Ageless Athlete — Healthy Aging for a Strong, Capable Life

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Best Of 2024 - Part I Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Excited for this special look back at the most inspiring moments of 2024! Host Kush Khandelwal revisits powerful conversations with athletes and adventurers who’ve challenged limits, overcome adversity, and redefined resilience.

This episode highlights some of the most moving stories and actionable lessons from climbers, surfers, runners, cyclists, and coaches. Whether you’re an athlete or simply curious about pushing boundaries and thriving in life, this episode offers something for everyone.

Featured Guests and Highlights

1.Craig DeMartino – Adaptive climber on reframing setbacks and choosing positivity after life-altering injuries.

2.Mark “Doc” Renneker – Big-wave surfer on humility in nature and transitioning to a pescatarian diet for better performance.

3.Lee Sheftel– Climber on the reality of testosterone, HGH, and finding balance in supplements.

4.Meghan Canfield – Ultramarathoner on fueling, mental strategies, and tackling races that last over 24 hours.

5.Natasha Barnes – Powerlifter and coach on how strength training transforms rehab and performance.

6.Eric Hörst – Renowned climbing coach on using cold plunges, saunas, and intermittent fasting for longevity.

7.Hans Florine – Speed-climbing legend on how humor and partnerships make big-wall climbing fun.

8.Mohit Oberoi – Cross-training enthusiast on staying active by pivoting sports and managing injuries.

9.Jessica & Friends – Mountain biking group on overcoming injuries and heart conditions as a supportive community.

10.Juliet Starrett – Co-founder of The Ready State on foundational health habits for staying active and pain-free.

11.Jeremiah Bishop – Pro-level mountain biker on balancing intensity, recovery, and competing near age 50.

12.Wayne Willoughby– Adaptive climber on scaling El Cap and redefining “disability” in climbing.

13.David “Tinker” Juarez – Ultra-endurance mountain biker on the mental grit required to race 3,000 miles across America.

Why Listen?

•Learn practical tips on recovery, fueling, and injury management from top athletes and experts.

•Gain actionable insights into mental toughness, adaptability, and finding balance in training and life.

•Be inspired by stories of resilience, community, and redefining limits—regardless of your athletic level.

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Timeline: Support cellular renewal and mitochondrial function with Mitopure, featuring Urolithin A. Up to 20% off at timeline.com/AGELESSATHLETE

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Ageless Athlete is a podcast about healthy aging for people who want to stay strong, active and capable for life. Conversations explore strength, endurance, mobility, recovery, VO2 max, muscle and bone health, and what it takes to keep doing the things you love as you get older.

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

The $101M Global Race to Redefine Aging Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

What if aging didn’t have to mean decline? What if the years ahead could be just as vibrant as your youth—if not more so? In this week’s episode of Ageless Athlete, Jamie Justice, Executive Vice President of Health at XPRIZE, reveals how she’s leading a $101 million global competition to make that vision a reality.

This episode is packed with mind-expanding insights, but here’s a preview of the most compelling takeaways:

A Personal Journey That Inspires
Jamie’s story is one of resilience and adventure. From ultra-running streaks spanning nearly two years to parenting competitive climbers, Jamie lives the philosophy of "ageless." Her mother, who sold everything in her 70s to live out of a van and explore the world, embodies the possibilities of living fully at any age. Jamie’s life is a testament to the mindset she’s advocating—a perfect balance of science and the human spirit.
The Bold Vision of XPRIZE Healthspan
Forget pills and quick fixes. The XPRIZE Healthspan competition is bringing together over 550 teams from 55 countries to develop breakthrough therapies, public health interventions, and lifestyle solutions that extend healthspan. Innovations range from repurposed drugs and stem cell therapies to meditation and housing-first models for improving health.
What You Eat (and When) Matters More Than You Think
Jamie shares why diet quality trumps calorie counting and how simple changes in meal timing can dramatically impact your health. Plus, she explains how your circadian rhythm might hold the key to living longer and better.
Why Following Brian Johnson May Be the Wrong Path
Jamie dives into the challenges of “biohacking” as it’s often presented by high-profile figures like Brian Johnson. While they may market one-size-fits-all solutions, Jamie explains why aging is deeply personal, influenced by biology, environment, and individual needs. Her advice? Science-backed personalization—not cookie-cutter regimens—is the future of longevity.
The Human Side of Science
Beyond the labs and clinical trials, Jamie’s insights are grounded in a deeply human perspective. From enduring personal loss to celebrating the small joys of life, she reminds us that longevity isn’t just about living longer—it’s about living better.

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Timeline: Support cellular renewal and mitochondrial function with Mitopure, featuring Urolithin A. Up to 20% off at timeline.com/AGELESSATHLETE

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

He Crossed the Sahara. Then Faced Cancer. | Ray Zahab, 56 Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

“During chemo, I could have stayed on the couch binge-watching Netflix. Instead, I chose to walk 500 meters, then build from there. Every step reminded me that I could still fight and get stronger.”
In this episode of The Ageless Athlete Podcast, I sit down with Ray Zahab—a professional adventurer and ultra-endurance athlete who has crossed some of the world’s harshest environments, from the Sahara Desert to the Arctic tundra. But Ray’s most inspiring journey isn’t just about extreme landscapes; it’s about how he used the resilience forged in those adventures to overcome some of life’s toughest challenges, including a battle with lymphoma.

Ray shares his incredible story of transformation—from a pack-a-day smoker in his late 20s to one of the world’s most accomplished ultra-endurance athletes. He opens up about his fight with cancer, how his mindset from years of extreme expeditions helped him navigate treatment, and the life lessons he’s learned about resilience, purpose, and living fully.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

🌍 The Mental Strength of an Adventurer

How Ray developed resilience by running across deserts, trekking solo in the Arctic, and embracing challenges most would avoid.

🩺 Overcoming Cancer With Grit

How Ray applied the same mental toughness from his adventures to his cancer treatment, including pushing through chemo with small daily wins.

🚭 Breaking Free From Smoking

Ray’s story of quitting smoking in his late 20s and how it became the catalyst for a complete life transformation.

💡 Life Lessons on Resilience and Purpose

Why Ray believes limitations are 90% mental and how shifting your mindset can unlock incredible potential.

Key Takeaways

Focus on Small Wins: During cancer treatment, Ray started with 500-meter walks and built from there—proving that progress begins with small, consistent steps.
Reframe Challenges: The same mindset that carried him across the Sahara—breaking big goals into smaller milestones—helped him push through chemo.
Resilience is Built Over Time: Quitting smoking taught Ray that transformative change starts with a single decision.
Adventure as a Teacher: Ray’s expeditions taught him patience, problem-solving, and how to embrace discomfort—skills that helped him in his fight against cancer.

References Mentioned in the Episode

Impossible2Possible (i2P): Ray’s nonprofit that inspires and educates youth through adventure. Learn more here.
Running the Sahara: Documentary about Ray’s epic 111-day journey across the Sahara Desert. Watch here.
Ray’s Arctic Expeditions: Explore Ray’s solo Arctic crossings and his insights on endurance. Details here.

Connect With Ray Zahab

Website: www.rayzahab.com
Instagram: @RayZahab
Twitter: @RayZahab

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Timeline: Support cellular renewal and mitochondrial function with Mitopure, featuring Urolithin A. Up to 20% off at timeline.com/AGELESSATHLETE

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

Long Game: The Patterns I Didn’t Expect From Top Athletes Jan 01, 2025

Show notes

Over the past year, I’ve had conversations with athletes across climbing, running, surfing, and beyond.

Different sports. Different personalities.

But certain ideas kept showing up—often in ways I didn’t expect.

This episode is a reflection on what actually stuck with me.

Not as a list of tips—but as patterns that started to change how I think about training, fear, and what it means to keep going over time.

I draw from conversations with people like Thomas Huber, Timmy O’Neill, Robert "Wingnut" Weaver, and Amy Appelhans Gubser.

We get into:

Why awe might matter more than discipline
How fear shows up differently than we think
The role of joy in staying consistent over decades
Why mentorship changes both sides of the relationship
What it actually means to pursue something big, later in life

Some of these ideas are simple.

But they’ve stayed with me—and started to shape how I approach my own life.

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

Why Fear Doesn’t Go Away — And How to Use It Anyway | Caroline Paul Dec 24, 2024

Show notes

As we step into a new year, there’s no better time to revisit this transformative conversation with Caroline Paul—firefighter, adventurer, and NYT best-selling author. In this episode, Caroline shares practical strategies to reframe fear, build confidence, and find awe in everyday life. Whether you're chasing bold resolutions or just seeking a more courageous mindset, Caroline’s wisdom will inspire you to take action. Make sure to get a copy of 'Tough Broad', one of my favorite books in recent memory!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

🌟 How to Transform Fear into Confidence

Why fear is often misunderstood and how to reframe it as a tool for growth.
Caroline’s three-step process for pushing past fear in everyday situations.

🌊 The Power of Awe in Daily Life

How to recognize and cultivate awe, even in small moments.
Why awe is a key to resilience and joy, and how it can transform your mindset.

🧗‍♀️ Lessons from a Life of Adventure

The challenges Caroline faced as a firefighter and how they shaped her courage.
Stories from her most daring adventures and the lessons they offer for taking risks.

📋 Actionable Takeaways

Daily habits to step outside your comfort zone.
How to identify and take “micro-risks” that build confidence over time.
Simple techniques to stay calm and focused in the face of challenges

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Timeline: Support cellular renewal and mitochondrial function with Mitopure, featuring Urolithin A. Up to 20% off at timeline.com/AGELESSATHLETE

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

Why Some People Never Lose Their Spark | Wingnut, 60 Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

Robert "Wingnut" Weaver, is the star of Endless Summer II and one of surfing’s most iconic longboarders. Wingnut takes us behind the scenes of the movie that shaped surf culture and shares timeless lessons on living a balanced, joyful, and active life.

Whether you’re a surfer or simply someone seeking inspiration, this conversation is packed with practical tips and stories that will leave you feeling energized and ready to ride the waves of life—no board required!

🌊 Stories from Endless Summer II

Behind-the-scenes moments from one of surfing’s most beloved films.
Wingnut’s most memorable (and hilarious) adventures on the road.

🧘 Wingnut’s Proven Longevity Formula

The flexibility routines that keep him agile and strong in his 50s.
Why he prioritizes eating local and seasonal foods while traveling.
His approach to maintaining a balanced mindset and staying stoked through the decades.

🌎 Lessons from Surfing Greats

What Wingnut has learned from icons like Jerry Lopez and Laird Hamilton.
How their philosophies on health, longevity, and resilience have shaped his life.

🤔 Practical Takeaways for Listeners

Why focusing on small daily habits, like stretching, can make a huge impact over time.
How to cultivate joy and resilience, even if you’ve never surfed.
The surprising connection between surfing and mindfulness.

References Mentioned in the Episode

Endless Summer II – The iconic movie that made Wingnut a household name in the surfing world. Go see it now!
Jerry Lopez and Laird Hamilton – Surfing legends whose philosophies have inspired Wingnut’s approach to life.
Surfline Forecasts – A tool Wingnut occasionally uses but still values discovering waves the old-school way.

Connect with Wingnut

Instagram: @thewingnut
Website: WingnutSurf.com

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Timeline: Support cellular renewal and mitochondrial function with Mitopure, featuring Urolithin A. Up to 20% off at timeline.com/AGELESSATHLETE

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

The First-Ever Farallon Swim: 17 Hours in Freezing Water | Amy Gubser, 55 Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

Amy Appelhans Gubser became the first person—man or woman—to complete the swim from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Farallon Islands.

Nearly 30 miles. About 17 hours in the water. No wetsuit.

Temperatures in the low 40s. Currents, cold, and waters known for sharks.

It sounds extreme. But the way she describes it is surprisingly simple.

Thirty minutes at a time. Feed, reset, keep going.

In this conversation, we get into what that actually feels like—and what it takes to stay in it.

We talk about:

How you prepare for something where the margin for error is thin
What cold water does to your body—and your mind
How she manages fear in an environment she can’t control
The role of routine and structure during a 17-hour effort
What her work as a nurse taught her about staying calm under stress

There’s no bravado here.

Just a very clear way of approaching something difficult—and staying with it long enough to finish.

⚡

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Timeline: Support cellular renewal and mitochondrial function with Mitopure, featuring Urolithin A. Up to 20% off at timeline.com/AGELESSATHLETE

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

Long Game: What You Are Getting Wrong About Protein | EC Synkowski Dec 03, 2024

Show notes

"When you understand nutrition isn’t about specific food choices, you stop chasing the trends"
n this episode of The Ageless Athlete Podcast, I sit down with EC Synkowski, the founder of OptimizeMe Nutrition and the creator of the groundbreaking 800-Gram Challenge. EC’s no-nonsense, science-backed approach cuts through the noise of trendy diets and focuses on what really matters for longevity, vitality, and health. Whether you’re an everyday athlete or just looking for practical ways to improve your nutrition, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Key Takeaways

The 800-Gram Challenge: A simple framework to ensure you’re getting enough fruits and vegetables—just add 800 grams of produce to your diet daily.
Longevity Starts with Basics: EC explains how whole foods, maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, and proper sleep drive long-term health.
Protein Simplified: Most people don’t need a gram of protein per pound of body weight—EC shares a practical guideline that balances health and lifestyle.
Debunking Nutrition Myths: Why potatoes, bananas, and carrots are great additions to your diet, and why you don’t need fancy “superfoods.”
Supplements Are Overrated: If you’re eating a balanced diet, supplements are unnecessary for most people.
Consistency Over Perfection: It’s not about being perfect but about doing the right things more often than not.
Seasonal Eating Tips: How to manage nutrition during long adventures or when access to fresh produce is limited.
Mental Strategies for Nutrition: Focus on what you can add, not what you have to take away, to make healthier eating more sustainable.

Connect with EC Synkowski

Website: OptimizeMe Nutrition
Instagram: @OptimizeMeNutrition
Podcast: The Consistency Project

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Timeline: Support cellular renewal and mitochondrial function with Mitopure, featuring Urolithin A. Up to 20% off at timeline.com/AGELESSATHLETE

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

He Falls Making Dinner—But Climbs El Cap | Wayne Willoughby Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

Wayne Willoughby doesn’t move through the world easily.

By his own account, even making dinner can be a challenge. Balance, coordination—things most of us take for granted—aren’t a given for him.

And yet, he’s climbed El Capitan in Yosemite 26 times.

This is a re-release of one of the most memorable conversations from the show.

Wayne has lived with the effects of polio and other physical limitations since he was young. Over time, he’s had to figure things out in his own way—how to move, how to adapt, how to keep going.

Climbing became part of that.

Not as an escape, but as a way to engage more fully with life.

In this conversation, we talk about:

What it actually takes to operate in a body that doesn’t cooperate
How he approaches big objectives like El Cap
The role of creativity and adaptation in movement
Why gratitude shows up so strongly in his life
What keeps him coming back, even now

There’s nothing flashy about how Wayne talks about any of this.

Which is part of what makes it land.

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Timeline: Support cellular renewal and mitochondrial function with Mitopure, featuring Urolithin A. Up to 20% off at timeline.com/AGELESSATHLETE

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

Long Game: Most People Burn Out. These Athletes Didn’t Nov 19, 2024

Show notes

This is Part II of a simple question:

What do people who stay in the game for decades actually do differently?

Not just in training—but in how they think, how they show up, and how they build a life around what they love.

This episode pulls together lessons from conversations with athletes across climbing, running, biking, and beyond—from Hans Florine to Marshall Ulrich to Hazel Findlay.

Different sports. Different paths.

But some clear patterns start to emerge.

We get into:

Why patience tends to outperform intensity over the long run
How community quietly shapes performance and longevity
What it means to give back—and why it often comes later
The role of mental training (and how it shows up in different sports)
How people balance ambition with the rest of their lives

This isn’t a checklist.

It’s a set of ideas—drawn from people who have stayed curious, capable, and committed long after most would have stopped.

Marek Health: Deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Support The Show Love the show? Here’s how to support it https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.

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