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You’re Aging Wrong: The Real Reason We’re Dying Early (and How to Reverse It) | Ep 284 with Dr. Mark Sherwood Co-founder of Functional Medical Institute
00:21:23
In this Founder’s Story episode, Daniel sits down with Dr. Mark Sherwood of The Functional Medical Institute, one of the nation’s most respected longevity and wellness doctors. Dr. Sherwood takes us through a remarkable life journey — from being an adopted kid no one believed in, to becoming a professional baseball player, to risking his life daily on SWAT operations, to now leading a global movement helping people live to 120 with strength, clarity, and purpose.
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- [00:00]
Narrator
Tis the season of gifting and holes to deck and the who's in Whoville were in love with new tech. Where can we find Sonos and Samsung and Nintendo? They shouted. Would they find it in one place? This they questioned and doubted when suddenly a who yelled, walmart's the place to start. And each who added headphones, TVs and games to their carts with Walmart, their shopping was done in a flurry. They cried out who knew? And ordered their gifts in a hurry. Shop the latest tech gifts in the Walmart app.
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Lowe's Announcer
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- [01:01]
Capella University Announcer
Is it time to reimagine your future? The right business skills may make a difference in your career. At Capella University we offer a relevant education that's designed to focus on what you need to know in the business world. We'll teach professional skills to help you pursue your goals like business management, strategic planning and effective communication. And you can apply these skills right away. A different future is closer than you think with Capella University. Learn more at capella. Edu.
- [01:35]
Interviewer Dan
So Dr. Mark Sherwood something that I'm seeing a lot about now is longevity. It seems like it's not just the billionaires who want to live longer. It's everybody is obsessed with wanting to live longer, but not just live longer, live healthier as we age. And I think it's great that we're seeing people like 50s and 60s, that they're still capable of doing everything. Because I feel like before it felt like if you get to your 50s or 60s, it's like life is over. Why do you think right now, in almost 2026, we are so obsessed with longevity?
- [02:12]
Dr. Mark Sherwood
I think there's two reasons. Number one, I think is the negative side of it. We've been touched by so much death over the last four to five years, it's been a conversation piece that has reached epic proportions across the world. So no question we've had death touch our lives close to us with various epidemics and things like that. The other side is that there's a lot of technology right now. We're seeing some incredible breakthroughs, miracles I would say, in the idea of how can we live healthier longer. So with AI, with the ability to mine data, to do studies in a very quick manner, we're really learning how to, quote, unquote, hack the system. Better to give the possibility of living longer. And there's a lot of people that believe that it's possible to live up into the mid-150s or so, something like that. Now I'm not sure I'm in that camp or not, but I do know, as we were saying before we went live, you know, that we are going to die. I believe that, but I do not believe that we have to die as early as we're dying. And I don't believe we have to have this decrease in health span the way it's happening. I think we can have an actual increase in health span and along with that, conjunctively we could have a longer lifespan as well.
- [03:30]
Interviewer Dan
So based on the data, based on everything that you're seeing, the people that you're helping, how long do you think we can live and how healthy do you think we can be as we get into those later years?
- [03:43]
Dr. Mark Sherwood
I believe the organ systems, probably from everything I've seen and read, whether it be biblical text or actual science data records keeping over the years, probably about 120 is the organ span of our bodies. Having said that, I see no reason why we have to have brain decay or brain decrepitation when we're losing our mind. Therefore I think we can be very sharp, physically speaking. We have to preserve capital. As my wife likes to say, you can't, don't do dumb things, you know, as you get into your 60s, 70s and 80s. But I do believe that people could be active, vibrant, living independently, very health related as well, well into their early one hundreds. There's no question about that. I know data tells us the oldest person's ever lived was 122 living in France, the oldest person alive as of today. The time of this recording was 118 living in Japan. So having said that, I believe that history does tell us a story. History sort of unravels a mystery for us, but we have an exciting future there. I think our expectations probably should change towards that.
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Interviewer Dan
So what are two or three things that you do right now in your life that you feel will allow you to live to that 120? Maybe you'll break the record, maybe you'll hit 130.
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Dr. Mark Sherwood
Well, I believe there's three things that we really ought to do, you know, and this is perhaps over simple simplification, but I do believe Dan there's probably over complication of things. It's not that hard. I think number one is this, you have to eat real food, so you eat intentionally. And what I mean by that is if you, you have a real food that's created, if it grows from the ground or in the ground, on the ground, on a tree, swimming through the water, flying through the sky, or walking through the forest, it's probably food. So eat that. But there was no donut trees in the Garden of Eden. I'm just using that as a little bit of a humorous ploy there. But if we eat real food, we're actually getting real nutrients to the cells. Nutrients are information our body runs on micronutrients, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids as opposed to calories. So high nutrient foods is key. So number one is eat intentionally. Number two, I think is probably move purposely, which is activity. The only day that you should not move is the day you're dead. And the only day you don't exercise, therefore is the day you're dead. Movement is life. Lack of movement is rigor mortis. So we need to move more, set less. I'm not talking about going to the gym, you can, but we do need to be active. Activity is something that sort of metabolizes adrenaline, which helps us minimize stress. And stress is the thing that actually is an overt killer today. Right. So we have to move purposely every day. Number three is kind of tagging on to what I just said. It's live at peace. We live in a world where media can be so negative and so hopeless, you know, so just absolutely just miserable, fear based. And, and it gets a lot of clicks. I'll admit that it might sell some tickets, but it doesn't generate life. And I find that troubling. I mean we've got to learn to live peacefully with people. So you know where these wristbands that I give away and it, I don't know if you can see it, but it says hope dealer. And I believe that giving hope to someone else is what we should be about. So, you know, I've said many times I believe hope should be the thing that becomes the new infectious disease around the country and world. And I think that would be a good thing. But living peacefully with people, man, having conversations, open dialogue. I'm not saying agree, but how about learning to love people again? And that gives us a chance to have some peace in our lives.
- [07:32]
Interviewer Dan
I like peace in my life. So I'm with you. Crazy enough, it sounds like that could be the hardest thing for people, just because like you said, we're on our phones all the time. We're addicted to, to what's in our phones. But I'm hearing that younger generations are actually starting to use social media and starting to, they want to be more in person, like they want to be around each other more. So maybe they're, maybe they'll be the savior to our society. So going back to your life, you went from SWAT operations and near death moments to becoming the country's, one of the country's most respected longevity doctors. So what is something that you learned from, from SWAT operations that you, you've been able to carry over?
- [08:15]
Dr. Mark Sherwood
Well, I learned that anybody is capable of anything. And I learned that death, life is a fragile subject. To see death occur in front of you, to watch people commit suicide, to see murders, to see death and, and see people take their last breath. I remember one particular occasion, we were on a SWAT operation and one of the snipers had to, you know, use force to stop a hostage situation. And I was the first person to reach that individual. And it was a cold night. And Dan, I'll never forget this as long as I live. It was, you could see the breath. And I remember I saw his breath come out of his lungs that last time and it changed and shocked me, you know, because you, you see it, you hear it, but when you're right there in the middle of it, it does something to you internally. And I realized that in a moment's time you can go from death or from life to death. So how can we make life better? I realized that we're again, like I said, we're capable of anything, both good and bad. I am one moment away, one breath away, one word away from being an idiot or a blessing. And I'm going to choose to be a blessing. And so that shifted the way I looked at things. It shifted the way I look at people. And since then, I mean, people think it's a unique, perhaps transition from SWAT team to an exopathic longevity oriented doctor, but it's really not. I'm just expanded my area of protection and service. You know, I want to protect people from the cells and perhaps serve them better.
- [09:52]
Interviewer Dan
So is there something that you learned about leadership? Because I imagine, like you said, I mean, these are life and death situations. So is there something that you learned about leadership in that moment that you think could carry over into business, not just your business, but just something that people could apply to their business as well?
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Dr. Mark Sherwood
Yeah, you have to own it. And I'm talking about Owning physical, emotional, spiritual health, you have to own it. It's not anybody's responsibility to make you do anything. And I think with leadership, no one will go higher than you go. No one will go farther than you go. No one will be higher level than your. Your. You are. So you set the bar, you set the tone for your business. The leader is the person everybody looks at. The leader sometimes stands alone. But the times a leader stands alone, that's the time the leader stands out. Doing the right thing, doing the best thing all the time. Setting the bar high with excellence, never accepting that it's okay. Striving for perfection, but realizing you're going to get excellence on the way is probably where you want to be. But never accepting a C level grade. We should always strive for A plus every time. And the leader is the one that sets that tone for the entire organization. And it's not just about health, it's about financial stability as well. And we have to really master it. Physical, emotional, spiritual and financial.
- [11:24]
Interviewer Dan
I know you've said health isn't luck, it's leadership. So I appreciate you you sharing that. You've also talked about when your entire life changed. The moment you realize that what people face isn't physical, that it's internal. And I have to say that is my battle. Like my mind is definitely my. I battle with that every day and it's something I want to get better. But when did you realize that it was an internal, it was your mind? That's the who's down in who?
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Narrator
Newville were making their list but some didn't know. Walmart has the best brands for their gifts.
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Dr. Mark Sherwood
What about toys? Do they have brands kids have been wanting all year?
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Walmart Shopper
Yep, Barbie, Tonys and Lego. Gifts that will make them all cheer.
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Dr. Mark Sherwood
Do you mean they have all the brands I adore?
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Walmart Shopper
They have Nintendo, Nespresso, Apple and more.
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Narrator
What about so the who answered questions from friends till they were blue. Each one listened and shouted from Walmart? Who knew? Shop gifts from top brands for everyone on your list. In the Walmart app, what do you.
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Walmart Shopper
Think makes the perfect snack?
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Geico Representative
Hmm, it's gotta be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient.
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Walmart Shopper
Could you be more specific?
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Geico Representative
When it's cravinient. Okay, like a freshly baked cookie made with real butter, available right down the street at am, pm Or a savory breakfast sandwich I can grab in just a second at am, pm.
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Walmart Shopper
I'm seeing a pattern here.
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Geico Representative
Well yeah, we're talking about what I.
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Walmart Shopper
Crave, which is anything from am, pm.
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Geico Representative
What more could you want?
- [12:44]
Narrator
Stop by AMPM where the snacks and.
- [12:46]
Lowe's Announcer
Drinks are perfectly craveable and convenient.
- [12:48]
Dr. Mark Sherwood
That's cravenience ampm too much good stuff.
- [12:52]
Capella University Announcer
Is it time to reimagine your future? The right business skills may make a difference in your career. At Capella University we offer a relevant education that's designed to focus on what you need to know in the business world. We'll teach professional skills to help you pursue your goals like business management, strategic planning and effective communication. And you can apply these skills right away. A different future is closer than you think with Capella University. Learn more at capella.
- [13:20]
Ryan Reynolds
Edu hey, Ryan Reynolds here wishing you a very happy half off holiday because right now Mint Mobile is offering you the gift of 50% off unlimited. To be clear, that's half price, not half the service. Mint is still premium unlimited wireless for a great price. So that means a half day. Yeah, give it a try@mintmobile.com Switch upfront.
- [13:45]
Mint Mobile Disclaimer
Payment of $45 for three month plan equivalent to 15 per month required new customer offer for first three months only. Speed slow after 35 gigabytes of networks busy taxes and fees extra c mint.
- [13:52]
Interviewer Dan
Mobile.Com so battling against you and how, how do you then rewire yourself to change?
- [13:58]
Dr. Mark Sherwood
I think my biggest turning point in life, Dan, was when I discovered and was told that my mother committed suicide. No kidding. It was a shock to my system. But I realized at the time that her mind went in a different direction then was the best direction. And I realized that she believed a lie, that she wasn't valuable. And when I experienced those things, it changes you. And you have to begin to make the decision to whether you're valuable or not. Yes, we all have this battlefield of the mind, I suppose, but the mind is made up not by the way you feel. And this is very important. The feelings have to follow the actions. It doesn't matter how you feel. Your actions have to lead. The feelings match up, which creates predictable results and creates consistency. And that leads to a trustworthiness that you have with yourself. Therefore you don't become a perpetual liar to self, but you become a perpetual truth teller to self. Meaning you can now trust your own word, therefore giving you a solid, stable mindset that is foundational going forward. And when you do that, there's really nothing you can achieve. And I think health is not just about that physical thing around us, you know, and not about just what you eat.
- [15:23]
Interviewer Dan
It's.
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Dr. Mark Sherwood
It's what you believe. It's the framework. I mean, do you think about sickness or do you think about wellness? Do you think about leadership or do you think about following everybody else? Do you think about being an example or do you get wore down from not being able to stay out front? So it is about mindset and that's some of the patterns that I've learned over time.
- [15:45]
Interviewer Dan
So when you look at this whole biohacking space, do you see anything that you're like, wow, you know what? That actually what people are saying is great thing like, like, should I be going into the sauna and should I be going into the cold plunge? And I mean, it seems like there's a, there's a whole lot of things, right, that we're just seeing from this. I'm using, you know, quote unquote biohacking. Is there something out there where you're like, wow, you know what? I would, I would do that. Or, or, and, or is there something where you're like, I would never do that.
- [16:14]
Dr. Mark Sherwood
Yeah, everything should be focused on the mitochondria in my opinion. And second behind that is resiliency. So let's start with the second one first. Resiliency would be something akin to using the cold plunge and the sauna. When you go to the extreme with cold and or hot, you activate what's called heat shock proteins. And those things are the proteins that prevent cellular damage. And so when you have this ability to tolerate the cold plunge, the 40 to 50 degree water for, you know, three or four or five or six minutes, and you have the ability to tolerate the 140 degree, you know, sauna for, you know, 25, 30 minutes, you actually train your heat shock proteins that these extremities are something you can tolerate, building resilience. And that resilience goes in all parts of life. Of course. The first one though, is mitochondrial health. Realizing the mitochondria is the centerpiece of the energy production of our cells. With mitochondrial production, the cells will operate efficiently. Without mitochondrial function, the cells die efficiently. So it's all about pushing the envelope with those. And there's a few things you can do with that. Obviously, I like NAD nicotinamide, adenine, dinucleotide. I like using molecular hydrogen. Whether I consume it or I breathe it, I think those are outstanding for that. And frankly, I like using peptides. I think these are great. And those modalities right there, as far as what we can do to help our bodies create resilience, create life, become more functionally healthy in a time, are very, very important. And, and I, you know, again, go back to the three Things I mentioned earlier, you got to eat right, move right and, and think, right?
- [18:02]
Interviewer Dan
So when it comes to nad, I've been looking at this NAD or NAD plus, I don't know if there's any difference there. Is it more of a, like a supplementation, like a pill supplementation, or does it have to be injection? I'm just seeing so much of it now. I don't know, like, what's legit, what's not.
- [18:18]
Dr. Mark Sherwood
There's a lot of push out there right now in the biohacking space. In the longevity world. You're gonna get a lot of people selling stuff. Personally, I use it in a subcutaneous manner to get it inside of my system, so I inject it. You can also do intermuscular injection. You can also do a slow push IV as well. I haven't had good success with oral forms yet. There's some people out there now today that are developing, you know, forms that are, you know, liposomal delivery forms. And, and I haven't tried those yet because I've been doing the real thing, you know, for so long. So I suppose there's other ways out there. But it's very good if people don't know the effects of that. Basically, it's required to recycle your body's chief antioxidant called glutathione. If you can't recycle glutathione, oxidative stress runs amok in your system, which creates damage and inflammation inside the mitochondria.
- [19:18]
Interviewer Dan
Wow. What about peptides? I'm fascinated with the amount of peptides there are. I've seen ones where you mix a bunch of different peptides and they. One does this or one does that. And I know a lot of friends who are doing it. I mean, they look phenomenal. Like you're saying, I have a friend, she's in her 60s. Her 60s, and she looks better than when I met her when she was in her 50s. So is there, is there something when it comes to the peptides that you're using or that you think is. Has been really beneficial?
- [19:44]
Dr. Mark Sherwood
Yeah, I use a lot of peptides. I. I'll just a few of them that I have and do use. Tessamorelin, which is more of a build muscle, burn fat, protect the brain, the heart. I like SS31, which is a mitochondrial membrane stabilizer. I like MOTS C, which is a mitochondrial biogenesis creator. Helps us create more, more gasoline for our bodies. I like BPC157, that prepares tissue, cells, joints, some of the Thymosins Thymosin Alpha 1, Thymosin Beta 4 can activate the immune system to make us younger in our recovery and our ability to defend themselves. And I should say peptides are nothing more or less than amino acids that are structured together so they're not unnatural. The safety profile is absolutely tremendous and frankly, we should be using them more now. I know there's a lot of regulatory pushback on those things, but that'll probably continue as most things do. You know, some things that work well, they are kind of attacked from time to time, but they are helpful and we're very experienced in those things. And I'm a full believer in those.
- [20:54]
Interviewer Dan
Yeah, thank you for sharing that because I, I went to a place recently, they had so many things and they're like, what do you want? I'm like, I have, I have no idea what I want. Like, like, tell me what I should, what I should take. But I'm really, really interested because I, I was super into taking supplements and things since I was probably around 15, 16 years old, up and through my 30s, and then I kind of fell off a little bit. So I wanted to get back in because I just see, I just see incredible results happening for people. And I'm in my 40s now, so I'm like really starting to think these things through, you know. Dr. Mark, like when, when I get into my 50s, 60s, like, I really want to remain healthy and it, you know, like, you know, it's, it's almost scary thinking like, wow, my life could be halfway done. But it's like, well, but, but if I'm in my 70s and 80s and I can't do anything, then I feel like my life is kind of over. So I'm glad that, you know, I, glad that there's hope here for us. And thank you for, for sharing that. So when it comes to some of the testimonials that you're seeing with reversing the aging process, can you share those?
- [22:00]
Dr. Mark Sherwood
Yeah, I've got some really cool ones. Dan. I think, you know, being in my 60s, I can relate to what you just said. So I was like, wow, man, you know, but ultimately we're able to test the biological immune system of people. We're able to test biological organ systems with people now. And it's, it's really fascinating about what we can quantify and analyze right now through epigenetic testing and some other testing such as glycan testing. But I have seen people routinely have a 30 year younger immune system functionality. So if you're 60, I've seen people have an immune system functionality of 30 and that's very, very routine with our therapies. And what does that mean? That means you're going to have more resiliency within the ability to defend oneself to, you know, viruses, bacteria, injuries, et cetera. Just recover faster. It it. And again, I had one guy who is in his 70s, he has a biological age immune system wise of 29. So it's, it's shocking what you can achieve now again, is it going to advance? Of course it is. But nonetheless it does give people a lot of hope.
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Interviewer Dan
Well, you look like you're 30, so I don't know.
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Dr. Mark Sherwood
Oh man, that's very nice of you. Thank you.
- [23:16]
Interviewer Dan
So that, that I'm giving you that biological age. So I know you have an ebook. I know you have a lot of information that people want to read. I'm sure there's so much to digest from this. I, I want to say it's probably, maybe it's my social media feed, but it's like all that I'm seeing is all about longevity, biohacking, things that we can do. Which I think is great. You know, I think it's great that we're, that we as a society seem to be moving towards something as positive as this. And I, I hope that we all have, you know, connection with one another. The peace that you mentioned, that we're all at peace. But I learned a lot today. So if people want to get, if you want to find out more information, they want to get the ebook. How can they do so go to.
- [24:01]
Dr. Mark Sherwood
Dr. Mark sherwood.com you can scroll down the page and there's a nice cool ebook that my wife, Dr. Michelle and I wrote. It's called Hope, Health and Freedom. And it's, we'd love you to have it. It's, it's about 20 some odd pages. It's got everything I talked about and some, and some more stuff in there that you'll, you want to have put that in practice, put it in your life and your life will be better.
- [24:20]
Interviewer Dan
Man, I could tell you're just so positive and I think that's like a breath of fresh air nowadays. But I hope everyone gets the ebook. It's free. Like why would you not get this, you know. But Dr. Mark Sherwood, thank you so much for joining us today and sharing all your wisdom and the impact that you're going to have on people's lives is, you know, this is why I think we all show up every day is we want to make sure that not only we're having a great life, but that others around us are. So thank you for joining us on Founders Story.
- [24:47]
Dr. Mark Sherwood
Dan, thanks for having me. It's been an honor to be with you.
- [24:55]
Capella University Announcer
Is it time to reimagine your future? The right business skills may make a difference in your career. At Capella University, we offer a relevant education that's designed to focus on what you need to know in the business world. We'll teach professional skills to help you pursue your goals like business management, strategic planning, and effective communication, and you can apply these skills right away. A different future is closer than you think with Capella University. Learn more at capella.
- [25:23]
Geico Representative
Edu I'm here on a job site with Tim, who owns his own electrical contracting business.
- [25:28]
Dr. Mark Sherwood
Three employees and two work trucks.
- [25:30]
Geico Representative
Tim traded up to Geico Commercial Auto Insurance. We're positively here where he needs us most.
- [25:36]
Dr. Mark Sherwood
They sure are.
- [25:36]
Geico Representative
With step by step help on all his insurance needs. All for shockingly low rates.
- [25:42]
Dr. Mark Sherwood
Shockingly low, huh?
- [25:43]
Geico Representative
Just a little bit of electrician humor.
- [25:45]
Dr. Mark Sherwood
Do you get it? I got it.
- [25:46]
Geico Representative
You know, it feels like we have a real connection. Alright, I'll stop.
- [25:50]
Lowe's Announcer
Get a commercial auto insurance quote today@geico.com.
- [25:52]
Dr. Mark Sherwood
And see how much you could save.
- [25:53]
Interviewer Dan
It feels good to Geico.
- [25:55]
Walmart Shopper
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- [26:25]
Ryan Reynolds
Hey, Ryan Reynolds here wishing you a very happy half off holiday because right now Mint Mobile is offering you the gift of 50% off unlimited. To be clear, that's half price, not half the service. Mint is still premium unlimited wireless for a great price. So that means half day.
- [26:44]
Capella University Announcer
Yeah.
- [26:45]
Ryan Reynolds
Give it a try@mintmobile.com Switch upfront payment.
- [26:48]
Mint Mobile Disclaimer
Of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent to 15 per month required new customer offer for first 3 months only. Speed slow 135 gigabytes of networks busy taxes and fees extra. C mintmobile.com.