Dan Buettner On The Secrets For Living Long & Well

Mar 9, 2020

Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Fellow and bestselling author, shares his insights on longevity from Blue Zones—areas with the highest populations of centenarians. He discusses the importance of nutrition and the devastating effects of the standard American diet versus the health benefits of traditional diets. The conversation delves into how community initiatives and urban redesign can enhance health, highlighting how social connections and purposeful living contribute to a longer, happier life. Dan also reveals recipes from his latest cookbook that promote both wellness and sustainability.

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ANECDOTE

Okinawa's Decline

Okinawa, once boasting incredibly high longevity, now has Japan's worst health metrics.
The rise of American food culture correlates with increased obesity and diabetes.

ADVICE

Protecting Heritage

Rich Roll suggests seeking government protection of Blue Zones, similar to historical preservation efforts.
Buettner notes that Costa Rica has declared the Nicoya Peninsula a national heritage site.

ANECDOTE

Living with a Centenarian

Buettner lived with a 102-year-old Okinawan woman for three days, observing her daily routine.
He noted her constant movement, social interactions, and simple lifestyle.

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Chances are you've heard the term Blue Zones, coined in reference to five hidden slivers of the world that boast the highest per capita populations of centenarians — people who thrive to 100 and beyond.

Places where people forgot to die.

This is the work of Dan Buettner.

A true renaissance man, Dan is a National Geographic Fellow, longevity expert and world explorer with 3 endurance cycling world records to his name. A multiple New York Times bestselling author, he's a seemingly constant presence on the TODAY show, has appeared on Oprah twice and has been profiled on every respected global media outlet, from CNN to David Letterman.

Over the last decade Dan has delivered more than 500 keynotes, including speeches for Bill Clinton’s Health Matters Initiative, Google Zeitgeist, and TEDMED. His TED Talk “How to live to be 100+” has been viewed over 4 million times.

The Blue Zones Kitchen is Dan's latest New York Times bestseller. Technically a cookbook with over 100 recipes inspired by decades of research studying Blue Zones cultures, Dan elevates the genre with extraordinary photography and an anthropologist's lens on the specific foods, cooking methods and lifestyle practices proven to increase longevity, wellness, and mental health.

In addition, Dan is the founder of Blue Zones Project, a community well-being improvement initiative designed to help people live longer and better through community transformation programs that lower healthcare costs, improve productivity, and boost national recognition as great places to live, work, and play.

Long time listeners will remember Dan's podcast debut (RRP #139), where we explored Dan's adventurous backstory, his fascination with longevity and the research behind all things Blue Zones.

Our second conversation (RRP #323) focused on the nature of not only living long, but living well — a dissection of the habits and practices that produce that which we seek most — happiness.

Today we synthesize all of it in a primer on how to live a long and fulfilling life.

Not surprisingly, it begins with food. It extends to building better communities. It's underscored by finding purpose. And sharing what you've learned for the betterment of others.

The visually inclined can watch it all go down on YouTube. And as always, the audio version streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Hero, friend and mentor, Dan is a true visionary whose life and work has positively, permanently and quite unequivocally improved the well being of millions.

I love this man. I aspire to his level of impact. And it's an honor to share his powerful message with you today. May you take his wisdom to heart.

Peace + Plants,

Rich