Mark Bell - Dr. Priscilla Samuel, Ph.D.

Few people I've met are a positive and motivated as Mark Bell. His views on strength and conditioning are often simple but powerfully effective. He's also one of the "walk's the walk" club and doesn't ever ask anyone to do anything he's not already doing himself. Mark gives us our 2021 launch into making this year the breakout year. PLUS This naturally occurring obscure amino acid made in relatively few organisms may be the key to the telomere conundrum in aging.

[6:07] The importance of consistency and Mark’s secret to consistency.

• You initially have to lower your standards enough to see that you can be consistent.
• This builds confidence.
• Set your small goals to be so achievable that it seems ridiculous not to do them.

[12:55] Mark’s ten minute walks.

• Fitness goals are about starting where you are and progressing from there.
• Sometimes it is beneficial to call an audible on your workout and train whatever is fun for you if that is what it takes to get you in the gym.
• Don’t even bother changing your clothes if that is what it takes.

[25:35] Excuses and why we should throw them away.

[30;45] Strength and weaknesses.

• Everyone has a unique quality that they can exploit.

[36:53] do people that don’t know Mark call him by his nickname?

[42:00] What if Mark wasn’t strong anymore? How would he find value in himself?

• If at all possible, he would find a way to do physical activity.
• He has recently worke don getting efficient at shifting goals and foucs.

[48:30] Gas station food analogy.

• It is important to re educate your palette.
• It takes about 2 weeks to do this.

[1:02:13] What is Blue California?

• An ingredient manufacturer.

[1:03:37] The current understanding of telomere length and shortening rate.

• They protect the loss of genetic info during cellular replication.

[1:07:52] Ergothionine.

• Discovered in the 60’s- 70’s.
• Not produced in the body.
• Naturally occurring amino acid that has antioxidant capacity.
• The human body has an ergothionine transporter, suggesting that it could be beneficial to consume.
• It has some sort of evolutionary importance.

[1:11:55] What kind of doses were used in the research?

• In vitro study.
• More studies are needed to actually find an appropriate human dose.
• Current supplements use 5-10 mgs.

[1:16:52] Any anecdotal data for long-term consumption?

• 10mg reduced risk of cardiovascular detriments and dementia.

[1:212:40] Any evidence of Ergothionine reversing telomere shortening?

• It reduced the rate of shortening and increased the median length of telomeres.