The Hidden Common Link Between Heart Disease, Diabetes, Cancer and Alzheimer’s with Michael Joseph Gross

Dec 17, 2025

Michael Gross, a seasoned journalist and author of "Stronger: The Untold Story of Muscle in Our Lives," dives into the surprising connections between muscle mass and major health issues like heart disease and Alzheimer’s. He emphasizes how resistance training can not only prevent chronic diseases but also enhance cognitive function and reshape identity. Michael argues for integrating exercise into healthcare, showcasing inspiring transformations and the necessity for equitable access to strength training. It's a fascinating discussion on how building muscle can truly change lives.

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INSIGHT

Muscle Is Central To Major Disease Risk

Muscle mass and strength are urgently tied to heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s risk.
Strength and aerobic fitness are intricately linked and both reduce mortality far more together.

INSIGHT

Resistance Training Cuts Cancer Mortality

Resistance training alone reduced cancer mortality by 16% while aerobic training alone showed no effect.
Combining resistance and aerobic training reduced cancer mortality by ~28% in studies cited by Michael Gross.

ADVICE

Prescribe Resistance Training As Medicine

Doctors should give patients access to resistance training as part of treatment and refer to exercise specialists.
Maria Fiatarone Singh argues withholding such referrals violates the Hippocratic imperative to do no harm.

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This episode is brought to you by LMNT, Cozy Earth, Fatty15, and Maui Nui.

We all know muscle is important, but today’s guest takes it a step further, showing why it can truly be a life-changing, even life-saving, part of our health. He shares what his deep-dive research uncovered about the history of muscle and strength training, how our relationship with it has evolved, and what those shifts can teach us about building a stronger, more resilient population today.

Today on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with Michael Gross to explore the profound impact of muscle and strength training on health, longevity, and identity. They discuss the importance of muscle mass in preventing chronic diseases, the role of strength in shaping personal identity, and share inspiring stories of transformation. Michael emphasizes that it's never too late to start strength training and highlights the need for a shift in the medical community to recognize exercise as a vital component of health care.

Michael Joseph Gross began his career as a political speechwriter before moving into journalism, writing for major newspapers and magazines. As a longtime contributing editor at Vanity Fair, he covered culture, politics, religion, crime, business, technology, and national security, and appeared on programs such as CBS Mornings, Morning Joe, and NPR. He is the author of Starstruck: When A Fan Gets Close to Fame and Stronger: The Untold Story of Muscle in Our Lives, which explores the central role of muscle in human health and history.

In this episode, Dhru and Michael dive into:

How muscle impacts cancer and diabetes risk (5:46)
Muscle mass as the body’s glucose-disposal engine (9:49)
The link between muscle strength and cognitive health (14:36)
Why the medical system overlooks muscle and why it matters (19:42)
Jan Todd’s story and what it teaches us about self-efficacy (30:04)
Why it’s never too late to start strength training (47:34)
Ancient Greek wisdom on strength and vitality (52:41)
How strength and community shape each other (57:26)
The future: prescribing strength training as medicine (1:01:54)
Strength training as a deeper life practice (1:11:10)
Breakthrough research on strength training for seniors (1:15:06)
Michael’s personal stories on strength and quality of life (1:23:45)
Final thoughts and key takeaways (1:28:15)

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For more on Michael, follow him on Instagram or visit his Website.

This episode is brought to you by LMNT, Cozy Earth, Fatty15, and Maui Nui.

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