100 Not Out

Community. It’s a word used all too often without the real power of what it represents. 91 year old Vasso shares with us just some of what she’s learnt living 91 years upon this year. One of 10 children, Vasso shares her insights on coastal living, gardening, her daily rituals, reading, nature, community, friends and family. If you have loved our chat with Vasso and would like to spend time with us in Ikaria and/or Sardinia in 2024, all the details of our 2024 Longevity Experiences are at www.100notout.com

National Geographic’s Blue Zones research may have brought just over a dozen of small villages some level of fame; however the entire island of Sardinia is not a Blue Zone. To really uncover what makes Sardinia so special from a longevity perspective, you really do have to go off the beaten track. And that’s just what we’ve been doing with Dr Ivo Pirisi for the last few days. Ivo, who grew up in Sardinia and lives and breathes the lifestyle that has brought the island to longevity fame, is beyond passionate about what it takes to live a 100 Not Out Lifestyle. On this episode you’ll gather a local’s view on longevity and what makes Sardinia so special. SARDINIA 2024 Longevity Experience is ON! That’s right, from September 1 to 10 in 2024 (not August 30 to Sept 8 as mentioned in the episode) we will be on this incredible Italian island exploring all the magic that makes Sardinia a longevity hotspot. With Ivo by our side, we’re in for one incredible trip. To find out more and to express your interest in joining

Suli is a local fisherman who loves to dance. He catches up with his friends every day. He loves to fish, although he doesn’t do it as much as he used to. He has no plans to retire. He loves where he lives. He lives alone but he doesn’t feel lonely. He has lived a great life and is happy to share his life experiences with us in the small fishing village of Kakkinagri. Suli shares with us his daily rhythms, beliefs around getting older, work, family, friends and much more. If you enjoy this impromptu conversation with Suli and would love to join us in Ikaria in 2024, we’re going back in August! All the details at www.100notout.com You can also see our Instagram reels of our time in Ikaria, and time with Suli by clicking here.

The vegan diet continues to rise in popularity, and so it becomes a topic of conversation here in Ikaria with Thea Parikos. What does she think about an exclusive plant-based diet? How do residents on the Blue Zone of Ikaria approach animal protein? What role does home grown, organic, seasonal and local have on the locals food choices? We discuss the practice of raising animals, the animal protein debate, and the price of food. And we also ask Thea about the carnivore diet. Her response is fascinating! As always with Thea, we cover a lot of topics in a short period of time! If you’d like to join us in Ikaria in 2024 (August 22-31), go to www.100notout.com and fill out the expression of interest form.

We are in Ikaria for our 2023 Longevity Experience, where welcome back the Queen of Ikaria, Thea Parikos! Thea helped National Geographic with all its research in discovering the Blue Zone of Ikaria and is our local host whilst we stay on the island. This is our fourth time to Ikaria and our first since 2019. So what's changed since we were last here? Some big conversations are afoot! Whilst Ikaria can often beautifully feel like you are back 50 years in time, it’s quite progressive on elements like equal respect for men and women. Not only do we discuss women in Ikaria, we chat about community, the post COVID way of life on Ikaria, and climate change. IKARIA 2024 is ON! We’re thrilled to announce that we are returning to Ikaria in 2024 from August 22-31. For all the details and to express your interest in joining us, please go to www.100notout.com

Marcus here :) I believe Damo is the number one gut health expert on the planet! Why? Because if I had a gut health problem, Damo would be the first person I'd go to and trust :) Simple as that! Damo says this episode is basic and low brow - I believe it's right up there as one of the most informative and potentially enlightening episodes on gut health that you may hear. Beyond Damo's modesty is a golden wisdom that is traced throughout this conversation. Apply yourself to this chat and make it relevant for you and your loved ones, and share it with anyone who needs this right now. Topics and factoids discussed include - 90% of absorption happens in middle gut ... The main function of the body is to absorb water ... Upper Gut symptoms include burping, indigestion, heartburn, reflex, indigestion, pain, burning, sore throat. Chewing promotes digestion of carbs and protein. We mention FODMAPS, Parasites ... Worms ... Malabsorption ... Constipation ... Flatulence ... Polyps ... and more We also discuss diets and

Could it be that the way we sit at our desk can deprive us of oxygen and nutrients? You bet! On this episode we go hard on our sitting posture, especially as it relates to computers and phone use. Some key points we discuss - In poor posture at the desk or when seated, your eyes fatigue faster ... your chin is down and you’re breathing poorly. When your chin is up  you breathe better. People snack at the computer because their brain needs fuel. Improve your posture instead of eating! When your neck is forward ... the accessory muscles of inspiration don't get to function optimally.  Start with your seat ... you want knees to be at right angles ...  Your head weighs somewhere between 6 and 8 kg. Your cervical spine should stack up so that the discs provide some kind of cushioning and the joint at the back of the bone picks up the bulk of the load. The load should go through the spine and the facet joint. This would allow a curve in the neck (desireable). That curve allows the spinal cord to run freely and free

We may as well just call it as we see it. We are NOT fans of the plant-based protein fake meat movement. Sorry not sorry. Happy for anyone to be vegan or vegetarian. Yet for us, there's a line between choosing those diets and lifestyles versus creating alternate meat alternatives in a laboratory and again adding to the "science controlling nature" approach. This conversation is on the back of Damian listening to the podcast 100 Climate Conversations. You can check it out here. And for the record, we have no problem with the podcast itself. We are in favour of it sharing a balanced view with a variety of guests. What our beef is ... what really gets our goat ... what we have a plant-based bee in our bonnet about ... is the conversation that fake meat and plant-based protein will save the planet and is better for the environment than protein the way nature made it. Photo by LikeMeat on Unsplash

The Blue Zones, created and identified by National Geographic in 2004, have long been a conversation on 100 Not Out that we are embarrassed to say, we have never really explained in an episode! So, some 531 episodes in to 100 Not Out, here we are to share our insights on the Blue Zones. The Greek island of Ikaria, the Italian island of Sardinia, the Japanese island of Okinawa, Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica and the American community of Loma Linda are the 5 Blue Zones. What do they have in common? How were they identified? And the question we get asked the most - what do they eat? All that and more is discussed on this episode. If you haven't read the book, we highly recommend you do! And if you would like to join us in the Blue Zones for our Longevity Experiences, click here or go to 100notout.com to find out more info.

How did the world get so crazy busy again? Were the hidden benefits of lockdowns lost on us? The slower lifestyle, the time to self and the ease of spending time with others in the household (forced upon us mind you) ... are all seemingly distant memories. Yes it was THE BEST to have our freedoms restored ... but many of us (hosts included) have found it bizarre how busy has gone into overdrive ... and it's no longer easy to socialise, relax and have some down time.

Sarah Douglass-Norris is a former professional golfer who has refused to let life stop her from living her dreams. Told by her employer she'd never make it as a pro golfer, she made it, travelling the world on the European tour and spending 7 years on the Austalian LPGA tour. After having kids, Douglass-Norris continued doing what she loves - playing golf, and helping other people play golf. As a coach, Douglass-Norris has students from 4 years of age to 88 years of age! And as an ambassador for the upcoming Australian Masters Games in October, she is a great example of not letting life - or others - stop you from doing what you love! For more details go to https://australianmastersgames.com/ Photo by Randy Tarampi on Unsplash

An article in Wired recently had the title "The Quest For Longevity is Already Over". We're not so sure, for a number of reasons. Jean-Marie Robine is a proclaimed longevity researcher, responsible for validating Jeanne Calment's extraordinary 122 years and 164 days. On episode 304 we discussed the reasons why we don't think Jeanne Calment actually lived that long. And on this occasion, we also don't agree with Robine's methods in focusing purely on super centenarians as a data point for assessing any "upper limits" in human lifespan.   Photo by Anthony Choren on Unsplash

Many people say "I'm not a runner". Even Damo has said it before! Today we dig into this statement.  A few episodes ago - on Ep 518 we spoke to Jane Woodlands-Thompson, General Manager of the Australian Masters Games which takes place in Adelaide and the wider region this year in October ... We’re going to be chatting with participants and leaders of this event over the coming months, and one of them is an inspiring woman by the name of Anna Liptak.  Anna is an fitness coach, award-winning documentary creator (with I'm Not A Runner) and has spent more than 20+ years in the fitness game, helping people achieve remarkable health and fitness.  Anna herself has run over 30 full marathons and more than 100 half marathons ... unbelievable! She also trains everyday weekend warriors to run marathons all over the world, and she’ll be participating in this year’s Australian Masters Games.  Find out more about Anna at https://annaliptak.com/

On this episode we discuss our experiences reading Atomic Habits by James Clear.    Not only is it the best-selling book of 2022 (10 million copies to date), it prompts us to talk about the different ways we go about creating our habits.    Damo discusses the importance of healthy habits; Marcus loves the idea of 2-minute habits ... and together we discuss how we both go about creating Atomic Habits in our daily lives.    This book is taking the world by storm, and it's a great conversation to have in the context of creating a great, long life. 

Marcus is a little obsessed with 7 year cycles and as Damo goes from 49 to 50 and Marcus approaches 42, the conversation turns to the changing nature of life views and behaviour as we get older.    Marcus loves this blog by Tom Monte which summarises the 7 year cycles, first created by Rudolf Steiner.   35 to 42 is characterised by Crisis and Questioning, whilst 42 to 49 is "soul searching and wonder". 49 to 56 is "an ever-growing vision and understanding of life."   Take a listen; this is a great framework by which to reflect on your life, and also one to look at the future with wonderment and enthusiasm as you continue to create your 100 Not Out lifestyle.    EVENTS Marcus is gearing up to host his 2-day signature event Create Your Exceptional Life in Byron Bay on July 22-23. All the details are here   VIDA LIFESTYLES If you live in Melbourne, do what Marcus would love to do and book in a time to see Damo or one of his incredible team at Vida Lifestyles.   

This is one of those conversations that we weren't planning for but turned into one of the more powerful chats we think we've ever had on 100 Not Out.    We are talking about belonging ... and how a lot of us don't feel like we belong.    There are so many ways that belonging feels stronger - being appreciated, being acknowledged (I see you), being spoken about positively, being included, and more.    From having your name remembered to having little details about your life known about, this is SUCH an important conversation about a topic that doesn't come up too much in conversation these days.    Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

"How long can humans live for?" says one editor. "120 is too young. Can we find some research for 140? What about 180?" ...   And yes, you'll find "research" talking up the future of our longevity,    But are we ready for it - and do we really want it?    Whilst most people aren't getting to 100, nor getting to 100 in good health, there is an untold story of social, emotional and mental challenge that a wildly increased longevity is yet to address.    Here's the most recent bit of clickbait from The Daily Mail. 

There's movement at the station in the alternative medical solutions to statins for high cholesterol (which more than 1.5 million Aussies are diagnosed with).    Hailed as a game-changer, we discuss whether such "medical breakthroughs" do anything to change our behaviour, or just give humanity another reason to believe in a "magic pill".    Do the true causes of high cholesterol ever get addressed, and how does the way we are "educated" by the media about such issues impact our behaviour?   We hope you enjoy this conversation on cholesterol, wonder drugs and media manipulation. 

It seems that we have done a full 180 degree turn since the rise of COVID.  Where it once felt that people who had COVID were the sickest of the sick, many businesses are now expecting their team to work from home whilst they have COVID.  Where has our empathy for illness gone? Has the word convalescence been removed from our dictionary and our behaviour? Damo has COVID for the third time - and even though he has had plenty of support - we discuss how society's behaviour has changed so much in a very short period of time.  Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Welcome to our 10th birthday episode of 100 Not Out! Whilst many of us would like to go back in time for a few moments, techpreneur Bryan Johnson wants his organs - all of them - to return to their 18yo selves. Click here to find out more.  Not only does he have a team of doctors to perform hundreds of procedures on him each year (some more invasive than others), he has an incredibly strict vegan diet (1977 calories to be exact) and a number of rituals to accompany his mission. It's not our cup of tea for how to make the rest of your life the best of your life, but that doesn't mean Bryan shouldn't be doing what he thinks is best for him. What do you think? And how does this shake your views on what it takes to age gracefully? You can email marcus@marcuspearce.com.au or damian@damiankristof.com with your response. Thanks for your support over these 10 years!