Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance
Host: Dave Asprey
Episode: Biohacking Fertility for Men and Women at Any Age : 1381
Date: December 16, 2025
Guest: Dr. Ann Shippy (Former IBM Chemical Engineer, Medical Doctor, Author of "The Preconception Revolution")

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into fertility as a crucial marker for health, vitality, and longevity, not just for those seeking children but as a reflection of overall biological resilience. Dave Asprey and Dr. Ann Shippy discuss how environmental toxins, lifestyle factors, and preconception care impact fertility and the long-term health of offspring. They stress that both men and women have agency and responsibility in optimizing conditions for conception, with practical, actionable biohacks and scientific insights informed by Dr. Shippy's new book, "The Preconception Revolution." The conversation bridges cutting-edge biology, actionable protocols, epigenetics, longevity, and even touches on the spiritual dimension of conscious conception.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The State of Fertility, Health Trends, and Why This Matters

• Infertility on the Rise: One in five or six couples now face infertility, a marked increase from previous decades (05:16).
• Childhood Illness Correlation: Rising rates of autism (1 in 31), autoimmune conditions, obesity, and cancer in children signal deeper systemic issues (05:49).
• Fertility as a Longevity Marker: Good fertility signals robust systemic health for both men and women (03:15).

Quote:
"You might say, I don't want kids. I don't need to listen to this episode. But you do, because fertility is a marker for longevity."
— Dave Asprey (03:18)

Root Causes of Infertility (12:48, 13:10)

Top Causes (Most to Least Important)

1. Environmental Toxins

   • Toxic Mold: Especially impactful and widely under-recognized. Peer-reviewed animal husbandry data shows direct links to miscarriage and poor conception rates (13:16, 14:06).
   • Other Toxins: Heavy metals, industrial chemicals, pesticides, and household endocrine disruptors.

2. Circadian Rhythm Disruption

   • Light Pollution: Light touching skin at night, even small LEDs, can suppress melatonin and impact fertility (14:45–16:30).
   • Electronic Devices: Blue light, EMF fields, and even subconscious stress responses from devices near the bed.

3. Lifestyle Factors

   • Diet: Ultra-processed foods, high sugar, and inflammatory diets diminish sperm and egg quality (33:40).
   • Stress: Both psychological and physical stress have measurable epigenetic effects on gametes, impacting offspring health and fertility (55:20).
   • Alcohol, smoking, cannabis: Detrimental for both egg and sperm health (30:51).

Quote:
"The most important thing is the environmental toxins that we're being exposed to."*
— Dr. Ann Shippy (13:10)

The IVF Debate: Risks, When It's Appropriate, and Root-Cause Optimization

• Potential Risks of IVF: Super-physiological hormones, resultant stress to the mother's body and diminished health outcomes in babies. Quality research is scant but clinical observation and animal data are concerning (20:54, 24:03).
• IVF not a ‘First Resort’: Both Dave and Ann frame infertility as a 'check engine' light—an opportunity not to bypass, but to fix the engine before proceeding (24:03–24:47).
• Appropriate Use of IVF: Only when genetic disorders (e.g., cystic fibrosis) are present, or structural barriers like blocked fallopian tubes exist (29:08).

Quote:
"I want people to think about infertility as the body turning the engine light on. Do not proceed. Really do the work to figure out why Mother Nature is wisely saying don't proceed."
— Dr. Ann Shippy (24:03)

The Time Capsule Analogy: Preconception as Epigenetic Programming

• Parental Influence: The health and exposures of both parents, especially in the six months leading up to conception, become 'epigenetic time capsules' for the child (24:47).
• Egg and Sperm Selection: The environment determines which eggs mature; body wisdom ‘chooses’ the best for current life conditions (26:37).

Quote:
"Think about the egg and the sperm as a time capsule. Everything that you’ve been doing the years leading up are going in this time capsule to the baby."
— Dr. Ann Shippy (24:47)

Male Fertility—Equally Important and Rapidly Modifiable

• Equal Responsibility: Fertility issues are 50/50 split between men and women (10:03).
• Rapid Changes: Men can influence sperm quality in as little as three weeks with dietary improvements (33:40).
• Measurable Markers: Epigenetic sperm and DNA methylation tests are more actionable than classical measures like cholesterol (34:35).

Quote:
"It’s so exciting for men to know that they can actually have a role...gift their future child with better health just by building that time capsule ahead."
— Dr. Ann Shippy (30:51)

"In just three weeks, they could start to see changes in the sperm health and hormone levels."
— Dr. Ann Shippy (34:20)

Preconception Biohacks—Supplements, Lifestyle, and Environment

• Duration: At least 3–6 months of preparation; longer is better (31:30).
• Core Supplements:
  • Phosphatidylcholine: Brain development, gene expression (32:24).
  • Astaxanthin: Fertility and longevity (32:24).
  • CoQ10 & MitoQ: Sperm and ovarian health, mitochondrial support (32:45).
  • L-carnitine, Spermidine: Classical longevity, beneficial for fertility (33:00).
• Lifestyle: Sleep hygiene, blackout at night, meditation, moderate exercise, low toxin diet, and a focus on reducing inflammation (31:38–34:20).

Quote:
"Phosphatidylcholine. Amazing. For brain development and gene expression...Astaxanthin...great data for both men and women and fertility..."
— Dr. Ann Shippy (32:24)

Thyroid & Hormonal Health (40:20–43:59)

• Thyroid dysfunction is epidemic and underdiagnosed, profoundly affecting fertility in both sexes.
• Autoimmunity, gluten issues, toxic load, and microbiome imbalances are usually at the root.
• Success Stories: Patients considered ‘hopeless’ by fertility clinics achieved natural conception after optimizing thyroid health and detoxifying (42:16–43:08).

Female Fertility, Egg Quality & Ovarian Aging

• Egg quantity is fixed, but quality is environmentally modifiable—new research suggests mitochondria in ovaries may not age as previously thought (26:37).
• Older women can have healthy pregnancies and babies if they optimize their health ahead of conception; examples cited include a 47-year-old conceiving naturally (20:54).

Relationship, Emotional, and Spiritual Health

• Emotional/Social Stress Inhibits Fertility: Trauma and unresolved relationship stress can keep the body from allowing conception (55:20–56:07).
• Epigenetics of Stress: Even paternal trauma leaves 'marks' on sperm gene expression, affecting offspring health (55:36).
• Conscious Conception: Preparing body, mind, and relationship may allow intuitive senses of the ‘right time’ and smoother experiences (61:21–63:41).

Quote:
"If you're lucky, the check engine light will be on. Because if there's a rocky, sticky part of the relationship and you add a baby, it's not going to get better, it's going to get worse."
— Dr. Ann Shippy (63:54)

Big-Picture Recommendations

• Pause & Prepare: Biohacking preconception health for at least 3–6 months can reduce risk of unhealthy childhood outcomes by 50–75% (38:02–38:25).
• Do Not Default to IVF: Address root causes first for better health outcomes for mother and child.
• Male Involvement: Men should engage fully; both parents’ health is equally critical.
• Monitor & Test: Use modern epigenetic and functional tests over conventional markers.
• Address Stress: Psychological and relational health are as biologically meaningful as physical health.

Quote:
"There's no losing from doing these practices because it changes the quality of your life. Even if you change your mind about having kids, this is part of the plan for being just a better human being."
— Dave Asprey (66:17)

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• On blackout at night:
  “Darkness is a nutrient.” (15:21) — Dave Asprey

• On technology & privacy:
  “I like to tell ChatGPT to make up a bunch of crap... That’ll tell whoever's listening the wrong thing.” (18:35) — Dave Asprey

• Generational Impact:
  “Our next generation [can be] stronger than we are instead of weaker, which is the direction we're going.” (03:52) — Dave Asprey

• Evolving Scientific Understanding:
  “We didn’t understand genetics 15 years ago the way we do now.” (11:37) — Dave Asprey

• On the spiritual side:
  “Humans are metaphysical, not just physical.” (58:35) — Dr. Ann Shippy

• Summing it up:
  “Time for a human upgrade.” (59:54) — Dr. Ann Shippy

Key Timestamps

• Infertility and Child Health Crisis: 05:07–06:29
• Top Infertility Causes Listed: 13:00–14:06
• Toxic Mold & Environmental Risks: 13:16–14:40
• Circadian Rhythm & Light Pollution: 14:40–16:30
• IVF Debate – When and When Not: 20:54–24:03
• Egg Time Capsule & Epigenetics: 24:03–25:40
• Male Fertility & Epigenetics: 30:51–34:35
• Supplements and Protocols: 32:23–33:20
• Thyroid and Hormones Essential for Fertility: 40:20–44:42
• Relationship and Spiritual Aspects: 55:20–65:31

Final Thoughts

The Big Takeaway:
Fertility is not just about making babies—it's a window into biological resilience, longevity, and the overall health of future generations. Optimizing mind, body, and environment prior to conception is the ultimate form of biohacking, providing not just healthier children but a stronger, more vibrant you.

Resource:
Dr. Ann Shippy's new book, "The Preconception Revolution," offers checklists, protocols, and actionable plans for anyone planning for children or seeking better health and longevity.

“Fertility is a proxy for health and longevity—for both men and women. If you want to upgrade your biology, it’s never too early to start.”
— Dave Asprey (paraphrased conclusion)

For more detailed information, protocols, and references, consult "The Preconception Revolution" and visit Dr. Ann Shippy’s and Dave Asprey’s resources online.