Outliving the Past: Thoughts on Outlive by Peter Attia

At my last annual check-up, my doctor recommended Peter Attia’s Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity. I don’t think she realized just how deeply that recommendation would resonate with me. Ever since the harrowing year I spent trying to help my parents as their health declined, I’ve been determined to take a different path. I’ve seen firsthand what happens when years of unhealthy choices compound over time, and I refuse to let history repeat itself in my own body, mind and soul.

Growing up, I wasn’t encouraged to be active. Sports weren’t a thing in my household, and outdoor activities weren’t prioritized. Our diet was just as problematic—one big meal a day, occasional breakfast, and a rotation of unhealthy snacks for lunch. On top of that, I grew up in an emotionally and mentally abusive environment, with one parent wielding control through fear and manipulation and the other choosing to look away. When you’re raised in a household where survival is the priority, things like wellness and longevity aren’t even on the radar.

Then, I stepped right into another surprisingly unhealthy environment, the United States military. Throughout two decades I picked up a drinking problem, a sleeping problem, countless eating disorders, bad workout habits, a dangerous anxiety disorder, and countless other habits and life decisions that undoubtedly hurt my full spectrum health.

But watching my parents age was a wake-up call. My father worked tirelessly, saving for a retirement he never got to enjoy. Just months before reaching that milestone, he was fired. Not long after, he was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease. My parents, both obese and struggling with mental illness, take dozens of medications. Their mobility is limited, and joy seems like a distant memory for them, if it ever was even something they had felt. The life they have now is not the life I want for myself.

Outlive came into my hands at the perfect time. Attia doesn’t just focus on lifespan—he focuses on healthspan, the idea of living well, not just living long. His approach isn’t about fads or quick fixes; it’s about long-term strategies to extend not just our years, but our quality of life. And that’s exactly what I needed to hear.

This book reaffirmed something I already knew but hadn’t put into words: while I can’t outrun genetics, I can absolutely change my trajectory. Maybe there’s a neurological disease waiting for me in my DNA, maybe not. But what I can do is build strength, resilience, and habits that give me the best chance at a future I want. I can move my body. I can nourish it properly. I can work through the emotional and mental scars that shaped me, so I don’t carry them forward. I can take control of my health in a way my parents never did. Perhaps even more rewarding, I can set a healthy example for my kids in a way that wasn’t afforded me.

If you’ve ever looked at your family history and felt fear creeping in, Outlive is a must-read. It’s not just a book about longevity—it’s a book about taking ownership of your future. And for me, that’s exactly what I intend to do.