100 Not Out The Wellness Couch

This week we welcome long time listener, first time guest Anita Spehar onto the podcast. From working 10+hour days, 7 days a week to now traveling solo in her motorhome, Anita recognised that for much of her life she had been giving to others - from work to family and everything in between - and decided that for the next 12 months, she needed to make her life about giving to herself. The result? House sold. Motorhome purchased. Solo traveling around Australia, not to mention joining Damo and MP in both Ikaria and Sardinia on their upcoming 100 Not Out Longevity Experience. “Why wait for when you can’t do, do it while you can” is Anita’s new motto. As Anita says, “if you feel like you’re missing out on something, get your boots on and do it!” If you are like Anita, perhaps visiting Ikaria and Sardinia are on your must visit list of destinations to immerse yourself in the culture that epitomizes longevity and connection. If that is you, get your boots on and head over to 100notout.com to find out more. The groups are almost full (max group size 18). We are in Ikaria from August 22-31 and Sardinia from September 1-10.

A question we are often asked is Are the Blue Zones Dead? Settle in with a cuppa as we discuss whether, as the older people die, will we see the Blue Zones die with them? Or do we follow those that are now 80 and 90, with access to improved infrastructure and technology and see the impact that such things have on their own longevity? Whether you think the Blue Zones are dead or alive, longevity remains as much about the top three things - purpose, engagement and movement as it is the avoidance of chronic disease. Does the strong connection to rituals, land, family and food continue to hold those in the Blue Zones in good stead to continue on their longevity path and continuing to be our greatest teachers on what longevity is? In this episode, we mention chronic diseases such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s and the impact that these have on longevity stats. We recommend you revisit episode 42 of 100 Not Out and our conversation around Dementia and Alzheimer’s with Professor Michael Woodward. Want to hear more about the Blue Zones, head to our Best of Blue Zones playlist on Spotify. Perhaps the missing piece of your longevity puzzle can be found by seeing how those in Ikaria and Sardinia live their day to day life. If you would like to join us in Ikaria from August 22-31 and Sardinia from September 1-10, and to find out more, head over to 100notout.com

There certainly has been a theme in our recent episodes over the rise of social media as a way to educate and influence our health choices! A friend of the podcast, David Wolfe who featured in episode 6 of 100 Not Out, recently shared a reel on his instagram account which resulted in over 900 shares and 730 comments. This reel was not a ’ how to boil a frog’ post but aimed at alarming the viewers that even when dead, animals feel pain too! What type of impact are click bait reels having on people’s decisions when it comes to their own health? If you’ve watched the video, frog laksa might be off the menu at your place tonight! Further to that, with the emergence of AI, how are we to determine what is true? Are we accepting information somewhat too easily, rather than doing our own research? Join us as we discuss if the rise of health advice on social media and AI generated articles could swing the needle back in favor of our once trusted face to face relationship with our trusted GP or allied health practitioners.

Is Ageing Amazing? We certainly think so! In the media and around the water cooler, you’ll hear plenty of talk on the negativity of ageing. Do you disqualify yourself from ageing well or do you embrace it? Do you look at ageing well from a vanity perspective or from what you are still able to do? It’s often said that we are living longer, but dying slower. Are you too busy to work on how you want to age? Too busy to move? Too busy to eat well? Too busy to embrace your community? Too busy to spend time doing what you love? What is it that you are doing today to help you embrace the ethos that ageing is amazing? For many, the end is very long. Certainly not for Bill Stevens who, at 95 years young, is still teaching water aerobics at his local gym and inspiring many. You can catch his recent appearance on Nine News Melbourne here. You can also be re-inspired by our chat with Bill on episode 220 here. Don’t buy into the lie that ageing isn’t amazing! Be amazing with us in Ikaria and Sardinia! We are in Ikaria August 22-31 and Sardinia September 1-10. If you would like to join us, don’t put it off any longer. Head to 100notout.com today for all the information.

Whilst most people are trying to put the brakes on ageing, todays’ guest embraces the ups and downs of it with joy and gratitude, using her social media presence to empower others to do the same. The Middle Aged Goddess, also known as Jane McCann, having bore witness to loved ones’ premature end of life, understands what a gift and a privilege it is to age. Jane is not afraid to tackle the big topics including menopause, mental health and divorce and today’s conversation navigates them all. She has found a number of tools that work for her and encourages us to do the same. Join us for a refreshing conversation with Jane as she empowers us to change the narrative that is often presented around growing older. Meet it with joy, embrace the changes, keep learning and love yourself more. If you aren’t already following Jane, head over to Instagram @TheMiddleAgedGoddess. Do you want to embrace ageing and live the ethos that you are never too old to do something? Come join us in Ikaria and Sardinia this August and September. We are in Ikaria August 22-31 and Sardinia September 1-10. If you would like to join us, don’t put it off any longer. Head to 100notout.com today for all the information. Follow us: https://beacons.ai/100notout

Sinead O’Connor told us that Nothing Compares to You, but who are you comparing yourself to? Comparing yourself to someone that you saw on social media could put you on an unhealthy pathway, both physically and emotionally. But can taking inspiration from those around you in key areas of life which are important to you - movement, aging, living well, health, golf - be a tool for making better decisions on how you live your own life? Join us today as we take inspiration from those around us, and discuss how much comparison and judgment to those around us can impact on our ability to make either an empowered or disempowered decision. Don’t let the statement ‘I should’ get in the way of living your best life. If this is you, you may want to listen to episode 227 where we talk about this.’ If you find yourself being judgy judgy when it comes to comparing yourself to others, revisit episodes 270 and 444. They say comparison is the thief of all joy, but taking inspired comparison from others when done well can be a healthy form of motivation to be your best self.. Thinking about joining us in the ever inspiring, judgment free blue zones of Ikaria and Sardinia? We are in Ikaria August 22-31 and Sardinia September 1-10. If you would like to join us, don’t dilly dally, head to 100notout.com today.