How to be in the Top 2% Healthiest People in The World | Michael Easter Explains

Intro (00:00:00)

• Only 2% of people take the stairs when there's also an escalator available.
• Humans are wired to do the easiest thing, even if it's not the best for them.
• To be in the top 2% of healthiest people, people need to make decisions that are slightly harder but will give them a longer-term return on their health.

Dialing in Diet & Training (00:00:59)

• Make small changes in diet and training that add up to big results in the long term.
• Take the stairs, park in the farthest spot, and take walking calls to increase daily activity.
• Gradually increase the difficulty of these activities as you get used to them.
• Find an activity level that is evolutionarily aligned with your current fitness level.

Move More (00:02:54)

• Find easy ways to move more throughout the day, such as walking during a layover at the airport.
• Aim to walk at least 1.5 to 2 miles during a 30-minute wait.
• Look for opportunities to move more and avoid sitting still whenever possible.

30% Off Your First Order AND a Free (00:03:43)

• Thrive Market is an online membership-based grocery store that aims to make healthier food more accessible.
• 30% off discount link and a free $60 gift for first-time customers.
• Discount applies to a wide range of healthier food options, including beet chips, tortilla chips, and turkey snacks.
• Often cheaper compared to regular grocery stores.

How to be in the Top 2 (00:04:43)

• Heart disease is the leading cause of death, yet it receives less attention and concern compared to other health issues like cancer and murder.
• The Chimane tribe in the Amazon has the healthiest hearts ever recorded, as revealed by CT scans.
• The author, an investigative and adventure journalist, traveled to the Amazon to study the Chimane tribe and their lifestyle.
• The Chimane tribe's diet includes meat, corn, and other foods that may contradict popular diets like low-carb, low-fat, or vegan.
• The commonality in their diet is that each food item has only one ingredient.

Single-Ingredient Meals (00:07:27)

• The healthiest people in the world eat single-ingredient meals such as fish, meat, rice, fruits, and vegetables.
• In contrast, 60% of the diet in the US consists of ultra-processed foods, which are high in calories and can lead to overeating.
• Single-ingredient meals are not as palatable as processed foods, but they are more satiating and less likely to cause overeating.
• People in the top 2% healthiest in the world tend to be lean and small.
• To improve health and fitness, it is recommended to favor single-ingredient foods and be mindful of portion sizes.
• It is also important to get regular physical activity throughout the day, even if it is just light activity.

Monitor How Much You Eat (00:11:04)

• Monitoring your current eating habits can help you identify areas for improvement.
• Tracking your food intake can reveal your actual consumption patterns and portion sizes.
• Observing your behaviors can positively change them (observer effect).
• Rucking, or walking with a weighted backpack, is a valuable exercise.
• Rucking can improve cardiovascular health, burn calories, and build muscle.
• It is a practical and accessible form of exercise that can be done anywhere.

Add Rucking Into Your Life (00:12:07)

• Rucking, or walking with a weighted backpack, is an excellent way to improve overall health and fitness. It can be easily incorporated into daily activities like dog walking or during work breaks.
• Humans tend to create unnecessary stress in their lives, leading to poor food choices and a constant state of dissatisfaction.
• It's important to put problems in perspective and appreciate the incredible advancements and conveniences of modern life.
• Prioritizing health and well-being is essential for survival, even though there are global challenges and problems.

Appreciate the Positives in Life (00:16:38)

• Humans evolved as problem-solvers in harsh environments, but modern comforts can turn minor inconveniences into major problems.
• Adapting to new environments takes time, as illustrated by the author's experience in the Arctic, where he deeply appreciated the simple comfort of hot running water.
• Physical challenges and discomfort can reveal mental and psychological layers, leading to personal growth and a better life.
• Modern conveniences have reduced the forms of discomfort that keep people happy and healthy, according to the book "The Comfort Crisis."
• Fasting can help people reconnect with true hunger and understand when they actually need food.
• Pushing oneself to the edge of one's capabilities can lead to self-discovery and the realization that one is more capable than previously thought.
• Training in a depleted state may not always be beneficial for performance, but it can help change one's relationship with pain and discomfort.
• Most people tend to underestimate their capabilities and undersell themselves.
• Training and perspective can help one overcome the desire to breathe and push beyond perceived limitations.
• The concept of "Mogi" from the book "The Comfort Crisis" suggests that pushing oneself beyond comfort zones can lead to growth and adaptation.

Challenge Yourself (00:28:55)

• Misogi is a concept that involves taking on a challenging task once a year with a 50% chance of failure to push oneself beyond comfort zones and learn more about one's capabilities.
• The top 2% healthiest people may possess a mindset that allows them to abstain from food and push themselves further.
• To be among the top 2% healthiest people in the world, adopt a mindset of choosing short-term discomfort for long-term growth across all aspects of life, including training, work, and relationships.
• Balance is important, as some people may excel in physical challenges but struggle with mental or emotional discomfort.
• Embrace the discomfort of stepping away from optimization and focus on maximizing all aspects of life, even if it means taking time away from your strengths to improve your weaknesses.
• The key to being in the top 2% healthiest people in the world is to engineer movement and real work back into our lives.

Figure Out What You Can Do Without (00:38:15)

• Balance in health and wellness means focusing on one area at a time, accepting that routines may change, and optimizing routines to support specific goals.
• Processed foods are a relatively new phenomenon that can lead to overconsumption due to the brain's inability to manage them effectively.
• Awareness of serving sizes and processed food intake can help individuals make healthier choices.
• Michael Easter's "Two-Chime Diet Challenge" involves a two-week bland diet, similar to the Hadza tribe's diet, to reset taste buds and behaviors around food.
• The challenge helps participants understand how their food system has changed and why ultra-processed foods impact the brain, often resulting in weight loss and improved health conditions.

Where to Find More of Michael's (00:48:17)

• Michael Easter can be found on his website easter.com.
• He also writes the 2% newsletter, which can be signed up for on his website.
• He is on Instagram as Michael Easter.