Delaying the Grim Reaper: Putting Your Health First

In this episode, Marc and Diana discuss the importance of prioritizing your health. In his 40s, Marc Whitehead began to experience chronic pain. After a series of crash diets, he began to make permanent changes through small, manageable steps. Learn how to take control of your health, why you should care, and how poor health affects your brain.

[1:02] Marc introduces the subject of the episode, which is taking care of your health – or, delaying the Grim Reaper. Today’s episode is about how being healthy can make you more money.

[3:25] Marc was very active growing up. He played football, track, and baseball. Then, life happened, and Marc’s health took a backseat to his career.

[6:16] In the process of trying to lose weight, Marc tried lots of different diets that he describes as “crash dieting.”

[7:50] Marc started to experience chronic pain and knew he had to make a more permanent change. He was able to shift his mindset and take the first step toward lasting progress.

[9:11] 800,000 people die every year from cardiovascular disease. These deaths are almost 100% preventable.

[10:42] In your 40s and 50s, how you take care of yourself will dictate how your life goes in your 70s and 80s. Many of us develop plaque during this time, which eventually turns into blood clots.

[12:00] Blood clots can also build up in your body and lead to vascular dementia. This hit close to home for Marc because his grandfather died of vascular dementia. Most people can prevent blood clots through making better life choices.

[15:05] Health is a lifelong journey, not a quick fix. The changes you make have to be reasonable, because you will be making them every day for the rest of your life.

[19:29] At 55, it struck Marc at an Atticus session that he wants to live healthily to an old age. The session was based around the theory that a combination of AI and scientific advancements will lead to human lifespans increasing. Marc realized that he may be only halfway through his life.

[24:39] Marc also began speaking to his friends and family about their health, because if he was going to live another 50 years, he wanted to take the people he cares about with him.

[30:07] The standard of care is meant for everyone, and it is set by insurance companies, not doctors. Marc seeks out a higher standard of care for himself and works with a specialist to increase his longevity.

[33:44] Marc had high blood pressure. Even a moderate amount of high blood pressure can be deadly overtime, so Marc began to work on it.

[35:35] Most people don’t get enough protein and eat too many carbs. Marc uses pre-packages protein shakes to meet his daily protein needs.

[38:39] Marc does not like cardio very much, but he likes listening to good music. He tricks himself by making Spotify playlists, so when he works out he gets to listen to his favorite music.

[40:57] Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain by Bradley Bale and Amy Doneen and Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Bill Gifford and Peter Attia are two resources on longevity that Marc recommends.

Visit the Successful Barrister website: https://www.successfulbarrister.com/

Visit the Marc Whitehead & Associates website: https://disabilitydenials.com/

Read Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain by Bradley Bale and Amy Doneen: https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Heart-Brain-Personalized-Protect-ebook/dp/B093ZQ5BPV

Listen to Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain by Bradley Bale and Amy Doneen: https://www.audible.com/pd/Healthy-Heart-Healthy-Brain-Audiobook/B09QDTHB9R

Read Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Bill Gifford and Peter Attia: https://www.amazon.com/Outlive-Longevity-Peter-Attia-MD/dp/0593236599

Listen to Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Bill Gifford and Peter Attia: https://www.audible.com/pd/Outlive-Audiobook/B0B6444XS3