Chronic stress is deeply related to chronic pain and other physical health issues. Joining host Sarah Stancombe in this episode is David Hanscom, MD, who himself struggled with a myriad of physical health issues before combatting his chronic stress in order to live a pain-free life. David Hanscom, MD practiced complex orthopedic spine surgery for 32 years. He quit his practice in Seattle to present his insights into solving chronic mental and physical pain, discovering that mental pain and anxiety was the biggest issue. He is an active speaker, author, and consultant. His book, Back in Control: A Surgeon’s Roadmap Out of Chronic Pain, systematically presents well-documented treatments for chronic pain. He launched a movement called “Dynamic Healing,” which recognizes the interactions between stress and one’s coping capacity, causing sustained threat physiology. Dealing with stress more effectively, and increasing the resiliency of the nervous system, allows healing. Furthermore, he is working on a new book addressing RUTs (repetitive unpleasant thoughts) In this episode, David Hanscom, MD reveals lesser-known facts about physiology vs psychology, and how states such as anxiety, depression and stress are physiological states that we should teach our bodies to be less reactive to. If there is one thing to take away from this episode with David, it is awareness. Together, Sarah and David Hanscom, MD explore how longevity might be negatively impacted, as a body that is always on alert for danger can have a reduced lifespan of around seven years. The pair also discuss how despite all the advice in the world, it is up to the individual to know what tools and exercises work best for them.

Fasting might be an intimidating word you’ve heard in the context of religion, high performance athletes, or weight loss. But in this episode we explore the overall health benefits of intermittent fasting and how it could give you more energy and focus throughout the day. Laurie Lewis is a certified coach who has changed the lives of thousands through her coaching of Intermittent Fasting. She shows how it’s possible for us to take exceptional care of ourselves while dealing with life's complicated and fast-paced circumstances. With Intermittent Fasting as the foundation, Laurie Lewis offers the chance to break free from the punishment paradigm of diet mindset and diet culture. Laurie Lewis guides clients to tune into the body’s inner compass and experience improvements in every aspect of our lives. In this episode, Laurie Lewis shares her personal story of how she began her journey with intermittent fasting and moving forward to teach others. She stresses the importance of being gentle with yourself, choosing an eating window that works for you, clean fasting, and eating good food (though your body should naturally guide this process). Together, Sarah and Laurie Lewis discuss the importance of feeling well, and how other food management options such as dieting does not always prioritize this. Furthermore, they discuss the many benefits of intermittent fasting that many people would not even think of - everything from curing joint pain to managing diabetes and lifting brain fog. This episode sparks a fascinating discussion of how just one change in your life could affect many different aspects of your mind and body for the better.

As we age, maintaining muscle health is crucial for mobility, strength, and overall longevity. Sarcopenia—the age-related loss of muscle mass and function—can significantly impact quality of life, but emerging research is offering new hope. This week on Aging Less: The Longevity Science Insights Podcast, host Sabrina Oktavelia is joined by Dr. Michael Ryan Hicks, Assistant Professor of Physiology and Biophysics at the University of California Irvine, to discuss muscle health, aging, and cutting-edge strategies for preventing sarcopenia. Michael Ryan Hicks, Ph.D. is the Associate Director of the UCI Muscle Biology and Disease Research Center and a member of the Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center. With nearly two decades of experience in muscle research, he has published extensively and received prestigious fellowships, including from the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the National Institute of Aging. His groundbreaking work focuses on muscle regeneration, stem cell therapies, and potential treatments for muscle-wasting diseases. In this episode, Michael Ryan Hicks, Ph.D. unpacks the science behind sarcopenia—what it is, why it happens, and how it affects aging bodies. He also shares insights from his latest research on muscle regeneration and explores promising future therapies, including potential drugs that could slow sarcopenia. Together, Sabrina and Michael Ryan Hicks, Ph.D. break down the role of exercise, nutrition, and medical advancements in maintaining muscle health as we age. Whether you're looking to preserve strength, stay active, or understand the future of muscle regeneration, this episode is packed with valuable knowledge. Tune in this week to discover how science is shaping the future of muscle health and what you can do today to stay strong for years to come!