🤗 It’s a new format for my newsletter (don’t worry, the other ones will stay the same). I thought it’d be fun to include interesting stuff that might get overlooked in my regular posts.

🎁 And unlike those these will get sent at random times and random intervals. And you’ll never know what they’ll contain - that’s kind of the point. They will probably be a lot shorter than what you’re used to if you’ve read anything from me in the past.

🦾 What type of content can you expect? I don’t know. This time it’s Longevity Legends but it could be anything from Micro-insights and Biomarker of the Moment to Longevity Challenges (can you sit cross-legged and stand upright without using your hands as support?) and Futurist Corner.

🧩 All I can promise is that each time you open one of these, you'll find a little piece of the longevity puzzle waiting for you. A collectible. Maybe I should start selling NFTs as well. Have fun!

He wanted to live to 120 - but might have accelerated his own death

Roy Walford was a pioneering scientist in the field of gerontology, born in San Diego in 1924. He is best known for his contributions to the study of aging and longevity, particularly through his research on calorie restriction as a method to extend lifespan. Walford's work was significantly influenced by the earlier research of Clive McCay, which demonstrated that a low-calorie diet could extend the lifespan of rats. Walford sought to expand on this work, studying the effects of calorie restriction on various biological functions, including DNA repair, mitochondrial function, and immune response. His aim was not just to extend life but to enhance the quality of health during aging, with an ambitious personal goal of living to at least 120 years. However, it did not work out quite that way.

Unconventional Lifestyle: Walford was known for his unconventional lifestyle, which included living in a red brick industrial loft in Venice Beach, Los Angeles, close to the ocean. He engaged in activities like acting, painting, and dancing jitterbug, defying the typical image of a scientist. Oh, and when he rode his motorcycle with a shaved head, walrus mustache, and leather jacket, he looked more like a gang member than a gerontologist.

Adventurous Spirit: His adventurous spirit was evident when, after graduating from the University of Chicago, he and his friend Al Hibbs decided to finance their sailing trip around the Caribbean by exploiting imperfections in roulette wheels in Nevada's casinos. This escapade was so successful that Life magazine and other outlets (👇) covered their story.

Daring Experiments: Walford did not shy away from daring experiments, both scientifically and personally. He once attempted to measure the rectal temperature of yoga masters in India, hypothesizing that a lower body temperature was associated with longer life. His method, though unconventional, highlighted his dedication to exploring new ideas.

Biosphere 2 Participation: In his later years, Walford participated in the Biosphere 2 project, a two-year experiment in Arizona designed to simulate a closed ecological system. He used this opportunity to study the effects of calorie restriction on humans in a controlled environment, demonstrating his commitment to both scientific research and personal experience of his theories.

Bold Predictions and Personal Goals: Walford was not shy about his bold predictions and personal goals. He aimed to live to 120 years, a goal that, despite being cut short by his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), reflected his lifelong dedication to extending human lifespan and improving the quality of life through scientific means.

Roy Walford passed away on September 27, 2004, at the age of 79. His death was attributed to ALS. He believed the condition was exacerbated by his time in Biosphere 2 (the before and after pictures of Walford are shocking). Despite his passing, Walford's contributions to longevity research and his larger-than-life persona continue to inspire those interested in the science of aging and human potential.

His work has influenced many contemporary aging biologists, and it's not a stretch to say that the work of Valter Longo—famous for the longevity diet and the fasting-mimicking diet—continues where Walford left off.

🚀 If you haven’t listened to or watched episode 4 of the LEVITY podcast you should! Adam Gries - the co-founder of Vitalism - articulates the urgent need to prioritize aging research with remarkable clarity and eloquence. Aside from learning a ton I’m sure Adam will challenge your perspective on a few things.

Find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or where you listen to podcasts. Or just watch the whole thing below!