224 Mushrooms, Chocolate and Olive Oil: Keys to Healthy Longevity with Mark J Smith PhD
Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
Release Date: 09/01/2025
Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
In episode 235 of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Don Cote shares his extraordinary journey from humble beginnings to building a life of meaning, resilience, and purpose. With his background in cognitive behavioral science, business coaching, and decades of lived experience, Don reveals how his father’s wisdom and Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich" inspired him to develop his Life Works Life Mastery System, a step-by-step blueprint for transformation. We explore how you too can thrive in your later years, redefine a "successfull life" and build connections and community ...
info_outlineGrowing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
In this captivating episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch dives into the mystical yet deeply practical world of the Akashic Records with Natasha Rocha. Often described as the “Google of the spiritual world,” the Akashic Records are said to hold the blueprint of your soul—your purpose, gifts, and highest potential. Natasha shares her personal spiritual awakening, how she helps people access their soul’s blueprint, and why reconnecting with passion and purpose can reignite vitality at any age. This episode reveals how understanding your Akashic blueprint...
info_outlineGrowing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
Tim Christophersen, one of the world’s leading voices on ecosystem restoration, joins Dr. Gillian Lockitch for episode 233 of the Growing Older Living Younger podcast. With over 25 years of experience shaping global climate and biodiversity policy at the United Nations and now leading sustainability initiatives at Salesforce, Tim discusses how restoring our relationship with nature is essential not only for planetary health but very much so for our personal health and longevity. From the philosophy of ecological literacy to regenerative farming, urban green equity, and...
info_outlineGrowing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
In this episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch welcomes Dr. Kavin Mistry to discuss how aligning with our primal design can help us reverse biological age. Drawing from neuroscience, the Hadzabe tribe, and his seven paradigms of Primal Health Design, Dr. Mistry explains how circadian rhythms, primal alignment, gut microbiome health, neuroplasticity, and emotional connection contribute to resilience and longevity. He also shares practical daily habits—like stillness practices and his free morning routine—that can transform health at any age. This conversation offers...
info_outlineGrowing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
'Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work .' (Thomas Edison) 'People tell me ‘you’re not the same person that I was 20 years ago’ and I say good! I don’t want to be that same person, I want to grow' (Darlene Shearer) Darlene Shearer is an entrepreneur who, over the past 3 decades has built and run a global business in health, beauty, and anti-aging. As the first Team Elite in Canada, she has mentored and trained new entrepreneurs of diverse ages, backgrounds and cultures. Darlene has more energy, optimism, and passion for life than many...
info_outlineGrowing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
In this strategy packed episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with Alison McCune Davis, author of 60 Is a Good Start and creator of the Reignite 60-Day Dare Planner. Alison shares her journey from television producer to homeschooling mom of five, and how turning 60 inspired her to embrace longevity-focused lifestyle habits and design a framework that empowers women to thrive at midlife and beyond. Listeners will learn how to build energy, strengthen their bodies, reset their minds, and find meaningful purpose through small, sustainable...
info_outlineGrowing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
The changes in our metabolism and body systems that we associate with aging are variable, and manifest at different times in different individuals. Presbyopia, the difficulty in close up focussing that requires us to get reading glasses, may become problematic in the early forties for some, while others may not experience it until much later in life. Other aging associated changes like wrinkles from loss of elasticity in our skin, thinning, baldness or greying of our hair, or increasing middle-age spread, also become evident in individuals at different ages. As women, we...
info_outlineGrowing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
In this episode of Growing Older Living Younger, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with Dr. Bruce Gillis about chronic immune system disorders such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, interstitial cystitis, and long COVID. Dr. Gillis shares how his research overturned decades of stigma by proving these conditions are objectively measurable through immune system testing and DNA genomic signatures. The conversation explores the role of epigenetics in disease development, the link between coronaviruses and long COVID, and the discovery of a...
info_outlineGrowing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
In today’s conversation, I speak with Sally Norton, a nutritionist with a unique specialty— warning us that “healthy” eating, and so-called superfoods, can make us sick. Like most of us, I grew up with, and have an ingrained belief, that fruits and vegetables are good and essential to a healthy diet. Although I knew that plant toxins like phytates and oxalates in excess could cause mineral deficiencies, kidney stones and gout, I had not considered the health burden that may be imposed on individuals and society consuming a plant only diet. Popular foods such...
info_outlineGrowing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
In this episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch and Dr. Cathy Goldstein uncover hidden truths of the beauty industry. While fillers, Botox, and injectables dominate today’s aesthetic market, Cathy Goldstein explains how these treatments can interfere with facial expression, emotional intelligence, and even brain health. Instead, she advocates for a holistic approach—restoring natural energy flow, releasing stored trauma, and using frequency-based therapies that rejuvenate from the inside out. Listeners will gain new insights into how to age with authenticity, vitality, and self-connection...
info_outlineIn this episode, Dr. Mark J. Smith shares actionable insights from Paleo for Life, the book he co-authored with Trevor Connor, to help you align your nutrition and fitness choices with your biology. From dark chocolate and mushrooms to olive oil and other nutrient-dense foods, Dr. Smith explores how ancestral nutrition and longevity nutrients can extend your healthspan. He also touches on his approach to physicality through sprint interval training Whether you're new to the Paleo lifestyle or optimizing for later-life vitality, you’ll walk away with practical tools to reduce inflammation, support metabolic health, and maintain independence through aging. Mark J. Smith is a UK-born exercise and nutritional scientist and Chief Science Officer at ThePaleoDiet.com. A pioneer in ancestral nutrition, Dr. Smith studied under Dr. Loren Cordain, one of the founders of the Paleo movement. He combines rigorous scientific research with practical strategies to support healthy aging, weight management, and metabolic health. His expertise includes nutritional biochemistry, longevity nutrients, and evidence-based fitness interventions. Dr. Smith is also an advocate for simplified, sustainable lifestyle changes that enhance both health span and quality of life.
0:00 – Introduction
Gillian opens the episode with the Growing Older Living Younger welcome message and the 2025 theme: Age is Just a Number.
Invitation to book a complimentary wellness strategy call.
1:35 – Meet Dr. Mark J. Smith
Gillian introduces Dr. Smith with a summary of his credentials, background, and contributions to Paleo nutrition and sports science. Highlight of his co-authored book Paleo for Life and his collaboration with Dr. Loren Cordain.
4:00 – Origins of the Paleo Philosophy
Dr. Smith shares how he became involved with Dr. Cordain and the early Paleo movement and what initially drew him to ancestral health.
7:10 – Spotlight on Specific Foods
Gillian brings up chapters in Paleo for Life on mushrooms, chocolate, and olive oil. Dr. Smith explains the health benefits and why these and other nutrient-dense foods matter in the context of longevity.
11:45 – Applying Paleo to Clinical Practice
How the Paleo model was used to support patients with autoimmune and metabolic conditions.
15:20 – Movement and Longevity: HIIT vs SIT
Dr. Smith explains the difference between SIT (Sprint Interval Training (SIT)and traditional HIIT. Discussion of the effectiveness of SIT for older adults and those looking to preserve lean muscle and cardiovascular health.
20:30 – Simple Entry Points to Paleo Living
Dr. Smith offers three practical tips for someone just beginning to shift toward a Paleo lifestyle. Focus on accessibility and sustainability for listeners 50+.
24:00 – Lessons from Elite Athletes
How lessons from coaching professional athletes can be adapted to aging populations. Importance of functional movement, recovery, and mindset.
28:30 – Personal Longevity Philosophy
Dr. Smith shares his own guiding principles for staying strong and vibrant as we age. Emphasis on individualized routines and consistency.
31:20 – Final Insights, Takeaways and Closing Remarks
Gillian invites Dr. Smith to share one message for those just starting their wellness journey. She thanks Dr. Smith and recaps key discussion points and links to Paleo for Life and ThePaleoDiet.com.
Book a one-on-one call with Dr. Gillian Lockitch
Join the Growing Older Living Younger Community
Learn about Dr. Mark Smith and the Paleo Diet
Instagram - @docmarksmith
LinkedIn - docmarksmith
X - @docmarksmith
Facebook - docmarksmith