Good morning. The midpoint of the year will occur this Wednesday, July 2nd. Because it’s also 2025, the year 2050 will be closer to us than the year 2000! 

I often think of poet Mary Oliver during these significant moments in the passage of time. She writes: “...what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Showing up for you every week is a major part of my plan. The Weekly Pounce provides science-backed healthspan tips that I call the Pounce Pot Protocol. Each week, you can help power up your wild and precious future self by integrating these five evidence-based longevity and pro-aging strategies into your routine. 

It’s not too late (and it’s never too early) to pounce on life’s possibilities! Join our supportive community. We can absolutely achieve more together! Catch up on past newsletters in the archive.

Curiosity for learning new things works wonders for boosting your brain. Ask yourself this week what is it that you used to dream of accomplishing? 

Writing your memoirs? Learning to play the piano? Mastering new computer skills? Maybe just finally memorizing the state capitals.

I enjoyed this article written by a 90-year-old journalist. She writes about her “9 non-negotiables” and shares that she recently started taking French classes on-line. I bet you’ll also enjoy her advice for being “healthier, sharper, and happier.” Read it here →

One sentence in this recent article stands out. The author suggests that it’s not the quantity of your friends that’s most helpful to thriving as an adult. It’s “rhythmic contact that reminds your nervous system it’s part of a tribe.” 

Think about setting up a regular “play date” with a friend or two. Make it a fun theme, maybe add a walk, or celebrate birthdays regularly. I meet with a small group of former co-workers once a month for lunch. It’s so much fun to look forward to, and knowing I have a “tribe” that I’m a part of adds so much joy to my life. 

Find out more about this concept of why we need to feel “tribal” to thrive.

Do you have a group that you meet with regularly? I’d love to hear about it. Just hit reply or email me.

Taking action to reduce the impacts of stress in your life is one of your greatest hidden powers. Find out the science behind why reducing stress is so important here. 

This week, try out one of these “15 Easy Things to Get Rid of For Instant Calm.” I’m personally going take action on #2. Why am I saving so many empty Amazon shipping boxes? Recycling center, here I come.

I’m always looking around for easier meals in the summer. No one wants to cook all afternoon in this heat dome we’re in. These recipes look delicious. I’m going to try out #3, #5 and #8 asap. 

Test one out this week. It’s always fun to inject new recipes into your ol’ stand-bys. Remember to eat whole, unprocessed food. Not too much. Mostly plants. The summer is a fabulous time to increase your fruit and vegetable (and water) intake. Enjoy the bounty!

A review of thousands of exercise studies published between 1995 and 2023 indicate that cycling and HIIT workouts (high-intensity interval training) seem to produce the best improvements of memory and other cognitive functions. 

But here’s another key take-way: the best results were from exercising 30 minutes or less. Working out longer didn’t result in greater cognitive improvements. 

So how do we process confusing information like this? Nearly across the board, research agrees that we need 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least 5 times per week (150 minutes). 

But this does not mean 30 minutes of a slow meander. Try walking briskly. In fact, turning your walk into a HIIT workout is trending right now. Check out the 3-3-5 walking technique to bump up the effectiveness of your walks.

There’s always time for slow, meditative walks through nature, as well. But let’s categorize those under Harness Hidden Powers as they serve a different purpose in our journey toward vibrant longevity.