Barbara Waxman MS, MPA, PCC

06/16/2025

I was wrong—optimization isn't always the answer. -

Over the past few months, I’ve been riding the waves of exciting momentum—the soft launch of the Longevity Lifeplan™, preparing to welcome our 4th grandchild(!), and the complexity of a home remodel. All good things, and yet… the exciting momentum tipped into something else: depletion. I fou...

06/10/2025

When optimization goes wrong. Five shifts that change everything for more space, joy and a sustainable way of being.-

Over the past few months, I’ve been riding the waves of exciting momentum—the soft launch of the Longevity Lifeplan™, preparing to welcome our 4th grandchild(!), and the complexity of a home remodel. All good things, and yet… the exciting momentum tipped into something else: depletion. I fou...

05/15/2025

Last week, at the Women Presidents Organization Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum in San Antonio, I had the honor of facilitating a workshop titled “Middlescence Mastery: How to Become Your Own Chief Energy Officer.” But the real power in the room wasn’t in the slides or strategies—it was in the women themselves.

We explored what it means to lead with equanimity as your anchor, energy as your fuel, wisdom as your compass, and connection as your constant. We questioned old scripts and asked new ones: What are you really optimizing for?

To everyone who showed up with courage and curiosity: your presence and willingness to go deep inspired me. This work is personal. And it’s powerful. Together, we’re not just building businesses—we're building better lives.

04/29/2025

In a culture obsessed with hacks, quick fixes, and shiny packages promising health and longevity, the real answers are often much simpler—and rooted in common sense.

A new study, highlighted by The Wall Street Journal, shows that what you eat in midlife isn't just about how you feel today—it profoundly impacts your ability to age successfully, minimizing chronic conditions later. In other words, you are what you eat. It's why I continue to echo Michael Pollan's enduring advice: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

Unfortunately, the food industry has capitalized on our desire for "quick health" by pumping ultra-processed products full of protein and other additives, trying to convince us that these foods are "good for us." They're not. They trick our brains, fuel overconsumption, and chip away at our vitality.

We must be discerning: fueling your longevity journey doesn’t come from a wrapper—it comes from real food, real habits, real choices.

If you want a deeper understanding of why processed foods pose such a danger, especially to brain health and cognitive resilience, I recommend reading the second WSJ article alongside the first.
Midlife is the pivotal time to become a study of one—to trust yourself and evidence over trends, and to consciously curate the Seven Lifestyle Levers™ (like Nourishment) that will shape your energy, joy, and resilience for decades to come.

Learn more:
https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/ultra-processed-food-brain-health-7a3f9827?mod=article_inline

What ultra-processed food really does to your brain: https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/ultra-processed-food-brain-health-7a3f9827?mod=article_inline

Take the Seven Lifestyle Levers Assessment™: http://sevenlifestylelevers.com

Studies are finding links between these foods and changes in the way we learn, remember and feel.

04/01/2025

As we age, our bodies absorb and use protein less efficiently, making adequate intake essential for muscle maintenance, recovery, and metabolism. 💪🍽️ Want to learn more? Click here:
https://longevity.stanford.edu/.../supplements-for-women-40/ to read Top 6 Supplements for Women 40+!

03/11/2025

Two weeks ago, I had the distinct pleasure of joining Michael Krasny at the Commonwealth Club World Affairs in San Francisco for a lively conversation— Living Longer, Living Better: The Art and Science of the New Longevity. Michael’s masterful interviewing, honed over decades as a radio host and journalist, brought depth and clarity to a subject that demands both introspection and action.

Our exchange explored the evolving landscape of longevity—where the promise of extended lifespans meets the challenge of aligning health span with life span. It’s a tension I often address in my work: how do we move beyond a healthcare system rooted in “sick care” and a culture slow to adapt to our longer lives?

One thread that emerged—and one I’ve been reflecting on since—is the power of becoming a Study of One. By understanding our unique strengths, needs, and aspirations, we can craft lives that don’t just stretch further but flourish more fully.

As promised, I’m delighted to share the full recording for those who couldn't attend. You can watch it here:

⃗https://lnkd.in/gK_96aBm.

I’d welcome your thoughts—what struck you, what questions linger, or what possibilities do you see for this new chapter of life?

Thank you again to Michael Krasny, Denise Michaud, and The Commonwealth Club for creating space for this vital dialogue. Conversations like these propel us toward a future where living longer truly means living better.

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

02/27/2025

Recently, I shared reflections with Arianna Huffington’s Thrive Global about a question that’s been on my mind: In our pursuit of a longer life, how much of today are we willing to trade? The piece grew out of a personal experiment—a 5-day fast-mimicking diet that sparked unexpected clarity and a reset but also reminded me of the delicate balance we navigate in our wellness choices.

Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” His words resonate as I consider how we often prioritize optimizing our health—tracking steps, refining sleep, tweaking nutrition—yet risk overlooking what sustains us most: connection, joy, and presence. These aren’t just indulgences; they’re investments in both healthspan and longevity.

The article explores this tension and offers a path forward: seeing ourselves as an experiment of one. By questioning the “life exchange rate” of our choices—what we gain versus what we give up—we can craft a roadmap that enhances today while building toward our Trophy Years.

This is the foundation of my work. Experience the launch of my Longevity Lifeplan™ at the Modern Elder Academy, March 3-8 (If you reach out directly, there may still be time to reserve a spot: https://lnkd.in/gDtMiiEd).

How do you balance the present with the promise of tomorrow?

https://community.thriveglobal.com/the-longevity-paradox-how-to-choose-your-own-adventure/

Here's to making choices that enrich our lives today while building the foundation for our Trophy Years ahead and our collective future.

02/20/2025

How much of today are you willing to sacrifice? Choose your own adventure to a long life well-lived at MEA March 3rd -

In my ongoing quest to enhance healthspan—the years we live in vibrant wellbeing—I recently embarked on an intriguing experiment: Prolon's 5-day fast-mimicking diet. This program activates cellular rejuvenation through autophagy while allowing minimal food intake and has been shown to offer com...

02/20/2025

“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.”

When Thoreau penned these words, he wasn’t thinking about longevity science or wellness protocols. Yet his insight cuts to the heart of a question I’ve been wrestling with lately: In our quest for a longer life, how much of today are we willing to sacrifice?

My latest on Arianna Huffington's Thrive Global explores how to make choices that enrich our lives today while building the foundation for our Trophy Years ahead and our collective future.

And, a personal invitation for you: a roadmap to choose your own adventure!

Here's to making choices that enrich our lives today while building the foundation for our Trophy Years ahead and our collective future.

02/13/2025

In our pursuit of longevity, are we exchanging too much life for the promise of more years?

As I prepare for next month's Longevity Roadmap™ workshop at MEA's Baja campus, I'm reflecting on Thoreau's wisdom:

'The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.'

The science of longevity isn't just about optimizing metrics—it's about crafting sustainable practices that enrich both our present and future. Because here's the truth: people's biggest regrets are missed connections, laughter, and sunsets.

Ready to design your personal roadmap for a life that's as vital as it is long? Join me and experience all three!

Join me March 3-8 as we explore how to become your Chief Risk Officer, making choices that honor today's joy and tomorrow's vitality.

Read my latest on Modern Elder Academy's Wisdom Well:

https://www.meawisdom.com/the-longevity-paradox-living-for-the-future-without-losing-the-present/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=socialshare&utm_campaign=longevityparadox&utm_id=bwmealr