Gladden Longevity Podcast -- formerly Living Beyond 120

Living Young: The Adventure of Longevity - Episode 302

Sep 18, 2025
Waldemar Franco, an architect and adventurous founder of boutique hospitality, shares his journey from childhood nature experiences to creating flow-focused spaces. He emphasizes the importance of embracing flow states in both work and play. The conversation dives into transforming routines into meaningful rituals and the need to listen to one’s body for optimal health. Waldemar also discusses the harmony between creativity, personal passions, and family life, highlighting that living congruently can enhance fulfillment. Embracing life’s cycles leads to deeper connection and joy.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Childhood Shaped By Water And Adventure

  • Waldemar grew up free diving with his father in Cozumel and began spearfishing as a child.
  • That early exposure seeded a lifelong drive for adventure and nature-based identity.
ANECDOTE

Built Hotels To Merge Design With Wilderness

  • Waldemar combined architecture and adventure to create small boutique hotels near nature.
  • He founded Rodavento and built six nature-focused hotels across Mexico.
INSIGHT

Goals Without Meaning Burn You Out

  • Chasing performance goals without deeper meaning led Waldemar to overtrain and injure himself.
  • That experience shifted his focus to healthier, purpose-driven training and recovery.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app