The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance

Latest Episodes:

From Tech to Table: Kimbal Musk's Culinary Revolution : 1125 Jan 16, 2024

Show notes

Today’s very special episode comes from inside Kimbal Musk’s kitchen, where I get a hands-on look at his passion for cooking, community, and regenerative farming. Kimbal Musk is a South African restaurateur, chef, entrepreneur and a board member at Tesla Inc. and SpaceX, companies led by his brother, Elon Musk.

Outside of the tech space, Kimbal is the force behind The Kitchen Restaurant Group and co-founder and chairman of Big Green, where he's pioneering outdoor classroom Learning Gardens in schools nationwide. Additionally, Kimbal co-founded Square Roots, an innovative urban farming venture utilizing hydroponic, climate-controlled shipping containers.

In our last interview at his newly opened restaurant, The Kitchen, we explored the intersection of technology, regenerative agriculture, and grass-fed cuisine. Today, we unpack Kimbal's passion for food and community. Seriously, we’re not just chatting about technology and longevity here—Kimbal teaches me how best to prepare, serve, and enjoy grass fed steak to perfection.

During this live tutorial, we talk about how the energy you put into preparing your food really does impact how it tastes, and his unique perspective on innovation and leadership, gained from working closely with his brother Elon and the teams at Tesla and SpaceX.

Then, we explore the highlights of his new cookbook, The Kitchen Cookbook: Cooking for Your Community, a treasure trove of real-food recipes accompanied by easy to follow video tutorials. It’s an incredibly valuable resource for anyone that’s interested in bringing more realness to their food prep and diet.

(00:02:14) Embracing Community Through Food

(00:18:33) Teaching Kids About Regenerative Farming With Big Green

(00:28:56) Try the Kitchen Cookbook for Better Family Meals

(00:38:52) Kimbal Musk on Psychedelics: In or Out?

(00:43:06) Cooking for Elon Musk

(00:47:27) Learn How To Prep & Cook a Beautiful Grass-Fed Steak Live

(00:59:22) Kitchen Thoughts on Longevity & Death

(01:04:12) Exploring the Link Between Quality Fats & Testosterone

Sponsors

Apollo Neuro Wearable | Head to apolloneuro.com to save 15% on your Apollo wearable.

CAROL Bike | Save $250 on CAROL Bike until January 15th with code DAVE at carolbike.com.

Resources

Dave Asprey’s NEW Book ‘Smarter Not Harder’ is out now: https://daveasprey.com/books

Organic Revolution: Kimbal Musk’s Mission to Take Down Big Food # 504

Big Green: biggreen.org

Read: The Kitchen Cookbook by Kimbal Musk

The Kitchen: thekitchen.com

Read: Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson

The Human Upgrade is produced by Crate Media.

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Gratitude & Grit: How To Grow in 2024 – Gary Vaynerchuk : 1124 Jan 11, 2024

Show notes

Today’s guest is not a scientist but a true visionary. Gary Vaynerchuk (aka Gary Vee), is a self-made entrepreneur and digital marketing pioneer. He started his business journey with a lemonade stand at age seven. Now, he’s a prolific content creator, best-selling author, and the co-founder of the massive digital agency VaynerMedia.

What I love about Gary is that he leads with integrity, optimism, and, above all, gratitude. He’s a guy of wisdom, not just business—and that’s an important element of what The Human Upgrade is all about.

In today’s episode, we explore how entrepreneurship has changed since Gary and I started. We get into how to grow a business in 2024 and Gary’s advice for anyone starting out. His secret to success will surprise you.

We talk a lot about gratitude, and how that lens has shaped Gary’s long career and kept him from burning out. Gary also shares his perspective on today’s social media landscape, the importance of kind candor, and why we should look to our elders.

No doubt, listening to Gary will inspire you to go after your passions and try that thing you’ve been putting off. In Gary’s words, your happiness is worth fighting for!

(00:02:01) Redefining Success as an Entrepreneur

(00:07:02) How Gary’s Upbringing Impacted His Success

(00:10:32) The Truth About Social Media in 2024

(00:14:49) Is Everyone Just Copying Each Other?

(00:18:50) Gratitude As the Antidote for Burnout

(00:24:11) Championing Wisdom Instead of Youth

(00:29:21) Prioritizing Joy Over Riches

(00:38:02) Recognizing the Importance of Kind Candor

(00:43:08) Reframing Relationships & the Perspectives You Engage With

(00:47:17) Leading With Gratitude, Not Fear

Sponsor

40 Years of Zen | Go to 40yearsofzen.com/dave to receive an exclusive offer for podcast listeners.

Resources

Dave Asprey’s NEW Book ‘Smarter Not Harder’ is out now: https://daveasprey.com/books

Website: garyvaynerchuk.com

Instagram: @garyvee

TikTok: @garyvee

Facebook: Gary Vaynerchuk

YouTube: @garyvee

X: @garyvee

Discord: VeeFriends

The Human Upgrade is produced by Crate Media.

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A Healthy Gut Can Reverse Disease – Dr. Steven Gundry : 1123 Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

I'm excited to welcome back Dr. Steven Gundry to The Human Upgrade for his sixth appearance, a tribute to his remarkable insights and ongoing research.

Dr. Gundry, a true pioneer, is renowned for his books like "The Plant Paradox" and his groundbreaking work on lectins, changing how we understand our body's reaction to food. He's also a top cardiothoracic surgeon and a leader in robotic cardiac surgery, with over two decades of research into the microbiome, using diet and nutrition as key treatment tools. His book, "Unlocking the Keto Code," and his wellness line, GundryMD, have made significant impacts in health and nutrition.

In this episode, we dive into cutting-edge research from his new book “Gut Check.” Dr. Gundry discusses the microbiome's connection to disease, and gut health's role in hormone regulation, crucial for mental health during menopause. He'll also share insights on dietary choices, the truth about parasites, and nicotine's unexpected role in longevity.

Dr. Gundry's transformative wisdom bridges traditional and alternative medicine. A big thank you to him for another enlightening visit. Thanks for joining us on this journey of discovery!

(00:00:22) The Latest Research on How To Reverse Disease

(00:10:16) The Link Between Leaky Gut & Gluten

(00:16:50) Debunking Blue Zones

(00:19:28) What Meat Products You Should Eat & Avoid

(00:23:43) The Latest Data on New 5GC, 5AC & Fermented Meat

(00:34:27) The Real Issue with Oxalates & How To Boost Your Defenses

(00:41:33) How the Microbiome Influences Hormones & Menopause

(00:48:10) What Foods Have the Highest Risk for Parasites According to Dr. Gundry

(00:55:11) Benefits & Risks of Berberine

(00:58:21) The Surprising Truth About Nicotine & Longevity

(01:09:11) The Downside to Too Much Olive Oil

Sponsors

ARMRA | Visit tryarmra.com and use the code DAVE to get 15% off your first order.

Leela Q | Visit leelaq.com/dave and get a 10% discount on LeelaQ products.

Resources

Dave Asprey’s NEW Book ‘Smarter Not Harder’ is out now: https://daveasprey.com/books

Read: Gut Check by Dr. Steven Gundry

Website: drgundry.com

Podcast: The Dr. Gundry Podcast

Keto Gets an Upgrade – Dr. Steven Gundry #912

How to Identify Your Energy Blockers and Beat Fatigue – Dr. Steven Gundry with Dave Asprey – #803

How Foods are Harming Your Kids – Steven Gundry, M.D. – #649

Healthy Aging Begins and Ends in the Gut – Dr. Steven Gundry #604

How Nutrition Can Reverse Disease and the Impact of Lectins – Dr. Steven Gundry – #417

The Human Upgrade is produced by Crate Media.

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NAD+: A Quantum Leap in Biohacking – Dr. Gregory Kelly : 1122 Jan 05, 2024

Show notes

On today’s Upgrade Spotlight episode, we’re talking all about NAD+. In the biohacking world, everyone and their mother has heard of NMN and NAD+, but there’s more to it than meets the eye.

To get into the nitty gritty of NAD+, we’re joined by Dr. Gregory Kelly, a naturopathic physician and the lead product formulator at Neurohacker Collective, also known as Qualia. I’m an advisor to the company, and they do fantastic and innovative work in the longevity space. Their NAD+ supplement is a quantum leap in biohacking and a no-brainer to add to your stack.

In today’s episode, Dr. Kelly explains what NAD is and why it’s essential for longevity, cognition, energy levels, and athletic performance. We talk about the differences between NR, NMN, and Niacinamide. We also explore the most efficient way to get NAD. Is an IV worth the money or will supplements give you more bang for your buck?

Plus, Dr. Kelly breaks down exactly what’s included—and not included—in the Qualia NAD+ formula. I’ve been a major proponent of NAD for more than 10 years, but I don’t like to spend all my time and money getting it. If you feel the same, you’re going to want to tune into this episode.

(00:01:55) What Is NAD & Why Do We Care?

(00:06:19) The Most Efficient Way To Get NAD

(00:09:55) Sirtuin’s Superpowers

(00:14:42) The Qualia NAD+ Formula

(00:22:37) The Buzz on Coffee Berry

(00:25:53) When Is the Best Time To Take NAD+?

(00:30:01) NAD+ in Clinical Trials

(00:34:16) What’s NOT in the Qualia Supplement

(00:38:02) A Quantum Leap for Biohacking

Episode Sponsor

Neurohacker | Boost YOUR NAD+ up to 50%* + GET 50% OFF go to neurohacker.com/DAVENAD.

Resources

Dave Asprey’s NEW Book ‘Smarter Not Harder’ is out now: https://daveasprey.com/books

Visit neurohacker.com/davenad to save 50% on Qualia NAD+ by Neurohacker

Neurohacker Collective: neurohacker.com

Neurohacker Collective Instagram: @neurohacker

Linkedin: Gregory Kelly

The Human Upgrade is produced by Crate Media.

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How to Relentlessly Prioritize Your Life – Jesse Itzler : 1121 Jan 04, 2024

Show notes

Today, we take a look into the mindset and habits of successful entrepreneurs and mastering the art of organization for success, topics that today’s guest has totally mastered.

Jesse Itzler has an impressive background with a bachelor's degree from American University and a further degree in justice, law, and society. His resume as an entrepreneur is also quite impressive, co-founding Marquis Jet, the world's largest private jet card company, which was later sold to Berkshire Hathaway/NetJets. Beyond this, he's partnered with Zico coconut water, selling it to The Coca-Cola Company, and has ventured into the music industry, co-writing Billboard Top 100 hits and co-founding Alphabet City Sports Records.

Jesse is also an acclaimed triathlete and author, with his book, Living with a Seal, becoming a New York Times bestseller.

As we step into the early days of 2024, this episode is all about providing you with clear, direct methods to upgrade your life across various facets—work, fitness, and personal development. Tune in as I compare and contrast my organizational methods with Jesse's, the goal being to introduce you to strategies that resonate with you and align with your personality.

You'll gain insights into how Jesse efficiently prioritizes his calendar and the skills needed to outperform competition when you’re starting out in business. We also explore habits and tools for staying physically and mentally young, our favorite biohacks, my personal excitement in the field of longevity, and ways to structure your life for maximum return on investment, both in terms of monetary success and happiness.

While our methods differ in some areas, our objective is the same: to live a life with minimal regrets, whether you reach 80 or 180 years old. Join us as we discuss the habits of successful entrepreneurs—both from our experience and learning from others at the top of their game—and discover practical ways to implement these lessons into your life.

(00:00:20) The Secret to Jesse’s Success in Business & Triathlons

(00:05:10) How Jesse Organizes His Life & Implements New Habits

(00:22:49) Structuring Support Systems & Early Hires

(00:32:41) Lessons From Living With a Seal & Monks

(00:48:19) What Biohacks Dave Is Most Excited About

(00:54:21) How To Organize Your Time Efficiently

(01:01:54) The Mindset & Habits of Successful Entrepreneurs

(01:10:34) The Recipe for a Fulfilling Life

(01:18:46) Dave’s Top Tools for Longevity

Sponsor: https://www.viome.com/dave to save $150 full body intelligence test.

Resources

Dave Asprey’s NEW Book ‘Smarter Not Harder’ is out now: https://daveasprey.com/books

Website: jesseitzler.com

Instagram: @jesseitzler

TikTok: @jesseitzler

YouTube: Jesse Itzler

Linkedin: Jesse Itzler

The Human Upgrade is produced by Crate Media.

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The Expert In Your Face: Youthful Skin Without Surgery – Dr. Anthony Youn : 1120 Jan 02, 2024

Show notes

Dr. Anthony Youn, aka “America’s Holistic Plastic Surgeon,” is an expert in your face. He joins us to answer some burning questions… Can plastic surgery actually be holistic? Can you turn back the clock without going under the knife? And… What work should I get done to my face? Today, we’re talking all about how to hack your face and save your skin.

Dr. Youn is a nationally-recognized, board-certified plastic surgeon. He’s the most followed plastic surgeon on social media and a TikTok star. He’s the author of The Age Fix, In Stitches, and Playing God. His new book, Younger For Life, is a complete holistic guide to anti-aging using a process he coined called Autojuvenation.

In today’s episode, we get into what Autojuvenation is, and how it helps you look younger without surgery—a surgeon who wants to help you avoid surgery! We talk about blending biohacking and cosmetics, natural vs. medical-grade skincare, collagen peptides, treating hair loss, and whether sunscreen causes or prevents cancer.

Dr. Youn also tells us the dumbest things that both men and women do to their faces—and how to avoid them. Let’s face it, many of us want to look younger. This conversation is a fascinating look at how to approach aesthetics from a biohacker’s perspective.

(00:01:55) Is There Such Thing As Holistic Plastic Surgery?

(00:05:12) Natural vs. Medical-Grade Skincare

(00:09:36) Holistic Alternatives That Traditional Physicians Don’t Know

(00:16:47) Does Topical Collagen Work?

(00:19:45) What Cosmetic Work Should Dave Have Done?

(00:25:20) Blending Biohacking & Cosmetics

(00:30:38) The Dumbest Things Men Do to Their Skin

(00:35:37) Is Sunscreen Preventing or Causing Cancer?

(00:38:33) The Dumbest Things Women Do to Their Skin

(00:43:54) The Hair-Raising Effects of Hair Loss

(00:52:35) Additional Skin Biohacks from a Pro

Sponsors:

Tru Kava https://trukava.com/ use code Dave15
One Skin: https://www.oneskin.co/ use code Upgrade15

Resources

Dave Asprey’s NEW Book ‘Smarter Not Harder’ is out now: https://daveasprey.com/books

Website: dryoun.com

Pre-order: Younger For Life (over $100 value of free bonuses)

TikTok: @doctoryoun

Instagram: @tonyyounmd

YouTube: @DoctorYoun

Podcast: The Holistic Plastic Surgery Show

The Human Upgrade is produced by Crate Media.

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Urolithin A: The Miracle Compound - Dr. Dominic Denk : 1119 Dec 28, 2023

Show notes

Get ready for this important download on a fascinating biohacking compound you haven’t heard me talk about before: Urolithin A. It’s a postbiotic that supports the mitochondria, and it’s backed by impressive studies on longevity, anti-cancer effects, cognitive function, and muscle strength. In fact, this compound has earned a place in my permanent stack—which you know isn’t easy to pull off.

Today, I chat with Dr. Dominic Denk, who’s done some of the original research on Urolithin A and the company that makes it, Timeline Nutrition powered by Mitopure. Dr. Denk works as a physician in the Department of Internal Medicine at University Hospital Frankfurt.

Dr. Denk breaks down what Urolithin A is and how it impacts aging and cancer prevention—answering questions on when, how, and why to take Mitopure—before we delve into the powers of mitochondria, how to have more energy production in your cells, and the relationship between energy production and cancer.

We also talk T cells, autoimmunity, and inflammation. Plus, we get into the differences in healthcare and pharmaceutical overreach in the U.S. and Germany. Tune in to uncover the latest life-changing compound—and find out what it will do for your heaviest lift in the gym, your cognition before your next big meeting, and to reverse aging over time.

(00:03:31) Understanding Urolithin A

(00:08:43) Genetic vs. Mitochondrial Cancer

(00:14:48) Getting to the Root of Autoimmunity

(00:21:19) Strong Evidence on Muscle Strength

(00:23:59) Does Cancer Hate Americans?

(00:27:59) Why Do We Age?

(00:31:35) The Best Studied Compound You’re Not Taking

(00:33:02) Talking T Cells

(00:36:22) Healthcare in Germany vs. The U.S.

(00:43:31) Urolithin A & Hot/Cold Therapies

(00:45:55) Tripling Down on mTOR

(00:52:05) Are There Downsides to Urolithin A?

Resources

Dave Asprey’s NEW Book ‘Smarter Not Harder’ is out now: https://daveasprey.com/books

Timeline Nutrition: timelinenutrition.com and use code DAVE to save 10%. After January 1st, 2024, TimelineNutrition.com/dave for 30% discount.

Mitopure: mitopure.com

X: @DomDenkMD

Linkedin: Dr.med. Dominic Denk

The Human Upgrade is produced by Crate Media.

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How & Why You Age, And What It Takes To Be 'Young Forever' – Mark Hyman, M.D. - End of Year Best-Of Episode! : 1118 Dec 26, 2023

Show notes

In this special end-of-year "best of" episode, you'll learn the Top 10 hallmarks of aging, the role of functional medicine in restoring and reversing aging, and the many practical ways you can promote your own longevity.

Mark Hyman, M.D., joins Dave in Austin to talk all things longevity. Driven by his desire for a healthier, longer life for himself and others, Dr. Mark immersed himself in the latest scientific research on aging and longevity. Through his findings, he realized that the body has an incredible built-in healing system that can be activated through understanding the emerging science of longevity. He also managed to reduce his biological age by 20 years effectively.

He consistently tackles the topic of inflammation and its impact on aging—or “Inflammaging” as he calls it. “The body only has so many ways to say ouch,” Dr. Mark says. “You have pain. You have inflammation. You have certain things that happen that create all these symptoms, but there're these common roots. So, inflammation is this common root that seems to accelerate as we get older. So, we can measure biomarkers of inflammation that are highly predictive of mortality.”

This conversation covers many components of aging, like metabolic flexibility and resilience, mTor, meat- and plant-based protein, nutrition, environmental allergies and food sensitivities, histamine, autophagy, fasting, DEXA scans, and much more!

In his book, "Young Forever: The Secrets to Living Your Longest, Healthiest Life,” Dr. Mark:

shares the knowledge of how to unlock the causes of accelerated aging and treat it as a reversible disease.
gives you practical tips for daily habits that will increase your energy and performance.
teaches you why you age and what it really takes to live a longer, more vibrant life.

Watch this episode on YouTube!

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Change Absolutely Everything With One Hack – Robert Waldinger, M.D. - End of Year Best-Of Episode! : 1117 Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of The Human Upgrade you’ll meet Robert Waldinger, M.D., who leads an extraordinary scientific study on happiness that’s still going strong after eight decades. The study set out to understand human health by what made people thrive.

Since 1938, the Harvard Study of Adult Development has tracked two groups of men and their families with the goal of discovering what really makes for a good life. Along the way, thousands of questions were asked, and hundreds of measurements were taken—from brain scans to blood work. Three strong themes emerged from the study:

Social connections are really good for you. Loneliness kills.
It’s the quality of your close relationships that matters.
Good close relationships don’t just protect your body, they protect your brain.

Dr. Waldinger combined those lifelong case studies with modern psychological research in his new book, co-authored with Marc Schulz, Ph.D., “The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness." This discussion gives you real-life tools to hack your happiness. You’ll learn things like:

how relationships improve your physical, mental and emotional health. (More than you know!)
how to evaluate the effect of your relationships on your well-being. (Don’t be dragged down.)
what social fitness is and how to practice it. (Yes, it’s a flex.)
ways to enliven and energize your relationships. (Energy totally matters.)
why casual and work relationships matter more than you think. (A surprisingly big contribution.)

Watch this episode on YouTube!

Don’t Miss This! Dr. Waldinger’s TEDtalk about the study is one of TED’s Top 10 episodes and viewed more than 43 million times.

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The Equinox Effect: Innovating Fitness – Lavinia Errico : 1116 Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

This episode is a deep dive into the heart of modern fitness, led by one of its most influential figures. Joining me today is Lavinia Errico, the visionary co-founder of Equinox Fitness Clubs. Lavinia isn't just a pioneer in the fitness industry, she's a passionate advocate for a life that's healthier, more fulfilled, balanced, and brimming with joy.

She's dedicated to helping others achieve these same goals, inspiring people to delve into self-awareness and embrace transformative journeys. With her belief in enjoying the journey and embracing the process, Lavinia has shaped not just her own life but the lives of countless others towards seeing, feeling, and living remarkable results.

Today, you’ll hear about how Lavinia's career in fitness and biohacking began with the birth of the modern fitness movement and Equinox as she shares challenges and triumphs of starting a fitness revolution in 1980s New York. You’ll also learn about the unique ethos that set Equinox apart and how building a business with family shaped its upward trajectory.

This conversation is threaded with insight into the life of an entrepreneur, the realities of being a CEO, and how Lavinia intuitively balanced her professional journey with motherhood. Lastly, you’ll get a taste of Lavinia's wellness rituals, her philosophy as a lifelong learner, and her exciting new chapter with MOVEJOY, aimed at creating a more stress-free, joyous workout experience for everyone.

(00:01:41) Laying the Foundation of Equinox

(00:10:44) Finding the Joy of Movement

(00:18:56) Advice for Women in Business

(00:24:51) The Honest Cost of Being an Entrepreneur & CEO

(00:32:14) Wellness Rituals & Being a Student of Life

(00:44:47) Introducing Move Joy

(00:55:27) Shifting the Why Behind Movement

Resources

Dave Asprey’s NEW Book ‘Smarter Not Harder’ is out now: https://daveasprey.com/books

Website: movejoy.life

Instagram: @laviniajoy

LinkedIn: Lavinia Errico