Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,

Why does weight loss feel harder with age—even when we "do everything right"? In this episode, award-winning health journalist Julia Belluz challenges the calorie-centric narrative of weight control and explains how metabolism, hormones, food environments, and ultra-processed foods shape how—and why—we eat. This conversation reframes weight, aging, and health through evidence rather than diet dogma.For decades, we've been told that weight control is simply a matter of discipline: eat less, move more, and the scale will comply. Yet for many people—especially as they age—this advice fails repeatedly, leading to frustration, guilt, and confusion. Midlife and beyond bring hormonal shifts, metabolic adaptation, and increasing exposure to highly engineered food environments. Understanding why our bodies resist weight loss—and how our environment pushes us toward overeating—is essential for protecting healthspan rather than blaming ourselves for biology. My guest, Julia Belluz, is an award-winning health and science journalist, New York Times opinion contributor, and co-author of Food Intelligence, written with metabolic researcher Kevin Hall. Together, they unpack decades of misunderstood nutrition science and explain what actually drives hunger, metabolism, and eating behavior.Listeners will learn why metabolism slows as a response—not a cause—of weight loss, what The Biggest Loser study revealed about long-term metabolic adaptation, how hormones interact with ultra-processed foods, and why environment often overrides conscious food choices. Episode Timeline: 00:00 — Why weight loss feels harder with age 03:50 — Julia's path into nutrition journalism 07:45 — The Biggest Loser metabolism findings 11:10 — "It's not metabolism, stupid" 15:55 — Hormones, hunger, and eating behavior 22:15 — Food environments and ultra-processed foods 27:30 — Nutrition studies: signal vs noise 30:40 — Supplements, misinformation, and risks 32:55 — What is hopeful moving forward? Connect with Julia Belluz https://www.juliabelluz.com/ Find the Book "Food Intelligence" by Julia Belluz and Kevin Hall PhD. Call to Action: Order the book Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably (North America only ) or find it on kindle Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and l eave a review to help others discover the show.

Flashback Friday re-post of most popular episodes THIS EPISODE OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER focuses on improving your cognitive functioning through playing computer brain training games. Today's Featured Expert discussing the ne uroscience of cognitive training and the Lumosity brain training program, is Bob Schafer, President of Lumos Labs Medical, and Chief Science Officer at Lumos Labs (Lumosity) We discuss the neuroscience of cognition and Lumos Labs Human Cognition Project, how the Lumosity platform is built around train i ng cognitive skills through engaging digital games, what you, the consumer, can learn from regularly training on Lumosity, and how Lumos Labs is working in the new frontier of digital medicine. Episode Timeline: 0:11 Introduction to this episode 5:16 Introduction to the Human Cognition Project 12:48 The Lumosity database 16:23 What percentage of users stick with the program? 21:03 T he importance of engagement in brain training. 26:54 How to assess your performance 35:14 Are there m ental barriers to progress? Speaker Bio: Bob earned his PhD in neuroscience from Stanford University and was a postdoctoral fellow at MIT. He has published original research in top journals including Science and Neuron. Prior to joining Lumos Labs, he was founder and CEO of a YCombinator-funded startup company that used neuroscience and predictive analytics to improve hiring decisions and team development. I n 2015, Bob and his startup team joined Lumos Labs. Here, Bob has served in a number of roles leading research, product, and business initiatives, including the formation of the company's Lumos Labs Medical division. Over 100 million people in the Lumosity community have combined to play more than 7 billion cognitive gameplays across more than 15 years, providing, along with the Lumos Labs "Human Cognition Project,", unique insights into the brain and mind. Learn more about Lumosity at these links https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-schafer-4171554/ Schedule a free Discovery Call with me to discover how to Reset Your Aging Blueprint or kickstart your wellness, beauty and healthy aging business. email: askdrgill@gmail.com Order your copy of Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and The Art of Retiring Comfortably click here - North America only. Otherwise available on Kindle

Back pain is one of the most common causes of reduced mobility and loss of independence as we age. In this episode, spine surgeon Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo explains the causes of back and neck pain, when conservative treatment is appropriate, and when spine surgery may become the best option for restoring mobility and quality of life. Chronic back and neck often trigger fear. Many people assume pain is inevitable, that surgery always leads to long downtime, or that recovery means permanent limitation. In this episode, w e explore modern advances in spine care, recovery, and how the right mindset and preparation can help people reclaim movement, confidence, and independence at any age. Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo is a board-certified, fellowship-trained spinal and orthopedic surgeon and founder of the Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care, with offices across New York and New Jersey. A graduate of Brown University and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, he completed his orthopedic residency at Washington University in St. Louis and a spine fellowship at UPMC. He is also the creator of the 360 Dynamized Core system for spine-safe core strengthening. Episode Timeline: 00:00 — A personal story: emergency spine surgery and recovery 05:40 — Why spine pain becomes more common with age 09:10 — Imaging vs symptoms: understanding the disconnect 12:55 — How surgeons decide who needs surgery 18:20 — Mindset, movement, and recovery outcomes 22:10 — Minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques 26:40 — Core strength, prevention, and daily habits 32:50 — A practical action for people in pain today C onnect with Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo www.nynjspine.com 360coreboard.com Call to Action: Find " Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably " (North America only) or on Kindle. Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others discover the show. Gillian Lockitch email: askdrgill@gmail.com

EPISODE 147 OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER focuses on protecting eye, brain and overall health with the antioxidant carotenoid pigments, especially lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin, as determined in the Central Retinal Enrichment Supplementation Clinical Trials ( CREST). Download my free Guide to the Colourful Antioxidants in Your Food that explains the wellness benefits and food sources of these protective nutrients. To tell us how key nutrients can protect our eyes from macular degeneration, and help preserve memory and mental acuity, I talk with today's Featured Expert, Professor John Nolan. He is a Fulbright Scholar, and a full professor at the South East Technological University (SETU), Waterford, Ireland, where he holds a Howard Chair in Human Nutrition, He is the Director of the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland (NRCI). This research centre studies the role of nutrition for vision, cognitive function and prevention of age-related diseases. In 2011, Prof Nolan won a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) research grant to study the impact of nutritional supplementation on visual function via two Central Retinal Enrichment Supplementation Clinical Trials), and has published 117 peer-reviewed scientific papers. Episode Timeline: 0:11 Why targeted nutrition for Eye Health 5:17 Nutrition and eye health with a focus on carotenoids. 10:02 Measuring macular pigment in the eye and its changes with supplements. 16:04 The importance of m acula pigments in eye health. 21:07 Lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin. in eye health. 28: 07 Sources of antioxidants, micronutrient supplements, and their overall effects on health of the body. 31:53 Eye health and antioxidants. 37:41 Antioxidants and healthy aging Learn more about Prof John Nolan and the Carotenoid research: http://www.profjohnnolan.com/ http://www.bonconference.org/ https://ie.linkedin.com/in/johnmnolan https://www.instagram.com/profjohnnolan Get to know Your Host: Dr. Gillian Lockitch Download Your free Guide to the Colourful Antioxidants in Your Food Download the Growing Older Living Younger app for your smartphone or tablet Schedule a free Discovery Call with Dr. Gill at askdrgill@gmail.com website: https://www.askdrgill.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gillian.lockitch/ rlivingyounger LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillianlockitch/ X: https://twitter.com/GilliansReviews And if you have not already done so, follow, rate and review this Growing Older Living Younger podcast.

Modern medicine excels at treating disease, less so at prevention. In this episode, we explore how wearable technology powered by artificial intelligence is bringing together Western physiology biometrics and Traditional Chinese Medicine to support true preventive health. Ryan Yuen shares how continuous monitoring of subtle body signals can help identify imbalance long before symptoms appear—and what this means for healthy longevity. Aging well is not about acccepting decline—it's about identifying early warning signs and supporting body balance before disease is established. Traditional Chinese Medicine has emphasized this philosophy for thousands of years,. Modern wearable technology now allows us to monitor the body continuously, shifting how we approach healthspan extension ato live younger longer. Ryan Yuen, Digital Business Lead at Link2Care, is helping bridge ancient medical wisdom with modern data science. The Watch2Care Vital smartwatch integrates 38 Western physiological metrics with 18 Traditional Chinese Medicine functional indicators across five organ systems—using AI to translate data into actionable daily insights read in the Fitvibe app. Episode Timeline: 00:00 — Prevention versus diagnosis and treatment in modern healthcare 03:10 — The aging population crisis and why healthcare systems need to change 07:45 — Integrating Western metrics with TCM philosophy using AI 12:30 — Understanding the five TCM organ systems 18:50 — Interpreting health scores and early warning signs 22:30 — Practical lifestyle actions based on daily data 26:30 — What preventive health could look like in the future Connect with Ryan Yuen and Watch2Care Vital* Official Website and Shop: www.link2care.asia LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/ link2careglobal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ profile.php?id=61584628198577 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ link2care_global *To show our appreciation for your community, we would like to offer your listeners an exclusive, limited-time promotion. When listeners use the discount code on our official website, they will receive 30% off the Watch2Care Vital and can add two additional wristbands to their cart for free. Discount Code: GOLY30 Connect with Dr.

THIS EPISODE OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER focuses on ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in older adults. Today's Featured Expert is Kathleen Nadeau, PhD. We discuss how unrecognized ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) may impact healthy aging and perhaps be confused with dementia in an older person; and whether there are alternative strategies to medication Speaker Bio Dr. Kathleen Nadeau is an internationally recognized authority on ADHD across the lifespan and is the author of 15 books related to ADHD. Her most recent book, Still Distracted After All These Years, is the very first book ever written for, and about older adults with ADHD. She is the founder and clinical director of the largest private ADHD specialty clinic in the US, The Chesapeake Center for ADHD in Bethesda, MD. She is known for her supportive, encouraging and practical approach to helping people with ADHD at every age. Episode Timeline 0:11 Introduction to this episode 3:11 What led Dr.Nadeau into this field of mental health? 7:12 Stereotypes about ADHD in adults. 10:29 ADHD or dysregulated attentional system. 15:12 What is ADHD and what does it mean? 19:21 Why ADHD is important for healthy aging? 22:51 What is the cost of undiagnosed ADHD? 26:54 The medicalization of ADHD 35:39 Are there clusters of disorders that contribute to ADHD? Learn more about Dr. Nadeau's work at these links Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087748066711 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stilldistracted/ Website - http://www.still-distracted.com/ Bit.ly link - bit.ly/still-distracted Links to: https://chesapeakeadd.com/whats-new/ To discover how to Reset Your Aging Blueprint or build your wellness, beauty and healthy aging business, schedule a free Discovery Call with me. To get your copy of Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and The Art of Retiring Comfortably click here

Dementia is one of the greatest fears associated with aging—but what if it didn't have to mean l oss, disappearance, or despair? In this deeply moving episode, author and arts innovator Marilyn Raichle shares how walking toward her mother, rather than away, transformed dementia into a journey of presence, creativity, connection, and joy. This conversation offers a profoundly human reframe of memory loss and aging. For many people, dementia is equated with the loss of self, meaning, and value. Families are often advised—explicitly or implicitly—to disengage emotionally, preparing for inevitable decline and disappearance. But how we approach dementia shapes not only quality of life for those living with it, but also the emotional, psychological, and biological stress experienced by care partners. Chronic fear, grief, and disengagement accelerate aging for everyone involved, while presence, joy, and connection support resilience and healthspan. Author of Don't Walk Away, A Care Partner's Journey, Marilyn Raichle brings a rare perspective shaped by a lifetime in the performing arts and nine years as a care partner to her mother, Jean. Through art, shared joy, and daily presence, Marilyn discovered that her mother was not "gone," but distilled to her essential humanity—creative, competitive, loving, and alive. Listeners will learn how creativity opens pathways to connection, why joy is possible even in advanced dementia, and how reframing the experience from caregiving to partnership transforms both lives. Episode Timelines: 00:00 — Dementia and our deepest fears about aging 03:45 — Marilyn's background in the performing arts 07:30 — Becoming a reluctant care partner 10:45 — Discovering creativity through painting 14:30 — The Art of Alzheimer's is born 18:40 — Enduring personhood explained 22:55 — Sharing joy as a daily practice 27:30 — A single mindset shift for care partners 31:00 — Final reflections on love, presence, and meaning Connect with Marilyn Raichle dontwalkaway.net/ https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.raichle https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilynraichle/ instagram.com/raichlem/ Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch Download your Guide to Nature's Colouful Antioxidants for Eye, Heart, Brain and Skin Wellness and Download your Checklist to Mind and Memory Boosting Strategies Connect with Dr.

What if the way you age isn't determined primarily by your genes, your diet, or even how much you exercise—but by how intelligently you manage your thoughts, emotions, and everyday habits? Many of us make well-intentioned health plans that never quite stick—despite knowing what we should be doing. This episode explores why behavior change is so difficult, how unconscious programming shapes daily habits, and what science reveals about making lasting change without burnout or deprivation. Today's guest brings a powerful framework—Lifestyle Intelligence—to help us align how we think, feel, and live as we age. Lloyd Glauberman is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and pioneer in behavioral wellness. He is the founder of the Lifestyle Intelligence App, a science-based digital platform designed to align daily habits in eating, movement, sleep, and mindset. With more than 40 years in private practice, he is also the creator of Hypno-Peripheral Processing (HPP), a clinically validated audio method used by over 125,000 people worldwide. At 78, Lloyd brings both scientific expertise and lived experience to what it truly means to age with clarity, resilience, and vitality. Episode Timeline 00:00 — Introduction: genes, mindset, and lifestyle intelligence 02:00 — Why habits fail and behavior change is hard 05:00 — Lloyd's story and the birth of Lifestyle Intelligence 10:00 — Childhood programming and unconscious habit formation 16:00 — Awareness, attention, and micro-habits that shape aging 21:00 — Sleep, brain cleanup, and longevity 26:00 — Hypno-Peripheral Processing and subconscious change 33:00 — Pausing, being present and "doing nothing" as a skill 38:30 — Key takeaways, resources, and Call to Action Contact Lloyd Glauberman PhD. Website: https:// lifestyleintelligencelq.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ lloydglaubermanphd/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ lifestyleintelligencelq/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ LifestyleIntelligenceLQ Contact Dr. Gillian Lockitch: Download Mushroom Power: Quick Guide to Medicinal and Culinary Mushrooms Connect with Dr.

What if stubborn weight gain, brain fog, poor sleep, and chronic inflammation aren't "just aging"—but signals from your gut that started decades earlier? Today's conversation challenges the myth of inevitable decline and shows how understanding your microbiome can make your chronological age truly just a number. After 40, many people find that diets stop working, digestion becomes unpredictable, hormones feel out of control, and inflammation quietly creeps in. This episode explains why gut healing becomes harder with age, what's actually changing biologically, and how restoring gut resilience can transform metabolism, hormones, and healthy longevity. Today's guest brings a rare blend of microbiome research, systems thinking, and real-world clinical insight to guide us. Martha Carlin is a pioneering citizen scientist and microbiome systems researcher. She is the founder and CEO of The BioCollective, collaborating with institutions including Caltech, the University of Chicago, and University College Cork. Her work focuses on how gut microbes drive inflammation, insulin resistance, and chronic disease as we age. Martha's mission began personally—after her husband's Parkinson's diagnosis—leading her to leave a corporate career to investigate healing at the root: the gut. Episode Timeline: 00:00 — Aging symptoms, gut health, and the microbiome 03:30 — Why gut issues worsen after 40 and why aging conversations miss the microbiome 05:10 — Martha's personal journey into microbiome science after Parkinson's diagnosis 08:45 — Antibiotics, missing microbes, and early Parkinson's gut research 12:30 — What biologically changes in the gut with age 15:40 — Endotoxins, gram-negative bacteria, and chronic inflammation 18:20 — Constipation as an early warning sign, not a nuisance 21:00 — Surfactants, cleaners, bile acids, and hormone recirculation 23:40 — Soil microbiomes and what agriculture teaches us about gut healing 26:30 — Food quality, seed oils, and modern processing challenges 28:40 — Beet kvass and fermented foods for nitric oxide and gut support 30:20 — The estrobolome, cortisol, insulin, and hormone–gut feedback loops 33:00 — Practical first steps to restore gut resilience 36:30 — Common mistakes: extreme diets, fasting, and overcorrection 39:10 — Women, cortisol, and metabolic backlash 41:40 — Listener guidance: simple daily changes that matter most 43:30 — Guest resources Call to Action: Connect with Martha Carlin: https://www.instagram.com/ biotiquest https://www.facebook.com/ BiotiQuest https://www.youtube.com/@ BiotiQuest https://twitter.com/biotiquest https://www.linkedin.com/ company/biotiquest Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch Download your guide to Build Back a Better Body: Strengthen Bones, Muscles, Joint and Fascia Connect with Dr.

What if chronic inflammation—not aging itself—is the real reason energy fades, disease risk rises, and resilience declines as the years go by? Today's conversation challenges the idea that inflammation is just something that "comes with age." Instead, we explore how targeted science, smart biology, and informed choices can dramatically reshape how you age. Chronic inflammation is the silent driver behind many of the diseases we associate with aging—cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, metabolic dysfunction, autoimmune disorders, and even cancer. Yet most people don't understand why inflammation persists, how it accelerates biological aging, or what actually works to control it at the cellular level. Samuel Shepherd is an award-winning physicist, inventor, and biomedical innovator with multiple patents in applied health science. After surviving a rare and aggressive bone-marrow cancer, Sam redirected his scientific expertise toward understanding inflammation at its molecular roots. He is the inventor behind ValAsta, the only patented glycosidic form of astaxanthin designed to improve cellular uptake and therapeutic impact. In this episode, you'll learn w hy inflammation is a root cause of aging, h ow bioavailability determines whether supplements help or fail, w hat makes targeted antioxidants fundamentally different and p ractical steps to reduce inflammatory load and promote healthspan extension. Episode TimelIne 00:00 — Welcome & Episode Framing Why chronic inflammation sits at the root of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegeneration, cancer, and autoimmunity 03:20 — Introducing Samuel Shepherd & the Oxidative Stress Problem Sam's scientific background and focus on cellular-level antioxidant interventions 05:00 — A Personal Turning Point: Polycythemia Vera A rare bone-marrow cancer diagnosis and the limitations of conventional treatment 07:40 — Cancer Resistance in Nature Why some species rarely develop cancer and how this led to astaxanthin research 10:30 — From Algae Stress to Astaxanthin Production How Haematococcus pluvialis produces powerful antioxidants under stress 14:10 — How Inflammation Really Works Reactive oxygen species, antioxidant balance, and why some antioxidants backfire 17:30 — Bioavailability Breakthroughs Why molecular structure and glycosidic attachment determine effectiveness 23:30 — Aging, Micronutrients & Enzyme Decline The role of minerals and antioxidant enzymes as we age 29:50 — Practical Steps for Reducing Inflammation as we age Testing, targeted supplementation, and proactive longevity strategies Connect with Dr. Shepherd Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ ValastaHome YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ ValAsta Website: www.ValAsta.net Gift for Listeners: Title: 10% Off ValAsta – Take Control of Your Health URL: https://www.valasta.net Promo Code: PODCASTS-VALASTA Connect with Dr. Lockitch Download your Guide to Nature's Colouful Antioxidants for Eye, Heart, Brain and Skin Wellness Connect with Dr.

What if the most powerful breakthroughs in reversing chronic disease had less to do with new drugs—and everything to do with understanding human behavior? Type 2 diabetes is widely treated as a lifelong, progressive condition. But what if that assumption is wrong? In today's episode, we explore how reclaiming personal agency, supported by behavioral science and AI-driven personalization, can fundamentally reshape how you age—because age is just a number, but how you age is a choice. Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases associated with aging, yet conventional care often focuses on escalating medications rather than addressing the root metabolic problem. Many people are told decline is inevitable—even as complications multiply and quality of life diminishes. In this episode, we challenge that model. You'll learn why most healthcare solutions fail, how behavior—not willpower—is the missing link, and how personalized, AI-supported care can help people reverse diabetes rather than manage it indefinitely. Today's guest brings a radically different lens—one that integrates behavioral science, medicine, and human empathy to restore health and agency. John Oberg is a human behavior strategist, healthcare innovator, and CEO of Precina Health. He holds a Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Southern California and an MBA focused on technology and public policy. John with his medical partner, leads one of the most compelling programs in metabolic health today, reporting diabetes reversal success rates as high as 98% by combining behavioral science, AI-driven personalization, and food-as-medicine. Episode Timeline: 00:00 — Why behavior, not drugs, may hold the key to reversing chronic disease 03:00 — Rethinking Type 2 diabetes, aging, and why the conventional care model often fails 05:30 — John Oberg's path from behavior science to diabetes reversal innovation 08:30 — Transactional vs relational healthcare and why empathy changes outcomes 12:30 — The five-phase Precina Health protocol and managing treatment burden 18:00 — Small personalized changes versus radical lifestyle shifts—what really works 23:30 — How AI supports personalized care without replacing human connection 31:00 — One actionable step listeners can take today to reclaim health agency Call to Action: Download your Checklist to Mind and Memory Boosting Strategies Connect with Dr.

In recent years, headlines warning about microplastics in fish, water, and even the human body have triggered widespread anxiety. While fear-based narratives grab attention, they also keep the nervous system in a chronic stress state—driving inflammation, impaired decision-making, and accelerated biological aging. The question is no longer just environmental, but deeply personal: what happens when alarming headlines age us faster than reality? For those committed to healthy longevity, constant environmental alarmism can quietly undermine well-being. Chronic stress is a known driver of inflammation and epigenetic dysregulation. When fear replaces evidence, people make choices that are not only unnecessary—but often harmful to both human health and the environment. C hris DeArmitt, PhD, is an internationally recognized materials scientist and founder of the Plastics Research Council. After reviewing more than 6,000 peer-reviewed studies, he challenges widely accepted myths about plastics, microplastics, ocean pollution, and toxicity. His work is independent, unfunded, and published verbatim from the scientific literature—without political or emotional spin. Listeners will gain clarity on what microplastics research actually shows, why plastics often have the lowest environmental impact when assessed by life-cycle analysis, and how exaggerated claims distort public policy. This episode equips you with practical filters for evaluating environmental headlines and making rational, health-supportive choices. Episode Timelines: 00:00 — Introduction and fear-based clickbait headlines 03:10 — Why media alarmism accelerates aging 05:38 — What materials science covers 10:52 — Why the Plastics Research Council was founded 15:47 — Materials life-cycle analysis and plastic bag myths 20:44 — Microplastics, exposure, and toxicity data explained 27:58 — Debunking floating plastic island and other myths 38:04 — Key takeaways for consumer rational decision-making Connect with Chris DeArmitt Website: https://plasticsresearchcouncil.org Call to Action: Download your Guide to Nature's Colourful Antioxidants Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community Contact Dr. Gillian Lockitch at askdrgill@gmail.com to explore your personal roadmap to longer healthspan and living younger longer. If you want information about how you can get your Prysm io, email me asap at askdrgill@gmail.com

Many people enter retirement feeling uncertain, disconnected, or afraid of becoming irrelevant. In this episode, author and conscious aging advocate Wayne Lehrer reframes later life as a powerful third act—one that can be consciously designed for purpose, vitality, and authentic happiness. You'll learn how mindset, meaning, and daily practices shape not just how long you live, but how well you age. Wayne Lehrer is an author, sculptor, meditation teacher, and conscious aging advocate. A former World's Fair and theme-park designer and IMAX filmmaker, he now leads international workshops on purpose, vitality, and later-life fulfillment. His work integrates psychology, spirituality, and practical wisdom for aging consciously. Wayne Lehrer brings a rare multidisciplinary perspective shaped by careers in design, filmmaking, yoga, meditation, and health advocacy. After confronting his own third-act identity crisis in his early 60s, he distilled decades of insight into a practical framework for conscious aging. Modern longevity has given us decades of life beyond traditional retirement, yet few people are prepared for the psychological and identity challenges that come with it. Many experience boredom, depression, loss of purpose, or fear as familiar roles fall away. Aging is not only biological—it is deeply shaped by belief systems, emotional patterns, and purpose. Chronic stress, rumination, and disengagement quietly accelerate biological aging, while meaning, connection, and intention support healthspan and resilience. Listeners will learn the difference between circumstantial and authentic happiness, why identity loss—not aging itself—drives late-life distress, and how simple daily practices can transform later life into a period of contribution, creativity, and joy. Episode Timeline: 00:00 — Introduction and reframing aging as a third act 03:50 — Wayne's early career and creative reinventions 10:20 — The turning point: identity loss in the early 60s 15:45 — Second-act vs third-act identities explained 20:55 — Why conscious aging is an art 28:30 — Circumstantial vs authentic happiness 34:30 — One behavior to stop immediately 37:45 — Final reflections on life purpose and retaining vitality Connect with Wayne: https://www.instagram.com/lehrerwayne https://www.facebook.com/waynerobertlehrer https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-robert-lehrer-3a06957/ Call to Action: Download your Guide to Nature's Colourful Antioxidants Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community Contact Dr. Gillian Lockitch at askdrgill@gmail.com to explore your personal roadmap to longer healthspan and living younger longer. Leave a review to help others discover the show and share the link inviting them to subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on their favorite podcast platform. If you are in Canada and want information about how you can get your Prysm io, email me asap.

Women entering perimenopause and menopause are often told to "do more cardio," "eat less," and "push harder" to stay fit. Yet for many, these strategies lead to exhaustion, stalled progress, injuries, and declining confidence rather than improved health. As estrogen declines, muscle loss accelerates, recovery slows, and stress hormones become more influential on weight, sleep, and inflammation. Following outdated fitness rules during this phase can quietly accelerate biological aging and undermine long-term healthspan. Today's guest, Alicia Jones, combines kinesiology, sports nutrition, and compassionate coaching to help women train with their changing physiology rather than against it. Her work focuses on strength, resilience, and sustainable movement at every age. Alicia Jones is a women's health and fitness specialist with over 15 years of experience helping women over 45 build strength, energy, and confidence. She holds a BA in Kinesiology and certifications in national coaching, advanced sports nutrition, and group fitness. Alicia is the creator of Over 50 Fit & Fabulous and a passionate advocate for joyful, sustainable movement. Episode Timeline: 00:00 — Introduction and the three myths women must unlearn 03:55 — Alicia's personal story and why healthy aging matters 09:00 — Myth #1: Doing more to weigh less 12:05 — Myth #2: Cardio over strength training 15:45 — Myth #3: Carbohydrates as the enemy 22:10 — Estrogen, muscle loss, and training differently in midlife 27:20 — Recovery, cardiac health, and training safely 31:15 — Red flags your fitness plan is harming you 32:50 — One simple action step to start today Action Steps: Be Proactive: Download Guide to Nature's Colorful Antioxidants Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and l eave a review to help others discover the show. Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at ASKDRGILL or askdrgill@gmail.com Contact Alicia Jones: Facebook: www.facebook.com/ aliciajoneshealthyliving.com YouTube: youtube.com/ aliciajoneshealthyliving Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ ajhealthy/ FREE masterclass: https://masterclass. aliciajoneshealthyliving.com/ masterclass

Canada's healthcare system is under unprecedented strain, with thousands of people experiencing serious harm—or death—while waiting for diagnostic procedures, specialist care, or life-saving treatments. Despite public trust in the system, delays have become a hidden personal risk that most Canadians fail to plan for. As we age, delays in diagnosis and treatment don't just affect outcomes—they accelerate physical decline, cognitive stress, emotional exhaustion, and financial vulnerability. Loss of access means loss of control, which directly undermines resilience, independence, and healthspan. Ingrid Gahsner approaches healthcare delays through the lens of risk management. Drawing on decades of client experience, she reframes access to care as a foundational planning issue—one that deserves the same attention as financial or retirement planning. You'll discover why healthcare delays must be treated as a real, quantifiable risk, what alternatives exist within Canada and internationally, and how healthcare access planning can reduce physical, emotional, and financial harm—without abandoning public healthcare values. Ingrid Gahsner is a licensed Canadian risk management consultant with over 30 years of experience in insurance, corporate benefits, and compliance. She is the founder of IMI Canada Group Benefits and the author of Off the Wait List, helping Canadians protect their health, time, and financial security through proactive healthcare access planning. Episode Timeline: 00:00 — Why healthcare wait lists threaten healthspan 05:30 — What inspired Off the Wait List 10:25 — Ethical and structural failures in Canadian healthcare 16:20 — "Waiting isn't a strategy" explained 18:45 — How delays accelerate aging physically and emotionally 25:40 — What healthcare access planning really means 28:20 — Private clinics, concierge care, and real options 33:50 — First steps Canadians can take today 38:30 — Final thoughts on personal responsibility and resilience Connect with Ingrid Gahsner: https://www.imicanada.co https://linkedin.com/in/ ingrid-gahsner-b08634262 IG - @imicanada_ Action Steps: Be Proactive.

Extreme diets dominate social media, but what actually happens inside your body when you follow them? In this episode, registered dietitian Andres Ayesta shares the results of a 60-day self-experiment comparing a carnivore diet with a whole-foods, minimally processed approach. Using lab testing, DEXA scans, and behavioral science, he reveals what truly changes—and what doesn't—when it comes to weight, body composition, energy, and long-term health as we age. Andres Ayesta is a registered dietitian, sports nutritionist, and founder of Planos Nutrition. With over 12 years of experience, he helps busy professionals over 30 lose fat, improve energy, and build sustainable habits using evidence-based nutrition and behavior change strategies. His work bridges clinical science with real-world practicality. Episode Timeline 00:00 — Introduction and why this experiment matters 03:10 — Carnivore vs whole foods: defining the diets 08:45 — Designing a real-world, controlled self-experiment 15:30 — Energy, hunger, and the keto adaptation phase 21:30 — Lab results: cholesterol, ApoB, and liver markers 27:45 — DEXA scan findings and body composition truth 33:30 — Sustainability, behavior, and why diets fail 38:30 — The Core Five habits for lasting lifestyle change 44:00 — One action step listeners can start this week Action Steps: Download Guide to Nature's Coloful Antioxidants Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and l eave a review to help others discover the show. Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at ASKDRGILL Connect with the Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ andresayesta YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ andresayesta TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ andresthedietitian LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ andresayesta Website: https://planosnutrition.com/

Chronic stress and burnout are often worn as a badge of honor, yet they can be powerful accelerators of biological aging. In this conversation, wellness entrepreneur and educator Erica Jones explains how persistent stress can disrupt sleep, increase inflammation, and influence mitochondrial function, hormones, and even gene expression through epigenetic pathways. Together, with the host, Dr. Gillian Lockitch, we focus on sustainable strategies that busy, high-capacity people can actually maintain - starting with the "unsexy basics" of hydration and sleep, plus boundaries that protect your nervous system. You'll also leave with one simple "try this today" reset to restore perspective when you feel overwhelmed. Erica Jones is a wellness entrepreneur and educator and the co-founder of Elevays, where she helps high performers build sustainable routines that support energy, focus, and longevity without burnout. With a background in biology and an early career in pharmaceutical sales, Erica transitioned into a root-cause approach to health through functional and holistic wellness. She has guided thousands of entrepreneurs, CEOs, and coaches toward greater clarity, balance, and resilience through practical, real-life strategies. Episode Timeline 00:00 – Opening teaser: stress and biological aging. Why burnout and chronic stress can quietly accelerate aging, and why small daily shifts can help reverse the trajectory. 00:30 – Dr. Gillian Lockitch introduces the episode focus: stress, mitochondria, telomeres, hormones, inflammation, sleep, and longevity. 03:48 – Meet Erica Jones. Erica shares her work helping high performers build sustainable routines that support energy, focus, and longevity. 04:11 – From pharma to holistic wellness. Erica describes her biology background, early pharmaceutical sales career, and the pivot into holistic, root-cause health. 08:39 – The problem with "overwhelming wellness routines" Why drastic overhauls and intense routines backfire for busy people, and how to simplify to what's doable. 09:55 – Non-negotiables: hydration and sleep. The "unsexy basics" that protect the cell: consistent hydration (often with electrolytes) and prioritizing sleep. 11:35 – Electrolytes: a practical tool. Erica recommends an electrolyte option (LMNT) and explains how it can support consistent hydration. 13:48 – Real-life challenges and cravings. Dr. Lockitch shares how health events and medication shifts can change appetite, cravings, and weight management. 16:10 – How stress ages us at the cellular level. Epigenetic alteration, chronic inflammation, and lifestyle patterns that can turn on disease expression over time. 25:05 – What to stop doing now. Protect sleep, reduce late-night screens and blue light, and create boundaries with devices and always-on digital life. 29:28 – A common myth: waiting for the perfect time. Why "I'll get healthy after this busy season" keeps people stuck, and how constraints and commitment create change. 31:16 – Balancing work, family, and self-care. Erica's approach to focus, guilt-free boundaries, and a nightly wind-down routine to prevent burnout. 33:53 – Try this today: step outside. Fresh air and nature as a fast nervous-system reset that restores perspective and supports momentum. 36:00 – Wrap-up and where to connect. How to find Erica's free gift and resources, plus Dr. Lockitch's invitation to schedule a roadmap call. Resources and Links Mentioned Erica Jones and Elevays: https://eleves.com Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ elevays/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ Elevays Erica's 5-Minute Daily Detox for Burned-Out Entrepreneurs (Free Download) → https://elevays.kit.com/ f0d54afca5 Call to Action Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform. Leave a review to help others discover the show and share the link Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community Contact Dr. Gillian Lockitch at askdrgill@gmail.com to explore your personal roadmap to longer healthspan and living younger longer.

Early life trauma can leave lasting imprints on the brain, body, and emotional health well into later life, but healing is possible at any age. In this episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with memoirist and wellness practitioner, Wendy Correa about adverse childhood experiences, intergenerational trauma, and the profound healing power of self-awareness and creative expression. Wendy shares how writing her memoir, My Pretty Baby, became both a personal reckoning and a path to liberation. This conversation explores how movement, mindfulness, storytelling, and truth-telling can rewire resilience, restore joy, and help us age with purpose rather than pain. Wendy Correa is a writer, yoga practitioner, hiker, and licensed massage therapist with a background spanning film, television, radio, and music production in Los Angeles and Aspen. She holds bachelor's degrees in psychology and theater arts and is now based in Denver, Colorado. Her debut memoir, My Pretty Baby: Seeking Truth and Finding Healing, chronicles her journey of healing from childhood trauma through embodiment, creativity, and mindfulness, demonstrating that it is never too late to reclaim vitality and joy. Episode Timeline 00:00 – Welcome and framing the conversation - Dr. Gillian Lockitch introduces the episode's focus on healing adverse childhood experiences and rewiring resilience later in life. 04:56 – The origin of the title My Pretty Baby - Wendy explains how a seemingly small childhood moment revealed a foundational family wound. 06:30 – Why publish a memoir at 69 - Choosing motherhood, life experience, and readiness over urgency and timing. 10:38 – Memory, trauma, and vivid recall - Why traumatic experiences are often remembered with intense clarity. 11:52 – Sense memory and embodied recall - How acting training and sensory awareness unlocked unprocessed grief and anger. 16:03 – Unacknowledged grief and lifelong impact - The consequences of losing a parent in childhood without emotional support. 19:17 – Emotional memory versus happy memory - Why fear-based experiences often imprint more deeply than joy. 21:37 – Understanding the ACE Study - An overview of adverse childhood experiences and their long-term health effects. 22:02 – Trauma, biology, and the nervous system How early stress reshapes the brain, immune system, and stress response. 24:45 – Healing modalities that restore resilience Yoga, meditation, sobriety, psychotherapy, creativity, and chosen community. 27:12 – Transformative encounters and human kindness Stories of meaningful interactions that reinforced worth and belonging. 30:18 – Finding a publisher and reclaiming voice How women-centered publishing empowered Wendy to share her truth. 34:45 – Becoming a cycle breaker Why healing personal trauma can ripple outward to families and society. Resources & Links Mentioned My Pretty Baby: Seeking Truth and Finding Healing is her debut book. For more information, visit www.wendybcorrea.com. Research on Adverse Childhood Experiences Call to Action Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and invite your friends to subscribe. Leave a review to help others discover the show. Explore your personal roadmap to healing, resilience, and longer healthspan by c onnecting with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at askdrgill@gmail.com Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community

Chronic stress and anxiety are not just emotional experiences; they can quietly accelerate biological aging and undermine brain health. In this episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with integrative mental health expert Dr. Nicole Cain about how anxiety, panic, trauma, and unresolved stress shape the nervous system across the lifespan. Dr. Cain explains the critical differences between fear, anxiety, and panic, and how symptoms often serve as meaningful signals rather than disorders to suppress. This rich conversation offers science-backed, compassionate strategies to restore calm, improve resilience, and support healthy aging from the inside out. Dr. Nicole Cain is a licensed naturopathic physician based in Arizona with a master's degree in clinical psychology. She is a pioneer in trauma-informed, integrative mental health care, blending medical science, psychotherapy, EMDR, nutrition, and nervous system regulation to address anxiety and mood disorders at their roots. Dr. Cain is the author of Panic Proof: How to Rewire Your Brain for Calm in a Chaotic World and host of the Holistic Inner Balance podcast. Episode Timeline 00:00 – Welcome and episode framing - Dr. Gillian Lockitch introduces the theme of retraining the brain for calm, focus, and joy as we age. 03:33 – Dr. Cain's personal journey into anxiety healing - A childhood shaped by hyper-attunement, family stress, and early medicalization of anxiety. 05:14 – Medication, burnout, and the limits of symptom suppression = How conventional approaches failed to resolve root causes and led to a pivotal turning point. 07:29 – Seasonal illness, stress, and nervous system patterns - Exploring how environment, family dynamics, and stress imprint the immune system. 08:27 – Anxiety versus panic - Clarifying distinctions between fear, anxiety, and panic through lived experience and physiology. 11:19 – Fear of change and uncertainty - How major life transitions can activate panic responses even in resilient individuals. 16:39 – Agency as the antidote to anxiety - Why reclaiming personal authority calms the nervous system more than explanations alone. 19:57 – Stress, inflammation, and accelerated aging - How chronic cortisol exposure affects the gut, brain, and immune system over time. 20:27 – The gut-brain axis and anxiety - A clinical example showing how gut inflammation drives cognitive and emotional decline. 24:53 – Trauma-informed care and adaptive events - Reframing trauma as adaptation and understanding when survival strategies become maladaptive. 28:52 – Personalized nutrition and body awareness - Why no single diet fits everyone and how curiosity leads to sustainable healing. 33:36 – Interoception and mindful self-observation - Learning to listen to the body without panic, avoidance, or over-fixing. 37:09 – Mindset, neuroplasticity, and imagination - How intention and mental rehearsal reshape brain wiring and biological outcomes. 40:43 – A simple breath practice for immediate calm - Using breath and vagal tone to restore balance and resilience. Resources & Links Mentioned Dr. Nicole Cain Panic Proof: How to Rewire Your Brain for Calm in a Chaotic World by Dr. Nicole Cain The Holistic Inner Balance Podcast https://www.DrNicoleCain.com/ https://www.PanicProof.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ drnicolecain/ https://www.facebook/ drnicolecain/ https://www. penguinrandomhouse.com/books/ 737883/panic-proof-by-dr- nicole-cain/ https://campsite.bio/ drnicolecain Call to Action Join the Growing OlderLiving Younger Community Invite Your Friends to Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on their favorite podcast platform. Leave a review to help others discover the Growing Older Living Younger show. Explore your personal roadmap to longer healthspan and emotional resilience by c onnecting with Dr.

What if the way you move could directly influence how well you age? In this episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch is joined by movement specialist and chiropractor Dr. Edythe Heus to explore how intentional, brain-engaged movement can become one of the most powerful tools for longevity. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Dr. Heus explains how subtle changes in movement reorganize fascia, enhance balance, sharpen cognition, and reduce fall risk. This conversation reframes exercise not as punishment, but as a playful, intelligent practice that supports vitality, resilience, and lifelong mobility. Dr. Edythe Heus is a chiropractor and movement innovator with more than 20 years of clinical experience specializing in applied kinesiology, functional neurology, and fascial health. She is the creator of REV6: A Revolution in Motion, a science-based brain-body training system designed to improve posture, balance, mobility, and cognitive engagement through sequenced, multidimensional movement. Her work bridges elite athletic performance, rehabilitation, and healthy aging, including seated and standing programs for older adults and assisted-living populations. Episode Timeline 00:00 – Welcome and introduction - Dr. Gillian Lockitch introduces the episode and reframes movement as a longevity practice rather than a fitness goal. 03:12 – From chiropractic care to redefining movement Dr. Heus shares her professional journey and explains how clinical kinesiology revealed gaps in traditional exercise approaches. 09:04 – Movement, neurology, and epigenetic potential - The conversation explores how complex movement patterns influence neural pathways, efficiency, and long-term vitality. 10:53 – Fascia as a whole-body communication network - Dr. Gillian Lockitch at askdrgill@gmail.com to design a personalized plan for aging vibrantly and living younger longer.