How to be in the Top 2% Healthiest People in The World | Michael Easter Explains

17 May 2024 (6 months ago)
How to be in the Top 2% Healthiest People in The World | Michael Easter Explains

Intro (0s)

  • Only 2% of people take the stairs when there's also an escalator available.
  • Humans are wired to do the easiest thing, even if it's not the best for them.
  • To be in the top 2% of healthiest people, people need to make decisions that are slightly harder but will give them a longer-term return on their health.

Dialing in Diet & Training (59s)

  • Make small changes in diet and training that add up to big results in the long term.
  • Take the stairs, park in the farthest spot, and take walking calls to increase daily activity.
  • Gradually increase the difficulty of these activities as you get used to them.
  • Find an activity level that is evolutionarily aligned with your current fitness level.

Move More (2m54s)

  • Find easy ways to move more throughout the day, such as walking during a layover at the airport.
  • Aim to walk at least 1.5 to 2 miles during a 30-minute wait.
  • Look for opportunities to move more and avoid sitting still whenever possible.

30% Off Your First Order AND a Free (3m43s)

  • Thrive Market is an online membership-based grocery store that aims to make healthier food more accessible.
  • 30% off discount link and a free $60 gift for first-time customers.
  • Discount applies to a wide range of healthier food options, including beet chips, tortilla chips, and turkey snacks.
  • Often cheaper compared to regular grocery stores.

How to be in the Top 2 (4m43s)

  • Heart disease is the leading cause of death, yet it receives less attention and concern compared to other health issues like cancer and murder.
  • The Chimane tribe in the Amazon has the healthiest hearts ever recorded, as revealed by CT scans.
  • The author, an investigative and adventure journalist, traveled to the Amazon to study the Chimane tribe and their lifestyle.
  • The Chimane tribe's diet includes meat, corn, and other foods that may contradict popular diets like low-carb, low-fat, or vegan.
  • The commonality in their diet is that each food item has only one ingredient.

Single-Ingredient Meals (7m27s)

  • The healthiest people in the world eat single-ingredient meals such as fish, meat, rice, fruits, and vegetables.
  • In contrast, 60% of the diet in the US consists of ultra-processed foods, which are high in calories and can lead to overeating.
  • Single-ingredient meals are not as palatable as processed foods, but they are more satiating and less likely to cause overeating.
  • People in the top 2% healthiest in the world tend to be lean and small.
  • To improve health and fitness, it is recommended to favor single-ingredient foods and be mindful of portion sizes.
  • It is also important to get regular physical activity throughout the day, even if it is just light activity.

Monitor How Much You Eat (11m4s)

  • Monitoring your current eating habits can help you identify areas for improvement.
  • Tracking your food intake can reveal your actual consumption patterns and portion sizes.
  • Observing your behaviors can positively change them (observer effect).
  • Rucking, or walking with a weighted backpack, is a valuable exercise.
  • Rucking can improve cardiovascular health, burn calories, and build muscle.
  • It is a practical and accessible form of exercise that can be done anywhere.

Add Rucking Into Your Life (12m7s)

  • Rucking, or walking with a weighted backpack, is an excellent way to improve overall health and fitness. It can be easily incorporated into daily activities like dog walking or during work breaks.
  • Humans tend to create unnecessary stress in their lives, leading to poor food choices and a constant state of dissatisfaction.
  • It's important to put problems in perspective and appreciate the incredible advancements and conveniences of modern life.
  • Prioritizing health and well-being is essential for survival, even though there are global challenges and problems.

Appreciate the Positives in Life (16m38s)

  • Humans evolved as problem-solvers in harsh environments, but modern comforts can turn minor inconveniences into major problems.
  • Adapting to new environments takes time, as illustrated by the author's experience in the Arctic, where he deeply appreciated the simple comfort of hot running water.
  • Physical challenges and discomfort can reveal mental and psychological layers, leading to personal growth and a better life.
  • Modern conveniences have reduced the forms of discomfort that keep people happy and healthy, according to the book "The Comfort Crisis."
  • Fasting can help people reconnect with true hunger and understand when they actually need food.
  • Pushing oneself to the edge of one's capabilities can lead to self-discovery and the realization that one is more capable than previously thought.
  • Training in a depleted state may not always be beneficial for performance, but it can help change one's relationship with pain and discomfort.
  • Most people tend to underestimate their capabilities and undersell themselves.
  • Training and perspective can help one overcome the desire to breathe and push beyond perceived limitations.
  • The concept of "Mogi" from the book "The Comfort Crisis" suggests that pushing oneself beyond comfort zones can lead to growth and adaptation.

Challenge Yourself (28m55s)

  • Misogi is a concept that involves taking on a challenging task once a year with a 50% chance of failure to push oneself beyond comfort zones and learn more about one's capabilities.
  • The top 2% healthiest people may possess a mindset that allows them to abstain from food and push themselves further.
  • To be among the top 2% healthiest people in the world, adopt a mindset of choosing short-term discomfort for long-term growth across all aspects of life, including training, work, and relationships.
  • Balance is important, as some people may excel in physical challenges but struggle with mental or emotional discomfort.
  • Embrace the discomfort of stepping away from optimization and focus on maximizing all aspects of life, even if it means taking time away from your strengths to improve your weaknesses.
  • The key to being in the top 2% healthiest people in the world is to engineer movement and real work back into our lives.

Figure Out What You Can Do Without (38m15s)

  • Balance in health and wellness means focusing on one area at a time, accepting that routines may change, and optimizing routines to support specific goals.
  • Processed foods are a relatively new phenomenon that can lead to overconsumption due to the brain's inability to manage them effectively.
  • Awareness of serving sizes and processed food intake can help individuals make healthier choices.
  • Michael Easter's "Two-Chime Diet Challenge" involves a two-week bland diet, similar to the Hadza tribe's diet, to reset taste buds and behaviors around food.
  • The challenge helps participants understand how their food system has changed and why ultra-processed foods impact the brain, often resulting in weight loss and improved health conditions.

Where to Find More of Michael's (48m17s)

  • Michael Easter can be found on his website easter.com.
  • He also writes the 2% newsletter, which can be signed up for on his website.
  • He is on Instagram as Michael Easter.

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