Podcast Summary: “You’re Aging Wrong: The Real Reason We’re Dying Early (and How to Reverse It)”
Founder's Story | IBH Media | Ep 284 with Dr. Mark Sherwood, Co-founder of Functional Medical Institute
Date: November 24, 2025
Episode Overview
In this insightful episode of Founder's Story, Dr. Mark Sherwood, a former SWAT operator turned renowned longevity and functional medicine doctor, shares his philosophy and science-backed strategies for extending healthspan—the quality, not just the length, of life. The conversation, led by host Dan, explores why society is fixated on longevity, practical and mindset-based habits for aging well, innovations in the biohacking space, and Dr. Sherwood’s remarkable testimonies of rejuvenation. Key takeaways focus on actionable steps, leadership in health, and the vital importance of hope and mindset.
Main Topics & Key Insights
1. Why Our Obsession with Longevity Is Rising
[01:35 – 03:30]
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Two main drivers for the longevity craze:
- Recent years’ proximity to death and global health scares make mortality a “conversation piece” (02:12).
- Rapid advances in AI, data science, and health technology unlock new possibilities for health span improvement.
- Quote:
“We are going to die… 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.” — Dr. Mark Sherwood [02:53]
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The Science of Lifespan:
- Human organs are designed for about 120 years, referencing both science and biblical texts (03:42).
- Active, independent living well into the early 100s is realistic.
- Modern data: “The oldest person's ever lived was 122… the oldest person alive as of today... 118 in Japan.” — Dr. Mark Sherwood [04:23]
2. Three Core Pillars for a Long, Healthy Life
[05:02 – 07:31]
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Eat intentionally:
- Consume real food only—“If it grows from the ground, on a tree, swims, flies, or walks, it’s probably food… There was no donut tree in the Garden of Eden.” — Dr. Mark Sherwood [05:39]
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Move purposely:
- Daily, consistent movement is vital: “The only day that you should not move is the day you're dead.” [06:03]
- Movement metabolizes stress hormones, lowering disease risks.
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Live at peace:
- Emotional wellness and positive social relationships are as vital as diet and exercise.
- “Hope should be the thing that becomes the new infectious disease around the country and world… Living peacefully with people, man, having conversations, open dialogue... learning to love people again.” [07:14]
3. Lessons from SWAT Operations & Leadership
[08:14 – 11:23]
- Life-and-death experiences taught Dr. Sherwood the fragility of life and the choice to be a “blessing” amidst adversity.
- On leadership:
- “You have to own it. It's not anybody's responsibility to make you do anything… 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.” [10:11]
- Equates health with leadership, not luck: “No one will go higher than you go… We should always strive for A plus every time.” [10:51]
4. The Real Battlefield: Internal Mindset
[13:58 – 15:45]
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Dr. Sherwood shares a deeply personal turning point: his mother’s suicide, underscoring how self-worth and mindset are foundational to health.
- “The mind is made up not by the way you feel… The feelings have to follow the actions… That leads to a trustworthiness you have with yourself.” [14:44]
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Health is “not just about that physical thing around us… it’s what you believe.” [15:23]
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The “battlefield of the mind” is universal; mastery over it unlocks achievement in health and life.
5. Biohacking and Cutting-Edge Longevity Tools
[15:45 – 21:00]
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Focus: Mitochondria and Resiliency
- “Everything should be focused on the mitochondria, in my opinion. And second behind that is resiliency.” [16:13]
- Practices like cold plunges and saunas boost heat shock proteins, which “prevent cellular damage” and build overall resilience.
- Key Quote:
“When you have this ability to tolerate the cold plunge… 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.” — Dr. Mark Sherwood [16:50]
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NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)
- Essential for recycling glutathione, the body’s chief antioxidant.
- Strong preference for subcutaneous, IM, or IV delivery over oral forms for effectiveness. [18:17]
- “If you can't recycle glutathione, oxidative stress runs amok in your system, which creates damage and inflammation inside the mitochondria.” [18:54]
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Peptides
- Used to “rejuvenate, protect, and repair” multiple body systems; e.g., muscle, fat burning, mitochondrial health.
- Examples Dr. Sherwood uses:
- Tessamorelin – muscle building, brain/heart protection.
- SS31 – mitochondrial membrane stabilization.
- MOTS C – mitochondrial biogenesis.
- BPC157 – tissue and joint repair.
- Thymosin Alpha 1/Beta 4 – immune system activation.
- “Peptides are nothing more or less than amino acids structured together so they're not unnatural... The safety profile is absolutely tremendous.” [20:08]
6. Aging Is Reversible: Real-Life Results
[22:00 – 23:10]
- Success Stories:
- Patients seeing biological immune systems 30 years younger than their chronologic age.
- “If you're 60, I've seen people have an immune system functionality of 30 and that's very, very routine with our therapies… I had one guy who is in his 70s, he has a biological age immune system wise of 29.” [22:31]
- “It does give people a lot of hope.” [22:57]
7. Resources and Final Inspiration
[24:00 – 24:19]
- Dr. Sherwood offers a free ebook: Hope, Health and Freedom at drmarksherwood.com
- “Put that in practice, put it in your life, and your life will be better.” [24:10]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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Longevity Unpacked:
“We are going to die… but I do not believe that we have to die as early as we're dying.” — Dr. Mark Sherwood [02:53]
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Eat Real:
“There was no donut tree in the Garden of Eden.” — Dr. Mark Sherwood [05:41]
-
Movement is Life:
“The only day that you should not move is the day you're dead.” — Dr. Mark Sherwood [06:03]
-
Hope as the New Infectious Disease:
“I believe hope should be the thing that becomes the new infectious disease around the country and world.” — Dr. Mark Sherwood [07:14]
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Ownership in Leadership and Health:
“You have to own it… No one will go higher than you go.” — Dr. Mark Sherwood [10:11]
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Mind Over Matter:
“The mind is made up not by the way you feel. The feelings have to follow the actions.” — Dr. Mark Sherwood [14:44]
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Biohacking Bottom Line:
“Everything should be focused on the mitochondria, in my opinion. And second behind that is resiliency.” — Dr. Mark Sherwood [16:13]
Key Timestamps
- 01:35 — Why society is so longevity-obsessed
- 03:42 — Realistic human lifespan and expectations
- 05:02 — 3 pillars for aging well: eat, move, live at peace
- 08:14 — SWAT to wellness: Life and leadership lessons
- 10:11 — Leadership as the foundation of health
- 13:58 — Mindset and overcoming internal barriers
- 16:13 — Biohacking: mitochondrial health & resilience
- 18:17 — NAD+ supplementation: what works, delivery methods
- 19:44 — The real deal on peptides
- 22:00 — Measured client results: biological age reversal
- 24:00 — Accessing Dr. Sherwood’s free ebook
Final Thoughts & Tone
The conversation is deeply personal, motivational, and scientific, laced with humor (“no donut trees in the Garden of Eden”), gravitas (stories of life and death), and an unwavering message of hope. Dr. Mark Sherwood’s approach is practical and uplifting, emphasizing that real, sustainable health is grounded in daily habits and courageous self-leadership.
Whether you’re new to the longevity discussion or a die-hard biohacker, this episode offers actionable insights and inspiration to help you “age right,” building a life of health, hope, and true leadership.