Dr. Peter Attia

Okay. I think it'll be helpful to start talking about the actual word longevity because it can mean different things to different people. When you talk about longevity, are you talking about living forever or how are you defining it?

Okay. I think it'll be helpful to start talking about the actual word longevity because it can mean different things to different people. When you talk about longevity, are you talking about living forever or how are you defining it?

Definitely not living forever. Although understandably, that's probably what some people think of when they think of longevity. I'm talking about it in terms of two things. One of them is called lifespan and the other is called healthspan. And lifespan is the part that I think most people think of. It's the how long you live part. But then there's healthspan, which is the how well you live part.

Definitely not living forever. Although understandably, that's probably what some people think of when they think of longevity. I'm talking about it in terms of two things. One of them is called lifespan and the other is called healthspan. And lifespan is the part that I think most people think of. It's the how long you live part. But then there's healthspan, which is the how well you live part.

And both of these things are important. I would argue that they're of equal importance and an extreme of one without the other is not ideal. In other words, I don't think there's anybody sitting here who says, I'd love to live to 100, but I want to spend the last 20 of those years unable to move. I mean, that wouldn't be ideal.

And both of these things are important. I would argue that they're of equal importance and an extreme of one without the other is not ideal. In other words, I don't think there's anybody sitting here who says, I'd love to live to 100, but I want to spend the last 20 of those years unable to move. I mean, that wouldn't be ideal.

And similarly, I think the idea of living an amazing, healthy life, but that life being cut short prematurely at 50, nobody would think that that's ideal. So when I think of longevity, what I'm really thinking about is maximizing both the length of life and the quality of life. And again, quality could be further broken down into sort of a physical piece. So am I free of pain most of the time?

And similarly, I think the idea of living an amazing, healthy life, but that life being cut short prematurely at 50, nobody would think that that's ideal. So when I think of longevity, what I'm really thinking about is maximizing both the length of life and the quality of life. And again, quality could be further broken down into sort of a physical piece. So am I free of pain most of the time?

Am I able to physically do the things I enjoy doing? And that could range from just the activities of daily living and self-care to recreational activities. If you like to garden, how long do you want to be able to do that? If you play golf, if you like to go for walks and hikes or swim. And then there's a cognitive piece that

Am I able to physically do the things I enjoy doing? And that could range from just the activities of daily living and self-care to recreational activities. If you like to garden, how long do you want to be able to do that? If you play golf, if you like to go for walks and hikes or swim. And then there's a cognitive piece that

So I don't think anybody would fully expect, even at my age, that my brain is kind of as sharp as hers is, but I still want to believe that my mind is pretty sharp. And I think we all sort of want that for as long as possible. And then the final piece is an emotional piece that deals with happiness, sense of purpose, connection to others.

So I don't think anybody would fully expect, even at my age, that my brain is kind of as sharp as hers is, but I still want to believe that my mind is pretty sharp. And I think we all sort of want that for as long as possible. And then the final piece is an emotional piece that deals with happiness, sense of purpose, connection to others.

And again, you can imagine a scenario where somebody has perfect physical health span, meaning they can do anything they want to do physically. Their brain is sharp, but they have no friends and no relationships. And I think we would all agree that that's not really an ideal life. And I don't think anybody would aspire to that. So that's a lot there.

And again, you can imagine a scenario where somebody has perfect physical health span, meaning they can do anything they want to do physically. Their brain is sharp, but they have no friends and no relationships. And I think we would all agree that that's not really an ideal life. And I don't think anybody would aspire to that. So that's a lot there.

But when you put all those things together, to me, that's what longevity is.

But when you put all those things together, to me, that's what longevity is.

If some people here are wondering, is it too late to start caring about longevity and living longer, what would you say to them?

If some people here are wondering, is it too late to start caring about longevity and living longer, what would you say to them?

I would say that that's not the case. I would say that on the one hand, sure, the earlier a person begins to take steps to increase their longevity, the more opportunity they have. It's sort of like investing. When is the best time to start saving for retirement? Probably the minute you start earning your first paycheck in your teens or 20s.

I would say that that's not the case. I would say that on the one hand, sure, the earlier a person begins to take steps to increase their longevity, the more opportunity they have. It's sort of like investing. When is the best time to start saving for retirement? Probably the minute you start earning your first paycheck in your teens or 20s.