Immune to Age: The Real Secret to Longevity Isn’t What You Think – with Dr Jenna Macciochi
High Performance Health
Aging, Immunity, and Lifestyle Choices
This chapter examines the intricate relationship between aging, immunity, and lifestyle, highlighting how chronic inflammation affects health in older age. It emphasizes the importance of dietary habits, stress management, and social connections in promoting longevity, while also addressing the misconceptions surrounding life milestones and happiness. Additionally, the chapter explores the impact of modern dietary practices on cancer risks, particularly for younger individuals, advocating for a holistic understanding of health.
This episode of High Performance Health is a powerful reminder that the true path to longevity isn’t found in chasing supplement stacks or living to 160—it’s about becoming immune to aging by mastering the fundamentals. Angela sits down with Dr Jenna Macciochi, immunologist, author, and high-performance breathwork coach, to explore how chronic inflammation, lifestyle, mindset, and motherhood all shape our biological age far more than we realize.
Dr Jenna's new book Immune to Age presents a revolutionary framework: understanding the immune system as a dynamic force through the seasons of life—from birth to old age. In this heartfelt, science-rich conversation, Jenna and Angela dive into everything from burnout and HRV to intuition, parenting, alcohol, and the myth of the perfect biohacking protocol. This is the longevity conversation every woman needs to hear.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
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Chronic Inflammation: The Silent Driver of Aging : The immune system's slow burn of inflammation is the root cause behind most chronic diseases and early aging.
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The Parenting Connection: Children phase-lock to their mother’s HRV—your emotional regulation teaches them how to regulate themselves.
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Burnout & Intuition: Ignoring your intuition and pushing through stress leads to burnout. Slowing down and listening is the real path to resilience.
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Longevity Isn’t Just About Data: Healthspan matters more than lifespan. Fancy tests are fun, but it’s the basics—food, movement, sleep, breath—that move the needle.
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Alcohol, Sleep & Energy: Giving up alcohol even temporarily can have a massive ripple effect on mood, energy, and parenting.
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Immune System Through the Life Course: From womb to old age, your immune system evolves—and it’s never too early or too late to care for it.
TIMESTAMPS AND KEY TOPICS:
0:00 – Introduction
3:49 – Why healthspan matters more than lifespan
8:34 – Advice for working women juggling everything
12:15 – How meditation rewires stress and physiology
16:42 – Garbage time, HRV, and parenting insights
22:23 – Female intuition, hormones & relationships
29:10 – Jenna’s daily health and movement routine
34:28 – Alcohol and the “tiny experiment” approach
41:52 – Jenna’s new book: Immune to Age
49:37 – Cancer, inflammation & microbiome connection
59:24 – How to filter conflicting wellness advice 1:00:16 – Tests that matter (and those that don’t)
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ABOUT THE GUEST
Based in Brighton, Dr Jenna is a Senior Lecturer in Immunology at The University of Sussex and a fitness instructor and health coach. She integrates her extensive academic knowledge with practical experience, guiding individuals and businesses in the wellness and performance sectors. A certified high-performance breathwork coach, Jenna provides functional breathing assessments and breath training to help clients unlock their full potential and enhance physical and mental well-being and performance.
Her expertise in supplement formulation benefits individuals seeking targeted supplement protocols and bloodwork analysis for their health goals. Her expertise in supplement formulation can assist businesses in creating compliant, scientifically-backed health products.
She is the author of two seminal books "Immunity: The Science of Staying Well" (Harper Collins, 2020) and "Your Blueprint for Strong Immunity" (Yellow Kite, 2022). Her books combine cutting-edge research with practical advice, making them essential reads for anyone looking to live a healthier life.
Jenna loves crafting recipes and rituals inspired by her farm-to-table Scottish roots and capturing her family’s Italian heritage. As a mother of twins and a keen home cook, she brings a personal and realistic touch to her scientifically-baked advice.
ABOUT THE HOST
Angela Foster is an award winning Nutritionist, Health & Performance Coach, Speaker and Host of the High Performance Health podcast. A former Corporate lawyer turned industry leader in biohacking and health optimisation for women, Angela has been featured in various media including Huff Post, Runners world, The Health Optimisation Summit, BrainTap, The Women’s Biohacking Conference, Livestrong & Natural Health Magazine.
Angela is the creator of BioSyncing®️ a blueprint for ambitious entrepreneurial women to biohack their health so they can 10X how they show up in their business and their family without burning out.
The High Performance Health Podcast is a top rated global podcast. Each week, Angela brings you a new insight, biohack or high performance habit to help you unlock optimal health, longevity and higher performance. Hit the follow button to make sure you get notified each time Angela releases a new episode.
CONTACT DETAILS
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