The Peter Attia Drive

Latest Episodes:

#97 - Peter Hotez, M.D., Ph.D.: COVID-19: transmissibility, vaccines, risk reduction, and treatment Mar 14, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Peter Hotez M.D., Ph.D., Dean for the National School of Tropical Medicine Baylor College of Medicine, shares his expertise on viral disease and how it applies specifically to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the virus that causes it (SARS-CoV-2). Dr. Hotez informs us about the current state of disease progression, which has many unknowns, but has thus far been greatly determined by the delayed response time and lack of testing. Moreover, we discuss what we can do on a country, state, community, and individual level in order to collectively slow transmission of the disease. He shares with us a potential hope in convalescent plasma therapy and underscores the need for US federal involvement - particularly in the creation of a specialty task force to address areas of concern and unknowns.

Disclaimer: This is information accurate as of March 13, 2020, when it was recorded. We discuss:

The disease and the virus: transmissibility and lethality [04:30];
Disease transmission: US playing catch-up [12:00];
Convalescent plasma coronavirus therapy [16:00];
Remdesivir drug treatment and vaccination challenges [19:45];
Disease mechanism and reported pathology [27:45];
Most concerning geographic regions in the US [39:00];
Risk reduction [46:30]; and
More.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/ Show notes page for this episode: https://peterattiamd.com/peterhotez Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

Qualy #125 - Hierarchies in healthcare, physician burnout, and a broken system Mar 10, 2020

Show notes

Today's episode of The Qualys is from podcast #37 – Zubin Damania, M.D.: Revolutionizing healthcare one hilariously inspiring video at a time.

The Qualys is a subscriber-exclusive podcast, released Tuesday through Friday, and published exclusively on our private, subscriber-only podcast feed. Qualys is short-hand for "qualifying round," which are typically the fastest laps driven in a race car—done before the race to determine starting position on the grid for race day. The Qualys are short (i.e., "fast"), typically less than ten minutes, and highlight the best questions, topics, and tactics discussed on The Drive.

Occasionally, we will also release an episode on the main podcast feed for non-subscribers, which is what you are listening to now.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/podcast/qualys/

Subscribe to receive access to all episodes of The Qualys (and other exclusive subscriber-only content): https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/

Connect with Peter on Facebook.com/PeterAttiaMD | Twitter.com/PeterAttiaMD | Instagram.com/PeterAttiaMD

#96 - David Epstein: How a range of experience leads to better performance in a highly specialized world Mar 09, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, David Epstein, best-selling author of Range and The Sports Gene, discusses the evidence around the most effective ways to improve long-term performance and learning in our specialties, our sports, our careers, and our lives. David makes a compelling case that a range of experiences and skills are more likely to lead to expert performance compared to early specialization, and offers an in-depth critique of the much-publicized 10,000-Hour Rule. David also provides insights into our role as parents in the process of encouraging exposure to many things, the concepts of when to push them, when to give them space, and when to allow them to quit. Furthermore, David goes into many other fascinating topics such as the role of talent, genetics, and practice in reaching expert status, what differentiates a kind vs. wicked learning environment, the importance of "informal training," and many case studies that suggest strategies for short-term success may not be best for long-term development.

We discuss:

A shared interest in Ayrton Senna, and pondering the value in participating in sports [2:30];
Examining the 10,000-Hour Rule, and the importance of questioning existing dogma [15:00];
How the medical profession is affected by bad science, and the importance of understanding individual variation [28:00];
David's most surprising findings when writing The Sports Gene [35:45];
Kind versus wicked learning environments [40:45];
How and why strategies for short-term success may not be best for long-term development [47:30];
Contrasting the success stories of Tiger Woods and Roger Federer—which path is more common, and an argument for diversified training and experiences [59:15];
Is there an age-range or "critical window" during which exposure is necessary to reach a certain level of proficiency or mastery of a skill or knowledge? [1:14:00];
How diversifying your interests and unraveling your identity from your speciality could lead to more enjoyment and actually improve performance in your speciality [1:22:15];
The undervalued importance of "informal training" [1:29:15];
Advice for increasing match quality in your work—where interests and abilities align—to optimize both job performance and fulfillment [1:41:15];
Would David want his own son to attend college given the current state of higher education? [1:51:15];
The role of a parent—how to encourage sampling, when to push them, when to allow them to quit, and insights from the childhoods of Tiger Woods and Wolfgang Mozart [1:55:45];
The need for varied perspectives and the ability to improvise—insights gained from the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy [2:08:45];
How a diversified background and identity could be the difference in life or death—the Hotshot firefighters case study [2:22:15];
David's takeaways from the inspiring story of Frances Hesselbein [2:29:00]; and
More.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/ Show notes page for this episode: https://peterattiamd.com/davidepstein Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

Qualy #121 - The "art" of longevity: the challenge of preventative medicine and understanding risk Mar 03, 2020

Show notes

Today's episode of The Qualys is from podcast #52 – Ethan Weiss, M.D.: A masterclass in cardiovascular disease and growth hormone – two topics that are surprising interrelated.

Occasionally, we will also release an episode on the main podcast feed for non-subscribers, which is what you are listening to now.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/podcast/qualys/

Subscribe to receive access to all episodes of The Qualys (and other exclusive subscriber-only content): https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/

Connect with Peter on Facebook.com/PeterAttiaMD | Twitter.com/PeterAttiaMD | Instagram.com/PeterAttiaMD

#95 - Luke Bennett, M.D.: The emotional, cognitive, and physical demands that make Formula 1 a unique and special sport Mar 02, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Luke Bennett, Medical and Sports Performance Director for Hintsa Performance, explains the ins and outs of Formula 1 with a focus on the behind-the-scenes human element, and what makes it so emotionally, cognitively, and physically demanding for the drivers as well as the many team members. Luke first talks about his fascinating background with the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Australia, which lead to his current position with Hintsa working closely with F1 drivers to improve their health and performance despite jet-lag and sleep constraints due to an unrivaled travel schedule. Luke also sheds light on the underappreciated level of sheer physical strength and endurance it takes to drive an F1 car combined with the extreme cognitive aptitude, spatial awareness, and ability to navigate a socially complex environment that is needed to be successful as a driver. Additionally, Luke gives an overview of how the F1 season and races work, the incredible advances in car technology and safety measures, and what Luke and Hintsa hope to bring in the near future to the unique and special sport that is Formula 1.

We discuss:

What it's like to be a "flying doctor" in Australia, and how Luke ended up working in Formula 1 with Hintsa [3:10];
Behind the scenes of Formula 1—crazy travel, jet lag, massive teams, and fascinating human storylines [10:45];
The incredible physical strength and cognitive aptitude needed to be a F1 driver [19:00];
The technological leap to hybrid electric engines [29:30];
The trend towards younger drivers in F1 [32:30];
Advancements in safety—the history and recent upgrades [36:00];
How Hintsa manages the athletes through the incredible social complexity of the sport [41:45];
Explaining the difference between F1, F2, F3, and F4, and the path to reaching the F1 [47:30];
Comparing F1 in the 60s & 70s to today—Incidences of deaths, number of crashes, physicality of driving, new regulations, and more [53:45];
Women in F1—Past, present, and future [1:06:10];
How F1 teams manage their cars and engine over the season, & some new regulations coming in 2021 [1:09:15];
What insights has Luke taken from his time as a triathlete to working with F1 drivers? [1:12:50];
How Luke survived cancer, and gained an increased sense of empathy [1:15:45];
How Luke manages his health against the brutal travel and lifestyle that comes with working in Formula 1 [1:19:40];
New training techniques, technology to monitor the physiology of drivers, and other things Luke is hoping to bring to Formula 1 [1:22:40];
How long does it take a driver to learn a new circuit? [1:27:45];
The incredible emotional control needed to be a successful F1 driver [1:30:00];
Which F1 teams are showing signs of competing in future seasons? [1:32:15]; and
More.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/ Show notes page for this episode: https://peterattiamd.com/lukebennett Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

Qualy #120 - What is the difference between ketone salts and esters? Feb 28, 2020

Show notes

Today's episode of The Qualys is from podcast #05 – Dom D'Agostino, Ph.D.: ketosis, n=1, exogenous ketones, HBOT, seizures, and cancer.

Occasionally, we will also release an episode on the main podcast feed for non-subscribers, which is what you are listening to now.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/podcast/qualys/

Subscribe to receive access to all episodes of The Qualys (and other exclusive subscriber-only content): https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/

Connect with Peter on Facebook.com/PeterAttiaMD | Twitter.com/PeterAttiaMD | Instagram.com/PeterAttiaMD

#94 - Mark Hyman, M.D.: The impact of the food system on our health and the environment Feb 24, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Mark Hyman, M.D., director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine and the author of Food Fix, discusses that if we can fix the food system, we can solve many big problems—namely the chronic disease/obesity epidemic, the rising costs of healthcare, as well as the big problems facing the environment. Mark first briefly lays out the health consequences of processed food with a focus on the gut microbiome. From there, Mark discusses the environmental consequences of industrial farming and lays out how we can affect change on the individual level, through policy and regulations, and perhaps most importantly through regenerative agriculture. Additionally, Mark talks about the potential health risks of consuming GMO foods, herbicides, and other chemicals used in industrial farming as well as the environmental consequences, such as the loss of soil, caused by those same fertilizers and methods of farming.

We discuss:

The negative consequences of the existing food environment [3:25];
What makes processed food so unhealthy? [9:00];
The gut microbiome: Inflammation from gut permeability and how to measure gut health [18:30];
Steps to fixing a bad gut—The Five R's [24:30];
Some staggering health statistics, and which races might be more genetically susceptible [27:15];
An argument for government regulations and policies to fight back against a massive food industry with unlimited resources (and what we can learn from the tobacco story) [29:00];
Industrial farming and climate change: The degradation of soil and use of fertilizer [41:45];
Regenerative agriculture: Could it be the answer to food waste, our health problems, and the environment? [51:45];
Comparing the Impossible Burger to regeneratively raised beef [1:06:00];
GMO and Roundup—The potential health risks of consuming GMO foods sprayed with Roundup (glyphosate) and other herbicides and pesticides [1:08:15];
How the livelihood of farmers are being affected by big ag companies and the current industrial farming system [1:16:30];
The loss of biodiversity in our food, and what "organic" really means [1:19:00];
What can people do on the individual level to protect themselves as well as affect change to the toxic food system? [1:25:00];
What role does the USDA play in this "toxic" food environment and how do we fix it? [1:30:15];
The top 3 changes Mark would make if he was "food czar" [1:35:15];
Mark's rebuttal against the argument that it's best for the environment if we stop farming animals and move to a fully plant-based diet (and his argument for "agriculture 2.0") [1:36:30];
What is Mark's overall mission with the work that he's doing? [1:40:30];
Bread in the US vs. Europe: Why does bread (and wheat products) taste different and potentially cause less health problems in Europe versus the US? [1:42:00]; and
More.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/ Show notes page for this episode: https://peterattiamd.com/markhyman Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

Qualy #116 - Dealing with anger in spots where you know it's coming Feb 21, 2020

Show notes

Today's episode of The Qualys is from podcast #34 – Sam Harris, Ph.D.: The transformative power of mindfulness.

Occasionally, we will also release an episode on the main podcast feed for non-subscribers, which is what you are listening to now.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/podcast/qualys/

Subscribe to receive access to all episodes of The Qualys (and other exclusive subscriber-only content): https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/

Connect with Peter on Facebook.com/PeterAttiaMD | Twitter.com/PeterAttiaMD | Instagram.com/PeterAttiaMD

#93 - AMA with Jason Fried: Work-life balance, avoiding burnout, defining success, company culture, and more Feb 17, 2020

Show notes

In my first interview with Jason Fried, Jason explained his overall philosophy about work-life balance and how exactly he optimizes for efficiency. For this special follow-up AMA, we've decided to release the full episode to everyone (including non-subscribers), so all can hear Jason answer questions from listeners that dive deeper into topics such as work-life balance, the role of luck versus hard work in success, specifics around Basecamp's unique process-oriented approach to projects, 4-day work weeks, practical tips for people searching for the right company culture, tips on writing and parenting, and a whole bunch more.

If Jason had taken his own advice about work-life balance at the start of his career, would he have achieved the same level of success? [2:05];
What is Jason's definition of success, and what is he optimizing for? [10:10];
Basecamp's policy on email and expectations for a quick response, and why Jason believes in sleeping on big decisions [14:30];
How Jason implements "true" work-life balance in his life and at Basecamp [19:15];
Does work and life have to be separated in order to have balance? [32:00];
How Jason makes time the fixed component to avoid the compulsion to keep pushing forward on a project perpetually [34:15];
Jason's tip for physicians who may be facing burnout [45:00];
Signs of "burnout" if you do the same thing for work and pleasure, and tips to avoid and manage that feeling [49:45];
Is a 40-hour work week the correct amount? [53:45];
How to evaluate a company's culture when looking for a job with the right work environment [59:00];
Jason's take on salaries and alternate incentives like equity, profit sharing, etc. [1:06:45];
What traits does Jason look for when hiring new employees? [1:13:45];
Does Jason believe in process-oriented work or outcome-driven work, and Basecamp's unique process for completing projects [1:16:15];
How does Jason handle a project that results in a failure? [1:20:00];
Advice for people in situations where they don't have full control of their time and work demands [1:23:50];
How much of success should be attributed to skill versus luck? [1:29:30];
The importance of writing skills, and tip to improve your writing [1:43:15];
Lessons learned from parenting, and Peter's top priority when it comes to raising kids [1:52:15];
An important skill: the ability to say "no" to things [2:01:15]; and
More.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/ Show notes page for this episode: https://peterattiamd.com/jasonfriedama Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

Qualy #109 - How does one select the right physician as a patient? Feb 11, 2020

Show notes

Today's episode of The Qualys is from podcast #04 – AMA #1: alcohol, best lab tests, wearables, finding the right doc, racing, and more.

Occasionally, we will also release an episode on the main podcast feed for non-subscribers, which is what you are listening to now.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/podcast/qualys/

Subscribe to receive access to all episodes of The Qualys (and other exclusive subscriber-only content): https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/

Connect with Peter on Facebook.com/PeterAttiaMD | Twitter.com/PeterAttiaMD | Instagram.com/PeterAttiaMD

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