Happy Holidays!

I hope everyone has been enjoying the season. 🎄🕎 Now that the holidays are under wraps, and the winter solstice behind us, we’re excited for a New Year (and more sunlight ☀️).

Our New Year’s Resolution is the same as our mission: to understand the science of living a good and long life, and share everything we learn with you. It’s our ikigai, to put it best. 💫

This resolution will never change. That doesn’t mean we aren’t always on the lookout for new ways to creatively, positively, and actionably help you live in better health. That’s why we want to ask:

Thank you! This really helps us create more meaningful content and connect with you.

This week features a special Friday. We have three spotlights, each discussing one way in which longevity shaped the world in 2025, and how it can impact your life today.

Spotlight

Three ways longevity shaped the world in 2025

1. 💪Women’s health redefined strength–and made it non-negotiable: 

The tipping point came when Dr. Vonda Wright, an orthopedic surgeon, said women should be able to lift their own bodyweight in a podcast earlier this year. 

The viral 11-push-up challenge was born. At the same time, exercise physiologist Dr. Stacy Sims dismantled outdated myths about female physiology, emphasizing high‑intensity training, protein, and practices that work with female physiology rather than against it.

Instagram post

Weighted vests, grip-strength training, and female-focused strength programs like Equinox ARC and Sweat are becoming more common. Doctors are also recommending DEXA scans at a much higher rate, tracking muscle mass, bone density, and visceral fat as part of preventive care. 

Data takes out the guesswork 📊.

Knowing these baseline physical health metrics can guide you toward positively adapting your lifestyle to reduce your long-term risk of falls, dementia, metabolic conditions, and heart disease (which increases after menopause!)

Takeaways: 

  • Prioritize strength as longevity insurance for the life you want to live in the future

  • Consider an annual DEXA as preventative medicine

  • Track grip strength monthly—it’s an underrated predictor of longevity

See Drs. Vonda Wright and Stacy Sims this April!

Mark your calendars. April 2026 is the first Livelong Women’s Health Summit. It’s going to be one of the most powerful women’s health moments of the year.

Joining them: Dr. Mark Hyman, actress Jane Fonda, Dr. Jessica Shepherd, and 40+ industry experts will help you develop practices and a lifestyle that builds resilience to aging and creates meaningful connections.

Click the link to get your ticket. 🎟️ Spots are limited. Claim yours now and use code ERIN for $50 off.

2. 🥗Eat for longevity 

2025 was the year of protein, protein, PROTEIN! But whether it’s powdered, au natural, pasta’ed’, or frothed for an extra $2 at Starbucks ☕️, most of us are probably getting enough. No bump needed.

Protein recommendations for healthy adults 50+:

  • 1.2 to 1.6g of protein per kilogram body weight: For the average person, that’s about 100g/day.

  • Around 20% of total calories should come from protein.

  • Think minimally-processed and nutrient-dense: nuts, seeds, lean meat, fish, and legumes.

Health is about balance, though. The healthiest agers eat a Mediterranean-style diet, which is not too high in protein and rich in antioxidants and fiber.

Eating with a plant-slant promotes cellular health and helps reduce the risk of various types of cancer and inflammation-related diseases. The staples: fruits, vegetables (especially leafy greens and cruciferous varieties), healthy fats, legumes, whole grains, and clean proteins.

Under this umbrella, new trends have also emerged:

  • Fibermaxxing became popular on social media when people started to acknowledge its huge role in energy, gut health, and weight. Fiber supports natural GLP-1 hormone activation, and it does it similarly to weight loss drugs, helping to support metabolic health, hormonal stability, and potentially improving cardiovascular health. ❤️

  • Probiotics/prebiotics/postbiotics are becoming more well-researched for aging. Early research suggests probiotics with Akkermansia may go beyond gut maintenance to combat inflammation, reduce insulin resistance, and support healthy aging.

 Takeaways

  • You’re probably getting enough protein. But don’t crowd out fiber

  • Build meals around whole foods

  • Aim for a daily balance of unrefined carbs, fats, and protein

Become a Livelong Ambassador! 🌟

We’re looking for women who can propel women’s health and connect our global community. If that’s you, we want you on our team for the upcoming Livelong Women’s Health Summit. Reach out to [email protected] and let’s get the conversation started.

3. ✈️ Travel became a longevity tool, not an escape

2025 travel = self-growth + self-care.

Research from early this year found that travel slows biological aging. Soon after, health-focused travel was named a top global travel trend.

Wellness is getting a longevity makeover with stem cells, IV drips, and UV light therapy, while luxury longevity resorts aim to slow cellular aging and transform travel into a data-driven and holistic experience.

At the same time, there is a growing shift toward active rejuvenation, rooted in a deep desire for connection, self-mastery, and engaging our brains in new and meaningful ways.

Thus, skillcations and adventure tourism emerged, promoting:

  • Neuroplasticity: Science suggests novelty, hands-on experience, and discomfort of learning new things increase neuroplasticity that supports healthier brain aging.

  • Long-term changes: Participating in physical and mental challenges inspires new habits that people can incorporate into daily life.

Examples: Surfing retreat, hiking weekends, strength intensives, birding, cooking classes, or movement workshops 🌊🥾.

Traveling is literally ‘anti-aging.’ Through novelty, luxury, community, and personal development, people are beginning to take advantage of new experiences without sacrificing the strides they made at home.

Takeaways

  • Choose trips that demand movement, learning, or challenges that can be applied to your daily life

  • Use travel to test your capabilities, not abandon them

  • Let longevity expand your life, not restrict it

Key takeaway

Longevity in 2025 wasn’t about chasing immortality. It was about protecting the years we’re actively living. Strength, nourishment, curiosity, community, and capability became cultural priorities because they solve our fear of isolation, strict discipline, and unattainable goals.

Want to dive deeper into sleep, travel, hormones, and all things Women’s health? Join over 100 women in our private WhatsApp group to get the conversations started. 💜

This week’s highlights

THE SNAKE OIL PROBLEM: Listen to the podcast 

SING FOR LONGEVITY: 'Sing like no one is listening' may be the greatest healthy aging advice.

THE FERTILITY SIGN: Reproductive hormones are among the most sensitive indicators of these core drivers of longevity.

SPONSORED BY: MUSE

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Muse is a brain-sensing headband that utilizes real-time biofeedback, much like a heart rate monitor senses your heartbeat, backed by research from prestigious institutions such as Yale, Harvard, MIT, and NASA. Livelong readers get 20% off.

Poll response

We asked: How do you stay healthy during flights?

The top answer: pack your own snacks. 🥜🍎The American Heart Association recommends whole fruit, veggies, nuts such as cashews and almonds, and popcorn as healthy options. But word to the wise…bring it from home. A mall pack of nuts at the airport costs around $7! Sorry, but that’s just too much.

Thanks for reading!

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The information provided about wellness and health is for general informational and educational purposes only. We are not licensed medical professionals, and the content here should not be considered medical advice. Talk to a doctor before trying any of these suggestions.

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