Michael Karnjanaprakorn is a super impressive guy – mostly known as the founder of high-growth start-ups like Skillshare and Otis. But he’s also an incredibly thoughtful person when it comes to all things health and wellness.

Michael is currently taking a two-year sabbatical on which he’s been diving deep into all the metrics to optimize for in puruit of health & longevity.

In this conversation, Greg and Michael nerd out on all of the metrics they are tracking from heart health to nutrition, and discuss what’s working (and what isn’t).

Sit back, relax and be a fly on the wall as Greg and Michael go deep on topics like Zone 2 training, tracking calories, cholesterol levels and a ton more.

Episode segments:

(04:34) – Michael’s background as a founder, his sabbatical, and view that life is broader than work

(12:27) – Setting a “decade goal” of being 10 years younger biologically and 10 years older mentally (aka wiser)

(14:53) – All things heart health & cholesterol – Finding out he had very high cholesterol and high risk for heart disease and the metrics Michael and Greg are tracking/aiming to improve

(33:35) – Nutrition – Protein levels, processed foods, & plants

(39:47) – Getting kids to eat healthy, aka the impossible challenge

(43:20) – Tracking calories & macros

(46:53) – Lifting, running & getting fit (without getting injured)

(52:15) – VO2 max, Zone 2, running form & recovery

(01:01:00) – Strength training, mobility, & adopting the athlete identity

(01:03:09) – 5K’s, 10K’s & manageable goals

(01:08:50) – Quitting drinking, embracing a multi-faceted identity & finding balance

Links:

Michael’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mikekarnj

Michael’s article on LP(a): https://mikekarnj.com/posts/tackling-high-lipoproteina-my-heart-health-journey

Michael’s Twitter: https://x.com/mikekarnj

Greg’s simple health metrics spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1of0OGAg93nYTYeSABYHYG_l0CkF7S1PoTyqArsYZ_Po/edit?gid=0#gid=0

Intentional Wisdom articles:

How to Avoid a Heart Attack: https://gregcampion.substack.com/p/how-to-avoid-a-heart-attack

Body Fat % & VO2 Max - Half-year Update: https://gregcampion.substack.com/p/body-fat-and-vo2-max-half-year-update

Zone 2 Training: The Basics: https://gregcampion.substack.com/p/zone-2-training-the-basics

Note: The “8 Metrics” title is admittedly a little click-baity to be honest, but here are the ones I was thinking about. - Greg

- LP(a) – liprotein a

- Apob

- LDL-c

- V02 max

- Body Fat %

- 10k time

- Protein consumed

- Calories consumed