The True Cost of

“I want to know I’m doing absolutely everything I can to preserve my health for as long as possible.” We hear this kind of thing a lot. People tell us they not only want to stay in good shape as they age, they also want to outlive their peers and age expectancies. Imagine you could maximize your healthspan and lifespan, fend off disease, and generally remain fit, lean, and youthful into your 90’s, 100’s, and then some. Sounds pretty compelling, doesn’t it? There’s just one problem: Common longevity advice seems to involve an extraordinary amount of effort. And time. And money. And complexity. Is all the effort necessary? Is it worth it? And, will it even work? In this article, we’ll explore: The biggest myths—and realities—about optimizing your health The real costs and tradeoffs of “optimizing” your health What’s actually required to improve your healthspan and lifespan Why enjoying your life isn’t separate from good health; it’s part of it And, we’ll help you weigh the pros and cons so you can make informed decisions about your health, your body, and your life. The myths—and realities—of “optimizing” your health Health and longevity advice is everywhere these days: podcasts, books, social media, that guy at the gym… Plus, influential “figureheads” have given the movement outsized attention. Think: popular podcasters and health experts Dr. Peter Attia, Dr. Andrew Huberman, and Dr. Rhonda Patrick, and biohacker Bryan Johnson. We understand the appeal of this kind of content. Who doesn’t want a longer, healthier life? (Not to mention the comforting sense of control that can come from designing and executing a “perfect” health plan.) But for us at PN, where we’ve collectively coached hundreds of thousands of people with real human lives, we know that “optimal” is rarely realistic. Not only that, optimal isn’t necessary. Making modest, relatively consistent efforts towards health and well-being will likely give you better results than following an intense, highly “optimized” protocol. If that sounds hard to believe, we get it. So let’s explore that bold statement, starting with the biggest myths surrounding longevity and health optimization. Myth: The “basics” aren’t enough. There’s an idea that getting and staying healthy must require a set of complex, “cutting edge” strategies—especially if your goal is to outlive the average American. In reality, the “basics” work really, really well. (These are things like exercising regularly; eating a nutrient-rich diet; getting adequate sleep; managing stress; and staying socially connected. We’ll discuss these more later.) Only, very few people do the basics consistently. The real reason more people aren’t living as long, or as well, as they could be isn’t because they’re not taking ice baths or getting vitamin