Dan Buettner on the longevity secrets of the blue zones

Author and host of Netflix’s "Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones," Dan Buettner, joins Evanna and Melanie on this week’s episode to discuss the secrets of the world’s longest-living populations and the remarkable places known as blue zones, where people live vibrant, healthy lives well into their 90s and 100s. He also shares his mission to transform American cities into healthier, happier communities. Dan also provides practical advice on how you can incorporate blue zone principles into your own life, from making healthier and more mindful food choices to nurturing meaningful relationships and finding purpose in your daily routines. Dan Buettner is an explorer, National Geographic Fellow, award-winning journalist and producer, and "New York Times" bestselling author. He discovered the five places in the world—blue zones—where people live the longest, healthiest lives. His articles about these places in "The New York Times Magazine" and "National Geographic Magazine" are among both publications’ most popular offerings. Dan now works in partnership with municipal governments, large employers, and health insurance companies to implement Blue Zones Projects in communities, workplaces, and universities. Blue Zones Projects are well-being initiatives that apply lessons from the blue zones to entire communities by focusing on changes to the local environment, public policy, and social networks. The program has dramatically improved the health of more than five million Americans to date. In his new book "The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer," Dan returns to Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece; Okinawa, Japan; Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula; and Loma Linda, California, to check in on the super-agers living in the blue zones. He also explores the combination of purpose, faith, community, down-time, natural movement, and plant-based eating that has powered as many as 10 additional years of healthy living in these regions. And he reveals an all-new blue zone—the first man-made blue zone to be explored. Dan also holds three Guinness World Records in distance cycling. Explore Dan’s website to learn more about him and his work. Visit the Blue Zones website to learn more about blue zones and Blue Zones Projects, as well as the “Power 9.” Dan’s documentary series, “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones,” is available to watch on Netflix. Blue Zones Kitchen ready-to-heat meals will be available in Whole Foods across the US in November 2023. Follow Dan on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). Check out Melanie’s new book, "How to End Injustice Everywhere". Check out Evanna’s book, "The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting". This season of Just Beings is brought to you by our friends at Vivo Life and Leafside! Learn more about Vivo Life by visiting VivoLife.com. Learn more about LeafSide by visiting GoLeafSide.com. Stay up to date with Just Beings on social media by following @JustBeingsPod. This episode was edited by Andrew Sims.