Peter Attia

Date: 2018-04-24 | Duration: 2h 55m

Episode Overview

Peter Attia dives deep into the physical and mental demands of marathon swimming, sharing vivid stories from his grueling open-water swims, including encounters with great white sharks and the challenges of navigating strong currents without wetsuits or aids. He reflects on the intense preparation required to “live in the water” and the psychological hurdles faced when pushing the limits of human endurance. Attia also touches on the unique ecosystem of the Channel Islands, describing the aggressive wildlife and the surreal experience of swimming in such remote, wild environments. The conversation shifts to Attia’s expertise in longevity and health optimization, where he explains the science behind fasting, metabolic health, and the role of hormones in fuel partitioning. He discusses the complexities of extending lifespan, emphasizing the importance of personalized medicine and the limitations of extrapolating animal research to humans. Attia also explores the controversial use of rapamycin and other interventions aimed at promoting autophagy and cellular health, highlighting ongoing research and the cautious approach needed when considering these therapies. Throughout the episode, Attia weaves in insights on athletic performance, including the fine balance between peak physical output and long-term health risks, such as atrial fibrillation in endurance athletes. He shares practical advice on nutrition, exercise, and mindset, underscoring the value of data-driven strategies to improve both performance and longevity.

About Peter Attia

Peter Attia is a renowned physician and the founder of Attia Medical, PC, a cutting-edge medical practice specializing in the applied science of longevity, with locations in San Diego and New York City. With a background in surgery and a fellowship in oncology at Johns Hopkins, he is a thought leader in the fields of health optimization and longevity medicine. Attia is widely recognized for his innovative approaches to improving health span through personalized interventions, making complex scientific concepts accessible to the public. His insightful discussions on topics like nutrition, exercise, and aging have garnered a devoted following, particularly through his appearances on high-profile podcasts like the Joe Rogan Experience.

Key Moments

– Marathon Swimming
– Shark Behavior
– Wildlife Conservation
– Archery
– Nutritional Science
– Fasting and Longevity
– Rapamycin Research
– Cardiovascular Health
– Athletic Performance
– Steroid Use in Sports
– Metabolic Syndrome
– Hormonal Regulation
– Fuel Partitioning
– Exercise Physiology
– Cancer Biology
– Medical Technology
– Evolutionary Biology
– Behavioral Psychology
– Telemedicine
0:00:18 – Unique human marathon swimming feat
0:01:05 – Swimming to Point Vicente challenge
0:02:51 – Rules against wetsuits in marathon swimming
0:04:10 – No touching support boats allowed
0:06:21 – Describing the darkness in open water
0:07:08 – Training environments for marathon swimming
0:12:49 – Great white shark attack behavior
0:15:09 – Nighttime swim around Channel Islands
0:17:22 – Shark sensory organs and behavior
0:23:36 – Elephant seals as swim hazards
0:27:09 – Monkey interaction with Oreo snack
0:32:19 – Coyotes' widespread presence in cities
0:36:39 – Meeting Jocko Willink and training stories
0:40:22 – Precision and trigger control in shooting
0:44:20 – Archery as a meditative practice
0:53:35 – Bird hunting experiences with Anthony Bourdain
0:55:37 – Connecting with evolutionary biology
0:56:59 – Fasting benefits in animal models
1:07:17 – Lifespan extension across model organisms
1:10:56 – Rapamycin research collaborations
1:13:10 – Ejection fraction as longevity marker
1:17:17 – History of cocaine use in surgery
1:20:27 – Fructose metabolism and liver impact
1:22:16 – FDA approval of rapamycin
1:25:16 – Autophagy and cellular recycling
1:28:33 – Plyometric exercises and muscle engagement
1:30:07 – Speed training with Ryan Flaherty
1:38:14 – Meb Keflezighi's Boston Marathon strategy
1:45:09 – Olympic swimming career highlights
1:47:45 – Steroid use and health in Tour de France
1:53:07 – Performance versus longevity trade-offs
2:00:17 – Medicine 1.0 versus modern approaches
2:06:56 – Creating personalized health programs
2:10:22 – Cancer incidence curve analysis
2:15:21 – Supplements and longevity choices
2:27:36 – Fat metabolism and weight loss challenges
2:38:59 – Diet preferences and nutritional habits
2:51:04 – Podcast wrap-up and final thoughts

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 4, 3, 2, 1. Starting point is 00:00:18 And you're the only human to ever do that. Starting point is 00:00:35 How long you got? Starting point is 00:01:05 not, you typically swim to point point Vicente and she had done it in like seven hours and 20 Starting point is 00:01:45 Yeah, I can't hold a cadence of that for 100 yards. Starting point is 00:01:58 I think marathon swimming might be one sport where, if you just look at the numbers, I Starting point is 00:02:18 Right, right, right. Starting point is 00:02:51 you're not allowed any wetsuits or aids of any sort. Starting point is 00:03:16 We drag our hips through the water. Starting point is 00:04:10 is about as good as it gets but you can't touch the boat or the kayak or it's an immediate Starting point is 00:04:56 You know, it was hard, but I was like, okay, that's the proof of concept. Starting point is 00:05:39 Like if you're going 650 miles an hour in an airplane, you don't actually feel it. Starting point is 00:06:21 That's a darkness you can't imagine. Starting point is 00:06:38 Which is incredible. I mean, that's worth the price of admission. Starting point is 00:07:08 I did all my training in a swimming pool and a lake on the East Coast. Starting point is 00:07:36 go on to do many more of these swims. But what I learned is the importance of spitting the water Starting point is 00:08:09 And you're not even halfway there and it's like you don't know if you can do it and blah, blah, blah, blah. Starting point is 00:08:48 And that's a small thing. Right. No, but you take a shower every day and it's like a big deal when you do it in that setting or, or think about the meal you've had, if you've been in a Starting point is 00:09:17 And then you, you know, you go through all the channels to do it. Starting point is 00:09:48 So round trip is 20. Starting point is 00:10:21 just the there and back, I ended up swimming for 12 hours because on the first way crossing where there was no wind, i...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #1108?

Peter Attia was the guest on JRE #1108. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #1108?

On Joe Rogan Experience #1108 with Peter Attia, topics include Marathon Swimming, Shark Behavior, Wildlife Conservation, and Nutritional Science.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #1108?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #1108 with Peter Attia is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.