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.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
From Limitless to Relentless
Chris Hemsworth was initially told Limitless would be a 3-week shoot, but it became a 2.5-year project due to COVID.
This allowed for deeper exploration of longevity science and personal growth.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Four-Day Fast
Chris Hemsworth and Peter Attia fasted for four days together for an episode of Limitless.
Initially, the plan was intermittent fasting, which evolved to a multi-day fast.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Arctic Swim
Chris Hemsworth swam in the Arctic Ocean for Limitless, enduring extreme pain and dizziness.
Despite the challenge, he felt immense elation and peace afterwards.
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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
The Peter Attia Drive