263 Why Your Scale Lies - The Truth About Body Fat, Wearables and Aging with Cheryl McColgan
Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
Release Date: 04/13/2026
103 David Cravit and Larry Wolf. Default-Ager or Super-Ager. Which are You?
Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
FlashBack Friday THIS EPISODE OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER focuses on super aging - how to help transform longer lifespan into longer healthspan via 7 A Pillars of longevity. Today’s Featured Experts are David Cravit and Larry Wolf, co-authors of “ SuperAging: Getting Older Without Getting Old - A Boomers Guide to living well after 65.We discuss the 7 A’s of the Pillars of Superaging, how default aging has been the - well- default, for past generations and continues to be for many today. And how social, cultural, political, and economic forces oppose living younger...
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268 Prevent Macular Degeneration and Cognitive Decline: How Essential Carotenoids Protect Your Brain and Vision with Prof. John Nolan
Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
What if essential carotenoid antioxidants you consume today, could protect your vision and cognitive functions now and in the future? In this episode, Professor John Nolan explains how specific carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin play a critical role in protecting the retina and brain from oxidative stress, a key driver of damage and age-related decline. As a leading researcher in ocular and brain nutrition, he shares ground- breaking insights from clinical trials showing how targeted supplementation can improve visual function and support cognitive performance. Listeners will...
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052 Dr. Helen Knaggs. Your Skin: A Window to Your Health.
Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
Flashback Friday: Episode 52 from Season 1 May 2022 Audrey Hepburn, a Screen Legend and a truly iconic beauty, said “The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.” I was reflecting on previous discussions I have had on ageism as I read yet another comment on beauty and aging youthfully. The debate centered around the question of whether we should accept and indeed celebrate the aging of our appearance as a reflection of the wisdom gained as we grow older, or whether, as I believe, we should do all we can to delay the...
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267 Muscle, Mitochondria and the Aging Brain: The Midlife Metabolism Reset with Dr. Elizabeth Goldspink
Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
What if the fatigue, brain fog, and loss of strength many women experience after 50 are not simply hormonal, but reflect deeper shifts in metabolism, muscle, and mitochondrial function? In this insightful episode, Dr. Elizabeth Goldspink reframes midlife as a metabolic and neurological transition rather than a purely hormonal one. She explains how muscle acts as a longevity organ, how mitochondrial efficiency impacts both energy and cognition, and how targeted lifestyle and nutrition strategies can restore resilience. This empowering conversation offers practical, science-informed steps to...
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050 Dr. Paul Alan Cox: Plants, People and Culture. How Ethnobotanical Research has Changed Our Lives
Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
Flashback Friday Episode 50 - May 2022“Walk into any pharmacy and ask to examine a bottle of prescription medicine chosen at random. There is a one in four chance that the prescription medication you hold in your hand has an active ingredient derived from a plant. Most of these plant-derived drugs were originally discovered through the study of traditional remedies and folk knowledge of indigenous people.” (M. Balick, P. Cox.) As I read this opening paragraph in the chapter on PlantsThat Heal, from the book, Plants, People and Culture: The Science of Ethnobotany by Drs. Michael...
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266 How Smell Impacts Memory: The Science of Olfactory Training with Jonathan Askholm
Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
What if one of the most powerful tools for protecting your brain health has been right under your nose all along? In this fascinating episode, Jonathan Askholm explores the science of olfaction and its direct connection to memory, emotion, and cognitive function. Drawing on emerging research and personal experience, he explains how intentional smell training may improve memory, mood, and even support healthy aging. This conversation opens a new and highly accessible pathway to brain health, reinforcing that a simple daily practice can have profound effects on how we age. Jonathan Askholm is a...
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095 Dr. Lucinda Sykes. Sleep Well, Be Well
Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
THIS EPISODE OF GROWING OLDER LIVING YOUNGER focuses on sleep and the ways we can achieve sufficient natural sleep. Today’s Featured Expert is retired medical doctor and longtime mindfulness teacher, Dr. Lucinda Sykes, on her approach to promoting deep natural sleep We discuss the importance of natural deep sleep, what happens to our brains during the stages of sleep, the adverse effects of sleep medications, and the importance of consistent sleep habits in a sleep conducive environment. Episode Timeline:0:11 Introduction to today’s episode.7:18 Why is the quality of sleep so...
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265 The Move More Method: The Science of Everyday Movement for Longevity with James D. Walter
Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
What if the greatest threat to your independence, your brain health, and even your lifespan isn’t aging itself—but the hours you spend sitting each day? In this powerful episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch explores a transformative approach to health with Dr. James Walter: the concept of “Move More Moments.” Drawing from his expertise in cardiovascular exercise physiology, Dr. Walter challenges the traditional focus on structured exercise programs. Instead, he introduces a more accessible strategy—re-engineering your day to reduce sedentary time and integrate movement into everyday life....
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066 Brain Health Programs to Keep Your Mind Sharp with Henry Mahncke Ph.D
Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
Flashback Friday Episode 66 from 2022 "Brains at any age are capable of rewiring and changing. No one should be aging, thinking that it's all downhill from here' (Dr. Henry Mahncke). This comment on brain plasticity, made by research neuroscientist, Dr. Henry Mahncke, in Episode 10: , echoes in my head, whenever I reflect on the goal of Growing Older Living Younger, namely to extend our health span by preserving a healthy mind in a healthy body. My brain is a year older since that episode but I’m sure that by following my...
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264 The Posture Longevity Link: How Your Spine Shapes Your Healthspan with Dr. Mark Morningstar
Growing Older Living Younger: About longevity, wellness, healthspan,
What if one of the most powerful influences on your health, your hormones, and even your longevity was something you rarely think about—your posture? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch explores the profound connection between structural alignment and the biological systems that govern how we age. Joined by scoliosis specialist and spinal health expert Dr. Mark Morningstar, this conversation uncovers the science behind how chronic postural distortions—like forward head posture and slouching—can reduce lung capacity, alter nervous system balance, and disrupt stress hormone...
info_outlineHave you ever stepped on a scale and questioned whether the numbers truly reflect what is happening inside your body? In this episode, Dr. Gillian Lockitch speaks with nutrition expert Cheryl McColgan to unpack the confusion around body composition data, wearable devices, and the science behind tracking your health as you age. Together, they explore how to interpret trends rather than obsess over absolute numbers, and how lifestyle habits like sleep, stress management, and nutrition influence the data we see. This conversation empowers listeners to use technology wisely while focusing on the foundational habits that support vibrant, healthy aging.
Cheryl McColgan is an author, coach, and the founder of Heal Nourish Grow, a wellness platform focused on nutrition, metabolic health, and sustainable lifestyle practices. With over 25 years of experience in psychology, addiction studies, fitness, yoga, and nutrition, Cheryl brings a multidisciplinary approach to health optimization. She is also the host of the Heal Nourish Grow podcast and has authored multiple books on keto nutrition and fat loss. At age 52, she became a competitive bodybuilder, demonstrating her commitment to strength, longevity, and aging powerfully.
Episode Timeline:
00:00 – Welcome and introduction
00:30 – A personal story of unexplained weight gain
Dr. Gillian shares her experience with atrial fibrillation, weight gain, and confusion over body composition data
06:35 – Cheryl’s journey into health, nutrition, and bodybuilding
From early exposure to fitness to becoming a competitor in her 50s
10:48 – Can we trust wearable and scale data?
Why body composition devices vary and how to approach their accuracy
12:27 – The problem with body fat readings
Why scales may underestimate fat and how algorithms affect results
16:08 – Hydration, inflammation, and measurement variability
How fluid shifts, illness, and exercise impact bioimpedance readings
18:46 – Daily vs weekly tracking
Why trends over time matter more than isolated measurements
21:38 – How wearables measure stress, sleep, and recovery
Understanding HRV, skin signals, and algorithm-driven insights
24:16 – Are we becoming obsessed with health data?
Balancing measurement with mindset and wellbeing
29:04 – The most important habits for healthy aging
Sleep, stress management, and aligning exercise with life demands
31:32 – Rethinking productivity and rest
The importance of giving yourself permission to recover
33:18 – Keto, metabolic health, and personalized nutrition
Cheryl’s journey from vegetarian to keto and evolving dietary flexibility
36:58 – Final reflections and practical takeaways
Using tools wisely while focusing on foundational health behaviors
Call to Action:
Find "Growing Older Living Younger: The Science of Aging Gracefully and the Art of Retiring Comfortably" at www.gillianlockitch.com (N.America only)
Subscribe to Growing Older Living Younger on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5 star review to help others discover the show.
Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at https://www.askdrgill.com/ or email: askdrgill@gmail.com to book a one-on-one call.
Learn more about Cheryl's work at https://healnourishgrow.com
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