Explore every episode of the podcast Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,

What happens when a medical tradition thousands of years old meets 21st-century wearable technology?
In this solo episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch explores that question through her personal experience with the Watch2Care smartwatch, a wearable that tracks contemporary physiological data while presenting its findings through a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) framework. 
As a Western-trained physician and medical biochemist, Dr. Gillian was intrigued—but also skeptical—when her watch  displayed unfamiliar scores associated with the TCM concepts of heart, liver, spleen, lungs and kidneys. Studying her scores led to an important distinction: the watch is not directly measuring these organs or diagnosing organ function. It tracks 38 physiological metrics and uses an AI-based platform to transform those data into functional indicators interpreted through a TCM-derived framework. It looks at scores in 5 system concepts - heart, lung, liver, spleen and lung.These do not equate to anatomical organs but to TCM functional systems that add to an overall wellness score.
This episode explores the difference between what a wearable actually measures and what an algorithm subsequently infers, why trends may be more useful than isolated numbers, and how curiosity and critical thinking can help us use increasingly sophisticated health technology intelligently.
The central question: Can wearable technologies help us understand our bodies better without allowing algorithms, scores and increasingly abundant health data to confuse—or control—us?

Episode Timestamps

00:30 — When ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine meets modern wearable technology

06:05 — Understanding TCM functional systems and the five elements

08:00 — Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine: two different interpretive frameworks

10:00 — Tracking patterns rather than relying on a single measurement

11:56 — When more health data creates confusion rather than clarity

14:00 — Why wearable wellness scores should not be treated as medical diagnoses

17:01 — Your Ageless Action: choose one meaningful metric and follow the trend

20:00 — Curiosity, critical thinking and what is coming next for healthy aging.

Your Ageless Call to Action:
Choose one metric from a smartwatch, fitness tracker, sleep tracker, scale or other health-monitoring device and follow its trend to see what improves or makes things worse. It might be your resting heart rate, sleep duration, number of steps or another measurement meaningful to your  healthy aging.
 Then ask yourself -Is there one small behavior I could change?

Your Longer-Term Healthy Aging Objective: Over the coming months, learn to recognize patterns in your own health data and relate them to changes in sleep, activity, nutrition, stress, illness, travel and daily routines.
The objective isn't to achieve perfect numbers. It is to know yourself better and use information intelligently to support the larger goals of protecting your brain, body, resilience, independence and quality of life.

About Dr. Gillian Lockitch: Email her at askdrgill@gmail.com to schedule your personal conversation about aging youthfully.
Dr. Gillian Lockitch is a physician, medical biochemist, professor emerita, researcher, author, international speaker, entrepreneur and host of Growing Older Living Younger. She translates the science of healthy aging into practical strategies designed to help people protect their brain, body and independence as they grow older. She is the author of Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably and an independent Brand Affiliate with Nu Skin, a global integrated beauty and wellness company. Her entrepreneurship complements her longstanding interest in healthy aging, wellness, lifelong learning and helping people take an active role in how they age. 

All information provided in the Growing Older Living Younger podcast and project is for education and entertainment purposes only, and must not be construed as medical advice. Discuss any changes that you plan with your appropriate health care professional.

Welcome to Season 5 of Growing Older Living Younger, and a new way of exploring what it means to grow older while continuing to live younger. In this solo episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch introduces a new themed format designed to move beyond individual topics and create a clearer pathway from information to action. Season 5 will explore healthy aging through three interconnected themes: Ageless Brain, Ageless Body and Ageless Living. Each series will look more deeply at one major dimension of healthy aging, bringing together different experts, perspectives and areas of science while asking a practical question: The central question is how can we turn the rapidly expanding science of healthy aging into practical choices that help us remain healthy, capable, engaged and independent throughout our lives? 

The Three Season 5 Themes:
Ageless Brain
How can we give our brains the best possible environment in which to remain healthy, adaptable and engaged? The Ageless Brain series will explore memory and cognitive aging, dementia and potentially modifiable risk factors, cardiovascular and metabolic health, inflammation, nutrition and micronutrients, the gut-brain relationship, sleep, stress, social connection, hearing, vision, smell, exercise and neuroplasticity. It will also examine some of the rapidly expanding claims around supplements, biomarkers, brain-training programs, devices and longevity technologies—asking what is supported by meaningful evidence, what remains preliminary and what may simply be effective marketing. 

Ageless Body: An ageless body is not a body that looks 25 at 75, 85 or 95. The more important question is how well does your body allow you to live? This series will explore muscle and sarcopenia, resistance training, protein, bone health and osteoporosis, balance, falls, joints, mobility, cardiovascular fitness, metabolic health, body composition, nutrition, energy, mitochondrial function, inflammation, immunity, recovery, vision, hearing and skin. The emphasis will be on maintaining function, strength, mobility, energy, resilience and the physical independence that allows us to participate fully in our own lives. 

Ageless Living: Healthy aging is about more than preventing disease. It is about what we do with the life that our health makes possible. Ageless Living will explore purpose, relationships, friendship, family, community, resilience, retirement, lifelong learning, technology, independence, creativity, curiosity, play, travel, ambition and continuing to set meaningful goals. 

Each Ageless Series will begin with an introductory episode from Dr. Gillian explaining why the subject matters and providing a framework for the conversations that follow. Approximately six to eight guest conversations will then explore different perspectives and areas of expertise.  Each guest episode will end with the speaker suggesting two practical elements that you can consider:
One Immediate Action — something you could potentially begin today or this week.
One Longer-Term Healthy Aging Objective — the larger goal that repeated actions can help you work toward over months and years.
At the conclusion of each themed series, Dr. Gillian will return to connect the dots: Where did the experts agree? Where did they disagree? What surprised us? And, most importantly, what can we actually implement? The goal is not many new habits starting tomorrow morning. It may be two or three meaningful changes that you can make part of everyday life.

Episode Timeline:
00:30 Welcome to Season 5 and why the podcast is changing
03:00 Introducing Ageless Brain, Ageless Body and Ageless Living
06:12 Ageless Brain: cognition, cardiovascular health, sleep, senses and neuroplasticity
11:29 Ageless Body: muscle, mobility, bones, metabolism, nutrition and independence
17:04 Why ambition should not have an expiry date
22:36 Moving from information to transformation
27:57 What "ageless" really means
29:32 Closing and medical disclaimer

About your host:
Dr. Gillian Lockitch is a physician, medical biochemist, professor emerita, researcher, author, international speaker, entrepreneur and host of Growing Older Living Younger. She translates the science of healthy aging into practical strategies designed to help people protect their brain, body and independence as they grow older. She is the author of Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably and an independent Brand Affiliate with Nu Skin, a global integrated beauty and wellness company. Her work in entrepreneurship complements her longstanding interest in healthy aging, wellness, lifelong learning and helping people take an active role in how they age. 
Medical Disclaimer: Each episode is for education and entertainment only and does not offer medical advice. As a retired physician Dr. Lockitch does not diagnose, treat or prescribe for any medical conditions and suggests that you should consult your personal practitioner before making any therapeutic changes.

Connect with Your Host:
Website: https://www.askdrgill.com/

Email: askdrgill@gmail.com to schedule a conversation

oes an increase in forgetfulness or increasing "senior moments" imply developing dementia? One of the greatest fears associated with growing older is losing memory, cognitive ability and ultimately independence. But dementia is not a single disease, and not every change in memory or thinking represents irreversible neurodegeneration. 

In this episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch welcomes Dr. Brad Montagne, a functional medicine practitioner, educator, author and host of the podcast Your Health Reclaimed. 

Brad begins by describing a personal history of gastrointestinal illness, vertigo, food intolerances and other health problems beginning in childhood. He explains how his experiences led him toward functional medicine and an approach emphasizing extensive investigation of chronic health problems. 

They discuss hydration, nutrition, medications, sleep disorders, thyroid disease, depression, infection, nutritional deficiencies, gut health and metabolic factors. Dr. Montagne also presents his functional-medicine perspective on food intolerances, toxicity, Lyme disease and alternative testing methods. In this spirited conversation, Dr. Gillian questions several broad claims during the conversation and emphasizes the need to distinguish established evidence from emerging hypotheses and unproven approaches. They agree on the essential message: new cognitive symptoms deserve investigation—not the assumption that they are simply an inevitable part of getting older. 

Episode Timeline

00:30 — Is memory loss always irreversible dementia? 

03:36 — Brad Montagne's background and personal journey through chronic illness 

06:39 — Normal forgetfulness, mild cognitive impairment and dementia 

07:04 — Hydration and Brad's perspective on cognitive symptoms 

09:16 — Minerals, nutrition and dietary patterns 

11:14 — Dr. Gillian's approach to individualized nutrition 

13:10 — Food intolerance and Brad's approach to testing 

14:40 — Conventional laboratory testing, muscle testing and bioenergetics 

19:07 — Can dementia really be called "avoidable"? 

19:31 — Lyme disease, neurological disease and claims requiring careful evaluation 

24:40 — Reversible conditions that can mimic dementia 

25:30 — Brad's approach to extensive functional testing 

28:02 — Sudden versus gradual cognitive change 

30:37 — The 2024 Lancet Commission and modifiable dementia risk 

31:30 — How to evaluate expensive tests, programs and treatment claims 

31:56 — Three questions Brad recommends asking a practitioner 

32:54 — Why memory changes should not simply be dismissed as aging 

34:39 — Protecting brain health and independence 

Resources from Brad Montagne
https://healthfullyu.com/
https://healthfullyu.com/lyme-book/
https://www.instagram.com/healthfullyu/
https://www.facebook.com/healthfullyu/
https://diet.healthfullyu.com/

Your Host, Dr. Gillian Lockitch

website: askdrgill.com

schedule your consult 

The Growing Older Living Younger Community

Is it possible to eat nourishing whole foods without letting grocery costs overwhelm your budget? Grocery industry insider and author Carol Ann Kates joins Dr. Gillian Lockitch to share practical ways to plan meals, shop sales, select produce, understand labels, and store food so less goes to waste. Their conversation offers useful ideas for smaller households as well as families. Rising prices and confusing product claims can make a healthy grocery trip feel expensive and complicated. A thoughtful plan can help you bring home only food you will enjoy and use. For people who want to stay healthy and independent as they age, a sustainable eating routine has to work in everyday life. Carol Ann explains how planning around weekly specials, checking what is already in the pantry, and shopping with a list can protect both your food budget and your time. 
Raised in her family's corner market, Carol Ann later helped run its supermarkets and wrote recipes for store advertisements. She is the author of "Grocery Shopping Secrets" and the award-winning cookbook "Secret Recipes from the Corner Market". She shares what that experience taught her about fresh ingredients and the real cost of convenience.
Dr. Gillian and Carol Ann discuss frozen versus fresh vegetables, pre-cut produce, choosing avocados, prioritizing purchases when organic foods cost more, and interpreting food date labels. They also explore storage habits, batch cooking, and ways to make the same ingredients work across several meals. They recommend starting with one change before your next trip: plan the week's meals around what you already have in your kitchen and what you will actually eat.

Episode Timeline:
00:30 — Why healthy food and grocery costs belong in the same conversation
04:34 — Carol Ann's family markets and the path to her books
10:50 — Meal planning around store specials
11:48 — Lists, impulse buys, coupons, and loyalty offers
14:06 — Pantry organization, food waste, and date labels
18:47 — Shopping for whole foods, frozen produce, and convenience costs
22:12 — Organic produce and the Dirty Dozen/Clean Fifteen discussion
26:07 — Grass-fed and free-range labels; where Carol Ann prioritizes spending
28:44 — Selecting avocados
29:59 — Produce storage and reducing spoilage
32:51 — Shopping and cooking for one or two
34:24 — One practical change before your next grocery trip

Connect with Carol Ann Kates
https://www.facebook.com/p/Carol-Ann-Kates-Kitchen
https://www.carolannkates.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-ann-kates
https://www.instagram.com/carolannkates
https://www.pinterest.com/CarolAnnKates/Pinterest
https://x.com/CarolAnnKates

Connect with Your Host, Dr. Gillian Lockitch
Explore physician-led resources designed to help midlife and older women remain healthy, active, independent, and engaged in life. Website and podcast episodes: https://www.askdrgill.com

Download the Growing Older Living Younger app
For your personalized one-one-one lifestyle strategies conversation email me at askdrgill@gmail.com
Join the Growing Older Living Younger Facebook Community

What if ingredients that can enrich a healthy lifestyle are already growing in your garden, waiting at the farmers' market, or sitting in your spice cupboard? Too often, eating for longevity is framed as a list of restrictions, a mindset that can drain pleasure from food and make healthy choices feel difficult to sustain. or healthy longevity, nourishment must be practical enough for daily life and enjoyable enough to continue.  Fresh ingredients, seasonal variety, herbs, plants, and mindful attention to what works for your own body can help make the kitchen a place of creativity rather than deprivation. Growing even one herb can also reconnect us with the source of our food and turn nurturing a plant into a small, restorative ritual. 
In this episode, international culinary consultant, award-winning pastry chef, cookbook author, and former professional ballerina, Natasha MacAller joins Dr. Gillian to discuss her new book, The Apothecary Chef: Recipes with Beneficial Herbs & Plants for a Long and Healthy Life. She shows how everyday herbs, edible plants, fresh seasonal ingredients, and sensory pleasure can support a more nourishing approach to healthy longevity. She and Dr. Gillian Lockitch explore responsible food-based guidance, simple ways to begin—even from a condo windowsill—and the importance of curiosity, movement, resilience, and joy in aging youthfully. 
Natasha explains how the book grew from her New Zealand garden, how its food and health statements were researched and reviewed, and how celebrated chefs around the world created recipes around carefully chosen "hero" ingredients. 

You will learn how to begin with familiar alliums such as onions, garlic, shallots, and chives; how to use color, aroma, seasonality, and curiosity at the farmers' market; and why mistakes are part of becoming a confident cook. Natasha also recommends approachable recipes and combinations, including a sunshine citrus salad with lemon balm vinaigrette and simple avocado, tomato, pickled onion, and fresh-herb salads. 

This reunion podcast is especially meaningful for Dr. Gillian, who first interviewed Natasha when Vanilla Table was published for her lifestyle website reviewfromthehouse.com . Their shared stories of dance, spinal injury, reinvention, and recovery bring a deeply personal dimension to a conversation about resilience—and remind us that creativity, curiosity, nourishing food, and joyful movement can continue to grow throughout life. 

Episode Timeline:

00:00 — Welcome and the promise of beneficial plants, flavor, and healthy aging 

06:12 — From Vanilla Table to The Apothecary Chef: Natasha's garden-inspired journey 

14:18 — Responsible food-based guidance, research, and culinary medicine review 

19:12 — Gut health, calm, immunity, longevity, resilience, and the book's chapter themes 

21:03 — Where beginners can start: alliums, windowsill herbs, and familiar ingredients 

23:52 — Why healthy longevity does not have to mean a restrictive diet 

26:18 — Movement, spinal recovery, resilience, and finding physical joy 

34:44 — One simple action to take today and easy recipes to try 

39:24 — Final reflections: nourishment, creativity, curiosity, and lifelong resilience 

Connect with Natasha MacAller

The Apothecary Chef: https://www.dancingchef.net/cookbooks 

https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk/titles/natasha-macaller/the-apothecary-chef/9781804192818/ 

Natasha's cookbooks: https://www.dancingchef.net/cookbooks 

Vanilla Table, Spice Health Heroes, The Apothecary Chef: Recipes with Beneficial Herbs & Plants for a Long and Healthy Life 

PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ 

Disclosure: No affiliate relationship with Natasha MacAller or the book publisher is indicated. As always, this episode is educational and does not provide medical or nutritional treatment advice. 

Connect with Your Host Dr. Gillian Lockitch 

Explore physician-led resources designed to help midlife and older women remain healthy, active, independent, and engaged in life. 

Website and podcast episodes: https://www.askdrgill.com

For your personalized one-one-one lifestyle strategies conversation email me at askdrgill@gmail.com

Call to Action 

Download your Quick Guide to Medicinal and Culinary Mushrooms

Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger and leave a review to help more people discover practical, joyful ways to age youthfully—and share this episode with someone who would love to bring more flavor, color, and beneficial plants into their kitchen. 

Could difficulty hearing conversations today affect your brain health, independence and quality of life in the years ahead? Hearing loss is often treated as a minor inconvenience of growing older, yet it can affect communication, relationships, social connection, confidence and independence. In this episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with hearing-health advocate and author Robert "Bob" Keefer, MD, about the association between hearing loss and cognitive decline, why so many people delay seeking help for hearing deficits and what questions to ask before choosing a hearing-care provider. Listeners will learn how hearing is assessed, why the fitting of a hearing aid matters, and how proactive hearing care may support brain health and healthy longevity. Dr. Gillian also shares her own experience of unequal hearing following a minor head injury, feeling she had no time to follow up, and her decision to arrange a new audiology assessment after this podcast.

Bob Keefer,is a physician, hearing-health and Alzheimer's-prevention advocate, author and former founder of an audiology clinic. After discovering that many hearing-care professionals were not consistently using their profession's recommended fitting practices, he created a clinic centred on evidence-informed care. His books, Hear Better, Live Longer and The Alzheimer's Hearing Aid Paradox, explore the relationship between hearing, cognition and quality of life, as well as the importance of properly assessed and fitted hearing aids. 

Episode Timeline:

00:11 — Welcome to Growing Older Living Younger 

00:30 — Why hearing health matters for brain health and independence 

04:31 — Bob Keefer's path from medical-product consulting to hearing-health advocacy 

07:59 — Why millions of people delay hearing tests and hearing aids 

11:19 — Dr. Gillian's personal experience with unequal hearing after a head injury 

13:56 — When family members notice hearing loss first—and how to start the conversation 

16:23 — Hearing loss, cognitive decline and dementia: what the research can and cannot show 

24:02 — How better hearing may improve connection, confidence and quality of life 

26:03 — Choosing a hearing-care provider and asking about real-ear measurement 

27:50 — What to expect during hearing testing and hearing-aid fitting 

30:54 — One practical action to take for hearing and brain health 

32:22 — Closing thoughts and invitation to create your healthy-aging roadmap 

Contact Robert C Keefer MD

Website: https://www.hearbetterlivelonger.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobertkeefer
Book information: https://www.hearbetterlivelonger.com/ 

Books: Hear Better, Live Longer by Dr. Robert Keefer 
The Alzheimer's Hearing Aid Paradox by Dr. Robert Keefer 

Contact Your Host: Dr. Gillian Lockitch

Explore the Growing Older Living Younger approach to extending healthspan, protecting independence and aging youthfully. 
Website: https://www.askdrgill.com/
Podcast page: https://www.askdrgill.com/podcast 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillianlockitch/  Subscribe to the Growing Older Living Younger Newsletter
Message  Dr. Lockitch to schedule a one on one conversation about healthy longevity

Health care professionals emphasize optimizing cholesterol, blood sugar and hormone levels and from that assessing biological age. These measurements can provide useful information, but do they tell us whether the body is still resilient, adaptable and capable of recovering from illness, injury or stress? In this episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch and Dr. Sean Fletch explore the difference between moving a laboratory number into the desired range, and addressing the upstream conditions that caused it to change. 

Dr. Fletch reframes healthspan as more than the number of years lived without disease. It is the functional capacity to meet life's demands, recover from disruption and continue doing the things that matter to you. Measures such as grip strength, gait speed, balance, cardiovascular recovery and the ability to get down to and rise from the floor may reveal changes in resilience that conventional blood tests can miss. 

Drawing on more than 30 years of clinical, athletic-performance and rehabilitation experience, Dr. Fletch introduces his HealthSpan Framework. He describes the body as an orchestra rather than a machine: light, sleep, movement, nutrition, stress and recovery must work together, while circadian rhythm helps keep the entire system synchronized. 

The conversation also examines fasting insulin, insulin resistance and continuous glucose monitoring; the limits of chasing individual biomarkers; and the growing enthusiasm for GLP-1 medications and peptides. Dr. Fletch explains why an intervention should be evaluated not only by whether it changes a number or symptom, but by whether it restores underlying biological capacity. 

You will also hear how concussion rehabilitation has evolved, why appropriate graded rehabilitation matters, and how movement supplies essential sensory information to the brain. Dr. Fletch concludes with one deceptively simple practice: obtain outdoor light early in the day to help synchronize circadian biology and support the many systems involved in long-term health. 

Episode Timeline:

00:00 — Why reassuring biomarkers may not reveal declining resilience 

03:52 — How a college neck injury changed Dr. Fletch's career 

07:48 — Biological resilience, health literacy and upstream signals 

13:33 — Why biomarkers are a map—not the terrain 

20:13 — The HealthSpan Framework and functional self-assessment 

26:56 — Peptides, GLP-1 medications and the difference between regulation and resolution 

29:56 — Concussion recovery, brain metabolism and movement 

34:08 — The first practical step: reset your circadian clock with outdoor light 

38:39 — Closing reflections and key takeaways 

 Connect with Sean Fletch

• Website: DrSeanFletch.com 

• Practice: BeyondSports.ca 

• LinkedIn: Dr. Sean Fletch 

• Book: HealthSpan: Redefined—Biological Principles for the Long Game of Health 

• Newsletter: The Long Game 

Contact Your Host: Dr. Gillian Lockitch

Explore the Growing Older Living Younger approach to extending healthspan, protecting independence and aging youthfully. 
Website: https://www.askdrgill.com/
Podcast page: https://www.askdrgill.com/podcast 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillianlockitch/  Subscribe to the Growing Older Living Younger Newsletter
Message  Dr. Lockitch to schedule a one on one conversation about healthy longevity 

What does a physician-scientist actually do each day to support her own healthy aging? This is a question Dr. Gillian Lockitch hears often. Her answer is not a prescription, a shopping list or a collection of fashionable biohacks. Healthy longevity is personal: our genetics, health histories, medications, priorities and goals differ, so the most useful routine is one designed for the individual.
In this solo episode, Dr. Gillian organizes her approach around the seven pillars of healthy longevity described in her book, Growing Older, Living Younger. She explains how epigenetics offers a more hopeful way to think about aging, how food and movement send biological signals, why skin must be treated as an important organ, and how sleep, curiosity, purpose and relationships help protect health and independence. Dr. Gillian also shares her own daily routine—from nutrient-dense foods and time-restricted eating to walking, resistance and balance work, skincare practices and carefully selected supplements. She discusses mitochondrial support, CoQ10, collagen peptides, carotenoid antioxidants, nutrients for bone, joint and eye health, and support for autophagy. She emphasizes that supplements complement beneficial lifestyle habits such as healthy nutrition,  movement, sleep, stress management and where needed, medical care.
Her own post-retirement health challenges—including emergency spinal surgery, myopic macular degeneration, and atrial fibrillation have made prevention, resilience and measurement deeply personal concepts. Blood pressure, laboratory testing, bone density, fitness and carotenoid scanning can provide useful feedback, but no single measurement tells the whole story.
Her central thesis is simple: do not simply copy someone else's routine. Begin with the fundamentals of your lifestyle, work with healthcare professionals you trust, measure what matters, notice how your body responds, and remain willing to adapt as evidence and circumstances change. Noting that as a retired physician she does not treat or prescribe for medical diseases, she offers one on one conversations on constructing your own Roadmap for Growing Older Living Younger and extending healthspan not just lifespan. A plan for healthy longevity is not a fixed blueprint; it is a lifelong practice developed through curiosity, consistency and purposeful choice and she would love to work with you on your plan. 

Episode Timeline

00:11 — Introduction: why Dr. Gillian is sharing her routine—but not prescribing it 

03:10 — Pillar 1: Your genes are not your destiny and the promise of epigenetics 

06:14 — Pillars 2 and 3: Food is information and movement is medicine 

10:00 — Pillars 4 and 5: Caring for skin and nourishing the brain 

15:00 — Inside Dr. Gillian's daily healthspan, nutrition and supplement routine 

17:59 — Pillars 6 and 7: Lifelong learning, curiosity, connection and community 

21:30 — How health challenges reshaped her approach to prevention and resilience 

25:00 — Measure what matters: testing, carotenoid scanning and guiding principles 

28:40 — Closing invitation: create your own healthy-longevity roadmap with Dr. Lockitch

About Dr. Gillian Lockitch 

Dr. Gillian Lockitch is a physician, medical biochemist, professor emerita, researcher, international speaker, author and host of the Growing Older Living Younger podcast. After retiring from academic medicine, she began a new chapter in entrepreneurship and healthy-longevity education. Through her book, podcast and Growing Older Living Younger programs, she helps people understand how lifestyle, epigenetics, measurement and purposeful action can support vitality and independence across the lifespan.

Dr. Gillian Lockitch is an independent Nu Skin Brand Affiliate. You can join her team as an affiliate ( and build your own business), or a member to buy product or devices at member prices. She may earn a commission from qualifying product purchases. Products and devices mentioned in this podcast reflect her personal routine and are shared for educational purposes only. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease, and individual results may vary. She emphasizes  that supplements and skincare devices should complement—not replace appropriate nutrition, movement, sleep or healthcare professionals advice. 

Call to Action 

Your best healthy-longevity plan is the one designed with you for your lifestyle. Visit askdrgill.com or email askdrgill@gmail.com to begin a conversation about your personal Growing Older Living Younger Roadmap. Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode and the show link with someone ready to invest in extending their healthspan. 

Website: www.askdrgill.com 

Podcast: Growing Older Living Younger on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other platforms

Join the evolving Growing Older Living Younger Community

Could retirement actually become the beginning of your most meaningful work? In this personal solo episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch shares how spinal surgery, ballroom dancing, entrepreneurship and podcasting transformed her understanding of healthy longevity. You'll discover why curiosity, consistency and a renewed sense of purpose can help you remain mentally sharp, physically engaged and excited about the future at any age. 

For most of her professional life, Dr. Gillian Lockitch was a physician, medical biochemist, researcher, university professor and department head. She expected retirement to bring more travel, reading, dancing and time with her family—not a new career as an entrepreneur, author, podcast host and healthy longevity advocate. Her journey changed when severe spinal stenosis led to emergency surgery and a lengthy recovery. Faced with the challenge of regaining her strength, mobility and independence, Gillian began exploring healthy aging not simply as a scientist, but as someone personally determined to age differently. That shift in perspective became the foundation of Growing Older Living Younger. In this episode, Gillian describes how curiosity led her from exploring a Wellness Trade Show into entrepreneurship at 70. She explains how her scientific training shaped the way she evaluated wellness products and opportunities, why she remained committed to evidence, and how she discovered that people were looking for trusted guidance rather than another sales presentation. 
She also shares the lessons she learned from ballroom dancing, building a business, adapting during the COVID-19 pandemic, writing a book and launching a podcast on her 76th birthday. Each new undertaking required her to become a beginner again, develop unfamiliar skills and learn that consistency is more important than occasional intensity. 
Finally Gillian reflects on the setbacks and opportunities that have shaped her purpose. Her message is simple but powerful: your purpose has no expiry date, retirement does not have to mean withdrawal from action, and reinvention is possible for anyone who remains curious. Although we inherit our genetic blueprint, everyday lifestyle choices can affect how our genes are expressed—and ultimately  help us live gracefully as we grow older.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 — Introduction: How did a physician and scientist become an entrepreneur at 70? 

06:00 — Spinal stenosis, emergency surgery and the decision to reclaim an active life 

08:15 — A visit to the Vancouver Wellness Show changes the direction of retirement 

11:22 — Scientific skepticism, personal experimentation and the beginnings of entrepreneurship 

16:19 — Becoming a beginner again and the lessons learned from ballroom dancing 

19:05 — Adapting during COVID-19 and discovering the possibilities of podcasting 

21:52 — Launching Growing Older Living Younger and finding a new mission 

24:00 — Atrial fibrillation, patience and the lessons hidden within setbacks 

26:53 — Purpose, legacy and the promise of epigenetics 

30:15 — Why reinvention belongs to anyone who remains curious 

 Connect with Your Host: Dr. Gillian Lockitch

Dr. Gillian Lockitch is an independent Nu Skin Brand Affiliate. You can join her team as an affiliate (and build your own business), or as a member to buy products or devices at member prices. She may earn a commission from qualifying product purchases. Any products and devices mentioned in this podcast reflect her personal routine and are shared for educational purposes only. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease, and individual results may vary. Dr. Lockitch emphasizes that supplements and skincare devices should complement not replace appropriate lifestyle habits — nutrition, movement, sleep  and others, nor healthcare professionals advice. 

Call to Action 

Your best healthy-longevity plan is the one designed with you for your lifestyle. Visit askdrgill.com or email askdrgill@gmail.com to begin a conversation about your personal Growing Older Living Younger Roadmap. Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode and the show link with someone ready to invest in extending their healthspan. 

Website: www.askdrgill.com 

Podcast: Growing Older Living Younger on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other platforms

Join the evolving Growing Older Living Younger Community

Email: Askdrgill@gmail.com

website: https://askdrgill.com

To learn how to become an affiliate with the "World's Number 1 Home Beauty Device Brand" contact Dr. Lockitch at askdrgill@gmail.com or message her through The Growing Older Living Younger community.

What helps people stay active, strong, and independent as they age—luck, genetics, or habits built years earlier? In this episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with Carl Daikeler, co-founder and CEO of BODi, about why healthy longevity is rooted in consistency: regular movement, supportive nutrition, and the discipline to care for your body before a health crisis forces the issue. Carl shares his personal story of discovering a congenital heart block at age 59, receiving a pacemaker, and using that experience to deepen his commitment to healthspan optimization and aging youthfully. Listeners will come away with practical insight into how strength, cardiovascular fitness, and realistic daily routines can support metabolic health for longevity, preserve mobility, and help prevent age-related decline.
Carl Daikeler is the Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of BODi, formerly Beachbody, a company that has helped shape the home fitness and wellness industry for nearly three decades. He is an entrepreneur and fitness innovator best known for making structured exercise and nutrition support accessible to millions of people through at-home programs and digital wellness platforms. Before founding BODi in 1998, Carl co-founded Tell America Media, where he created the breakthrough fitness program 8 Minute Abs. He later led the development of BODi's expansion into nutrition and proactive wellness, including the creation of Shakeology and a broader focus on long-term health rather than short-term appearance goals. His current work emphasizes sustainable fitness, metabolic health, mobility, and daily practices that support healthy aging and lifelong vitality. Beyond the wellness world, Carl is also a three-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer. 

 Episode Timeline 

00:00 – Welcome and introduction 

02:03 – Why healthy aging begins long before old age: movement, consistency, and resilience 

05:46 – Carl's origin story: from personal frustration in his 20s to creating 8 Minute Abs 

07:06 – Building Beachbody/BODi: the Power 90 model and making home fitness practical 

10:56 – Broadway, purpose, and Carl's unexpected heart diagnosis 

12:04 – Discovering a congenital complete heart block and choosing a pacemaker 

14:27 – From vanity fitness to longevity thinking: why exercise helps prevent lifestyle disease 

15:32 – What Carl learned from watching aging and mobility loss in assisted living 

17:00 – Dr. Gillian shares her own recovery journey after atrial fibrillation and ablation 

18:34 – Medical vigilance, informed decision-making, and choosing high-quality care 

20:21 – The foundations of healthspan optimization: movement, nutrition, connection, and lifestyle 

21:35 – Whole food nutrition, supplementation, and why quality matters in wellness products 

26:05 – Carl on formulation integrity, ingredient quality, and why cheaper is not always better 

30:04 – Natural variability in whole-food products and what "nutrition insurance" means 

34:05 – Carl's message for people who did not stay active earlier in life: start now 

36:11 – The "comfort crisis," discipline, and how to protect mobility, strength, and independence 

36:49 – Final thoughts and key takeaways 

Connect with Carl Daikeler

BODi / Beachbody: 
Shakeology: 
https://www.instagram.com/carldaikeler/ 

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at https://www.askdrgill.com/ or email: askdrgill@gmail.com 

Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others discover the show.

Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community 

What if the path to healthy longevity lies not in choosing between ancient healing traditions and modern science, but in learning how to integrate both? In this episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with Dr. Mao Shing Ni—38th-generation doctor of Chinese medicine, co-founder of Tao of Wellness, and author of Secrets of Longevity—about how Traditional Chinese Medicine can complement modern approaches to healthspan optimization. Dr. Mao explains the foundational principles of Chinese medicine, including balance, the five elemental systems, and the links between organ function, emotional health, stress, and aging. This conversation also explores why daily habits, Tai Chi, Qigong, meditation, and purposeful movement remain some of the most powerful healthy aging strategies for preserving vitality, resilience, and independence over time. 

Dr. Mao Shing Ni is board certified in anti-aging medicine and trained in acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, Tai Chi, Qigong, and integrative East-West healing approaches. Dr. Mao is the author of more than 20 books, including Secrets of Longevity and Second Spring, and has spent decades translating traditional healing wisdom into practical modern health guidance. His work integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine with contemporary research in preventive health, resilience, and preventing age-related disease. A longtime advocate for aging youthfully, he focuses on helping people improve daily habits, restore balance, and build sustainable foundations for lifelong vitality. He is internationally recognized for bringing Taoist medicine, mind-body practice, and lifestyle medicine into the mainstream longevity conversation. 

Episode Timeline 

00:00 – Welcome, introduction, and why ancient wisdom still matters in modern longevity 

04:05 – Dr. Mao's personal healing story and the family lineage that shaped his life's work 

07:37 – The core principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine: yin and yang, balance, and the five elemental systems 

13:11 – How Chinese medicine views the liver, lungs, gut, kidneys, stress, and emotional regulation 

17:28 – Wearables, AI, and the intriguing intersection of modern health data with Chinese medicine principles 

21:36 – Why Secrets of Longevity focuses on practical, habit-based actions rather than theory alone 

24:08 – The fundamentals of longevity: sleep, movement, stress reduction, purpose, and healthy daily habits 

28:02 – Tai Chi and Qigong as powerful mind-body tools for cardiovascular health, balance, bone strength, and brain health 

30:21 – Ballroom dancing, movement diversity, coordination, and cognitive resilience 

32:00 – Where longevity science is headed: regeneration, organ support, prevention, and extending healthspan 

36:04 – Dr. Mao's final message: healthy longevity is built on habits, consistency, and personal responsibility 

Connect with Guest 

Tao of Wellness https://taoofwellness.com/ 

Yo San University https://yosan.edu/ 

Secrets of Longevity by Dr. Mao Shing Ni https://taoofwellness.com/product/secrets-of-longevity/ 

Second Spring by Dr. Mao Shing Ni https://taoofwellness.com/product/second-spring/ 

Connect with your host, Dr. Gillian Lockitch

Connect with your host, Dr, Gillian Lockitch

email: askdrgill@gmail.com  For a personalized one on one conversation about health aging strategies

Website: www.askdrgill.com

https://www.facebook.com/gillian.lockitch/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillianlockitch/

How does our immune system change as we age, and what role can vaccines play in supporting healthy longevity? In this informative episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch welcomes physician, healthcare executive, and medical writer Dr. Michael Myers for a thoughtful, evidence-based discussion about immunosenescence—the age-related decline of immune function—and its implications for healthy aging. Together they explore how vaccines work, why vaccine recommendations evolve throughout life, and the importance of understanding both the science and the uncertainties surrounding public health recommendations. Listeners will gain practical insights into immune health, healthspan optimization, brain health and aging, and informed healthcare decision-making.

Dr. Michael Myers is a physician, healthcare executive, medical writer, and educator with more than 35 years of experience in clinical medicine, healthcare leadership, and public health. He trained at Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Medical School before pursuing a career in primary care medicine and physician leadership.He most recently served as Chief of Primary Care and Chief of Pediatrics for one of New Jersey's largest medical group practices. His work focuses on preventive medicine, vaccine education, public health communication, and helping patients understand complex medical science. He is the author of The Vaccine Bible: A Comprehensive, Commonsense Guide to What Keeps Us Safe from the Flu, Hepatitis Measles and More. In the Guide he explains how vaccines are developed, how they work, their safety, effectiveness, and the diseases they help prevent.

Episode Timeline

00:00 – Welcome and why vaccines matter to healthy longevity

04:15 – Dr. Michael Myers' medical career and what inspired The Vaccine Bible

09:45 – Understanding the immune system: innate immunity, adaptive immunity, and immune memory

17:45 – Immunosenescence: how the immune system changes with age

23:30 – Individualizing vaccine recommendations throughout adulthood

30:25 – Vaccines most relevant for older adults, including influenza, pneumococcal disease, RSV, COVID-19, and shingles

32:30 – Emerging research linking shingles vaccination with reduced dementia risk

34:00 – COVID-19, children, public health messaging, and lessons learned from the pandemic

42:55 – Vaccine confidence, public trust, and addressing misinformation

52:20 – Autism research, vaccine myths, and current scientific understanding

55:35 – Dr. Myers' key message on vaccines, prevention, and healthy aging

Connect with Dr. Michael Myers

The Vaccine Bible—Amazon

The Vaccine Bible—Bookshop.org

The Vaccine Bible—Audiobook

Dr. Myers' Website

Connect with your host, Dr, Gillian Lockitch

email: askdrgill@gmail.com  For a personalized one on one conversation about health aging strategies

Website: www.askdrgill.com

https://www.facebook.com/gillian.lockitch/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillianlockitch/

What role does muscle strength play in healthy aging, longevity, and independence? In this episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with Jeanne Phares about why maintaining and building muscle becomes increasingly important for women during and after menopause. Drawing on her personal experience as a leukemia survivor and decades of strength training, Jeanne explains the connections between muscle mass, metabolism, bone health, resilience, and recovery. Listeners will learn practical strategies for strength training, nutrition, and lifestyle habits that support vitality and healthspan at every age.
Jeanne Phares is Founder of Sage Lifestyle Collective and creator of the Sage Strength Transformation Program. She is a Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Strength Trainer, and author specializing in women's health after 50. Prior to entering the health field, she enjoyed a successful career as a Certified Public Accountant and executive mentor. Her work focuses on strength training, nutrition, menopause education, and healthy aging for women. She helps women build muscle, improve metabolic health, and maintain independence throughout midlife and beyond. A leukemia survivor, she credits decades of strength training with helping her withstand intensive treatment and recovery. 

Episode Timeline 

00:00 – Welcome and introduction 

03:00 – Why muscle strength predicts healthy aging and longevity 

04:36 – Jeanne's journey from CPA to health and wellness coach 

05:30 – Leukemia diagnosis and the role of physical resilience in recovery 

09:30 – Stem cell transplant and rebuilding strength after illness 

13:15 – Turning health challenges into opportunities for growth 

15:46 – Common misconceptions about lifting weights after 50 

18:35 – Why walking and yoga alone may not be enough 

20:00 – Muscle health, bone strength, and menopause 

23:53 – Strength training as the foundation of healthy aging 

25:15 – Nutrition mistakes women commonly make after menopause 

28:49 – Hydration, electrolytes, and healthy aging 

30:23 – Whole foods nutrition and listening to your body 

34:44 – The one simple change that supports lifelong health 

36:23 – Final thoughts and key takeaways 

Connect with Jeanne Phares

Sage Lifestyle Collective  www.sagelifestylepress.com

Free Gifts for Listeners: Each guest will receive all three:
1. Free Chapter Download: "Your Body Changed the Rules. Here's the New Playbook" from Eat for Strength for Women Over 50
2.Free Starter Guide: The Sage Strength Starter Guide
3.Lottery Entry: A chance to win one of 10 discount codes for the 8-Week Sage Strength Transformation Program or one of 10 free audiobooks of Eat for Strength for Women Over 50

Books:
The Beginner's Guide to Strength Training for Women Over 50
Eat for Strength for Women Over 50 

Sage Strength Transformation Program : Free strength training and healthy aging resources 

Connect with Your Host: Dr. Gillian Lockitch

Email: Askdrgill@gmail.com

website: https://askdrgill.com

THIS FLASHBACK FRIDAY EPISODE OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER focuses on the impact of low carbohydrate and ketogenic nutrition on health and aging well. Today's Featured Expert is Anne Mullens, an award winning Canadian journalist and author specializing in Health and Science Writing,

At a time when the twin hazards of diabetes and obesity are so prevalent in our society that we say that there is a diabesity epidemic, we are bombarded with discordant messages about what, when, and how to eat, to stay healthy and age gracefully. A goal of this podcast is to cut through the noise and provide you with evidence-based insights, thought-provoking discussions, and practical tips to empower you to change your aging trajectory and stay active and vibrant. In this episode we dive deep into the ketogenic diet, and explore the science behind ketosis, its potential benefits for weight management, brain health, and overall longevity.  We'll also take a critical look at the narratives perpetuated by food corporations, examining their influence on our dietary choices and exploring how these messages shape our perceptions of what is really nourishing and beneficial for our bodies.

Episode Timeline
  0:11 Introduction to this episode
  4.21 How Anne began in health journalism.
  9:42    How low carb and keto helped her recover from pre diabetes.
15:09 The impact of the corporate media narratives on healthy aging.
22:21 Fasting and monitoring blood glucose
26:53 What we can learn from animal genetics
33:57 Nutrition is the foundation of our health
41:34 Sustainable change comes from small incremental habits.

Speaker Biography:
Anne Mullens has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Guelph, and a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Carleton University. As a medical reporter at the Vancouver Sun in the 1980s and early 1990s, she has written for numerous Canadian and international newspapers and magazines, and authored two critically acclaimed books, Missed Conceptions: Overcoming Infertility and Timely Death: Considering our Last Rights, which won her the Edna Stabler award for creative nonfiction. Anne has been a health communications consultant to a wide variety of clients, and won more than a dozen national awards for her book. After reversing her own pre-diabetes through therapeutic carbohydrate restriction, she has written extensively on the role of personalized therapeutic nutrition to address chronic conditions. She has received her professional certification in low carb nutrition. After several years with Diet Doctor, she now is Director of Communications for the Institute for Personalized Therapeutic Nutrition

To learn more about Anne Mullens' writing

www.annemullens.com

Twitter: @annemullens

 https://www.facebook.com/annemullensjournalist/

IPTN twitter: @IPTN_Canada

For more information on Growing Older Living Younger  Email  Dr. Gillian Lockitch at askdrgill@gmail.com

Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community and if you have not already done so, please follow,  rate and review the show.

Is chronic pain really an inevitable part of aging—or could it be a warning sign that deeper imbalances are affecting your healthspan, mobility, and quality of life? In this episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with physical therapist, registered nurse, educator, and functional wellness expert,Stacey Roberts, about the root causes of chronic pain and why conventional treatments often focus on symptom relief instead of true healing. Stacey explains how chronic inflammation, food sensitivities, hormone imbalance, gut health issues, biomechanics, and lifestyle factors can all contribute to persistent pain and reduced function. Listeners will learn how a personalized, root-cause approach may help reduce pain naturally, restore mobility, improve resilience, and support healthy aging and longevity.

Stacey Roberts is the Founder of New You Health and Wellness and creator of The Pain-Free Formula. She is a licensed Physical Therapist, Registered Nurse, educator, and functional wellness practitioner with more than 30 years of clinical experience. Her work spans orthopaedics, sports medicine, chronic pain, pelvic health, women's health, and functional wellness. Stacey specializes in uncovering the root causes of chronic pain through an integrative approach that includes biomechanics, nutrition, hormone balance, gut health, and lifestyle medicine. Her current mission is to help people reduce inflammation, improve mobility, and reclaim quality of life without relying solely on medications, injections, or surgery. She is also the host of The Pain-Free Formula Podcast and the author of multiple books on women's health and hormones.

Episode Timeline 

00:00 – Welcome and introduction 

03:54 – Stacey's journey from physical therapy to functional medicine 

05:00 – Discovering the connection between gluten sensitivity and chronic pain 

10:27 – Why pain is a protective signal rather than the enemy 

15:07 – Muscle cramps, nutrient deficiencies, hormones, and gut health 

17:52 – Optimizing versus personalizing nutrition for pain relief 

18:44 – Food sensitivity testing and unexpected inflammatory triggers 

23:03 – The story behind The Pain-Free Formula 

26:11 – Hidden risks of long-term NSAID and pain medication use 

27:10 – The gut-joint connection and holistic pain management 

30:46 – First steps for people who feel they have tried everything 

32:57 – Key takeaways for reclaiming health, mobility, and independence 

Connect with Stacey Roberts 

New You Health and Wellness :

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-roberts-pt-rn-mba-msn-6a26997 
 
https://www.youtube.com/@newyouhealthandwellness2178 

The Pain-Free Formula (Book) 

The Pain-Free Formula Podcast 

Connect with Your Host,  Dr. Gillian Lockitch

Email: Askdrgill@gmail.com

Email me for complimentary iintroduction to Growing Older Living Younger 

website: https://www.askdrgill.com/

'You live as long as you dance'( Rudolph Nureyev)

'You got to just move. It doesn't matter how efficient your movements are, what matters is that you are moving.' (Susan Bock Smith)

In this early Flashback Friday episode from Growing Older Living Younger 05, Susan Bock Smith and Judy Bjornson indicate that though balance, strength and flexibility may decline as we grow older, if you're willing to learn and adjust, you can protect your body from this risk of falling that increases with advancing age.  Adversities may limit our abilities but if we're willing to learn and adjust we can continue to do what we love. So they suggest you constantly challenge yourself, and never tell yourself that you're too old to do anything

Susan earned a Bachelor of Education with a Major in Physical Education from McGill University and taught Elementary Physical  Education prior to raising her family. She is FallProof certified (California State Fullerton)  as a Fall Prevention Balance & Mobility Specialist. Through Surefeet, founded to deliver Seniors' Balance & Mobility Training, she has instructed over 4300 Balance & Mobility classes to over 3900 registrants. She is a PWR!Moves (Parkinsons' Disease) Certified Instructor and a certified Urban Poling (Nordic Walking) Instructor. Susan combines cognitive activities with physical exercise as a staple of the Surefeet program. Her mission is to reduce the fall risk of Seniors and enhance well-being, quality of life and independent living ability 

Judy  received her FallProof Balance & Mobility Specialist certification from California State University in 2010 and has been a Surefeet co-owner, trainer and educator since, She is a Certified PWR!Moves Instructor and an Aquatic Rehabilitation Specialist. Judy is a Certified Master Trainer for WaterART Fitness International, teachesl aquatic certifications and one of two WaterART specialists in Central/Western Canada qualified to administer WaterART Certification examinations. Judy was selected as Program Coordinator to head the Brain Gain program of the Vancouver Brain Injury Association. Judy strives to positively affect the lives of all those she encounters.

Surefeet Website: http://www.surefeet.ca/  | https://www.facebook.com/pg/surefeet/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-bock-smith-51268737/ 

Reach out to Judy at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-bjornson-a877992a/ 

Contact  Dr. Gillian Lockitch to learn how you can decelerate your aging trajectory,  stay vibrant and vigorous, or start your own online business in wellness and anti-aging:

Email: askdrgill@gmail.com to schedule a complimentary Living Younger Call 

Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community

Grief is not a problem to be solved or something we simply "get over." In this profound conversation, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with philosopher and grief expert Thomas Attig about mourning as a lifelong process of relearning how to live in a world forever changed by loss. Drawing on decades of scholarship and personal insight, Thomas explains how grief can deepen our love, strengthen resilience, and help us find wisdom and meaning in life's most difficult transitions. This episode offers compassionate guidance for anyone grieving a loved one or supporting someone through loss.
Thomas Attig is an internationally recognized philosopher, educator, and authority on grief, death, and bereavement. He earned his BA and PhD in philosophy from Northwestern University and Washington University in St. Louis. During his career at Bowling Green State University, he helped establish the world's first PhD program in applied philosophy. He is a Fellow of the International Work Group on Death, Dying, and Bereavement. Dr. Attig is the author of several influential books, including How We Grieve and Seeking Wisdom in Death's Shadows.

Episode Timeline 

00:00 – Welcome and introduction 

00:30 – Why grief is central to healthy aging and emotional well-being 

04:06 – Tom Attig's early experiences with death and family loss 

08:45 – Teaching the first university course on death and dying 

11:30 – Grief as relearning how to live in the world 

13:11 – Dr. Gillian shares the loss of her husband 

15:44 – Grief reaction versus grief response 

18:00 – Learning to love in separation 

22:00 – Moving from sorrow to gratitude 

24:52 – The purpose and structure of Seeking Wisdom in Death's Shadows 

27:00 – Problems versus mysteries in life and grief 

31:42 – One essential truth for anyone who is grieving 

 Connect with Thomas Attig PhD

Book: Seeking Wisdom in Death's Shadows: Collected Writings on How We Grieve 

Publisher: Oxford University Press 

Website: Thomas Attig Author Page 

30% Discount Code: AUFLY30 

Dr. Lockitch Call to Action 

Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others discover the show.

Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community 

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at https://www.askdrgill.com/ or email: askdrgill@gmail.com 

Download Guide to Nature's Colorful Antioxidants 2026 

Albert Einstein wrote 'We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.' 

This Flashback Friday episode from Nov 2021 reminds us that too often we may listen but what do we actually hear?  The intent of the Growing Older Living Younger podcast is to introduce new ways of thinking about the problems of how we age, to help our listeners discover their personal roadmaps to aging well. As this episode kicked off Season 2, we reflect that we have listened to many experts, but what did we actually hear them say?

 I talk with Brian Morgan. President of Think Deeply, Write Clearly about bridging the many divides that are polarizing our society, by creative thinking and communication. We discuss the rampant proclamations of unsubstantiated information through myriad digital platform and social media, and the replacement of informed and constructive debate by 'cancel culture'. 

As communicators how can we best share valuable information or ideas, knowing that our listeners will interpret our words in the context of their unique lived experience?  As listeners how do we find the underlying context of the facts or opinions that are being put forward in discussion, to have a civilised discussion even though we may disagree? Listening to our expert guests, how can we best hear what they say, and put it into the context of our lifestyles to make  decisions that are appropriate for ourselves. 

The act of thinking deeply and creatively, being curious and laying down new neural pathways and connections, is one way to help our  minds stay active, and our brains age youthfully. 

To connect with Brian Morgan https://www.thinkdeeplywriteclearly.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmorganthinkdeeplywriteclearly 

To learn how you can decelerate your aging trajectory,  stay vibrant and vigorous, or become an entrepreneur in wellness and  healthy aging:
Contact  Dr. Gillian LockitchEmail: askdrgill@gmail.com to
Schedule a complimentary Living Younger Call

check out the GOLY website at https://www.askdrgill.com

What if fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and declining strength after 50 are not inevitable signs of aging, but signals of underlying metabolic dysfunction that can be corrected? In episode 275, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with metabolic restoration practitioner, Lori Balue, about how women can restore energy, reduce inflammation, preserve muscle, and regain metabolic resilience through personalized nutrition and functional testing. Lori shares her remarkable journey of losing 100 pounds, reversing prediabetes and chronic inflammation, and transforming her health in midlife. Listeners will learn how to identify hidden barriers to wellness and take practical steps toward aging with strength, confidence, and vitality. 
Lori Balue specializes in helping women over 50 overcome fatigue, weight gain, and metabolic dysfunction. She combines functional diagnostic testing with personalized nutrition, targeted supplementation, and lifestyle strategies. Her work focuses on  blood sugar regulation, inflammation, hormones, gut health, and mineral balance to help women rebuild resilience, restore metabolism, and age with strength and confidence. 

 Episode Timeline 

00:00 – Welcome and Introduction 

Dr. Gillian introduces Lori Balue and the concept of metabolic restoration for women over 50. 

05:07 – Lori's Personal Transformation Story 

Lori shares how years of obesity, asthma, depression, and prediabetes led her to discover low-carb nutrition and keto. 

12:10 – Why Women Feel Different After 50 

The role of declining estrogen, protein deficiency, adrenal stress, and mineral imbalances in metabolic dysfunction. 

15:58 – What Is Metabolic Restoration? 

Why Lori focuses on root causes rather than quick-fix weight loss. 

22:54 – Identifying Inflammatory Foods 

How wheat, dairy, and food sensitivities can contribute to chronic inflammation. 

28:22 – Functional Diagnostic Testing Explained 

The GI-MAP stool test, DUTCH hormone test, and MRT food sensitivity test. 

33:27 – The Most Important First Step 

Why increasing protein and improving protein digestion can be transformative. 

35:14 – Animal vs. Plant Protein 

Which protein sources are most bioavailable and effective for healthy aging. 

36:51 – Final Words of Encouragement 

Metabolic dysfunction is fixable, and lasting change is possible at any age. 

 Connect with Lori Balue 

Website: https://agingadventurously.com 

Free Recipes and Resources: Available on Lori's website https://contact.loribalue.com/recipebook 

Connect with your host, Dr. Gillian Lockitch

https://www.askdrgill.com/

email: askdrgill@gmail.com

Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community 

THIS FLASHBACK FRIDAY EPISODE OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER focuses on the effect of aging on  brain functions, affecting many attributes of cognition, like memory and processing speed; and on the importance of recognizing the early warning signs of dementia for early treatment. Today's guest is neuropsychiatrist and creator of the SAGE test,  Dr. Douglas Scharre.
Dr. Scharre  is board certified in neurology, behavioral neurology and neuropsychiatry with special interests in cognitive assessment, degenerative dementias and dementia-related behaviors. He joined The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center faculty in the Department of Neurology in 1993. Dr.  Scharre's publications cover a broad range within the area of cognitive neurology including dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia,  Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and much more.  His research also covers neuropsychiatric aspects of disease,  biomarkers,  functional neuro-imaging and treatment of behavioral disturbances in dementia.

Episode Timeline:

0:11 Intro to this episode

3:19 Aging and memory loss

6:33 Distinguishing between normal aging and dementia.

11:23 The SAGE Test (Self Administered Gerocognitive Examination) and its benefits

15:38 Why use the SAGE test? 

19:36  Differentiation of forms of dementia

24:38 Lifestyle changes for healthy mind and healthy body

27:42 New biomarkers for Alzheimer's

32:17 The genetics of Alzheimer's

37:56 Best ways to challenge your brain

Learn more about Dr. Scharre's work here:

https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/neurological-institute/researchers/douglas-scharre-md

Access the SAGE test to check yourself  at home: https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/brain-spine-neuro/memory-disorders/sage

Get to know Your Host: Dr. Gillian Lockitch

website: https://www.askdrgill.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gillian.lockitch/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillianlockitch/

X: https://twitter.com/GilliansReviews

To get your copy of Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and The Art of Retiring Comfortably click here 

And if you have not already done so, I would love you to follow, rate and review the show.

What if the future of aging is no longer defined simply by lifespan, but by how long we can remain mentally sharp, physically active, emotionally connected, and fully engaged with life? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with documentary filmmaker,  David Donnelly, director of the acclaimed documentary,  Forever Young, about the rapidly evolving science of longevity and the questions for humanity, emerging alongside the science. Together, they explore the difference between lifespan and healthspan, the growing role of biomarkers, wearables, epigenetics, and lifestyle medicine, and the ethical and emotional implications of extending human life. Listeners will gain insight into the science driving the longevity revolution while reflecting on what it truly means to age well in a technology-driven world.
David Donnelly is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and director. His work focuses on science, human performance, creativity, technology, and the evolving human experience. His first internationally distributed documentary, Maestro, explored musical mastery and Estonia's Singing Revolution through the life of conductor Paavo Järvi. He later directed documentaries including Nordic Pulse, Forte, and The Cost of Convenience, examining culture, technology, and human autonomy. In Forever Young, Donnelly spent three years documenting leading longevity scientists and exploring the biological, ethical, and philosophical dimensions of extending human healthspan and lifespan. His work bridges scientific complexity with accessible storytelling that invites audiences to reflect on the future of aging and humanity itself. 

 Episode Timeline 

00:00 – Welcome and introduction 

02:35 – The longevity revolution and redefining healthy aging 

03:58 – David Donnelly's journey from pre-med student to filmmaker 

05:30 – The documentary Maestro and Estonia's Singing Revolution 

08:37 – Why longevity science became the focus of Forever Young 

10:59 – Dr. Lockitch's personal journey into epigenetics and healthspan 

13:17 – Healthspan versus lifespan and the science-fiction future of aging 

15:06 – The "Death Doula" concept and the death-positive movement 

17:46 – Death meditation, grief, and facing mortality consciously 

19:43 – Longevity science, biomarkers, and rethinking how we spend our lives 

22:15 – Wearables, biological age testing, and tracking healthspan 

26:28 – Hallmarks of aging and emerging biomarkers of longevity 

29:01 – Ethical questions around lifespan extension and "escape velocity" 

31:13 – Human trials targeting aging itself and the future of longevity medicine 

33:27 – Epigenetics, lifestyle medicine, and personal responsibility for health 

35:47 – Environment, socioeconomic factors, and the cultural barriers to longevity 

37:00 – Digital dementia, screen addiction, and modern threats to brain health 

38:40 – The powerful message: Your genes are not your destiny 

41:12 – Where to watch Forever Young and connect with David Donnelly 

 Connect with the work of David Donnelly

Forever Young Film Official Website 

Forever Young Substack 

Watch the documentaries  Forever Young  and Maestro 

Call to Action 

Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others discover the show.

Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community at Growing Older Living Younger Community 

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at Ask Dr. Gill Official Website or email: askdrgill@gmail.com 

Download Guide to Nature's Colorful Antioxidants 2026: Nature's Colorful Antioxidants Guide 

FLASHBACK FRIDAY: A recurring theme in this podcast is the importance of mindset in supporting consistency, when making the small changes in lifestyle and habits that can have a big positive impact on your health and vitality as you age. Your beliefs shape how you think, feel and act. And if you are to overcome life's challenges when they strike, you have to believe in your ability to do so.
My guest today, Adena Sampson, is the founder of Outloud Productions & The Unbreakable Spirit movement,  a breakthrough coach, and best-selling author of the book. The Road Back to Me: 9 Principles for Navigating Life's Unexpected Twists and Turns.As an accomplished singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer, Adena has been emcee, narrator and presenter, for workshops and seminars, voiceovers and jingles, commercials and broadcasting. An entrepreneur at heart, Adena has an extensive background in event management, media, marketing and sales and has built and trained solid teams. In the network marketing industry, as a high-performance leader with an online technology company, ranking in the top 40 of 20,000, she was responsible for the growth and expansion of over 500 affiliates.
We talk about the compelling story that led her to become an inspiring coach, teaching  how to overcome challenges and turn them into victories. We discuss how getting Lyme disease, changed the direction of her life. Adena shares details the 3 top principles of the 9 she describes in her book.

To discover how to Reset Your Aging Blueprint and create your own roadmap to living younger as you grow older, schedule a free 0ne on 0ne Call with me. by emailing gillian@askdrgill.com

Learn more about Adena Sampson and the book: The Road Back to Me: 9 Principles for Navigating Life's Unexpected Twists and Turns.
info@adenasampson.com 
www.AdenaSampson.com

Are the so-called "heart-healthy" vegetable oils in your kitchen truly supporting your health—or could they be contributing to inflammation and metabolic imbalance? In this episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with nutrition expert Cherie Calbom, MS, CN, about industrial seed oils such as canola, soybean, sunflower, and corn oil, and the growing concerns surrounding their role in oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and healthy aging.
Cherie explains how highly processed oils may affect metabolic health, brain function, and overall wellness, and shares practical guidance on choosing healthier fats and using nutrition strategies—including juicing—to support vitality and longevity. This conversation offers actionable insights for anyone who wants to reduce inflammation, make more informed food choices, and age with greater energy and resilience.
Cherie Calbom, MS, CN, is a certified nutritionist, wellness educator, and bestselling author widely known as "The Juice Lady." She holds a Master of Science degree in nutrition and has written 36 books, including the classic Juicing for Life. Cherie has received two Lifetime Achievement Awards for her pioneering contributions to nutrition and wellness education. She has served on the Board of Regents at Bastyr University and has advised high-profile leaders, including George Foreman. Her latest book, The Truth About Seed Oils, challenges conventional dietary advice and offers practical strategies to reduce inflammation and support better health.

 Episode Timeline 

00:00 – Introduction and episode overview 

Dr. Gillian introduces the controversy surrounding industrial seed oils and their potential role in inflammation and chronic disease. 

03:13 – Cherie's healing journey 

Cherie shares how she overcame chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia through juicing and whole food nutrition. 

07:53 – The first healing juice recipes 

The vegetable juices Cherie used to restore her health and why variety matters. 

10:20 – The NAMA J2 juicer 

Cherie describes her favorite hands-free juicer and how it simplifies daily juicing. 

11:50 – What are seed oils? 

A historical overview of vegetable oils and how they became mainstream. 

16:48 – Why canola oil became so dominant 

The economic reasons manufacturers favor cheap industrial oils. 

18:57 – The chemistry of oxidation and inflammation 

How polyunsaturated fats become unstable and generate harmful byproducts. 

21:10 – The worst oils to avoid 

Soybean, canola, corn, sunflower, safflower, cottonseed, grapeseed, and rice bran oils. 

22:43 – Healthy fats to use instead 

Olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, ghee, tallow, and sesame oil. 

25:14 – Seed oils, weight gain, and brain health 

Why reducing industrial oils may support body composition and cognitive vitality. 

29:13 – One simple change to start today 

Read labels, eliminate seed oils, and choose traditional fats. 

30:09 – Final thoughts and favorite health maxim:  "Nothing on earth tastes as good as good health." 

Connect with Cherie Calbom

IG @juiceladycherie
FB @thejuicelady
YouTube: TheJuiceLadyCherie
LinkedIn: Cherie-Calbom
X @juiceladycherie

Find Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably at www.gillianlockitch.com (North America)

Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others discover the show. Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community 

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch
at https://www.askdrgill.com/ or email: askdrgill@gmail.com

Download Guide to Nature's Colorful Antioxidants. 2026 

FLASHBACK FRIDAY FB 29 Dec 2021

Agnes de Mille, American dancer and choreographer expresses the power of dance: "To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful. This is power, it is glory on earth and it is yours for the taking." 

Does dance also have the power to  ward off dementia?  Today's guest is Dr. Joe Verghese, Professor of Neurology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. His research centers around the effects of aging  and disease on gait and cognition in older adults, and whether cognitively stimulating activities such as dance, can reduce the risk of losing mobility, falling, developing dementia and general poor health. 
In an  early study of the association of Leisure Activities and the Risk of Dementia in the Elderly, 3 of 6 cognitive activities included (reading, playing board games and playing musical instruments) were associated with a lower risk for dementia, but of the 9 listed physical activities, only dancing was associated with a lowered risk.
We touch on current studies of physicality and cognitive training for those at risk for Alzheimer's. One recent  pilot study into the impact of regular social dancing as an intervention in older adults at high risk for Alzheimer's disease had to be cut short during the pandemic with only half the expected participants completing the study. Another recent study is investigating  whether computerized cognitive training could enhance mobility in older adults.  There remains some controversy about cognitive training. It is clear that there is a 'near transfer' effect, improvement on testing because you're training on that same process on which you're testing them. And  consistently, almost every study shows that there is a near transfer effect. The challenge is whether that translates into improvement of executive function for real life skills, ie, a 'far transfer effect.' 

For those of us looking to age youthfully, keeping active both physically and mentally, Dr Verghese suggests: "Pick  a few leisure activities that you enjoy and then engage in them at least  five days a week, but every day, if you can. It's good if you do it as part of a group, because then there's a group dynamic; when  you get together in a group, there's peer support that you get. And also increasingly we are recognizing that socialization itself might have cognitive benefits. So people who socialize more tend to have better cognitive function. and seem to be at less risk of cognitive decline" 

To learn how you can decelerate your aging trajectory,  stay vibrant and vigorous, or start your own online business in wellness and anti-aging, Contact  Dr. Gillian Lockitch

Email: askdrgill@gmail.com
Schedule a complimentary Living Younger Discovery Call through the above email

Order your copy of Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably at www.gillianlockitch.com (N. America only)

What if one of the most powerful anti-aging tools already exists within your body? This episode explores autophagy, the body's natural cellular renewal system, and how activating it can support healthy aging and longevity. Longevity expert Leslie Kenny shares her personal journey of reversing autoimmune disease and translating cutting-edge science into practical strategies. Listeners will discover how autophagy promoting spermidine, proper nutrition, and baseline lifestyle habits influence cellular repair, resilience, and biological aging.  
Leslie Kenny is the founder of Oxford Healthspan, a company focused on translating longevity science into practical health solutions. She is a longevity researcher with expertise in cellular aging, autophagy, and immune system modulation. Her career includes work in finance and policy before a personal medical crisis led her to transition into health science. She specializes in spermidine research and its role in activating autophagy and influencing the hallmarks of aging. She is co-founder of the Oxford Longevity Project, a nonprofit dedicated to education in healthy aging. 

Episode Timeline 

00:00 – Welcome and introduction 

02:00 – Reframing aging as a modifiable biological process 

03:50 – Leslie Kenny's autoimmune diagnosis and turning point 

10:50 – Limitations of modern healthcare and the need for prevention 

14:50 – What autophagy is and why it matters for longevity 

17:00 – Spermidine and its role in cellular renewal pathways 

21:30 – Nutrition, mushrooms, and dietary sources of spermidine 

24:30 – Hallmarks of aging and systemic cellular decline 

31:00 – Development of Primadine and supplement formulation science 

37:00 – Practical strategies: fasting, diet, and supplementation 

41:30 – Key takeaways on influencing biological agin 

Connect with Leslie Kenny 

https://oxfordhealthspan.com 

Instagram:
@lesliesnewprime
@oxfordhealthspan
@oxfordlongevityproject

To try Primadine Spermidine Supplement:
Code: GOLY15 Link: https://www.oxfordhealthspan.com/GOLY15

Please note that Dr. Lockitch retired from medical practice and does not diagnose, prescribe for or treat any medical conditions. Before ordering any product discussed in these podcasts, consult your health care practitioner.

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch 

at https://www.askdrgill.com/ or email: askdrgill@gmail.com 

Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others discover the show.  

Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/growingolderlivingyoungercommunity 

Download Guide to Nature's Colorful Antioxidants 2026 

Flashback Friday - Episode 32  dates from Dec 2021 but ageism is still a hot topic in 2026

"Too old at 72? Careful. Ageism is out. We'll have the law on you! (Melvyn Bragg)"

Hubris? I avoid 'isms' but I open this conversation with an anecdote of the first overt instance of ageism that I personally encountered, just before recording this podcast. Today's guest explores the structural ways we tolerate and promote behaviors toward people based solely on their age and how cultural norms and prejudices unconsciously shape our treatment of others and expectations about our own aging.  

We talk about what ageism, ableism and successful aging means and how these concepts affect both societal attitudes but also our own perceptions of ourselves extending into every factet of life including technology.  

Learn more about Dr. Gendron's work at www.traceygendron.com Her book: Ageism Unmasked: Exploring Age Bias and How to End It. 

 Dr. Gillian Lockitch
To learn how you can decelerate your aging trajectory,  stay vibrant and vigorous, or start your own online business in wellness and anti-aging, book a call with me by email at askdrgill@gmail.com

Order your personal copy of Growing Older Living Younger, the Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably at www.gillianlockitch.com  

What if aging is not only driven by what happens inside our cells, but also by factors circulating in our blood? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch talks with Brad Younggren to explore the emerging science behind therapeutic plasma exchange and its potential to influence inflammation, biological aging, and chronic disease. Drawing on human clinical trial data, including the Circulate Trial, he explains how removing pro-aging factors from plasma may impact biomarkers, biological age, and overall healthspan. This conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into the future of longevity medicine while reinforcing the importance of foundational lifestyle strategies for aging youthfully. 
Dr. Brad Younggren is the CEO and co-founder of Circulate Health, a company focused on advancing human healthspan through innovative therapies. He is a board-certified emergency physician and former U.S. Army combat physician, where he was awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Medical Badge. Dr. Younggren has held multiple leadership roles at the forefront of healthcare innovation, including President and Chief Medical Officer at 98.6, where he helped develop AI-powered primary care solutions. His career spans digital health, medical devices, and global healthcare delivery. Today, he leads research into therapeutic plasma exchange and its potential role in longevity science and chronic disease. 

Episode Timeline: 

00:00 – Welcome and introduction 

02:30 – Aging beyond the cell: circulating factors in the bloodstream and their role in inflammation and disease 

05:00 – Dr. Younggren's journey from emergency medicine to healthcare innovation and longevity science 

09:00 – The evolution of digital health and smartphone-based diagnostics 

12:00 – What is therapeutic plasma exchange and how it has been used in medicine for decades 

15:45 – The Circulate Trial explained: study design, treatment groups, and control methodology 

18:30 – Measuring outcomes: biomarkers, cognitive testing, grip strength, and biological clocks 

21:00 – Key findings: biological age reduction and changes in proteomic markers 

24:30 – Translating complex science into practical biomarkers patients can track 

26:30 – Applications beyond longevity: chronic disease, Alzheimer's research, and long COVID 

30:30 – Microplastics and plasma exchange: emerging research and early findings 

33:00 – Evaluating longevity therapies: why human data matters 

35:30 – Foundational health habits versus advanced interventions 

36:50 – Wrap-up and key takeaways 

 Connect with Dr. Brad Younggren 

Circulate Health: https://www.circulate.health 

Circulate Trial publication (Aging Cell journal) 

Information on plasma exchange and ongoing research initiatives 

 Call to Action: 

Find Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably  (North America) or on Kindle 

Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others discover the show.  

Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community 

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch 

at https://www.askdrgill.com/ or email: askdrgill@gmail.com 

Download Guide to Nature's Colorful Antioxidants. 2026

FLASHBACK FRIDAY EPISODE 008 May 2021

'A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.' (John Barrymore)
'Miracles are objects and events in nature and in our lives, that cannot be fully explained or recreated' (Dr. Harley Rotbart)

Dr. Harley Rotbart is the author of "No Regrets Living: 7 keys to a life of Wonder and Contentment", is an infectious disease specialist, Professor and Vice-Chair Emeritus of Paediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Having over 175 medical and scientific publications, his career is deeply rooted in science. Yet his experiences as a physician at Children's Hospital Colorado, taught him to believe in miracles, and that there are things beyond our ability to know. 

His 7 Keys to a life of content encompass belief in a power greater than ourselves, discovering the messiah within each of us, healing evil whether within ourselves or in the world around us, appreciating and giving thanks, accepting things we regret by putting them into the context in which they  occurred, seeking purpose and also self-forgiveness and finally growing, by looking back and seeing how far we have come and knowing there is growth still to come.

Dr. Rotbart suggests that we have to discover miracles around us in order to appreciate the non-miraculous moments in our lives, that is, discover the magnificence around us. Live like you are dying and don't put off important things to the future. Accept that there is something greater than us, whatever your unique belief may be, and be humbled by knowing there are some things that are out of our control.

Connect with Doctor Rotbart at:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/harleyrotbart 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harleyrotbartmd/ 

Website: https://www.harleyrobart.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harley-rotbart-m-d-4817a66/ 

Contact Dr. Gillian Lockitch to learn how you can decelerate your aging trajectory,  stay vibrant and vigorous, or start your own online business in wellness and anti-aging:Email: askdrgill@gmail.com

Website. https://www.askdrgill.com
Email me to book a complimentary Living Younger Call 

Order your copy of Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably at www.gillianlockitch.com

What if the most powerful determinant of how you age is not your biology, but your inner dialogue? In this episode, Anne Poirier explores how self-talk shapes emotional wellbeing, behavior, and ultimately healthspan. Negative inner dialogue can reinforce stress, limit confidence, and influence lifestyle choices that impact aging. Drawing from her lived experience and three decades of professional work, Anne explains how shifting from self-criticism to self-compassion can transform both mental and physical health. Listeners will learn practical strategies to reframe their inner voice, adopt body neutrality, and support healthier, more empowered aging. Anne Poirier is a nationally recognized body image expert and founder of Shaping Perspectives. She is a certified Intuitive Eating counselor, self-talk trainer, and eating disorder specialist with a degree in Exercise Science. She is the author of The Body Joyful, Not a Fat Annie, and The Body Neutrality Playbook. 

Episode Timeline 

00:00 – Welcome and introduction
04:30 – The role of self-talk in shaping behavior and identity
05:06 – Anne's early experiences with body image and eating disorder
10:32 – How childhood messaging and environment shape self-talk
16:39 – Body neutrality vs body positivity explained
18:37 – The "body bully" and transforming inner criticism 23:02 – Steps to heal your relationship with your body
25:16 – How self-talk impacts physical health and aging
30:03 – Overview of Anne's books and frameworks
32:41 – One simple daily practice to shift self-talk
34:45 – Wrap-up and key takeaways 

Where to connect with Anne Poirier 

https://shapingperspectives.com
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/annepoirier11 
Free gift: Body Confidence Unlocked 
https://shapingperspectives.com/confidence/ 

Call to Action 

Download: Holistic strategies to Build Back a Better Body

Schedule a complimentary introductory call or video call
 Contact Your Host: Dr. Gillian Lockitch

Find Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably (North America only) or on Kindle

Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community  

Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others discover the show. 

Flashback Friday:   'What creates our reality is not really the action we're taking. But the being state that stands behind the action.'  (Esra B. Ogut)

One of the seven key pillars of the Growing Older Living Younger roadmap to aging youthfully, is comprised of the 3 attributes Mindset, Mindfulness and Mindkeep. Earlier episodes of this podcast have focused on beliefs, behaviors and consequences, resilience and healing from trauma, living with purpose, and keeping your cognitive functions sharp.   

Today we talk about transformation. How the myths we create through our life experiences can hold us back, or help us achieve what we desire, and how we can transform limiting beliefs into a force for positive growth.  

Esra Ogut is a transformational coach, yoga teacher, and author of a new book. Money Does Grow on Trees: The Myths We Create and Live By. Transforming her own mythology, took her from working as a shoe salesgirl to living a millionaire life. With her husband, Ike, they run a certification program in transformational coaching. 

Her key takeaway is the suggestion to do this  simple exercise every day, Be grateful and express your gratitude in 10-15 sentences for 2 to 3 different subjects that are already present in your life. Speak this and be grateful, until you sense a change of state within you;  until you start feeling different,  until you feel your frequency rise.  Then move on to start being grateful for things that you would want to happen in your life as if they have already happened. That's a very, very big tool of manifestation. 

Connect with Esra: www.ikeandesranow.com
Hello@ikeandesranow.com 

Contact Dr. Gillian Lockitch to learn how you can decelerate your aging trajectory,  stay vibrant and vigorous, or start your own online business in wellness and anti-aging:

https://linktr.ee/askdrgill  
Email: askdrgill@gmail.com
Schedule a complimentary Living Younger Discovery Call  by emailing Dr. Lockitch at askdrgill@gmail.com

Order your copy of Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably at www.gillianlockitch.com - North America only

What if one of the most powerful tools for aging youthfully isn't found in a supplement, a diet, or even an exercise routine—but in how you think, play, and respond to life's most difficult moments? In this deeply moving and insightful conversation, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with Kym Coco, who shares how profound loss became the catalyst for transformation, resilience, and renewed purpose. Drawing on her background in sports kinesiology, emotional awareness, and performance coaching, Kym reveals how mindset, movement, and intentional play can help rewire emotional responses and restore vitality.
Listeners will discover how grief can become a gateway to growth, how simple shifts in self-talk can transform your inner critic into a supportive coach, and how engaging fully in the present moment—through activities like golf or dance—can restore joy, clarity, and resilience at any age. This episode offers both science-informed insight and practical tools to help you take control of how you age—mentally, emotionally, and physically. 

Episode Timeline 

00:00 – Welcome and introduction 

Overview of the episode theme: healing through play, mindset, and emotional resilience 

02:30 – Kym Coco's story and the origin of Miracle on the Mountainside 

A powerful journey through trauma, recovery, and conscious healing 

05:00 – Life-changing accident and mindset transformation 

How surrender, belief, and active participation in healing shaped a new path 

08:30 – Mind, body, and emotions as interconnected systems 

How sensory input, beliefs, and emotional states influence physiology and decision-making 

11:30 – Golf as a tool for healing and rebuilding life 

Using structure, presence, and play to move through grief and uncertainty 

14:30 – Dr. Gillian's personal story of dance and renewal 

From loss to ballroom dancing and rediscovering joy and purpose 

20:00 – Creating new pathways: the "100 golf courses" vision 

Using challenge, novelty, and environment to rebuild identity and resilience 

23:00 – The power of symbolic reminders: the "rock ritual" 

Simple daily practices to reinforce agency, intention, and emotional choice 

25:00 – Communication, emotional triggers, and conscious response 

Tools to create space between reaction and response for better relationships 

27:00 – Transforming the inner critic into a supportive coach 

Practical strategies to shift self-talk and build resilience 

29:00 – Daily practice for emotional resilience and vitality 

Morning awareness, reframing thoughts, and integrating body and mind 

30:50 – Key takeaways and closing reflections 

Choosing joy, presence, and purposeful aging 

Connect with Kym Coco

https://swagtail.com/ 

Book: Miracle on the Mountainside 

https://swagtail.com/podcastbonus/ 

Call to Action 

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at https://www.askdrgill.com/ or email: askdrgill@gmail.com 

Download  Holistic Strategies to Build Back a Better Body  2026 

Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others discover the show.

Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community 

Download  Holistic Strategies to Build Back a Better Body  2026 

FlashBack Friday THIS EPISODE OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER focuses on super aging - how to help transform longer lifespan into longer healthspan via  7 A Pillars of longevity.
Today's Featured Experts are David Cravit and Larry Wolf, co-authors of " SuperAging: Getting Older Without Getting Old - A Boomers Guide to living well after 65.
We discuss the 7 A's of the Pillars of Superaging, how default aging has been the - well- default, for past generations and continues to be for many today. And how social, cultural, political, and economic forces oppose living younger longer.
Episode Timeline
0:11 Introduction to SuperAging
4:04 How did the idea for the book come about?
8:19 Defining default-aging and super-aging, and the forces underlying them
14:11 The 7 A Pillars of Super Aging.
20:10 Attitude and awareness: the two core pillars
27:47 Pillars 3 to 7 of SuperAging (Accomplishment, Achievement, Autonomy, Attachment, Avoidance)
30:50 Social, cultural, political, and economic drivers that oppose super aging.
33:34 Insidious issues about superaging: ageism, economic fears
38:50 An independent individual needs to take responsibility for their own lives.
45:57 How to make sense of the tsunami of information and misinformation flooding our media platforms
50: 53 Larry and David's  takeaways from today's episode.

Speaker Bios:
David Cravit earned his BA in Political Science and Economics from the University of Toronto. He is author of two previous books on the subject of aging. The New Old," which described how the Baby Boomers are reinventing aging, and "Beyond Age Rage," which examined the so-called "war of the generations" . David is an executive at ZoomerMedia, the only media company in Canada specializing in covering the "older" market. He is also a member of the Board of C.A.R.P., the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, the largest and most influential association advocating for the rights and interests of Canadians as they age.
Larry Wolf has a BA in Psychology from Cornell University, and an MBA in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Larry is the founder of the Wolf Group, an international marketing communications agency with over 300 employees in seven cities throughout North America. Larry has served on a number of boards, including the National Advertising Review Board, the Huntsman program in international studies at the University of Pennsylvania, the Eye Research Institute of Canada, and has chaired the Canadian Glaucoma Research Society. His special expertise is in identifying trends and understanding how to capitalize on them.

Learn more about the work of David Cravit and Larry Wolf here.
Link to the book SuperAging: Getting Older Without Getting Old,

 https://superaging.info/about-3/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcravit/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-wolf-15a18a10/

Io get your copy of Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and The Art of Retiring Comfortably click here
Email: Dr. Gill at askdrgill@gmail.com

And if you have not already done so, follow,  rate and review the show.

What if essential carotenoid antioxidants you consume today, could protect your vision and cognitive functions now and in the future? In this episode, Professor John Nolan explains how specific carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin play a critical role in protecting the retina and brain from oxidative stress, a key driver of damage and age-related decline. As a leading researcher in ocular and brain nutrition, he shares ground- breaking insights from clinical trials showing how targeted supplementation can improve visual function and support cognitive performance. Listeners will learn why prevention must begin early, how to identify effective nutritional strategies, and how to take control of long-term eye and brain health to extend their healthspan.
Professor John Nolan is a full professor at South East Technological University in Waterford, Ireland, where he holds the Howard Chair in Human Nutrition. He is a nutritional biochemist specializing in the role of carotenoids in vision and cognitive health. As Director of the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland he has led major international clinical trials, including the CREST studies,  published over 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers, and is founder and chair of the International Brain and Ocular Nutrition Conference. His research focuses on targeted nutrition to prevent and manage age-related diseases such as macular degeneration and Alzheimer's disease, advancing evidence-based nutritional strategies to support lifelong eye and brain health. 

Episode Timeline 

00:00 – Welcome and introduction 

04:25 – Origins of carotenoid research and macular degeneration 

Early work identifying nutrition as a key modifiable risk factor 

09:30 – What carotenoids are and why they matter 

Role as antioxidants and "internal sunscreen" for the eye 

13:55 – Can macular degeneration be reversed or improved 

Distinguishing regeneration, slowing progression, and functional improvement 

17:30 – Brain and eye connection 

How nutrition may reactivate neural pathways and support cognition 

20:27 – Challenging the current medical model 

Why prevention must replace late-stage intervention 

25:16 – The importance of meso-zeaxanthin 

Why some individuals cannot convert nutrients effectively 

28:37 – Supplement quality and evidence-based formulations 

Risks of unregulated supplements and importance of clinical validation 

32:18 – Nutrition, lifestyle, and informed decision-making 

Why education and professional guidance are essential 

33:21 – Starting early for lifelong protection 

"From the cradle to the dance floor" approach to nutrition 

35:55 – Declining nutrient density in modern food 

Why diet alone may no longer be sufficient 

37:18 – Wrap-up and key takeaways 

Connect with the research of Prof John Nolan

https://profjohnnolan.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/profjohnnolan/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmnolan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profjohnnolan/

Upcoming Vision for Vision documentary (watch the trailer ) 

 Calls to Action :

Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community  

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at https://www.askdrgill.com/ or email: askdrgill@gmail.com for a personal consult

Download Guide to Nature's Colorful Antioxidants 2026 

Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others discover the show.

 Flashback Friday: Episode 52 from Season 1 May 2022

Audrey Hepburn, a Screen Legend and a truly iconic beauty, said "The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years." 
I was reflecting on previous discussions I have had on ageism as I read yet another comment on beauty and aging youthfully. The debate centered around the question of whether we should accept and indeed celebrate the aging of our appearance as a reflection of the wisdom gained as we grow older, or whether, as I believe, we should do all we can to delay the wrinkling, dryness and loss of radiance that naturally accompanies aging, and endeavor to look vibrant and healthy as we age. Our appearance, the quality of our skin, hair, teeth, eyes, is as much a window to our overall as is our posture, gait and mental acuity. Choosing to ward off dull, wrinkled skin and thinning, lack-luster hair is not a question of vanity but a celebration of our inner vitality. Today's conversation brings to you an expert in the biology of skin and hair, to discuss how our  outward changes of aging may reflect our inner state of health. Dr. Helen Knaggs, is the Vice President of Global Research and Development for Nu Skin. With over 30 years of experience in skin research and product development, including years spent specializing in acne research, her expertise in skin and hair biology has led to numerous publications and patents.  Dr. Knaggs earned bachelor's degrees with honors in biochemistry and pharmacology, and a doctorate degree from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Leeds, England. She spent several years as a research biochemist in the dermatology department of Leeds General Infirmary where her work involved clinical and lab research, interpretation of trial results and data reporting to corporate and scientific communities. As vice president of Nu Skin Global Research and Development, she works closely with the Nu Skin Scientific Advisory Board to identify the latest research and trends in skin care for the Nu Skin brand. We discuss how lifestyle as much as inheritance affects the aging of your skin, and what you can do to   preserve both the health and the beauty of your appearance from inside out and outside in. To learn more about the nutritional and skin care products that will promote your youthful aging, schedule a Living Younger Discovery call with me at askdrgill@gmail.com

To discover how you can  create your personal lifestyle roadmap to Growing Older Living Younger, visit www.askdrgill.com to order your copy of Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and The Art of Retiring Comfortably.

What if the fatigue, brain fog, and loss of strength many women experience after 50 are not simply hormonal, but reflect deeper shifts in metabolism, muscle, and mitochondrial function? In this insightful episode, Dr. Elizabeth Goldspink reframes midlife as a metabolic and neurological transition rather than a purely hormonal one. She explains how muscle acts as a longevity organ, how mitochondrial efficiency impacts both energy and cognition, and how targeted lifestyle and nutrition strategies can restore resilience. This empowering conversation offers practical, science-informed steps to help women take control of how they age.
Dr. Elizabeth Goldspink is a naturopathic doctor, women's health researcher, and founder of Wellex. She has more than 16 years of clinical experience supporting women's hormonal, metabolic, and immune health. Dr. Goldspink is a published author in peer-reviewed medical journals and has completed advanced training in mind-body medicine at Harvard University. Her work focuses on translating complex scientific research into practical, personalized health strategies. She has helped thousands of women restore energy, resilience, and long-term well-being. Her current focus is on evidence-based supplementation and metabolic health optimization for women in midlife and beyond.

00:00 – Welcome and introduction

02:30 – Midlife symptoms reframed: beyond hormones to metabolism and mitochondria

04:00 – Dr. Goldspink's personal journey from marketing professional to naturopathic medicine

06:00 – Why brain fog, fatigue, and strength loss signal deeper biological shifts

08:00 – Muscle as a longevity organ and its role in metabolic and cognitive health

11:00 – The metabolic functions of muscle and the importance of myokines

13:30 – Resistance training and why lifting weights matters for women over 50

16:00 – Nutrition fundamentals: protein intake, glycemic stability, and whole foods

19:00 – Mitochondrial health and its connection to energy and cognition

22:00 – Practical strategies to optimize mitochondria without complex protocols

25:00 – Creatine explained: benefits for muscle, brain, and aging

29:00 – Real-world recovery and rebuilding strength after health setbacks

31:00 – Brain training, lifestyle habits, and community connection

33:00 – Managing stress, social media overload, and mental resilience

35:00 – Supplement strategy after 50: what to use and what to avoid

37:30 – Common mistakes: overuse of antioxidants and low-quality supplements

40:00 – The origin of Wellex and a mission to support underserved women's health needs

43:00 – Practical daily steps to rebuild resilience and support healthy aging

45:00 – Wrap-up and key takeaways

Website: https://wellex.co
Science-backed supplements for women's metabolic and hormonal health
Information on clinical research and product formulations

Find Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably at www.gillianlockitch.com (North America) or on Kindle

Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others discover the show. Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community 

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch
at https://www.askdrgill.com/ or email: askdrgill@gmail.com

Download Guide to Nature's Colorful Antioxidants. 2026 

Flashback Friday Episode 50 - May 2022
"Walk into any pharmacy and ask to examine a bottle of prescription medicine chosen at random. There is a one in four chance that the prescription medication you hold in your hand has an active ingredient derived from a plant. Most of these plant-derived drugs were originally discovered through the study of traditional remedies and folk knowledge of indigenous people." (M. Balick, P. Cox.)

 As I read this opening paragraph in the chapter on PlantsThat Heal, from the book, Plants, People and Culture: The Science of Ethnobotany by  Drs. Michael Balick and Paul Cox, I thought, what better way to celebrate the 50th episode of Growing Older Living Younger, than a conversation with ethnobotanist, Dr. Paul Alan Cox, Executive Director of the Brain Chemistry Labs, whose passion for learning about indigenous cultures and searching for new medicines, has taken him around the world.  
Dr. Cox has worked in remote island villages and other locations including Polynesia, Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Australia, Japan, Sri Lanka, East Africa, Scandinavia, the Arabian Gulf and the Colorado Plateau.  He was both a Danforth Fellow and a National Science Foundation Fellow at Harvard where he received his Ph.D. He was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize, sometimes known as the Nobel Prize of the Environment and was named one of TIME magazine's eleven "Heroes of Medicine" for his discovery of a new HIV drug candidate. His conservation foundation, Seacology, has set aside over 1.5 million acres of rain forest and coral reef in 66 countries around the world. 

We discuss how plant derived bioactive substances can both heal and harm, and how learning about age-old healing traditions can guide discovery of new therapeutic drugs. A comparison of villages with the highest and the lowest known rates of Alzheimer's disease and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) led to the discovery in Guam of a neurotoxin produced by cyanobacteria that accumulates in the foods in their traditional diet. Ogimi in Okinawa has no record of Alzheimer's, ALS, or  Parkinson's disease, and has more women, over the age of 100, than almost anywhere in the world. At the Brain Chemistry Labs in Jackson, Wyoming, a not-for-profit research institute, studies are focused on finding new treatments for ALS, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. You will find many more  fascinating stories about plants and human in the book,  Plants, People and Culture: The Science of Ethnobotany. 2nd Ed. 2021 By Michael J. Balick and Paul A. Cox. CRC Press.
Brain Chemistry Labs:  https://twitter.com/brain_chem_labs

https://www.facebook.com/brainchemistrylabs

To contact Dr. Gillian Lockitch

info@askdrgill,com
Order your copy of Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and The Art of Retiring Comfortably at the Growing Older Living Younger website: www.askdrgill.com

Schedule your free Living Younger Discovery call by email to askdrgill@gmail.com 

What if one of the most powerful tools for protecting your brain health has been right under your nose all along? In this fascinating episode, Jonathan Askholm explores the science of olfaction and its direct connection to memory, emotion, and cognitive function. Drawing on emerging research and personal experience, he explains how intentional smell training may improve memory, mood, and even support healthy aging. This conversation opens a new and highly accessible pathway to brain health, reinforcing that a simple daily practice can have profound effects on how we age.
Jonathan Askholm is a brain health educator and co-founder of Memorease, a company focused on olfactory training for cognitive wellness. He has a background in psychology and a passion for teaching practical strategies that support mental and emotional well-being. His work is deeply influenced by his personal experience of losing his father to dementia, which inspired his mission to help others take proactive steps toward brain health. Jonathan collaborates with experts in scent creation to develop structured olfactory training tools grounded in scientific research. He regularly delivers workshops and presentations to older adults and community groups across Canada. His current focus is on making this brain health practice, simple, accessible, and empowering for everyday use.  

Episode Timeline 

00:00 – Welcome and introduction 

02:30 – The surprising link between smell, memory, and brain health 

04:00 – Jonathan's personal journey and his father's experience with dementia 

07:00 – Why the sense of smell is often overlooked in modern health conversations 

10:00 – The neuroscience of olfaction: direct pathways to memory and emotion 

14:30 – Smell as a survival sense and its decline with age 

18:00 – What is olfactory training and how it works 

21:30 – The four scent categories used in research and training 

24:00 – Evidence from studies: cognition, mood, and brain structure changes 

27:00 – Practical applications and how to begin smell training at home 

29:30 – The role of mindfulness and attention in olfactory training 

32:00 – Olfactory training for anosmia and post-viral smell loss 

34:00 – COVID-related smell loss and implications for brain health 

36:00 – Who benefits most from olfactory training 

37:00 – Wrap-up and key takeaway

 Connect with Jonathan Askholm

Website: https://memorease.care 
Olfactory training kits and resources available through the website 
Workshops and presentations available through direct contact 

Call to Action 

Order Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably at www.gillianlockitch.com (North America) 

Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others discover the show. Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community 

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch 
at https://www.askdrgill.com/ or email: askdrgill@gmail.com 

Download Guide to Nature's Colorful Antioxidants. 2026 

THIS EPISODE OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER focuses on sleep and the ways we can achieve sufficient natural sleep.

Today's Featured Expert is retired medical doctor and  longtime mindfulness teacher, Dr. Lucinda Sykes, on her approach to promoting deep natural sleep

We discuss the importance of natural deep sleep, what happens to our brains during the stages of sleep, the adverse effects of sleep medications, and the importance of consistent sleep habits in a sleep conducive environment.

Episode Timeline:
0:11 Introduction to today's episode.
7:18 Why is the quality of sleep so important?
11:43 What are the three stages of sleep?
17:43 Approach to her clients with a sleep problem
24:01 The major factors in chronic insomnia.
30:47 Insomnia and sleep medication use.
36:59 Key takeaways

Speaker Bio:
Dr. Lucinda Sykes' background includes family medicine and Jungian psychotherapy. She has Certification in Analytical Psychology from the CG Jung Institute, Zurich as well as extensive training in MBSR (mindfulness-based stress reduction) at the U Mass Center for Mindfulness,
More than 6000 patients attended medical programs of mindfulness at her Toronto clinic, Meditation for Health. When COVID ended the clinic's in-person teaching in 2020, Lucinda shifted her work online, directing her special interest in sleep and mindfulness to new coaching programs for Women 50+.  

Learn more about natural sleep and Dr. Sykes
www.lucindasykesmd.com

https://www.facebook.com/joyfulafter50

https://www.happysleepsecrets.com

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch:
To discover how to reset your Aging Blueprint or kickstart your wellness, beauty and healthy aging business, schedule a call with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at askdrgill@gmail.com 
To get your copy of Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and The Art of Retiring Comfortably click here 

What if the greatest threat to your independence, your brain health, and even your lifespan isn't aging itself—but the hours you spend sitting each day? In this powerful episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch explores a transformative approach to health with Dr. James Walter: the concept of "Move More Moments." Drawing from his expertise in cardiovascular exercise physiology, Dr. Walter challenges the traditional focus on structured exercise programs. Instead, he introduces a more accessible strategy—re-engineering your day to reduce sedentary time and integrate movement into everyday life. This conversation highlights how even small, frequent bouts of movement can improve cardiovascular health, regulate blood sugar, reduce disease risk, and restore vitality.
Dr. James Walter is the founder and president of the Institute for the Preservation of Health. He holds a PhD in cardiovascular exercise physiology and has spent decades developing preventive and rehabilitative cardiology programs. Driven by the early loss of his father to heart disease, Dr. Walter has dedicated his career to helping individuals take control of their health through practical lifestyle strategies.

Episode Timeline

00:00 — Movement as the key to independence
02:50 — Dr. Walter's personal journey
06:30 — The problem with exercise guidelines
09:20 — A personal story of lost mobility
12:40 — Rethinking exercise
13:30 — What are Move More Moments
16:40 — Everyday movement examples
18:20 — Walking instead of sitting
20:30 — Science of small movements
23:10 — Steps and longevity
26:50 — Changing mindset and environment
28:00 — Genetics vs lifestyle
31:15 — Nutrition and prevention
34:10 — Key takeaway: move more

Call to Action

Find "Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracfully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably" at www.gillianlockitch.com (North America) or on Kindle

Download : Ten Tips to Build A Better Body 2026. 

Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others discover the show

Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community 

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at https://www.askdrgill.com/ 
or email: askdrgill@gmail.com to schedule a one-on-one phone or video call.

Flashback Friday Episode 66 from 2022

"Brains at any age are capable of rewiring and changing. No one should be aging, thinking that it's all downhill from here' (Dr. Henry Mahncke). 
This comment on brain plasticity, made by  research neuroscientist, Dr. Henry Mahncke, in Episode 10: Rewiring Your Brain, echoes in my head, whenever I reflect on the goal of Growing Older Living Younger, namely to extend our health span by preserving a healthy mind in a healthy body.   My brain is a year older since that episode but I'm sure that by following my personal roadmap for aging well, my cognitive functions have not aged in parallel with my chronological age. Preserving brain health, cognitive functions and warding off dementia, is a desire that is frequently expressed when I talk to men and women during the complimentary Growing Older Living Younger Discovery call I offer. Many people are living into their 80s or 90s and have relatives or friends diagnosed with dementia. They may be aware that the prevalence of dementia is increasing dramatically. Prevalence refers to the proportion of people within a population at a given time who have a specific characteristic. Since dementia occurs more in elderly people, the more  elderly people there are, the greater the number of people there will be who have dementia.
But as individuals we are more concerned about individual risk. I was intrigued to read that a recent study showed that the incidence of dementia in people of European ancestry living in Europe and the USA (that is the number of new cases in a population) has actually declined an average of 13% every decade over the last 30 years. Reflecting on what could be causing this decrease in the incidence of dementia, I suspect that it reflects an increasing understanding of the effects of lifestyle management, nutrition, targeted wellness products, exercise, socialization, sleep, and. keeping mentally active.
In that vein, I invited Dr. Mahncke back to Growing Older Living Younger to describe a new community based Brain Health Program that is being developed in conjunction with the YMCA of San Francisco  and also to share updates on some of the studies we discussed in the earlier episode.
Dr. Mahncke is the CEO of Posit Science, the leading provider of plasticity-based brain training and assessments. BrainHQ is an online and app program of plasticity-based brain training exercises to improve cognitive measures like attention, memory, processing speed and executive functions. that impact real world activities  like driving, balance, gait, mood, confidence and everyday cognitive functions.  

To Learn More:
Connect with Dr. Henry Mahncke at:  www.brainhq.com - you can also download the BrainHQ App LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-mahncke-3b89072/  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brainhq/ 

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch: askdrgill@gmail.com
Order your copy of  Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and The Art of Retiring Comfortably at www.gillianlockitch.com

Here is how to rate and review Growing Older Living Younger on Apple podcast: 
Open the Podcasts app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.  
Search for  Growing Older Living Younger podcast and select it. 
On the show page see where it lists all the episodes and scroll down to find "Ratings & Reviews." 
 Select "Write a Review" and rate. Hopefully you will give a 5 star rating 
Pick a title for your review and write your review - no longer than 300 words. 
Select  "Send" or "Save", enter a nickname and it's done. 

What if one of the most powerful influences on your health, your hormones, and even your longevity was something you rarely think about—your posture? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch explores the profound connection between structural alignment and the biological systems that govern how we age. Joined by scoliosis specialist and spinal health expert Dr. Mark Morningstar, this conversation uncovers the science behind how chronic postural distortions—like forward head posture and slouching—can reduce lung capacity, alter nervous system balance, and disrupt stress hormone regulation. These subtle but persistent changes can contribute to fatigue, anxiety, reduced resilience, and long-term decline. 
This episode reframes posture from a cosmetic concern into a critical pillar of healthy aging. You will learn how spinal motion influences brain function, why breathing patterns are central to longevity, and how simple daily habits can shift your body from chronic stress into a state of balance and vitality.
Dr. Mark Morningstar is a scoliosis specialist, researcher, and educator affiliated with Back Genius, a network dedicated to evidence-based, whole-body spinal care. A graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, he is triple board certified in clinical nutrition, spine care, and integrative medicine. With over two decades of clinical experience, Dr. Morningstar focuses on complex spinal and neurological conditions, including scoliosis and chronic pain syndromes.

Episode Timeline

00:00 — Posture as a hidden driver of health
02:30 — Why posture is more than cosmetic
04:10 — Dr. Morningstar's journey into scoliosis care
09:50 — The multifactorial nature of scoliosis
12:10 — Forward head posture and breathing capacity
14:20 — Posture and stress hormones
16:00 — Autopilot vs conscious posture control
17:20 — Standing desks and movement awareness
20:30 — Vagus nerve and parasympathetic function
24:00 — Breathing patterns and anxiety
25:30 — Vagus nerve activation techniques
29:10 — Posture and longevity
31:00 — Movement and dancing
32:10 — Early warning signs of poor posture
34:10 — One key action for better posture
37:00 — Final thoughts on daily habits

Links for Dr. Morningstar

FB: facebook.com/backgenius
IG: dr.mark.morningstar
LI:  www.linkedin.com/in/mark-morningstar-dc-phd-facsp-dacbn-chs-a4085415
YT: @scoliosisworld

Call to Action

Download : Ten Tips to Build A Better Body 2026. 

Find "Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracfully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably" at www.gillianlockitch.com (North America) or on Kindle

Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others discover the show

Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community 

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at https://www.askdrgill.com/

or email: askdrgill@gmail.com to schedule a one-on-one zoom or phone call

Flashback Friday's  EPISODE 176 of GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER focuses on a vital topic for all who want to age in good health, namely preventing falls, and potential fractures. Falls are a leading cause of injury, disability and loss of independence among seniors, often resulting in fractures, hospitalizations and long term health complications. Maintaining mobility and preventing falls is absolutely key to promoting a healthier, independent form of aging.

My guest today is Dr Wayne Gradman, author of The Fall Guy, How to Keep Gravity from Ruining your Day. Dr Gradman obtained his MD from Harvard Medical School, followed by postgraduate work, interrupted by military service, at UCLA and Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. His private practice was in vascular surgery. He has been married for 52 years, and credits his wife for a very  practical point, The 20-Foot Rule.

0:01 Introduction and Overview of the Podcast

2:17 Introduction of Dr. Wayne Gradman

3:54 Intrinsic and Extrinsic Fall Factors

8:48 Personal Experiences and Practical Tips

9:05 Practical Tips for Preventing Falls

14:18 Home Safety and Bathroom Precautions

18:27 Stairs and Banisters

22:09 Outdoor Safety and Exercise

29:00 Exercise for Fall Prevention

33:31 Key Takeaways and Conclusion

Contact Dr. Lockitch ar askdrgill@gmail.com

Check out the website for Dr. Gradman https://wgradman.com

And if you have not already done so, please follow, rate and review this Growing Older Living Younger podcast.

Have you ever stepped on a scale and questioned whether the numbers truly reflect what is happening inside your body? In this episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with nutrition expert Cheryl McColgan to unpack the confusion around body composition data, wearable devices, and the science behind tracking your health as you age. Together, they explore how to interpret trends rather than obsess over absolute numbers, and how lifestyle habits like sleep, stress management, and nutrition influence the data we see. This conversation empowers listeners to use technology wisely while focusing on the foundational habits that support vibrant, healthy aging.
Cheryl McColgan is an author, coach, and the founder of Heal Nourish Grow, a wellness platform focused on nutrition, metabolic health, and sustainable lifestyle practices. With over 25 years of experience in psychology, addiction studies, fitness, yoga, and nutrition, Cheryl brings a multidisciplinary approach to health optimization. She is also the host of the Heal Nourish Grow podcast and has authored multiple books on keto nutrition and fat loss. At age 52, she became a competitive bodybuilder, demonstrating her commitment to strength, longevity, and aging powerfully. 

Episode Timeline:

00:00 – Welcome and introduction 

00:30 – A personal story of unexplained weight gain 

Dr. Gillian shares her experience with atrial fibrillation, weight gain, and confusion over body composition data 

06:35 – Cheryl's journey into health, nutrition, and bodybuilding 

From early exposure to fitness to becoming a competitor in her 50s 

10:48 – Can we trust wearable and scale data? 

Why body composition devices vary and how to approach their accuracy 

12:27 – The problem with body fat readings 

Why scales may underestimate fat and how algorithms affect results 

16:08 – Hydration, inflammation, and measurement variability 

How fluid shifts, illness, and exercise impact bioimpedance readings 

18:46 – Daily vs weekly tracking 

Why trends over time matter more than isolated measurements 

21:38 – How wearables measure stress, sleep, and recovery 

Understanding HRV, skin signals, and algorithm-driven insights 

24:16 – Are we becoming obsessed with health data? 

Balancing measurement with mindset and wellbeing 

29:04 – The most important habits for healthy aging 

Sleep, stress management, and aligning exercise with life demands 

31:32 – Rethinking productivity and rest 

The importance of giving yourself permission to recover 

33:18 – Keto, metabolic health, and personalized nutrition 

Cheryl's journey from vegetarian to keto and evolving dietary flexibility 

36:58 – Final reflections and practical takeaways 

Using tools wisely while focusing on foundational health behaviors 

Call to Action:

Download Guide to nature's Colourful Antioxidants

Find "Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably" at www.gillianlockitch.com  (N.America only) 

Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5 star review to help others discover the show.  

Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community 

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at https://www.askdrgill.com/ or email: askdrgill@gmail.com to book a one-on-one call. 

Learn more about Cheryl's work at https://healnourishgrow.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/healnourishgrow
Twitter: https://twitter.com/healnourishgrow
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/healnourishgrow
YouTube: https://youtube.com/healnourishgrow
Facebook: https://facebook.com/healnourishgrow

THIS FLASHBACK FRIDAY EPISODE 132 OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER focuses on understanding how our unique internal circadian rhythms, derived from interaction of genotype with environment, define our chronotype, which can help us optimize the times at which we should sleep, eat, exercise, interact with others and much more. 

Today's Featured Expert is Dr. Michael Breus, Clinical Psychologist, diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine, and a fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Dr. Breus is the author of The Power of When, a biohacking guidebook showing that, based on your genetic, biological chronotype, there is an optimal time to do everything from eating to exercising, to even asking for a raise. He is the author of two other books, focusing on sleep, The Sleep Doctors Four Week Program to Better Sleep and Better Health, and The Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan. Known as the Sleep Doctor, Dr. Breus is recognised  for his characterization of 4 chronotypes, Lion, Bear, Wolf and Dolphin.

Episode Timeline:

0.11 Intro to Sleep medicine and chronobiology

5:41 Genetics, time zones and personality traits

10:20 Circadian science and biological clocks.

21:06  Sleep disturbances and muscle cramps

26:55  Sleep apnea and its impact on daily life.

32:57 A Sleep Doctor's approach to Aging, Wellness and Genetics

About this episode's Featured Expert: Dr. Michael Breus

Website: www.sleepdoctor.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesleepdoctor/

About  Your Host: Dr. Gillian Lockitch

Download your free Guide to Living Younger Longer. 

Schedule a free Discovery Call with Dr. Gill

Email  Dr. Gill at askdrgill@gmail.com

About  Your Host: Dr. Gillian Lockitch
website: https://www.askdrgill.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gillian.lockitch/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/growingolderlivingyounger
Order Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably

And if you have not already done so, please follow, rate and review the podcast Growing Older Living Younger.

Bone density loss and osteoporosis are among the biggest threats to independence after 50. In this episode, bone health expert Kyle Zagrodzky explains the science of bone remodeling, skeletal strength, fracture prevention, and how mechanical loading can help build stronger bones as we age. Bone health is often overlooked until a fracture occurs, yet skeletal strength is one of the most important factors determining mobility as we age. In this episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with Kyle about how modern lifestyles contribute to declining bone density and muscle strength across generations, and why traditional approaches to bone health often miss a crucial biological trigger. The conversation explores practical strategies for strengthening bone, improving balance, and reducing fracture risk so that listeners can remain active, resilient, and independent throughout later life.
Kyle Zagrodzky is the Founder and CEO of OsteoStrong, an international wellness franchise dedicated to improving skeletal health and preventing fractures through science-based conditioning protocols. A seasoned entrepreneur with more than three decades of experience building high-performance companies, he shifted his focus toward bone health in 2012 after discovering breakthrough bone density technology developed by inventor Dr. John Jaquish. Today OsteoStrong operates in more than 200 locations across multiple countries and serves hundreds of thousands of members seeking stronger bones, better balance, and improved musculoskeletal health. Kyle also hosted the Unbreakable Me podcast and is a leading advocate for proactive skeletal health as a central pillar of longevity.

Episode Timeline

00:00 – Welcome and introduction
Dr. Gillian Lockitch introduces the episode and highlights why bone health is essential for maintaining independence, mobility, and an active lifestyle as we age.

00:30 – Why bone health is often overlooked
Dr. Lockitch explains how bone loss develops silently, particularly during menopause and aging, and why strengthening the skeletal system is critical for healthy longevity.

04:57 – Kyle Zagrodzky's entrepreneurial journey
Kyle shares his background as a bootstrap entrepreneur, his experience in the fitness industry, and the turning point that led him to focus on bone health innovation.

06:30 – Discovering breakthrough bone density technology
Kyle describes meeting scientist Dr. John Jaquish and learning about a prototype device designed to stimulate bone growth through mechanical loading.

08:47 – From prototype to global OsteoStrong franchise
The discussion explores how Kyle helped transform a scientific concept into an international network of skeletal conditioning centers.

10:13 – The fundamentals of longevity
Both hosts discuss the importance of focusing on core lifestyle practices such as movement, nutrition, resistance training, and social connection rather than chasing every new biohacking trend.

15:23 – Why bone density is declining in modern society
Kyle explains research showing that younger generations are developing lower bone mass due to sedentary lifestyles and insufficient mechanical loading.

18:00 – The science of bone remodeling
The conversation explores Wolff's Law and how bones respond to mechanical stress, along with the level of force required to stimulate new bone growth.

21:50 – How OsteoStrong works
Kyle explains the technology behind OsteoStrong devices and how controlled high force loading can stimulate bone growth safely without traditional impact exercise.

26:21 – Practical solutions for people without access to OsteoStrong
Kyle shares alternative strategies including resistance training, variable resistance systems such as the X3 bar, and the importance of balance and strength training.

30:45 – The overlooked role of protein
Kyle discusses why adequate protein intake is critical for maintaining muscle mass and supporting skeletal health as we age.

32:13 – Dr. Lockitch's personal bone health journey
Dr. Lockitch shares her experience with osteoporosis, maintaining bone health through lifestyle approaches, and rebuilding strength after atrial fibrillation limited her activity.

33:59 – The pros and cons of common osteoporosis medications
Kyle explains how bisphosphonate drugs work, potential risks associated with long-term use, and why bone remodeling balance is important.

37:11 – Extending healthspan, not just lifespan
Dr. Lockitch emphasizes the importance of maintaining vitality, independence, and quality of life rather than simply living longer.

37:50 – Final insights and closing thoughts
Kyle and Dr. Lockitch reflect on the importance of empowering people to strengthen their bones and extend their healthy years.

Connect with Osteostrong

https://osteostrong.me

https://x3bar.com

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch
https://www.askdrgill.com
askdrgill@gmail.com

Find "Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably" at www.gillianlockitch.com or on Kindle.

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One of the most important personal choices you can make about your health and about aging well, centres on nutrition. The reality is that we are what we eat. Food and the social aspects of eating together is an important aspect of daily life. And society's hunger for knowledge about food and health is reflected in the tsunami of contradictory information that floods our newspapers, magazines, computers and televisions every day. It's hard for even a dedicated researcher like me to make sense of it. Sadly, as for many important issues of the day, discussion about nutrition and health has become a battleground rather than arena where investigation and thoughtful debate occurs so that we can make informed choices. And the key word is choice.
As a medical specialist in human biochemistry with a particular focus on nutrition and micronutrients, I have been perplexed by the drive to force consumers onto a diet based solely on plants, with claims that this would be good for our health and the only solution to save our planet. Where in the battleground of extremes between vegans and carnivores is there a place for those of us who believe that we should have access to fresh, whole foods, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, vegetables, nuts, seeds, healthy fats, cheese or yogurt,  and  choose what feels right for us? 

Today I talk to Jayne Buxton, journalist, former business analyst, entrepreneur and author of The Great Plant-Based Con: Why eating a Plants-only diet won't improve your health or save the planet.  There is much to unpack in this extensively researched and referenced book, but our conversation focuses on 3 key areas. How a plant-only diet affects human health, the mythology that asserts that a plant-only diet is best for the planet, and what are the powerful forces propelling us towards a plant-only diet, and  away from the freedom to choose what we put in our bodies.

In this  conversation we could only touch on highlights from the book.  Learn more about "The Great Plant-Based Con: Why eating a Plants-only diet won't improve your health or save the planet" at www.jaynereesbuxton.com

Find Jayne at   @jaynereesbuxt

Contact Dr. Gillian Lockitch to discover how you can create your own roadmap to living younger as you grow older, You can schedule a free Discovery Call with me

Order your copy of  Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and The Art of Retiring Comfortably at  www.gillianlockitch.com. 

And join our private Growing Older Living Younger Community, to meet people, who like you, are discovering and sharing ways to age in great health.

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What if everything you're doing to stay healthy—your diet, your supplements, your exercise routine—is only part of the story? What if the real question is whether your body is actually absorbing, using, and benefiting at the cellular level? In this powerful solo episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch invites you to rethink how you measure wellness and healthy aging by introducing a biomarker that is both completely personal and scientifically valid: your antioxidant protection score.
Drawing from her background as a physician and specialist medical biochemist, as well as a life-changing personal health scare, Dr. Lockitch explains the invisible but relentless process of oxidative stress—the cellular damage caused by free radicals that accumulates over time and contributes to aging and chronic disease. Through a vivid and emotional story of her sudden diagnosis of myopic macular degeneration, she brings home the reality that aging is not just about time passing, but about what is happening inside your body every single day.
This episode goes beyond theory to illuminate the science of antioxidants as your body's essential defense system. You will learn how endogenous antioxidants produced within your cells work in partnership with dietary antioxidants like carotenoids, and why this balance is critical for protecting your brain, eyes, heart, skin, and overall vitality. Dr. Lockitch also explains why nutrient intake alone is not enough—what truly matters is bioavailability, absorption, and delivery to target tissues.
Most importantly, this conversation introduces a breakthrough in personalized health: the ability to measure your antioxidant status quickly, non-invasively, and in real time. By tracking carotenoid levels in your skin, with the new Prysm io, you gain a window into your body's internal resilience against oxidative stress. This transforms your approach from guessing and hoping to knowing and acting.
If you've ever wondered whether your healthy lifestyle is truly making a difference, this episode will shift your perspective. It is both a call to awareness and a message of empowerment: when you understand what is happening inside your body, you gain the ability to change it—and to take control of how you age, from the inside out. 

Episode Timeline:

00:00 – Welcome and introduction 

Dr. Gillian introduces the episode and poses the powerful question: do you know your antioxidant score? 

01:10 – Why antioxidant protection matters 

Explores the gap between healthy habits and measurable protection against oxidative stress. 

03:30 – A personal turning point 

Dr. Gillian shares her diagnosis of myopic macular degeneration and the urgent treatment that followed. 

06:10 – Lessons from the AREDS study 

How targeted nutrients support eye health and why prevention is more powerful than treatment. 

08:20 – Measuring what matters 

Introduction to antioxidant scanning and the surprising results from early testing. 

10:30 – Understanding oxidative stress 

Clear explanation of free radicals, cellular damage, and environmental contributors. 

13:00 – Internal vs dietary antioxidants 

How your body's own defense systems work alongside nutrients from food and supplements. 

15:10 – The role of carotenoids in healthy aging 

How these plant compounds support the eyes, brain, heart, and skin. 

17:00 – Introducing the Prysm iO device 

How this non-invasive technology measures antioxidant levels in seconds. 

18:30 – From guessing to knowing 

Why tracking your antioxidant score empowers better aging decisions. 

19:30 – Final thoughts and invitation 

Call to action to measure, monitor, and take control of your biological aging. 

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch

Download your Guide to Nature's Colouful Antioxidants

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at askdrgill@gmail.com to request a  zoom call to demo the Prysm io:

Email Subject: Prysm Podcast

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Share the Growing Older Living Younger podcast link for anyone you care about and invite them to subscribe  

In this Flashback Friday EPISODE OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER, we focus on helping women to achieve sustainable weight loss through uncovering the underlying beliefs leading to excess weight gain.

Today's Featured Guest is Lori Aloisio, holistic health coach and registered nurse. Lori's passion for helping and healing initially led her to become a registered nurse but she always viewed health and well being from a holistic perspective. Knowing that she needed to look at a larger picture to understand the many factors that contribute to illness and disease, Lori went on to study alternative healing practices, including ancient Chinese medicine, therapeutic and other nutrition techniques. In helping women struggle with weight loss problems, she's focused on showing that there are sustainable options.

Episode Timeline
0:11 Introduction to today's episode

3:40 What led Lori to become a registered nurse?

6:29 Why Lori moved to Brazil

11:44 How to learn what the body wants to tell us.

14:47 The importance of choosing a healthy lifestyle.

18:52 How to embody who you truly want to be.

20:45 How long does it take to recover from the effects of weight gain?

23:39 Balancing the feminine and masculine in us.

Key Takeaway
That there's always a reason behind excess weight and one needs to uncover the underlying cause. Why would my body think that I would need this excess weight? Was there maybe some trauma or some negative event in my life that makes me want to hide behind this protective shield as well?

Learn more about Lori here:
https://www.instagram.com/lorialoisio/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/manifestingweightlossnow

https://www.youtube.com/healthyandfreelife

Coupon Code ALIGNED for 11% off all my 1:1 programs

Contact Dr. Gillian Lockitch
Change Your Aging Masterplan: Reversing Aging to Live Younger Longer :For more information book a  free Discovery Call with Dr. Gill or email at askdrgill@gmail.com
To get your copy of Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and The Art of Retiring Comfortably click here And if you have not already done so, follow,  rate and review the show.

In this conversation with Dr. Gillian Lockitch, Dr. Natalya Borakowski explains the neurological remodeling and hormonal shifts that occur during perimenopause and menopause — and why these changes can trigger identity disruption and appearance anxiety. You'll learn how understanding the biology behind midlife can restore self-trust, reduce fear, and support aging youthfully. Midlife often arrives with an unexpected sense of instability. Women describe feeling anxious, self-critical, emotionally reactive, or disconnected from their reflection — even when medical tests show nothing "wrong." Estrogen and progesterone influence neurotransmitters like GABA, dopamine, and serotonin, and hormonal shifts temporarily alter emotional regulation, stress response, and self-perception This experience is not psychological weakness or hysteria. It is a biological and neurological transition that most women are never prepared for. If we misinterpret midlife symptoms as personal failure, we amplify stress and self-judgment — two drivers of accelerated aging. For women committed to healthy longevity and  extending healthspan, understanding the hormonal remodeling of the brain is essential. When we understand what is happening, fear lessens. And when fear lessens, physiology follows.  Natalya Borakowski is a naturopathic physician and founder of Desert Bloom Skincare. Her upcoming book, Emotional Esthetics: The Story of Aging, The Biology of Beauty, and the Art of Self-Trust, reframes midlife distress as a natural neurological transition rather than a cosmetic crisis. 

Episode Timeline: 

00:00 — Opening question: Is midlife distress biological, not psychological? 

03:45 — Natalya's journey into medicine and skin health 

07:30 — Cultural pressures, appearance & identity 

13:15 — The "identity perception split" explained 

18:40 — Hormones, neurotransmitters & brain remodeling 

23:50 — Wellness vs performance and self-surveillance 

26:30 — Personal stories: health crises & device tracking 

31:10 — Nervous system safety and the vagus nerve 

32:10 — The essential mindset shift: aging as transformation 

34:10 — Closing reflections and resources 

 Connect with Natalya Borakowski

We are happy to offer a complimentary download The Aging Out Loud Starter kit https://free-gift.unveilyou.life/
Instagram accounts @unveilyou.life @natalyaborakowski
LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/natalyaborakowski

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch

Download your guide to
Build Back a Better Body: Strengthen Bones, Muscles, Joint and Fascia 

Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at askdrgill@gmail.com to request a phone conversation or zoom call  

Join the Growing Older Living Younger Facebook Community here 

Share the Growing Older Living Younger podcast link for anyone you care about and invite them to subscribe  

THIS Flashback Friday EPISODE OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER focuses on food addiction, in particular addiction to sugar and refined carbohydrates.
Today's Featured Expert is Dr. Vera Tarman, author of Food Junkies: Recovery from  Food Addiction,  cohost of the popular Food Junkies Podcast and founder of the Facebook group called "I'm Sweet Enough: Sugar-Free for Life."
We discuss the reality and the pathophysiology of sugar addiction, how to know whether you have an addiction and the impact that corporate sponsorship of research and disease-focused organizations have on the common narrative. 

Episode Timeline
0:11 Introduction to today's episode.

2:58 The difference between pleasure seeking and addiction.

7:45 How to decide if you have a true sugar addiction?

12:29 Dopamine re-uptake.

17:08 Are there genetic predispositions to addiction?

21:28 The connection between diabetes and sugar addiction.

25:27 You are what you eat

31:41 Why sponsorship of research by corporations is problematic.

37:52 Training yourself to say no to sugar addiction.

Speaker Bio:
Dr, Vera Tarman. MD, MSc, FCFP, ABAM, is a specialist in addiction medicine, Medical Director of Renascent  and a senior staff physician at Salvation Army. she is author of Food Junkies: Recovery from  Food Addiction and cohosts the  Food Junkies Podcast

Learn more about  Dr. Tarman's work, and sugar addiction at the links in the show notes. Facebook: www.fb.com/groups/SugarFreeForLife

Website: veratarmanMD.com and addictionsunplugged.com;

You tube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VeraTarmanMD

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drveratarman/

Change Your Aging Masterplan: Seven Keys to Reversing Aging to Live Younger Longer  - with Dr. Gillian Lockitch, starts May 30th. For more information Email  Dr. Gill at askdrgill@gmail.com  or book 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 

And if you have not already done so, follow,  rate and review the show.