Barbara Waxman MS, MPA, PCC

02/02/2026

As some of us wrap up Dry (or Damp) January and rethink our relationship with alcohol, here's something worth knowing:
If all American adults limited themselves to less than one drink per day, we could prevent an estimated 17,000 alcohol-related cancer deaths, according to H.H.S. research.

Simple, clear advice that empowers informed choices. How will you integrate this information to create your own sustainable protocol?🥂

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/16/health/alcohol-men-women.html

Federal officials working on the new dietary guidelines had considered limiting men to one drink daily. The final advice was only that everyone should drink less.

01/14/2026

We often talk about relationships as “nice to have.”

The science indicates something different. They are essential elements of your longevity.

A recent study found slower epigenetic aging and lower levels of chronic inflammation among those with strong relationships.

Connection wasn’t just associated with feeling better.

It was associated with slower cellular aging.

This matters because it challenges a narrow view of longevity that focuses almost exclusively on individual behaviors and biological optimization. Diet, movement, sleep, and biomarkers matter, but they don’t operate in a vacuum.

Our relationships shape our physiology.

This is one of the reasons I talk about the Thirdspan of longevity. Beyond lifespan (how long we live) and healthspan (how well our bodies function), there’s a third dimension that profoundly influences both: connection, purpose, meaning, and how fully we inhabit our lives.

Longevity isn’t only built in the gym or in the lab.

It’s built in conversations, community, belonging, and the feeling that you matter to someone else.

The question worth asking isn’t just What am I doing to live longer?

It’s also: Who am I doing life with—and how nourishing are those connections?

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666354625001541?ref=pdf_download&fr=RR-2&rr=9bde4ab918eec4c6

01/12/2026

If you've ever wondered why doing all the right things still feels heavy, this message is for you.

And, if you know someone who is quietly asking, "Is this all there is?"—I hope you'll share it with them. This conversation is meant to travel.

As we begin a new year, my hope isn't that you add more to your plate. You don't need to optimize harder. You need to flourish more intentionally.

For a long time, I unwittingly jumped on the geroscience bandwagon. I assumed that if we kept improving the science, better data, better tools, better protocols, the experience of living longer would feel better, too.

12/10/2025

I had the joy of joining Chip Conley on the Midlife Chrysalis Podcast to talk about what it really means to flourish in midlife and beyond.

If you’re in a season of reevaluating, reinventing, or simply wanting to live with more purpose and vitality, I’d love for you to listen.

https://www.meawisdom.com/podcast/barbara-waxman-how-to-flourish-and-find-purpose-in-midlife/

12/10/2025

Midlife isn’t a crisis. It’s an awakening—one of the most powerful chapters we get to shape with intention.

I had the joy of joining Chip Conley on the Midlife Chrysalis Podcast to talk about what it really means to flourish in midlife and beyond. We explored Middlescence as a stage of growth and renewal, why mindset plays a bigger role than genetics in our longevity, and how simple, personalized lifestyle practices help us live undiminished at every age.

I also shared one of my favorite tools, the Energy Audit, which can bring immediate clarity to where your energy is being spent and where it can be reclaimed.

If you’re in a season of reevaluating, reinventing, or simply wanting to live with more purpose and vitality, I’d love for you to listen.

https://www.meawisdom.com/podcast/barbara-waxman-how-to-flourish-and-find-purpose-in-midlife/

06/16/2025

I was wrong—optimization isn't always the answer. -

Over the past few months, I’ve been riding the waves of exciting momentum—the soft launch of the Longevity Lifeplan™, preparing to welcome our 4th grandchild(!), and the complexity of a home remodel. All good things, and yet… the exciting momentum tipped into something else: depletion. I fou...

06/10/2025

When optimization goes wrong. Five shifts that change everything for more space, joy and a sustainable way of being.-

Over the past few months, I’ve been riding the waves of exciting momentum—the soft launch of the Longevity Lifeplan™, preparing to welcome our 4th grandchild(!), and the complexity of a home remodel. All good things, and yet… the exciting momentum tipped into something else: depletion. I fou...

05/15/2025

Last week, at the Women Presidents Organization Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum in San Antonio, I had the honor of facilitating a workshop titled “Middlescence Mastery: How to Become Your Own Chief Energy Officer.” But the real power in the room wasn’t in the slides or strategies—it was in the women themselves.

We explored what it means to lead with equanimity as your anchor, energy as your fuel, wisdom as your compass, and connection as your constant. We questioned old scripts and asked new ones: What are you really optimizing for?

To everyone who showed up with courage and curiosity: your presence and willingness to go deep inspired me. This work is personal. And it’s powerful. Together, we’re not just building businesses—we're building better lives.

04/29/2025

In a culture obsessed with hacks, quick fixes, and shiny packages promising health and longevity, the real answers are often much simpler—and rooted in common sense.

A new study, highlighted by The Wall Street Journal, shows that what you eat in midlife isn't just about how you feel today—it profoundly impacts your ability to age successfully, minimizing chronic conditions later. In other words, you are what you eat. It's why I continue to echo Michael Pollan's enduring advice: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

Unfortunately, the food industry has capitalized on our desire for "quick health" by pumping ultra-processed products full of protein and other additives, trying to convince us that these foods are "good for us." They're not. They trick our brains, fuel overconsumption, and chip away at our vitality.

We must be discerning: fueling your longevity journey doesn’t come from a wrapper—it comes from real food, real habits, real choices.

If you want a deeper understanding of why processed foods pose such a danger, especially to brain health and cognitive resilience, I recommend reading the second WSJ article alongside the first.
Midlife is the pivotal time to become a study of one—to trust yourself and evidence over trends, and to consciously curate the Seven Lifestyle Levers™ (like Nourishment) that will shape your energy, joy, and resilience for decades to come.

Learn more:
https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/ultra-processed-food-brain-health-7a3f9827?mod=article_inline

What ultra-processed food really does to your brain: https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/ultra-processed-food-brain-health-7a3f9827?mod=article_inline

Take the Seven Lifestyle Levers Assessment™: http://sevenlifestylelevers.com

Studies are finding links between these foods and changes in the way we learn, remember and feel.

04/01/2025

As we age, our bodies absorb and use protein less efficiently, making adequate intake essential for muscle maintenance, recovery, and metabolism. 💪🍽️ Want to learn more? Click here:
https://longevity.stanford.edu/.../supplements-for-women-40/ to read Top 6 Supplements for Women 40+!

03/11/2025

Two weeks ago, I had the distinct pleasure of joining Michael Krasny at the Commonwealth Club World Affairs in San Francisco for a lively conversation— Living Longer, Living Better: The Art and Science of the New Longevity. Michael’s masterful interviewing, honed over decades as a radio host and journalist, brought depth and clarity to a subject that demands both introspection and action.

Our exchange explored the evolving landscape of longevity—where the promise of extended lifespans meets the challenge of aligning health span with life span. It’s a tension I often address in my work: how do we move beyond a healthcare system rooted in “sick care” and a culture slow to adapt to our longer lives?

One thread that emerged—and one I’ve been reflecting on since—is the power of becoming a Study of One. By understanding our unique strengths, needs, and aspirations, we can craft lives that don’t just stretch further but flourish more fully.

As promised, I’m delighted to share the full recording for those who couldn't attend. You can watch it here:

⃗https://lnkd.in/gK_96aBm.

I’d welcome your thoughts—what struck you, what questions linger, or what possibilities do you see for this new chapter of life?

Thank you again to Michael Krasny, Denise Michaud, and The Commonwealth Club for creating space for this vital dialogue. Conversations like these propel us toward a future where living longer truly means living better.

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

02/27/2025

Recently, I shared reflections with Arianna Huffington’s Thrive Global about a question that’s been on my mind: In our pursuit of a longer life, how much of today are we willing to trade? The piece grew out of a personal experiment—a 5-day fast-mimicking diet that sparked unexpected clarity and a reset but also reminded me of the delicate balance we navigate in our wellness choices.

Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” His words resonate as I consider how we often prioritize optimizing our health—tracking steps, refining sleep, tweaking nutrition—yet risk overlooking what sustains us most: connection, joy, and presence. These aren’t just indulgences; they’re investments in both healthspan and longevity.

The article explores this tension and offers a path forward: seeing ourselves as an experiment of one. By questioning the “life exchange rate” of our choices—what we gain versus what we give up—we can craft a roadmap that enhances today while building toward our Trophy Years.

This is the foundation of my work. Experience the launch of my Longevity Lifeplan™ at the Modern Elder Academy, March 3-8 (If you reach out directly, there may still be time to reserve a spot: https://lnkd.in/gDtMiiEd).

How do you balance the present with the promise of tomorrow?

https://community.thriveglobal.com/the-longevity-paradox-how-to-choose-your-own-adventure/

Here's to making choices that enrich our lives today while building the foundation for our Trophy Years ahead and our collective future.