com/2024/10/08/katy-bowman-integrate-movement-into-daily-life-and-dont-overdo-your-fitness-efforts-2/">we also know that this is not always the case.</a> In the case of the Blue Zones, principal researchers admittedly took their liberties with the information about eating habits in order to advance their plant-based agenda. The ways that research relating to exercise physiology can often deliver distorted conclusions because of factors like the nature of the subjects, the duration of the study, and the failure to control confounding variables is something I’ve discussed on the show before, and while I agree that we’re not magically going to live longer because of amazing new drugs, a far more interesting discussion to me is how we are ruining our natural human lifespan potential in modern times.
My personal view on this is that almost everyone has the potential to sail smoothly to 100, taking advantage of modern medical intervention when necessary, but mainly by simply not getting in our own way (and this even includes people that have been dealt a bad hand with genetics such as a family propensity for obesity, heart disease, cancer, and so forth). In this episode, I talk about some ways to not become a statistic and how to actualize your human potential by getting out of your way and doing some cool stuff too, and why the main emphasis must always be on health span, not lifespan.
 
TIMESTAMPS:
According to a recent article advances in medical technology and genetic research are not translating into lifespan overall. Are we really at a plateau? [00:51]
The problem with these studies is that the scientists are looking at a population that is leading a very unhealthy lifestyle in general. [06:57]
In any scientific study, there are many variables so one always needs to view the results accordingly. [11:08]
You may have familial genes for predisposition for things like obesity, heart disease, cancer and so forth, but you need environmental influences to trigger those diseases. [12:07]
Can we do anything to defy those statistics about how long we are going to live? [17:05]
Sleep, rest, relaxation, recovery, and downtime are critically important. [21:45]
Circadian rhythm is a number one concern, according to Dr. Kruse. Minimize the light in your home after dark. [23:47]
Clean up your act. You cannot focus on longevity if you have crap in your life. This includes toxic relationships.  [34:58]
Look at your behavior patterns.  Be positive. Envision your happy healthy life because you are taking control of your diet and exercise for sailing into the long future. [40:22]
The media programs us to believe something that gets us to limit our thinking. [43:49]
When you focus on plant-based eating, for whatever reason, it is high risk unless you also get nutrient-dense foods. We need protein. [46:35]
Walking is the single most essential requirement for your health and longevity. Move frequently and take breaks from your work. [49:57]
Sprinting added to your daily routine is very valuable. [59:56]
Digital technology has played havoc on our social connections. Don’t put health and longevity on the back burner.  Care about it! 01:05:42]
Beware of how consumerism is luring you with its profit-based goal of making money. [01:11:38]
Set simple doable goals. [01:17:33]
 
LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/">Brad Kearns.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.bradkearns.com/shop/">Brad’s Shopping page</a></li>
<li><a href="https://a.co/d/731gssV">B.rad Whey Protein Isolate Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Available in Two Delicious Flavors: Vanilla Bean and Cocoa Bean</a></li>
<li><a href="https://a.co/d/epLtwgg">B.rad Superfruits - Organic Freeze-Dried Exotic Fruit Powder! Natural Electrolyte Hydration &amp; Energy Powder</a><a href="https://www.mam808.org/about"></a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wildhealth.com/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=paid&amp;utm_campaign=16241399509&amp;utm_content=142329210148&amp;utm_term=wild%20health&amp;gadid=659088140784&amp;itemid=%7bitemid%7d&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw1Yy5BhD-ARIsAI0RbXYppi5x2nG9b4QzBc-xSMxIvB4-uWMyGSKrPs9IloF5pMPRyj0hrEoaAkx4EALw_wcB">WildHealth.com</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Primal-Blueprint-Mark-Sisson/dp/193956347X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1YKONUSHPDWC1&amp;keywords=The+Primal+Blueprint&amp;qid=1649291364&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=the+primal+blueprint%2Cstripbooks%2C126&amp;sr=1-1">The Primal Blueprint</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Primal-Blueprint-21-Day-Total-Transformation/dp/0982207778">Primal Blueprint 21-Day Total Body Transformation</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Born-Walk-Surprising-Benefits-Healthier/dp/1736294415/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3GK7W57W2NXLL&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MwmsV3UeZI_02M1NmozlQ_1q44TTQvG8REPf4fJ3fjZNR_uSbBhcgw8ujcgusuiRwdFJ0M99ERuJ-OJCjMXsBN_lKgiBhcfdy9goaFBXMI_Wxm49Cr5AHBmnmaj4HlQCFX8cKCdjKQn2gDtpgR9kVR6R6STvKIU5gnbCWTDYeG75FLRT8lbzrNcYPTVSs4EeHifLcuf69Z4Be1D_Qb_Zeec9tIE3p41DwpYmNK_wTfw.A-0F6KSWkMuAfYvlGg1eSmvqUTaqrTIRGOyNwffPfHc&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=BORN+TO+WALK&amp;qid=1721063675&amp;sprefix=born+to+walk%2Caps%2C187&amp;sr=8-3">Born to Walk</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://bradkearns.com/2020/10/23/a-circadian-rhythm-24-hour-tour-inspired-by-dr-jack-kruse-insights-part-1/">Podcast with Dr. Jack Kruse, no. 1</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://bradkearns.com/2020/11/06/a-circadian-rhythm-24-hour-tour-inspired-by-dr-jack-kruse-insights-part-2/">Podcast with Dr. Jack Kruse, no. 2</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://bradkearns.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/CarnivoreScores_Color.pdf">Carnivore Scores Food Ranking Chart</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://bradkearns.com/2024/01/05/jillian-turecki/">Podcast with Jillian Tureki</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0593189647/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=1672528029&amp;sr=8-1">Atomic Habits</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Outlive-Longevity-Peter-Attia-MD/dp/0593236599/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2CU17C92H9Y9Y&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.C2hgMckAFDA_vImELekFZd-rQeR9h0AuJR0iuQfOKec_9uScx16srfKpsR0JODbcoMpOHgekb_TCoQXJZD9kgy1xrEVF4r-IjWPvfF4yGQrdvvkpq6QBYCyCU4CWydwERtjAWTS9dFHtheqoQ_KQCjq823VZDiDx8p0CiXp4Qf_zZPSbQJEfT0ktukU_pEDpDLI1DQpNqq5jSK8BoOCPQbkQgswYcy2AL9wlqXhM_L8.cs-JlS4T8ecouuCzpz3utARLfSvBdsqtLq3d1wTzRWc&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=outlive+peter+attia&amp;qid=1730503027&amp;sprefix=outlive%2Caps%2C182&amp;sr=8-1">Outlive</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&amp;v=DOFd5v_wf6M">Micro Workouts for the Home and Office</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.ssa.gov/oact/STATS/table4c6.html">Social Security Actuarial Chart</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hacking-American-Mind-Corporate-Takeover/dp/1101982942">The Hacking of the American Mind</a></li>
</ul>
 
Join Brad for more fun on: 
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bradkearns1/">@bradkearns1</a>
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bradkearnsjumphigh">@bradkearnsjumphigh</a>
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/bradleykearns">@bradleykearns</a>
YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4XXEoULD0AiiuPHdRw-Efg">@brad.kearns</a>
TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bradkearns">@bradkearns</a>
 
We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&amp;A shows, emailed to <a href="mailto:getoveryourselfpodcast@gmail.com">podcast@bradventures.com</a>. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you!
Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://peluva.com/?sscid=91k7_1q58j" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://peluva.com/?sscid%3D91k7_1q58j&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694035602925000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0AUDXoSdWPX_Ciu3aYkZgb">Peluva</a>: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off!</li>
<li><a href="https://www.mitoredlight.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.mitoredlight.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694035602925000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3yB4vB7v9Poi3yXqxwGAz3">Mito Red Light: </a>Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount!</li>
<li><a href="http://www.wildhealth.com/brad" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wildhealth.com/brad&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1708294722427000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0neG9pETMXwq8aIYaHiSSw">Wild Health</a>: Comprehensive online health consultation with blood and DNA testing, personal coaching and precision medicine. Get things dialed in! Use discount code BRAD20 for 20% off!<a href="https://bradkearns.com/cold-plunge/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bradkearns.com/cold-plunge/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694035602925000&amp;usg=AOvVaw27DgKhjBJfGIMO3NtOPzQ0"></a></li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/cold-plunge/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bradkearns.com/cold-plunge/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694035602925000&amp;usg=AOvVaw27DgKhjBJfGIMO3NtOPzQ0">Take The Cold Plunge online course!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://bradnutrition.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bradnutrition.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694035602925000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3apw1dYkrVMPM-KjVKpCcO">B.rad Whey + Creatine Superfuel</a>: Premium quality, all-natural supplement for peak performance, recovery, and longevity. New Cocoa Bean flavor!</li>
<li><a href="https://bradventures.thinkific.com/collections" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bradventures.thinkific.com/collections&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694035602925000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1KeAmB6wYGR3eDWYt8u7Ua">Online educational courses:</a> Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience</li>
<li><a href="https://www.primalhealthcoach.com/brad/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.primalhealthcoach.com/brad/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694035602925000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2vUrRhcuAvTXFcj8wSH8bW">Primal Fitness Expert Certification</a>: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD!</li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/mofo/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bradkearns.com/mofo/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694035602925000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0KmIx_5nS8Hn8DUqcyyAXv">Male Optimization Formula with Organs (MOFO):</a> Optimize testosterone naturally with 100% grassfed animal organ supplement</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/4CCAC4F3-30B1-4459-8312-32EB4121B3D6?ingress=2&amp;visitId=d1dce474-2c5c-4ded-9955-c651e670f542">Brad's Favorites on Amazon</a>
I have a newly organized shopping experience at <a href="http://BradKearns.com/Shop" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://BradKearns.com/Shop&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694035602925000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2lTUZJbyIoAHm8ftaBtnHA">BradKearns.com/Shop</a>. Visit here and you can navigate to my B.rad Nutrition products (for direct order or Amazon order), my library of online multimedia educational courses, great discounts from my affiliate favorites, and my recommended health&amp;fitness products on Amazon.

Join Brad Kearns, New York Times bestselling author and champion triathlete, Speedgolfer, and masters high jumper, in pursuing peak performance with passion throughout life. Enjoy memorable insights from leading experts on diet, fitness, peak performance, personal growth, relationships, happiness, and longevity. Brad’s “Breather” shows provide step-by-step tips you can implement right away to improve your life. Let’s explore beyond shortcuts, hacks, and crushing competition to laugh, have fun, appreciate the journey, and not take ourselves too seriously. It’s time to B.rad!

Join Brad Kearns, New York Times bestselling author and champion triathlete, Speedgolfer, and masters high jumper, in pursuing peak performance with passion throughout life. Enjoy memorable insights from leading experts on diet, fitness, peak performance, personal growth, relationships, happiness, and longevity. Brad’s “Breather” shows provide step-by-step tips you can implement right away to improve your life. Let’s explore beyond shortcuts, hacks, and crushing competition to laugh, have fun, appreciate the journey, and not take ourselves too seriously. It’s time to B.rad!

Brad Kearns, NY Times bestselling author and Guinness World Record athlete,  offers a fun and diverse mix of interviews with leading authors and health experts, and "Breather" shows for peak performance and personal growth

The B.rad Podcast

Join Brad Kearns, New York Times bestselling author and champion triathlete, speedgolfer, and masters high jumper, in pursuing peak performance with passion throughout life, without taking ourselves too seriously! You'll learn from experts on diet, fitness, peak performance, and personal growth, and enjoy Brad's brief "Breather” shows where you get simple, actionable tips to improve your life right away. Let’s explore beyond hype, hacks, shortcuts, and sciency talk to laugh, have fun, and appreciate the journey. It’s time to B.rad!

Join Brad Kearns, New York Times bestselling author and champion triathlete, speedgolfer, and masters high jumper, in pursuing peak performance with passion throughout life, without taking ourselves too seriously! You'll learn from experts on diet, fitness, peak performance, and personal growth, and enjoy Brad's brief "Breather” shows where you get simple, actionable tips to improve your life right away. Let’s explore beyond hype, hacks, shortcuts, and sciency talk to laugh, have fun, and appreciate the journey. It’s time to B.rad!

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