In this episode, Emily Capodilupo sits down with gerontologist, leadership coach, and author of The Middlescence Manifesto Barbara Waxman to explore the powerful idea of “middlescence” — a transformative stage of life between young and late adulthood. Together, they unpack why midlife isn’t a crisis, but an opportunity for reinvention, alignment, and growth. Listeners will learn how mindset, purpose, relationships, and joy directly impact an individual’s healthspan and longevity. Emily and Barbara share the best strategy to use wearable data as a tool for self-awareness rather than self-judgment. This conversation is full of practical insights on flourishing at every age, redefining success, and building a life that feels both healthy and deeply meaningful.

(00:33) Intro to Barbara Waxman

(01:00) What is Middlescence? How To Redefine Midlife

(03:20) Addressing This New Life Stage & Creating Change

(06:22) Coaching People Through Midlife

(08:15) Debunking The Concept of the Midlife Crisis

(09:57) Key Lifestyle Shifts From a Life Coach

(12:23) 7 Lifestyle Levers: Where People Start To Prepare for Middlescence

(17:21) Reframing Longevity: Live Better, Not Just Longer

(19:37) How Barbara Uses WHOOP Data In Her Practice

(25:54) Lifestyle Considerations For A Healthy Life Beyond Longevity & Healthspan

(34:51) How People in Their 20s, 30s, 40s,and 50s Can Increase Longevity

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On this week’s episode of the WHOOP Podcast, WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance, Principal Scientist Dr. Kristen Holmes welcomes Happiness Expert and Yale Professor Dr. Laurie Santos to explore what makes humans happy. This science-backed conversation looks at the key mindset, habits and behaviors that drive a person’s happiness, beyond chasing achievements. Dr. Santos shares the information you need to create lasting joy and quiet negative emotions when they arise. Each practical tool shared in this episode will help to overcome stress, perfectionism and create the self-compassion needed to truly improve your everyday life.

(00:35) Inside Dr. Laurie Santos’s Record-Breaking Yale Course

(02:04) Differentiating Happiness and Joy (And How To Find Both)

(03:33) The Importance of Finding Purpose

(05:52) What Happens When You Aren’t Aligned With Your True Self

(09:54) The Largest Misconception When It Comes To Happiness

(11:40) Happiness in Athletes: Overcoming The Need For Achievement

(15:05) Quieting A Negative Mindset

(18:52) The Key Mental Shift for Fulfillment

(21:36) Fighting Back Against Perfectionist Self Talk

(24:50) How Social Comparison is Taking Away

(29:39) Impactful Effects of Gratitude and Kindness Meditation

(32:26) Creating Psychological Safety & How It Impacts Happiness

(33:30) What Role of Sleep Play in Happiness?

(39:19) Benefits of Scheduling Your Worry

(40:30) The Overwhelming Impact of Social Connection on Health and Happiness

(41:50) Social Connection For Extroverts vs Introverts

(50:39) Happiness in Marriage: Finding Joy Within Yourself and Your Partner

(52:25) How Ruminating In Negative Thoughts Can Hinder Growth

(55:38) Attention and Intention in Mindfulness and Meditation

(01:01:01) How to Dr. Santos Defines A Good Life

(01:01:47) 3 Ways To Bring Happiness Into Your Life Today

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This week on the WHOOP Podcast, WHOOP Founder and CEO Will Ahmed welcomes TV Personality, Entrepreneur, and Endurance Athlete Spencer Matthews for a candid conversation about transformation, resilience, and pushing human limits. Spencer reflects on his early life, struggles with alcohol and fame, and the turning point that led him to prioritize health, discipline, and purpose. Through endurance challenges like running 30 marathons in 30 days and completing 7 Ironman competitions in 7 continents over 21 days, Matthews shares how consistency, mindset, and self-belief can unlock extraordinary performance. The episode blends personal storytelling with insights on recovery, training, and mental toughness, highlighting how intentional habits and perseverance can fundamentally reshape both body and life.

(01:31) Who Is Spencer Matthews?: From TV Personality to Endurance Athlete & Entrepreneur

(02:41) Growing Up Around Success

(03:49) Spencer’s Experience with Alcoholism and Embracing The “Bad Boy” Persona

(09:55) Making A Lifestyle Change: What Drove Spencer To Sobriety

(12:52) The Connection Between Addiction and Endurance Athletics

(20:02) From Couch to Ultra-Marathoner: Spencer’s Guide To Gaining Fitness

(25:00) The Mental Aspect of Running 30 Marathons in 30 Days

(29:10) How The Body Adapts To Challenge (Key Recovery Insights)

(32:49) Mentally Preparing For An Ironman (Project 7)

(34:58) Managing A Negative Headspace

(46:17) Spencer’s Experience Using WHOOP

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