The Peter Attia Drive

#234 ‒ Chris Hemsworth on Limitless, longevity, and happiness

Dec 12, 2022

Chris Hemsworth, renowned for his role as Thor, shares insights from his journey in the docuseries Limitless. He recalls extreme challenges like a four-day fast and arctic swims, revealing how these experiences reshaped his views on health and happiness. Hemsworth discusses the role of genetics in health risks, particularly Alzheimer's, and shares the benefits of practices like sauna use and ice baths for overall wellness. He also reflects on embracing mortality and the importance of balancing work with personal fulfillment.

01:11:15

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Chris Hemsworth

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Quick takeaways

Chris Hemsworth underwent extreme challenges in the 'Limitless' docuseries to explore his physical and emotional limits for insights into longevity.

Genetic testing revealed a rare ApoE4 gene combination in Hemsworth, motivating him to take preventive actions against Alzheimer's disease.

Sauna usage has remarkable benefits for cardiovascular health and stress reduction, contributing to Hemsworth's enhanced well-being and positive lifestyle changes.

Deep dives

Chris Hemsworth's Venture into National Geographic's Project 'Limitless'

Chris Hemsworth discusses his involvement in the 'Limitless' project by National Geographic, focusing on extreme physical and emotional challenges for Long Jeopardy science. Initially scheduled for a three-week shoot, COVID-19 extended the timeline to two and a half years, allowing deeper exploration into each episode and personal growth. Hemsworth reflects on the challenges faced during filming, including fasting and cold water immersion, showcasing personal development through various physical and mental hurdles.

Overcoming a Challenge and Feeling Euphoric Afterward

01:46

The Benefits of Lifting Weights

02:11

The Science of Sauna: How It Can Help You Stay Healthy

02:12

Intro

3min

Limitless: A Journey of Growth and Trust

6min

Fasting Adventures and Personal Growth

20min

Genetics, Training, and Health Awareness

11min

The Health Benefits of Sauna and Ice Baths

3min

Embracing Mortality and Personal Reflection

18min

Auditions and Reflections

6min

The Power of Friendship and Podcasting Community

4min

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode

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Chris Hemsworth, best known for his role as Thor in the Marvel movies, joins Peter to discuss his recent work in the docuseries called Limitless. In the docuseries, Chris undertook extreme challenges to explore his physical and emotional limits and gain insights into longevity. In this episode, Chris discusses these many challenges—from fasting to arctic swims to 100-foot rope climbs—as well as the insights that he gained from each. Peter, who also played a role in the docuseries, guides Chris through the science of longevity, including what Chris’s APOE-ε4 genotype means for his risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, Chris describes how his outlook on health, happiness, work-life balance, and more have changed from his experience on Limitless.

We discuss:

Limitless: how Chris got involved and his overall experience filming the docuseries [3:00];
“Fasting” ‒ ep. 3 of Limitless in which Chris attempts a 4-day fast [8:15];
“Shock” ‒ ep. 2 of Limitless in which Chris swims in the Arctic Ocean [12:15];
Cold exposure: the potential physical and mental benefits [19:30];
“Strength” ‒ ep. 4 of Limitless in which Chris explores how muscle can improve longevity [21:15];
The APOE-ε4 genotype and Alzheimer’s disease risk [31:30];
How Chris uses sauna [39:45];
“Acceptance” - ep. 6 of Limitless in which Chris explores the meaning of life by contemplating death [42:15];
Chris’s new perspective on work-life balance [52:00];
“Stress-Proof” - ep. 1 of Limitless in which Chris learns about the impact of stress and how to manage it [54:30];
Chris reflects on his intrinsic motivation driven by both fear and purpose [58:00];
Chris reflects on his career arc and how his presence as an actor has evolved [1:01:15];
How Chris’s outlook has changed since filming Limitless [1:05:00]; and
More.

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The Peter Attia Drive

#234 ‒ Chris Hemsworth on Limitless, longevity, and happiness

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Chris Hemsworth's Venture into National Geographic's Project 'Limitless'

Strength Training Challenges and Genetic Discoveries

Sauna Benefits and Health Consciousness

Experiencing a Transformative Experiment on Aging and Death

Shifting Perspectives on Success, Purpose, and Mental Health

Overcoming a Challenge and Feeling Euphoric Afterward

The Benefits of Lifting Weights

The Science of Sauna: How It Can Help You Stay Healthy

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts