BY PETER BOWES | WEDNESDAY MARCH 27 2024

Nate Wilkins is an exercise coach and author who emphasizes the importance of movement and physical activity for longevity and “pro-aging.” The 70-year-old functional aging specialist is the co-founder of Ageless Workout, a Miami-based health, healing and wellness company that seeks to bridge the gap between fitness and medicine. At the recent Livelong summit in Palm Beach, Florida, we discussed a shift in mindset seen during the pandemic towards valuing optimal fitness and the foundational pillars of good health: exercise, diet, and sleep.

Nate believes in personalized exercise programs that meet people where they are and advocates for resistance training to combat frailty in older adults. He focuses on promoting positive aging, mental health and longevity.

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Topics covered in this interview include (time stamps go to YouTube)

• 00:00 Nate Wilkins leads an exercise class, emphasizing the importance of sitting down and standing up exercises for quadriceps strength.
• 00:15 Nate reflects on interactions with older individuals, noting their universal desire for more time and health, emphasizing the importance of longevity and the ability to perform fundamental actions like walking and standing.
• 02:44 Explaining an “ageless workout”
• 04:06 Nate’s background and fitness journey from being an athlete to struggling with health issues, emphasizing the transformative power of exercise after suffering from heart problems.
• 06:01 Building a fitness community A holistic approach to fitness that starts with understanding where we want to end up and planning for a continuum of fitness throughout life, from youth to old age.
• 09:09 Relationship between mental and physical health. Nate advocates for an integrated approach to fitness that includes addressing mental well-being as part of the exercise regime.
• 10:50 The societal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including how it made people more aware of their physical health and the need for consistent exercise and self-care.
• 17:13 Future trends in health and fitness, including the increasing role of AI in exercise and the importance of maintaining a human touch in promoting wellness and mental health.
• 21:22: Life extension as the goal and healthspan
• 31:35 Working on the whole person with a holistic approach to health and fitness

Connect with Nate Wilkins: Bio | Book – Ageless Workout |  Ageless Workout | Blog | X | Instagram

Read: If You See A Turtle On A Stump, Somebody Put It There!

Related episodes
Living an ageless lifestyle, with Nate Wilkins | A single mother’s fitness journey with Shebah Carfagna

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Discounts & Affiliation disclosure: This podcast is supported by sponsorship and affiliate arrangements with a select number of companies. The income helps to cover production costs and ensures that our interviews, sharing information about human longevity, remain free for all to listen.

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TRANSCRIPT – This interview with Nate Wilkins was recorded at the Livelong Summit in Palm Beach, Florida on March 15, 2024 and transcribed using Sonix AI. Please check against audio recording for absolute accuracy.

Nate Wilkins – exercise class: [00:00:05] Quadriceps. Sit down. Come on. Sit down. Four. Three.Two. Here we go.

Nate Wilkins: [00:00:16] I’ve had an opportunity to interact with a 93 year old woman. And you know what I found? To the person everybody wants one more time. Let me see. One more day, you know. Give me some longevity. Help me to walk. Help me get out of this chair. You know, help. Help me to breathe. Help me to be strong. Then I got a 95 year old who comes to the gym and still wants to be strong. You got some 84 year olds. You got some 70s and 88 seconds. I mean, so we all of these people are are trying to hold on to this notion of longevity and pro aging. They’re not ready. They still got some more stuff. You and I got some more stuff left.

Nate Wilkins – exercise class: [00:00:59] Rah rah rah. Come on, work it.

Peter Bowes: [00:01:03] Hello again. Welcome to the Live Long and Master Aging podcast. My name is Peter Bowes. With me is Nate Wilkins. We’re recording this at the Live Long summit in beautiful West Palm Beach in Florida. Nate is a exercise coach and author based in Miami, just down the road, about an hour away and a second time appearance for you, Nate on the Live Long and Master Aging podcast. Great to see you again.

Nate Wilkins: [00:01:27] Oh, absolutely. Hey Peter, thanks so much for the opportunity to get together again, to share some thoughts around what you and I and most of us think is probably one of the most significant things in our lifetime right now.

Peter Bowes: [00:01:40] Well, it is, and what I’ve noticed is the explosion in interest in human longevity. We’re at this summit this weekend, and this word longevity really seems to be getting through to people. And the concept that there are interventions that we can use. And your intervention, the one that I always put at the top of my list is exercise. But there’s of course much more than that as well.

Nate Wilkins: [00:02:04] I think that all of that’s significant. And like I share with you, Peter, that perhaps I’m not going to say anything new, that I might say it differently. And I hope through these conversations we can get across to people that at the very basics, at the very beginning of the conversation, we need we need a foundation. And that foundation is, you know, physical activity, movement or what we call some don’t like it, but exercise. So that’s that’s the premise I want to start from.

Peter Bowes: [00:02:34] And you describe your form of exercise as an ageless workout. Just tell me again, what do you mean when you talk about being ageless?

Nate Wilkins: [00:02:44] So, so let’s let’s take a look at the definition, if you will. So you know, what I would suggest is that we start at the back end of the spectrum, right? That we start where we want to be, you know, plan for that life. But then here we also plan for if we have family, if we have children, right, we plan for them to come across. So it’s a continuum. And so the ageless workout, while we focus on, you know, people who are active in aging, you know, people like you and me who are 40, 50, 60, 70, that’s our largest population. But we also are concerned about the ones that come behind the children. The children are watching. Right. And so I remember my son saying something like this, this. That’s what dad does. He was watching me. He didn’t. Not what I told him he was watching what I was doing.

Peter Bowes: [00:03:38] I hear what you say. Let’s dive into that a little bit more, but maybe just backtrack as well. And if anyone wants to listen to Nate’s first interview that we did, it’s episode 199 of the podcast. And if you look at the show notes for this particular episode, there’ll be a link to this and you can go straight to it. But let’s just recap a little bit your journey to exercise and fitness, because as far as your own life has been concerned, it hasn’t always been that way, has it?

Nate Wilkins: [00:04:05] You know, it’s interesting you would think that that’s the case, right? But but somehow we go from one thing to the next. You know, I’ve been an athlete, you know, played sports. And then later on after I graduated, like my mother and my grandparents told me to do, go to school, get a good education, get a good job. And, you know, I worked parks, recreation departments all across the country. And so one would think with that background that I would be in better shape. I mean, got mixed up with my friends, you know, drinking, eating and, you know, somewhere it got off track. Next thing I know, I’m, you know, going through some changes with the hospital had sense enough to know that I had to go and get checked out. Hearts, heart problems. As soon as I got out of there, I said, I’m going to change exercise. How about that?

Peter Bowes: [00:04:56] And how big a difference did it make to your life? 

Nate Wilkins: [00:04:59] You know I wish I could show you some of the images. I, you know, I had gotten up to somewhere about 230, 240 pounds, jolly cheeks and stuff like that. I like to show that to people. But then once I decided, see, this is where where the rubber meets the road, you know, sometimes in crisis and if we don’t make a change in crisis, we can let it go. But I was in the middle of something, that, that I couldn’t control. And I thought I had control over everything, but but my health, you know, when your health starts to fail you, you know, you grab for anything and give me one more day. So I got into, you know, walking from walking. I went to riding, from riding. I went to teaching, from teaching. I went to overall learning as much as I can. Got it. You know, it’s one thing when you get in it, it’s another thing when it gets into you.

Peter Bowes: [00:05:46] And it’s got into you in a big way. And you’ve made this not only a lifestyle, but you’ve made it a business as well. You work in Miami with your partner Shebah, who we’ve also spoken to on the podcast. Just give me a basic outline of what you do, what kind of clients you educate, and what your day looks like.

Nate Wilkins: [00:06:06] Yeah. So thanks. That’s a good question, Peter. You know, we love to work with everybody. And so what we found through our experience at Fisher Island is that we are the world, that we get a chance to mix with people from all over the world. So Fisher Island is that piece of the puzzle. But then we also work virtually because of the pandemic. So we have a hybrid model. So we still get a chance to reach even more. And then we have a newsletter that we send out to what we call the tribe. And so what these people have now gone out to other places, and that’s how we stay linked up. And you know, how how important a community is. And one of the things that I do on Fisher Island is I teach a class, a boot camp class, and that’s where a lot of the people gather 8:00 in the morning, not only for the class, but to the social interaction, but also get into adverse situations where they have to challenge their bodies. So we work with, high net worth individuals in that situation, you know, very high net worth individuals. But we also have have a way to work with the masses as well. And that’s one of the conversations I want to hold with you.

Peter Bowes: [00:07:21] You describe the people you work with as your tribe. Now, is there more than just a word there? That is a way of thinking that you’re all together in this. And you mentioned social interactions as well as being important for encouragement. I wouldn’t say peer pressure, but certainly peer enthusiasm to do this because you’re doing it by yourself. It isn’t always easy, is it? 

Nate Wilkins: [00:07:46] Yeah. So so you just hit on one of the keys to this whole idea that what we’re talking about is creating a culture, a new next level culture of wellness for pro-aging and longevity. So putting together culture and and so the culture, again, I want to allude back to what I told you before. The children are watching. So you start to make sure your children are children are part of this wellness journey as you make or you matriculate through your journey that you stand up taller, that you eat better, that you sleep better because they will do what you do, not what you say. And so we want to pass that on then to, you know, we got grandmothers and grandfathers. So everybody is sort of living at a different standard or level. That’s what we’re talking about. And I think we can all get there now. You know, some some would say that that’s pie in the sky. Shut up. You know you’re not going to get there. But but Peter, you know what I’m talking about.

Peter Bowes: [00:08:46] I know exactly what you’re talking about. And one of your big enthusiasms is to incorporate mental health into physical exercise, that the two are not separate concerns. They absolutely go hand in hand. Explain to me what your theory is and how we can benefit in terms of our mental health by boosting our physical health.

Nate Wilkins: [00:09:08] So while I would love to take the credit for for this, I’ve written some because I’ve, you know, during the pandemic, it gave me an opportunity to just go through my mind. I thought I was going to go crazy, you know, trying to figure out what to do. And so one of the ways that I dealt with that was to put it down in writing and then turn it into that book called How to Be an Adaptive Navigator. Or If You See a Turtle on A Stump, Somebody Put Them There – and we can talk about that later. But but what really happens, Peter, is that we, we, we start to evolve differently right after the pandemic. We’re we get a different look at at ourselves in the world. And, you know, and perhaps, you know, things that were important before, not as in. And then we get to drill down on a small piece.

Peter Bowes: [00:10:02] Well, the pandemic changed everything for so many people, and this phrase keeps coming back to me. Existing physical conditions of ill health that made those people more vulnerable to the virus during the condition, and I think made a lot of people aware that they are carrying around existing conditions that are preventable. And that’s putting it as bluntly as I can, that many of the modern day diseases that can ultimately, ultimately lead to the end of life are preventable. And exercise comes absolutely at the top of the list alongside a balanced diet, a moderate diet, and and plenty of good sleep. I think those are, for me at least, are the three key pillars to good health. But the pandemic just focused our minds on the need to maintain that good level of that basic, good level of health.

Nate Wilkins: [00:10:59] So you hit the nail on the head. I mean, you really nailed the game changer. It the business of of exercise, the business of movement, physical activity along with nutrition. Those two go hand in hand. You change lives that way. And so you and I, if we’re doing that consistently now, let’s be honest. Can we be honest and be consistent with this thing. So day in and day out. And the older we get, the more we have to push against something, the more we have to push against something. Because remember, our muscles start to break down, right. So we want to make sure and I want to I want to be clear, I don’t want to run anybody away. I want to I’m trying to invite some people because we know that there’s people like you, you and I, 20% of us are going to going to do the exercise, but there’s another 80% that don’t even want to hear about it. So how do you look at a 24 hour cycle and get them to move? And so you bring everybody into the equation. Right. And so if we’re talking about mental health, see in order to get this fixed you have to go in here to first. So and there’s all types of studies right now, and I would love to take credit for it. But there’s, there’s this movement going on right now around exercise, you know, as, as a, as a form of medicine. So we already talked about other forms. Right. We know that they link they’re linking up. But the mental mental health piece, the mental well-being piece I think there’s a new certification. But that’s not what we’re talking about. But I’m saying to you that that this is a conversation for people all over the world.

Peter Bowes: [00:12:36] And what comes first in terms of mental health, brain health and physical health? Is there a first or are they so intertwined that really we can’t maximize one without the other? And what’s what I’m thinking of is the motivation to exercise that? There has to be that idea in our minds that it’s going to benefit us, and that we need to do it pretty much every day, that we need to be consistent. We can’t exercise for a week and then lose interest, and to achieve that, we need to have the right. Do you agree, the right mindset?

Nate Wilkins: [00:13:12] I agree with you, Peter, that we have to have the right mindset. But but I would put a pin in that here and say that rather than look at exercise, look at physical activity, look at how you move and start measuring that. And then then start to look at should I go to the gym? Because some people think that the gym is where it’s at, right? If you if you don’t go to the gym, you don’t get any activity. That’s not true. But what we’re saying now is that we need those people to move from activity into some pushing and some pulling against adversity because the body, again, needs some adversity. So that’s where we’re coming from. And then you can move on because, you know it’s hard in the beginning. It’s messy in the middle. And then at the end you fall in love and you don’t even need me anymore. You’ll be looking at me like, what? Look, I’ll see you at the gym. That’s the cycle.

Peter Bowes: [00:14:17] And what do you. How do you assess the current state of population wide attitude towards movement? We’ve talked about the pandemic and how that may have changed some minds and some attitudes towards doing the kind of movement that you talk about, but there’s still a tremendous amount of work to do, isn’t there population wide? Look at how many unhealthy, overweight, obese Americans here in this city of West Palm Beach. Yeah, not everyone is super healthy. It might have the image of that, but it certainly isn’t the case. So what is necessary, do you think, to do to try to persuade more people that this is a better lifestyle?

Nate Wilkins: [00:15:00] Well, here’s what what I know or and I’ve seen some interesting signage, uh, that says the best activity for this kind of conversation or exercise movement, physical activity is the one you’ll do. So if you like to fish, if you like to, if you like cycling, you know, do that more of that and then add other pieces. And so what I’m suggesting is that and I’m not the first to say this, we need to meet people where they are. And you know, it’s not my program. And so if I come up with a program for you, Peter, and it’s about what I do, it doesn’t fit for you. You’re not you’re not going to do it. You’re more apt not to do it. If I say to you, Peter, run. You run like 15 miles and you hate running, why would you do that? So it’s really it really gets down to your better understanding and, and personalize things that we can do to really. Help and meet people where they are.

Peter Bowes: [00:16:08] You mentioned your book and that turtle and the stump. Let’s go back to the beginning. Why did you write that book and what’s the main thesis?

Nate Wilkins: [00:16:19] One is we need to recognize opportunity. So everything that happens to us. We say maybe happening for us. And so the way we look at things, if we change, the way we look at things, the things we look at change. Right. So focused, look at how do you focus on the positive of because we can always look at the adversity. I didn’t come here to to identify problems with you. We can do that all day long. But where is the opportunity and how can we fix it. And so that’s what this is all about is how to become an adept navigator. Navigator. How how do we look at situations relative to our health? Is it my job to take take better care of myself? You better bet you better believe it. So what do I do? Learn more. I’m here today because I want to learn as much. I’m here for the next two days. I’m going to be a sponge because while I think I know some things, what I know is I don’t know. And so I want to know some more. Right. So that’s the stuff that, that, that, that I’m, you know, I’m getting at.

Peter Bowes: [00:17:30] Which areas of, let’s say more broadly health and fitness. You’re an expert in exercise stroke movement. What are the other areas do you think that are less understood and perhaps less publicized that we could benefit? Now we’re at this two day conference where we will both learn a lot about other potential interventions. But is there something in your mind that’s maybe outside of your comfort zone that you’re curious about that actually could help us?

Nate Wilkins: [00:18:00] Yeah, I’m curious about so many things because there’s so many new things happening. We just got back from a conference in Los Angeles, Irsa, one of the largest conferences, and we saw so much, uh, that that I could just go on and on. The AI that was involved in some of the exercise equipment is just mind boggling. And so, um, I can’t just stop at one thing, but but let me tell you that that what’s intriguing for me is, is how the therapy that, that you can use at this age, how do you recover? So I use foam rolling, stretching, which is a different style of stretching that I use for my clients. Um, mobility, flexibility. So I’ve uh, looked at a number of ways to help my clients age better. That’s the conversation we’re holding. Is that how do you age better? Uh, and the things that we used to do, we like to do those. But how do you add to that and make sure that you are putting your body in the best position to come back and do it time and time again?

Peter Bowes: [00:19:13] In the back of my mind, imposing that question is the idea that, as I’ve mentioned, the pillars for me are exercise, diet and sleep. And yes, there’s a lot of other things that we can consider. I is is fascinating, but and I hesitate to put a percentage on it but I will I would say 90% is movement, diet and sleep. And those I disagree with this that that is still despite whatever else, whatever the other interventions are, that that’s what we still need to focus on.

Nate Wilkins: [00:19:47] Peter, you know, you I couldn’t have said it any better. I’m going to I’m going to actually borrow that the next time when I get on an interview, I’m going to say, you know, I’ll put it like you did, and then I’ll say, but, you know, Peter gave that to me. But what I’m saying is, Peter, everything that we do needs a foundation. And you’re talking about those foundational pieces that that go with this. And that’s what we’re seeing in this culture. Culture that we’re looking to build, is that you need a foundation. And so foundation is the mind. Right. And the community. And these would be the bigger pieces of the puzzle. And then all these other things fall into that. Now we got this model from Duke University, um, their world of health. And so if it’s good enough for Duke and doctor Ralph Snyderman, um, who we visited with on Fisher Island, if it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for what we’re talking about is how do you build a sense of new sense of community around wellness and and for extended life? And some people are afraid of that, incidentally, they’re like, what are we going to do with all those people? How are we going to pay them with you? You know, so that’s a whole other conversation.

Peter Bowes: [00:21:04] But the phrase extended life can be misleading, can’t it? Some people think when you talk about life extension, you’re talking about radical, dramatic life extension. Aspiring to live to 150 or 200 years old. I don’t think you’re talking about that. And that’s not what I talk about. Life extension to me is Healthspan life extension. It is living that optimum life without chronic diseases to maybe 80 or 90 or 100, as opposed to for some people 65, 70, 75, it’s just adding extra healthy years. That is the goal. That’s the initial goal. It’s nothing radical about this. It’s built around common sense, but it could make such a transformative difference to so many people’s lives.

Nate Wilkins: [00:21:53] Right. So along those lines, I’ve had an opportunity to interact with a 93 year old woman. And you know what I found? To to the person everybody wants one more time. Let me see. One more day, you know. Give me some longevity. Let help me to walk. Help me get out of this chair. You know, help. Help me to breathe. Help me to be strong. Then I got a 95 year old who comes to the gym and still wants to be strong. You got some 84 year olds, you got some 70s and 88 seconds. I mean, so we all of these people are are trying to hold on to this notion of longevity and pro aging. They’re not ready. They still got some more stuff. You and I got some more stuff left.

Nate Wilkins – exercise class: [00:22:40] Well, a.

Peter Bowes: [00:22:40] Lot of these people, they’re so young in their minds. And that’s it. They you talk to a 90 year old, talk to a 100 year old, and they say it’s a woman. I’m still a girl. I still think like a young person. And they might be constrained by the physicality of being older. And that’s, that’s where movement and and exercise and crucially, you can explain this to me, the importance of strength, exercise of resistance training for older people to prevent that frailty that prevents those older people from living like they were still a teenager.

Nate Wilkins: [00:23:14] Um, so, um, there’s a professor at, at, um, Joseph Signorelli who has a book Bending the Curve. Um, it’s a guide for older, older people and an exercise. And so we’ve been following his work, and it’s interesting that you bring that up in terms of power and strength. So some some, especially as you get older would say that’s, you know, don’t they don’t want to to have any, you know, pushing or stuff that challenges their muscles, which is the exact opposite of what they should have. And, and we know that we’ve seen some of our clients actually hit their personal with, you know, just a one push with a leg or one push with, um, with a chest press. And they grow from that. Now, you know, some of them, I hate it. I don’t want to do it. But, you know, little by little, we’re getting some of our, um, older, um minded and older bodied people into more of the resistance or strength and power. So we’re seeing that and based on this model that, that I talked to you about with Doctor Signorelli.

Peter Bowes: [00:24:28] Let’s talk about you for a little bit. You’ve come through your own health, physical capability transformation over the years, and you’re doing what you do now. You’re 70 years old now or thereabouts.

Nate Wilkins: [00:24:43] You know what, Peter? You and I have the same argument every time we talk. I’m not. I’m 70 years young.

Peter Bowes: [00:24:49] Well, there you go. So I don’t object to the use of the word old. I think the word old should have a positive connotation to it. I think you ask a child, how old are you? And they’ll say, I’m ten years old. Old to them doesn’t mean old and decrepit. It’s just the passage of time. It’s the number of years. So whether you want to say it’s not a big deal, but whether you want to say 70 years old or 70 years young, in my mind they mean the same thing. It’s just a chronological calculation of how old you are. And the reason I kind of make a big deal of it is that people will use the word old about themselves in a negative sense, and sometimes as an excuse for not, oh, I’m old, I can’t do that anymore. Well, actually, yes, you can, because old can be seen in a positive way. And the other good things. And you should be talking, not me. But the good things about being old are the the wisdom and especially the wisdom that you can pass on to your children. People always say to me, they want to live as long as possible for their children, and you achieve that through positive aging. So we might be splitting hairs. Yeah.

Nate Wilkins: [00:26:02] Seriously, Peter, ask ask any of them. Uh, with all of the money they’ve acquired. What? What is one thing they’re hanging on to? One they don’t want anybody to take care of them. They want to get up out of the chair. So that that has to do with frailty. You know, they want to play with their grandkids. They want to go to a wedding. This is all the longevity stuff that we’re talking about. This is where, like my grandmother used to say, this is let’s put it where the where the goats could get it. Let’s go down to the root of the issue. People want to live. And so how do we help them live at the best level possible is the question. And that’s why we’re all here now scratching our heads saying, you know, what is the best way to do it? And you, I’m going to suggest to you that you need a full 360 model.

Peter Bowes: [00:26:54] So I raised your age because I was going to actually compliment you. And so now you’re looking pretty damn good. You’re doing something right.

Nate Wilkins: [00:27:05] It’s the company I keep. You know I love you. I love your work. I love your energy. And so I can’t come on your podcast and and look, not look the part. I want to make sure that that it radiates between you and me. That it is that it is a mutual understanding that we’re on a journey together, and we’re going to do everything we can to take care of ourselves, because that’s the only thing when you think about it, Peter, that’s the only thing we got. Our health. Health, our health is our wealth.

Peter Bowes: [00:27:35] Well, you know, I could have said that. I mean, it’s exactly what we say, and I often phrase it like this. Imagine the worst times in your life. What are they usually connected to? Ill health, to the ill health of yourself and those close to you. Those are the worst possible times. And if we could do something just to alleviate those situations, or better still, to prevent them and delay the inevitable, that’s to the greater good for all of us, isn’t it?

Nate Wilkins: [00:28:05] Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. Um, I couldn’t have said that any better. Uh, so one of the pieces for us is, you know. Helping the person you used to be. Right? Because you’re always coming out of something. And so now you’re going to be something else. How do I how can I be a better grandfather? How can I be a better spouse? How can I love some people more than I love them? You know, than I love myself? But understanding that I got to love myself too first. But, but, but how do you. How do you become that? I’ve never been those things before. I mean, I’m, I’m learning, you know, I watch other people do it, but now I’m trying to put it in place for me, you know, how do I make decisions, Peter, that are in my best interests? And that’s some of some of the stuff that that we’re talking about now with, you know, it’s mental stuff, this aging. Because when you get older, as I can give you a prime example for me, Peter, I could be looking for my keys and have them in my hand. What do I do with my keys? We all do that. What is that or forgetfulness? Yeah, we all do that.

Peter Bowes: [00:29:21] But, you know, think about it. You probably did it 20 years ago as well. So it isn’t always symptomatic of being too old and too forgetful. You mentioned that phrase of loving yourself, right? Which is often derided as just a line, just a phrase. But I think it’s crucially important because not only loving yourself, but caring for yourself so you can be in the physical condition, the best physical condition possible to care for others. And often times, the last question I’ll ask people is why do you do this? Why do you have a passion for this? And I would say 95% of the time the answer relates to caring for or being around for other people and for younger people, for children. And that’s not only sharing wisdom, but it’s caring for. It’s educating. It’s helping through life with what you have learned over the years. So looking after number one is crucially important.

Nate Wilkins: [00:30:19] So so let’s be clear. And I and I agree with you 100% what I do. I’m I’m in the self care business. I am in the prevention business along with self care. So you know when you when you get on the plane this is this is old trite stuff, right. Put the mask on yourself first before you put it on somebody else. That’s what we’re talking about. You can’t love and take care of other people when you’re hurting. Goes back to the whole mental health thing. Got got to get down deeper and get honest with ourselves. And that’s that’s what we’re saying is that Shiva and I are saying real talk for real people. Don’t let the condition manage you. You manage the condition. You know, my aches and pains are not any different than yours. But I say I would rather have that feeling than to have some other one. What do you think about that?

Peter Bowes: [00:31:15] I think you’re totally right. And you absolutely hit the nail on the head. Let me ask you this. You travel around, you’ve just been to Los Angeles. You’re it’s a constant process of education for you. How do you see as far as the work is that you’re doing is concerned? How do you see the next decade? What are your goals? What are your aspirations?

Nate Wilkins: [00:31:36] So we see, um, sort of a way of, of doing this work in a holistic approach that it needs to be a team of people who actually work on the whole person. We cannot just work the physical part, come to a class, go to physical when when the whole body is there. So we need a group of people that actually work with with a person, whether it be, you know, exercise or your cardiologist or whatever you have, that team is actually working and they can work together to to make your life, you know, better. Because that’s what’s really at issue is how to how do I live a better quality of life. So I see that happening. But, you know, we’ve kind of danced away from I they already have I, uh, applications, you know, that people can use to actually tell them what to do. Almost like you have an instructor. So that’s happening. Um, you know, the metaverse is happening. I don’t know if you’ve done that.

Peter Bowes: [00:32:44] Well, taking the the human side out of it, though, which clearly AI is doing, there’s there’s no human interaction there. To me, it doesn’t seem like a positive thing. I think we all know that in the way that we I use AI to transcribe interviews, but it makes mistakes. It still needs a human touch at the end of the day. And I think the way that AI and it’s very early days, but the way that I can be and is being incorporated into exercise, still needs that layer of love and attention that a human being can give to it to make it truly effective.

Nate Wilkins: [00:33:20] You and I haven’t had this conversation, so. I’m going to say you’re so right. And that, I think, is the piece that is in some instances may be the saving grace, the human touch. See a machine, while while an AI bot can pick up an egg with the delicacy that you need without cracking the egg. But can a touch somebody in such a way that makes them feel? Can you move their body in such a way, or can you talk to them with such understanding that that you become together and the technology can’t at this point can’t do that? But, but but um, for, for you know, you ask me about the future. I think we have to understand that, too. I think we have to understand that what’s happening with. That’s why I’m here. Understand what’s happening with all the new technologies and breakthroughs that are happening. I mean, it’s fast, fast, fast, fast, fast. It’s almost like if you get out there on the interstate and if you get in the wrong lane, if you need to make your turn, you may have to go five miles out of the way to come back, right back to the way you want to go, because things are going so fast. So you and I is contingent upon you and I to stay on the cutting edge of what’s going on if we want to be a part of this new vision. So that’s what I think is happening. This one thing, this one thing that I do, I’m, I’m drilling down on and pro-aging and longevity and I’m going to stick to it because it’s it I can help other people, but I can also help myself.

Peter Bowes: [00:34:54] That’s a good way to end this. And it’s a point that I often repeat myself pro-aging as opposed to anti-aging. I’m all for positive, healthy aging. I’m not trying to turn the clock back. I’m not against aging. My view and a lot disagree with this, but my view is that aging is a positive chronological process. It’s going to happen to all of us. And the goal, and it’s emphasized in the title of this podcast, that the goal is to master aging and to do it in the best way possible, rather than trying to deny it or to reverse it. Mhm.

Nate Wilkins: [00:35:35] Makes sense.

Peter Bowes: [00:35:37] I’m glad we agree Nate. It’s always been a huge pleasure to talk to you. We could probably continue this conversation for another couple of hours, but for now we will talk again. Thank you so much. Thanks Peter.

Nate Wilkins – exercise class: [00:35:49] Do it. Do it to it. Come on. Five four. Come on. Three. Two. Eight teamers. Hold it right here. Eight teamers are holding right here. Come on. 18 is a holding. Fight back. Suck your stomach in like a plank. Four. Three. Two. One. On your feet.

The Live Long and Master Aging (LLAMA) podcast, a HealthSpan Media LLC production, shares ideas but does not offer medical advice. If you have health concerns of any kind, or you are considering adopting a new diet or exercise regime, you should consult your doctor.