In this episode, Dr. Kevin White and Dr. Nicole Byrne discuss how they each came to work in the field of healthspan medicine. Kevin transitioned from emergency medicine, realizing he didn't want to end up like the rapidly aging patients he was treating. Nikki grew up with a father who was a dermatologist focused on lifestyle, and later had an experience with an 80-year-old patient that sparked her interest in longevity medicine.

The doctors then dive into the four pillars of health that guide their work at OptiSpan - eat, move, sleep, and connect. They emphasize the importance of whole, unprocessed foods, adequate protein and fiber intake, and using continuous glucose monitoring to understand how different foods impact blood sugar. For the "move" pillar, they recommend a combination of resistance training and cardiovascular exercise, with a focus on maintaining muscle mass and VO2 max. Quality sleep is critical, and they discuss strategies like avoiding screens before bed and using devices like the Oura ring.

The "connect" pillar, encompassing relationships and mindfulness, is highlighted as an often overlooked but crucial aspect of healthspan. The doctors note it can be challenging to quantify, but fostering new connections and managing stress response are key. They also emphasize the importance of an individual's "why" - understanding their goals for health and longevity.

The conversation then shifts to the extensive lab testing the OptiSpan team utilizes, covering everything from lipid panels to autoimmune markers to genetic testing. The doctors explain the rationale behind measuring certain biomarkers and the limitations of some direct-to-consumer tests. They express frustration at the lack of user-friendly genetic analysis tools tailored to healthspan optimization.

Finally, the doctors discuss their perspectives on hormonal health, particularly the nuances of managing perimenopause and menopause in women. They highlight the need for a more evidence-based, individualized approach to hormone therapy, as well as the challenges of educating both patients and healthcare providers on the benefits. The conversation concludes with the doctors sharing what they find most frustrating and most exciting about the longevity field.