The Peter Attia Drive

Lance Armstrong, a seven-time Tour de France winner and a controversial figure in cycling, shares his incredible journey from battling testicular cancer to achieving fame. He opens up about the intense scrutiny he faced due to performance-enhancing drug use and reflects on his decision to come clean. Armstrong discusses the emotional toll of his public fall from grace, stories from his cycling career, and how personal growth has shaped his views. He also emphasizes the importance of finding joy in fitness at age 50, beyond just competition.

Dr. Steven Rosenberg, Chief of Surgery at the National Cancer Institute and a pioneer in cancer immunotherapy, shares his inspiring journey in advancing cancer treatment. He discusses groundbreaking therapies like CAR T-cells and the importance of harnessing the immune system against cancer. Rosenberg reflects on patient cases that sparked his career, the challenges of early treatments, and the evolution of immunotherapy. With insights into personal motivations and family support, he emphasizes the hope in recent discoveries for treating advanced cancers.

Discover the crucial ties between muscle mass, strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness in promoting longevity. Delve into shocking statistics on how declining fitness affects morbidity and mortality. Learn why improving VO2 max is vital for health, especially as we age. Explore the trade-offs and impacts of fasting on muscle mass, and uncover whether muscle size or strength plays a bigger role in longevity. Get insights on making modest fitness improvements and how they can significantly enhance your health.

Matt Kaeberlein, a renowned expert on aging, discusses groundbreaking research that links aging with chronic inflammation and the immune system. He highlights the potential of rapamycin and other interventions in extending lifespan. Kaeberlein shares insights from his Dog Aging Project, along with the critical importance of biomarkers and epigenetic clocks. They explore the complex relationships between aging, diseases, and nutritional strategies, suggesting that targeting biological aging may offer more significant benefits than merely treating age-related conditions.

In this discussion, Lawrence Wright, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Looming Tower," reflects on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. He shares his personal experiences from that day and how it shaped his reporting. The conversation delves into the rise of Al-Qaeda, exploring the life of Osama bin Laden and the failures of U.S. intelligence leading to the attacks. They examine how 9/11 transformed American society into a security state and discuss lessons society still needs to learn about terrorism and accountability.

This discussion dives into continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and their role in managing blood sugar. They explore how different fruits affect glucose levels and the psychological impact of using CGMs. The hosts highlight insights on Zone 2 training and how it influences exercise performance, especially referencing the incredible cyclists of the Tour de France. Peter shares a foundational framework for evaluating health interventions, emphasizing the need for personal accountability in dietary choices and the importance of understanding insulin's role.

Esther Perel, a renowned psychotherapist and bestselling author, delves into the lasting impacts of childhood experiences on adult relationships. She shares how her parents' Holocaust survival shaped her understanding of trauma and resilience. The conversation highlights the importance of community and how personal narratives can distort our emotional health. Esther encourages embracing uncomfortable emotions for true growth and reflects on the evolving dynamics of modern parenting and its role in shaping identities. Her insights into therapeutic relationships provide a refreshing perspective on healing.

Steve Austad, a distinguished biology professor and aging expert, shares his fascinating journey from cab driver to aging researcher. He dives into the complex relationship between caloric restriction and lifespan, and discusses sex differences in longevity. Austad highlights the challenges of using lab mice in research and the promise of geroprotective molecules such as rapamycin and metformin. With insights into biomarkers of aging and dietary impacts on health, he offers a thought-provoking look into the future of longevity science.

Dive into the world of cancer screening with insights on its importance and the nuances that come with it. Learn about key terms like sensitivity and specificity that reveal how effective tests really are. Discover how layering tests can enhance predictive values and why some screening methods work better together. The conversation also touches on liquid biopsies and the groundbreaking role of diffusion-weighted MRI in revolutionizing the screening landscape. It's a vital discussion for anyone keen on understanding cancer screening better.

Katherine Eban, an award-winning investigative journalist known for her deep dives into the drug industry, shares her insights on the origins of COVID-19. She examines the contentious lab leak theory versus natural zoonotic transmission. The discussion explores the troubling history of lab leaks and the implications of gain-of-function research. Eban addresses barriers to investigations, particularly the lack of cooperation from the Chinese government, emphasizing the challenges in uncovering the truth about the virus's origins.