Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,

Dr. Gillian Lockitch

Welcome to Growing Older, Living Younger, the podcast where you will discover ways to boost your metabolism, enhance your mental and physical energy, and ward off disorders we wrongly think are inevitable as we age. Hosted by Dr. Gillian Lockitch, former specialist in Medical Biochemistry, professor, researcher and international speaker, the show airs weekly every Monday. Each episode is a 30 - 45 minutes, exploring ways in which genetic and epigenetic (gene expression) science and medicine may intersect with ancient, non-western wellness practices to help you extend your health span to live younger. The show features practitioners in mental and physical health, fitness, nutrition, personal care, community, networking and entrepreneurship, to help you create your personal roadmap to aging youthfully.

  1. 6d ago

    284 Light, Sleep and Movement: Upstream Signals That Shape Healthy Aging with Dr. Sean Fletch

    Health care professionals emphasize optimizing cholesterol, blood sugar and hormone levels and from that assessing biological age. These measurements can provide useful information, but do they tell us whether the body is still resilient, adaptable and capable of recovering from illness, injury or stress? In this episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch and Dr. Sean Fletch explore the difference between moving a laboratory number into the desired range, and addressing the upstream conditions that caused it to change.  Dr. Fletch reframes healthspan as more than the number of years lived without disease. It is the functional capacity to meet life's demands, recover from disruption and continue doing the things that matter to you. Measures such as grip strength, gait speed, balance, cardiovascular recovery and the ability to get down to and rise from the floor may reveal changes in resilience that conventional blood tests can miss.  Drawing on more than 30 years of clinical, athletic-performance and rehabilitation experience, Dr. Fletch introduces his HealthSpan Framework. He describes the body as an orchestra rather than a machine: light, sleep, movement, nutrition, stress and recovery must work together, while circadian rhythm helps keep the entire system synchronized.  The conversation also examines fasting insulin, insulin resistance and continuous glucose monitoring; the limits of chasing individual biomarkers; and the growing enthusiasm for GLP-1 medications and peptides. Dr. Fletch explains why an intervention should be evaluated not only by whether it changes a number or symptom, but by whether it restores underlying biological capacity.  You will also hear how concussion rehabilitation has evolved, why appropriate graded rehabilitation matters, and how movement supplies essential sensory information to the brain. Dr. Fletch concludes with one deceptively simple practice: obtain outdoor light early in the day to help synchronize circadian biology and support the many systems involved in long-term health.  Episode Timeline: 00:00 — Why reassuring biomarkers may not reveal declining resilience  03:52 — How a college neck injury changed Dr. Fletch's career  07:48 — Biological resilience, health literacy and upstream signals  13:33 — Why biomarkers are a map—not the terrain  20:13 — The HealthSpan Framework and functional self-assessment  26:56 — Peptides, GLP-1 medications and the difference between regulation and resolution  29:56 — Concussion recovery, brain metabolism and movement  34:08 — The first practical step: reset your circadian clock with outdoor light  38:39 — Closing reflections and key takeaways   Connect with Sean Fletch Website: DrSeanFletch.com  Practice: BeyondSports.ca  LinkedIn: Dr. Sean Fletch  Book: HealthSpan: Redefined—Biological Principles for the Long Game of Health  Newsletter: The Long Game  Contact Your Host: Dr. Gillian Lockitch Explore the Growing Older Living Younger approach to extending healthspan, protecting independence and aging youthfully.  Website: https://www.askdrgill.com/ Podcast page: https://www.askdrgill.com/podcast  https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillianlockitch/  Subscribe to the Growing Older Living Younger Newsletter Message  Dr. Lockitch to schedule a one on one conversation about healthy longevity

  2. Aug 31

    Seven Pillars for Healthy Longevity. How I Built my Healthspan Routine and How You can Build Your Own with Dr. Gillian Lockitch

    What does a physician-scientist actually do each day to support her own healthy aging? This is a question Dr. Gillian Lockitch hears often. Her answer is not a prescription, a shopping list or a collection of fashionable biohacks. Healthy longevity is personal: our genetics, health histories, medications, priorities and goals differ, so the most useful routine is one designed for the individual. In this solo episode, Dr. Gillian organizes her approach around the seven pillars of healthy longevity described in her book, Growing Older, Living Younger. She explains how epigenetics offers a more hopeful way to think about aging, how food and movement send biological signals, why skin must be treated as an important organ, and how sleep, curiosity, purpose and relationships help protect health and independence. Dr. Gillian also shares her own daily routine—from nutrient-dense foods and time-restricted eating to walking, resistance and balance work, skincare practices and carefully selected supplements. She discusses mitochondrial support, CoQ10, collagen peptides, carotenoid antioxidants, nutrients for bone, joint and eye health, and support for autophagy. She emphasizes that supplements complement beneficial lifestyle habits such as healthy nutrition,  movement, sleep, stress management and where needed, medical care. Her own post-retirement health challenges—including emergency spinal surgery, myopic macular degeneration, and atrial fibrillation have made prevention, resilience and measurement deeply personal concepts. Blood pressure, laboratory testing, bone density, fitness and carotenoid scanning can provide useful feedback, but no single measurement tells the whole story. Her central thesis is simple: do not simply copy someone else's routine. Begin with the fundamentals of your lifestyle, work with healthcare professionals you trust, measure what matters, notice how your body responds, and remain willing to adapt as evidence and circumstances change. Noting that as a retired physician she does not treat or prescribe for medical diseases, she offers one on one conversations on constructing your own Roadmap for Growing Older Living Younger and extending healthspan not just lifespan. A plan for healthy longevity is not a fixed blueprint; it is a lifelong practice developed through curiosity, consistency and purposeful choice and she would love to work with you on your plan.  Episode Timeline 00:11 — Introduction: why Dr. Gillian is sharing her routine—but not prescribing it  03:10 — Pillar 1: Your genes are not your destiny and the promise of epigenetics  06:14 — Pillars 2 and 3: Food is information and movement is medicine  10:00 — Pillars 4 and 5: Caring for skin and nourishing the brain  15:00 — Inside Dr. Gillian's daily healthspan, nutrition and supplement routine  17:59 — Pillars 6 and 7: Lifelong learning, curiosity, connection and community  21:30 — How health challenges reshaped her approach to prevention and resilience  25:00 — Measure what matters: testing, carotenoid scanning and guiding principles  28:40 — Closing invitation: create your own healthy-longevity roadmap with Dr. Lockitch About Dr. Gillian Lockitch  Dr. Gillian Lockitch is a physician, medical biochemist, professor emerita, researcher, international speaker, author and host of the Growing Older Living Younger podcast. After retiring from academic medicine, she began a new chapter in entrepreneurship and healthy-longevity education. Through her book, podcast and Growing Older Living Younger programs, she helps people understand how lifestyle, epigenetics, measurement and purposeful action can support vitality and independence across the lifespan. Dr. Gillian Lockitch is an independent Nu Skin Brand Affiliate. You can join her team as an affiliate ( and build your own business), or a member to buy product or devices at member prices. She may earn a commission from qualifying product purchases. Products and devices mentioned in this podcast reflect her personal routine and are shared for educational purposes only. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease, and individual results may vary. She emphasizes  that supplements and skincare devices should complement—not replace appropriate nutrition, movement, sleep or healthcare professionals advice.  Call to Action  Your best healthy-longevity plan is the one designed with you for your lifestyle. Visit askdrgill.com or email askdrgill@gmail.com to begin a conversation about your personal Growing Older Living Younger Roadmap. Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode and the show link with someone ready to invest in extending their healthspan.  Website: www.askdrgill.com  Podcast: Growing Older Living Younger on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other platforms Join the evolving Growing Older Living Younger Community

  3. Aug 24

    From Employee to First-time Entrepreneur at 70: Challenging Life After Retirement with Dr. Gillian Lockitch

    Could retirement actually become the beginning of your most meaningful work? In this personal solo episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch shares how spinal surgery, ballroom dancing, entrepreneurship and podcasting transformed her understanding of healthy longevity. You'll discover why curiosity, consistency and a renewed sense of purpose can help you remain mentally sharp, physically engaged and excited about the future at any age.  For most of her professional life, Dr. Gillian Lockitch was a physician, medical biochemist, researcher, university professor and department head. She expected retirement to bring more travel, reading, dancing and time with her family—not a new career as an entrepreneur, author, podcast host and healthy longevity advocate. Her journey changed when severe spinal stenosis led to emergency surgery and a lengthy recovery. Faced with the challenge of regaining her strength, mobility and independence, Gillian began exploring healthy aging not simply as a scientist, but as someone personally determined to age differently. That shift in perspective became the foundation of Growing Older Living Younger. In this episode, Gillian describes how curiosity led her from exploring a Wellness Trade Show into entrepreneurship at 70. She explains how her scientific training shaped the way she evaluated wellness products and opportunities, why she remained committed to evidence, and how she discovered that people were looking for trusted guidance rather than another sales presentation.  She also shares the lessons she learned from ballroom dancing, building a business, adapting during the COVID-19 pandemic, writing a book and launching a podcast on her 76th birthday. Each new undertaking required her to become a beginner again, develop unfamiliar skills and learn that consistency is more important than occasional intensity.  Finally Gillian reflects on the setbacks and opportunities that have shaped her purpose. Her message is simple but powerful: your purpose has no expiry date, retirement does not have to mean withdrawal from action, and reinvention is possible for anyone who remains curious. Although we inherit our genetic blueprint, everyday lifestyle choices can affect how our genes are expressed—and ultimately  help us live gracefully as we grow older. Episode Timeline: 00:00 — Introduction: How did a physician and scientist become an entrepreneur at 70?  06:00 — Spinal stenosis, emergency surgery and the decision to reclaim an active life  08:15 — A visit to the Vancouver Wellness Show changes the direction of retirement  11:22 — Scientific skepticism, personal experimentation and the beginnings of entrepreneurship  16:19 — Becoming a beginner again and the lessons learned from ballroom dancing  19:05 — Adapting during COVID-19 and discovering the possibilities of podcasting  21:52 — Launching Growing Older Living Younger and finding a new mission  24:00 — Atrial fibrillation, patience and the lessons hidden within setbacks  26:53 — Purpose, legacy and the promise of epigenetics  30:15 — Why reinvention belongs to anyone who remains curious   Connect with Your Host: Dr. Gillian Lockitch Dr. Gillian Lockitch is an independent Nu Skin Brand Affiliate. You can join her team as an affiliate (and build your own business), or as a member to buy products or devices at member prices. She may earn a commission from qualifying product purchases. Any products and devices mentioned in this podcast reflect her personal routine and are shared for educational purposes only. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease, and individual results may vary. Dr. Lockitch emphasizes that supplements and skincare devices should complement not replace appropriate lifestyle habits — nutrition, movement, sleep  and others, nor healthcare professionals advice.  Call to Action  Your best healthy-longevity plan is the one designed with you for your lifestyle. Visit askdrgill.com or email askdrgill@gmail.com to begin a conversation about your personal Growing Older Living Younger Roadmap. Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode and the show link with someone ready to invest in extending their healthspan.  Website: www.askdrgill.com  Podcast: Growing Older Living Younger on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other platforms Join the evolving Growing Older Living Younger Community Email: Askdrgill@gmail.com website: https://askdrgill.com To learn how to become an affiliate with the "World's Number 1 Home Beauty Device Brand" contact Dr. Lockitch at askdrgill@gmail.com or message her through The Growing Older Living Younger community.

  4. Aug 17

    Healthy Longevity Starts Now. Fitness, Nutrition, and Aging Well with Carl Daikeler

    What helps people stay active, strong, and independent as they age—luck, genetics, or habits built years earlier? In this episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with Carl Daikeler, co-founder and CEO of BODi, about why healthy longevity is rooted in consistency: regular movement, supportive nutrition, and the discipline to care for your body before a health crisis forces the issue. Carl shares his personal story of discovering a congenital heart block at age 59, receiving a pacemaker, and using that experience to deepen his commitment to healthspan optimization and aging youthfully. Listeners will come away with practical insight into how strength, cardiovascular fitness, and realistic daily routines can support metabolic health for longevity, preserve mobility, and help prevent age-related decline. Carl Daikeler is the Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of BODi, formerly Beachbody, a company that has helped shape the home fitness and wellness industry for nearly three decades. He is an entrepreneur and fitness innovator best known for making structured exercise and nutrition support accessible to millions of people through at-home programs and digital wellness platforms. Before founding BODi in 1998, Carl co-founded Tell America Media, where he created the breakthrough fitness program 8 Minute Abs. He later led the development of BODi's expansion into nutrition and proactive wellness, including the creation of Shakeology and a broader focus on long-term health rather than short-term appearance goals. His current work emphasizes sustainable fitness, metabolic health, mobility, and daily practices that support healthy aging and lifelong vitality. Beyond the wellness world, Carl is also a three-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer.   Episode Timeline  00:00 – Welcome and introduction  02:03 – Why healthy aging begins long before old age: movement, consistency, and resilience  05:46 – Carl's origin story: from personal frustration in his 20s to creating 8 Minute Abs  07:06 – Building Beachbody/BODi: the Power 90 model and making home fitness practical  10:56 – Broadway, purpose, and Carl's unexpected heart diagnosis  12:04 – Discovering a congenital complete heart block and choosing a pacemaker  14:27 – From vanity fitness to longevity thinking: why exercise helps prevent lifestyle disease  15:32 – What Carl learned from watching aging and mobility loss in assisted living  17:00 – Dr. Gillian shares her own recovery journey after atrial fibrillation and ablation  18:34 – Medical vigilance, informed decision-making, and choosing high-quality care  20:21 – The foundations of healthspan optimization: movement, nutrition, connection, and lifestyle  21:35 – Whole food nutrition, supplementation, and why quality matters in wellness products  26:05 – Carl on formulation integrity, ingredient quality, and why cheaper is not always better  30:04 – Natural variability in whole-food products and what "nutrition insurance" means  34:05 – Carl's message for people who did not stay active earlier in life: start now  36:11 – The "comfort crisis," discipline, and how to protect mobility, strength, and independence  36:49 – Final thoughts and key takeaways  Connect with Carl Daikeler BODi / Beachbody:  Shakeology:  https://www.instagram.com/carldaikeler/  Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at https://www.askdrgill.com/ or email: askdrgill@gmail.com  Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others discover the show. Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community

  5. Aug 10

    What Traditional Chinese Medicine Can Teach Us About Healthspan Extension and Aging Youthfully with Dr. Mao Shing Ni DACM, LAc, PhD

    What if the path to healthy longevity lies not in choosing between ancient healing traditions and modern science, but in learning how to integrate both? In this episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with Dr. Mao Shing Ni—38th-generation doctor of Chinese medicine, co-founder of Tao of Wellness, and author of Secrets of Longevity—about how Traditional Chinese Medicine can complement modern approaches to healthspan optimization. Dr. Mao explains the foundational principles of Chinese medicine, including balance, the five elemental systems, and the links between organ function, emotional health, stress, and aging. This conversation also explores why daily habits, Tai Chi, Qigong, meditation, and purposeful movement remain some of the most powerful healthy aging strategies for preserving vitality, resilience, and independence over time.  Dr. Mao Shing Ni is board certified in anti-aging medicine and trained in acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, Tai Chi, Qigong, and integrative East-West healing approaches. Dr. Mao is the author of more than 20 books, including Secrets of Longevity and Second Spring, and has spent decades translating traditional healing wisdom into practical modern health guidance. His work integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine with contemporary research in preventive health, resilience, and preventing age-related disease. A longtime advocate for aging youthfully, he focuses on helping people improve daily habits, restore balance, and build sustainable foundations for lifelong vitality. He is internationally recognized for bringing Taoist medicine, mind-body practice, and lifestyle medicine into the mainstream longevity conversation.  Episode Timeline  00:00 – Welcome, introduction, and why ancient wisdom still matters in modern longevity  04:05 – Dr. Mao's personal healing story and the family lineage that shaped his life's work  07:37 – The core principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine: yin and yang, balance, and the five elemental systems  13:11 – How Chinese medicine views the liver, lungs, gut, kidneys, stress, and emotional regulation  17:28 – Wearables, AI, and the intriguing intersection of modern health data with Chinese medicine principles  21:36 – Why Secrets of Longevity focuses on practical, habit-based actions rather than theory alone  24:08 – The fundamentals of longevity: sleep, movement, stress reduction, purpose, and healthy daily habits  28:02 – Tai Chi and Qigong as powerful mind-body tools for cardiovascular health, balance, bone strength, and brain health  30:21 – Ballroom dancing, movement diversity, coordination, and cognitive resilience  32:00 – Where longevity science is headed: regeneration, organ support, prevention, and extending healthspan  36:04 – Dr. Mao's final message: healthy longevity is built on habits, consistency, and personal responsibility  Connect with Guest  Tao of Wellness https://taoofwellness.com/  Yo San University https://yosan.edu/  Secrets of Longevity by Dr. Mao Shing Ni https://taoofwellness.com/product/secrets-of-longevity/  Second Spring by Dr. Mao Shing Ni https://taoofwellness.com/product/second-spring/  Connect with your host, Dr. Gillian Lockitch Connect with your host, Dr, Gillian Lockitch email: askdrgill@gmail.com  For a personalized one on one conversation about health aging strategies Website: www.askdrgill.com https://www.facebook.com/gillian.lockitch/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillianlockitch/

  6. Aug 3

    The Aging Immune System: Vaccines, Healthy Longevity and What We Can Learn from Covid with Michael T. Myers JR MD

    How does our immune system change as we age, and what role can vaccines play in supporting healthy longevity? In this informative episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch welcomes physician, healthcare executive, and medical writer Dr. Michael Myers for a thoughtful, evidence-based discussion about immunosenescence—the age-related decline of immune function—and its implications for healthy aging. Together they explore how vaccines work, why vaccine recommendations evolve throughout life, and the importance of understanding both the science and the uncertainties surrounding public health recommendations. Listeners will gain practical insights into immune health, healthspan optimization, brain health and aging, and informed healthcare decision-making. Dr. Michael Myers is a physician, healthcare executive, medical writer, and educator with more than 35 years of experience in clinical medicine, healthcare leadership, and public health. He trained at Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Medical School before pursuing a career in primary care medicine and physician leadership.He most recently served as Chief of Primary Care and Chief of Pediatrics for one of New Jersey's largest medical group practices. His work focuses on preventive medicine, vaccine education, public health communication, and helping patients understand complex medical science. He is the author of The Vaccine Bible: A Comprehensive, Commonsense Guide to What Keeps Us Safe from the Flu, Hepatitis Measles and More. In the Guide he explains how vaccines are developed, how they work, their safety, effectiveness, and the diseases they help prevent. Episode Timeline 00:00 – Welcome and why vaccines matter to healthy longevity 04:15 – Dr. Michael Myers' medical career and what inspired The Vaccine Bible 09:45 – Understanding the immune system: innate immunity, adaptive immunity, and immune memory 17:45 – Immunosenescence: how the immune system changes with age 23:30 – Individualizing vaccine recommendations throughout adulthood 30:25 – Vaccines most relevant for older adults, including influenza, pneumococcal disease, RSV, COVID-19, and shingles 32:30 – Emerging research linking shingles vaccination with reduced dementia risk 34:00 – COVID-19, children, public health messaging, and lessons learned from the pandemic 42:55 – Vaccine confidence, public trust, and addressing misinformation 52:20 – Autism research, vaccine myths, and current scientific understanding 55:35 – Dr. Myers' key message on vaccines, prevention, and healthy aging Connect with Dr. Michael Myers The Vaccine Bible—Amazon The Vaccine Bible—Bookshop.org The Vaccine Bible—Audiobook Dr. Myers' Website Connect with your host, Dr, Gillian Lockitch email: askdrgill@gmail.com  For a personalized one on one conversation about health aging strategies Website: www.askdrgill.com https://www.facebook.com/gillian.lockitch/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillianlockitch/

  7. Jul 27

    The Muscle-Longevity Connection: Strength Training Supports Metabolism, Bones, and Healthy Longevity with Jeanne Phares

    What role does muscle strength play in healthy aging, longevity, and independence? In this episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with Jeanne Phares about why maintaining and building muscle becomes increasingly important for women during and after menopause. Drawing on her personal experience as a leukemia survivor and decades of strength training, Jeanne explains the connections between muscle mass, metabolism, bone health, resilience, and recovery. Listeners will learn practical strategies for strength training, nutrition, and lifestyle habits that support vitality and healthspan at every age. Jeanne Phares is Founder of Sage Lifestyle Collective and creator of the Sage Strength Transformation Program. She is a Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Strength Trainer, and author specializing in women's health after 50. Prior to entering the health field, she enjoyed a successful career as a Certified Public Accountant and executive mentor. Her work focuses on strength training, nutrition, menopause education, and healthy aging for women. She helps women build muscle, improve metabolic health, and maintain independence throughout midlife and beyond. A leukemia survivor, she credits decades of strength training with helping her withstand intensive treatment and recovery.  Episode Timeline  00:00 – Welcome and introduction  03:00 – Why muscle strength predicts healthy aging and longevity  04:36 – Jeanne's journey from CPA to health and wellness coach  05:30 – Leukemia diagnosis and the role of physical resilience in recovery  09:30 – Stem cell transplant and rebuilding strength after illness  13:15 – Turning health challenges into opportunities for growth  15:46 – Common misconceptions about lifting weights after 50  18:35 – Why walking and yoga alone may not be enough  20:00 – Muscle health, bone strength, and menopause  23:53 – Strength training as the foundation of healthy aging  25:15 – Nutrition mistakes women commonly make after menopause  28:49 – Hydration, electrolytes, and healthy aging  30:23 – Whole foods nutrition and listening to your body  34:44 – The one simple change that supports lifelong health  36:23 – Final thoughts and key takeaways  Connect with Jeanne Phares Sage Lifestyle Collective  www.sagelifestylepress.com Free Gifts for Listeners: Each guest will receive all three: 1. Free Chapter Download: "Your Body Changed the Rules. Here's the New Playbook" from Eat for Strength for Women Over 50 2.Free Starter Guide: The Sage Strength Starter Guide 3.Lottery Entry: A chance to win one of 10 discount codes for the 8-Week Sage Strength Transformation Program or one of 10 free audiobooks of Eat for Strength for Women Over 50 Books: The Beginner's Guide to Strength Training for Women Over 50 Eat for Strength for Women Over 50  Sage Strength Transformation Program : Free strength training and healthy aging resources  Connect with Your Host: Dr. Gillian Lockitch Email: Askdrgill@gmail.com website: https://askdrgill.com

4.8
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

Welcome to Growing Older, Living Younger, the podcast where you will discover ways to boost your metabolism, enhance your mental and physical energy, and ward off disorders we wrongly think are inevitable as we age. Hosted by Dr. Gillian Lockitch, former specialist in Medical Biochemistry, professor, researcher and international speaker, the show airs weekly every Monday. Each episode is a 30 - 45 minutes, exploring ways in which genetic and epigenetic (gene expression) science and medicine may intersect with ancient, non-western wellness practices to help you extend your health span to live younger. The show features practitioners in mental and physical health, fitness, nutrition, personal care, community, networking and entrepreneurship, to help you create your personal roadmap to aging youthfully.

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