March 2, 2024

The transformative power of biohacking extends beyond the physical realm…

During my recent trip to India, I got the chance to sit down and reflect on my journey as a biohacker and explore the depths of increasing human performance, vitality, longevity, and life fulfillment with one of India's top businessmen, Mukesh Bansal.

Mukesh, a tech entrepreneur who has played a critical role in shaping digital commerce growth in India over the last two decades, is the founder of the fashion e-commerce company, Myntra, and the co-founder of cult.fit, India’s largest health and fitness platform. He is also an active investor in the tech startup ecosystem via his venture studio Meraki Labs. Additionally, Mukesh has been listed among the best “40 Under 40 Entrepreneurs” by Fortune.

If you're seeking practical insights into creating daily routines for optimal health and vitality, you won't want to miss out on this episode that supports your biohacking journey and helps you pursue a more meaningful life.

During this discussion, you'll discover:

-Who is Mukesh Bansal?…05:05  

• Founder of Indian fashion e-commerce company Myntra
• Founder and CEO of cult.fit
• Author of the books:
  • No Limits: The Art and Science of High Performance
  • Hacking Health: The Only Book You’ll Ever Need to Live Your Healthiest Life
• Best 40 Under 40 Entrepreneurs by Fortune 
• SparX Podcast
• Ben met him in India
• Had a wide-ranging discussion at his home in Bangalore

-How did Ben write and publish his book Boundless?…07:01

• Boundless by Ben Greenfield
• The book wasn't supposed to be so big, and finding a publisher was challenging
• Ben started with a book about anti-aging and longevity
• To properly address human longevity, you have to properly address nearly every human biological system
• Ben got interested in fitness when he started playing tennis
• Learned a lot from his father’s friends and got interested in the human body
• Decided not to go for an internship with Microsoft
  • Initially wanted to be a game designer
• Entered a tennis team in college
• Got a master’s degree in physiology and biomechanics
• Got a job in hip and knee surgical sales
• That entire experience just disillusioned him with modern medicine
  • Decided it was not for him
• Applied for a job at Liberty Lake Athletic Club

-When did Ben get interested in biohacking?…11:36

• Ben wouldn't even consider himself much of a biohacker
• More appropriate would be “human performance enthusiast”
• The real first biohackers
• Ben’s whole world was fitness
• It was when he started experiencing health issues that he couldn’t override that he realized there must be something deeper than working out and eating healthy
• Beyond Training: Mastering Endurance, Health, & Life by Ben Greenfield
• The things that Ben had begun to discover went beyond just fitness
• Started to test himself
  • Blood tests
  • Saliva tests for genetic analysis
  • Urinary tests for hormones
  • Food allergy panels
  • At-home tests — test yourself at home and tailor your own supplementation, exercise, and lifestyle
• You have the power in your own hands

-Where can you begin learning about biohacking?…17:51

• Ben uses a data-driven approach — a lot of testing
• Everything can be learned online
• Ben is a believer in consistency
• You can learn a lot in 1–2 years of consistent study
• The first thing to do:
  • Get an app like Oura and test yourself
  • Look at the data and learn what it means
  • Ask questions like:
    • What is the difference between REM sleep and deep sleep?
    • What is glucose?
    • Discover how to answer questions like these
  • Be an autodidact

-How did Ben’s personal journey shape him?…24:17

• The Body Electric: Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life by Robert Becker
• Healing Is Voltage by Jerry Tennant
• Ben never realized how much of a battery humans are until he read these books
• How to keep your battery charged up
• Most biohacking concepts are based on your body being a battery
• Start with learning stuff that charges your battery
  • Grounding mats
  • Earthing mats
  • Sunlight
  • Grounding/earthing shoes
  • PEMF technology
  • Water
  • Minerals
  • Electrolytes
  • Food grown in mineral-rich soil
  • Turning off Wi-Fi during the night
  • Moving the TV out of the bedroom

-Why does Ben practice grounding and wear yellow-colored glasses?…28:30

• How to ground yourself when you live in a building
  • The use of grounding mats or grounding shoes
• Modern overhead LED fluorescent lighting or the backlit light from a computer screen or phone
  • It presents the retina with a very concentrated form of bluish-green light, which is absent of red light
  • People often get flicker and irritation in the eyes — brain fog, sluggish energy, and eventually, in many people, the onset of myopia
• Ra Optics blue light-blocking glasses
  • Ben usually has yellow for daytime and red for nighttime
• Other blue light-blocking glasses:
  • True Dark
  • Blue Blocks
• Food — skipping breakfast is a bad idea when you travel
• Movement is a powerful timekeeper
• Cold showers

-What can people do apart from wearing yellow glasses?…35:49

• Ben’s home bulbs are red incandescent lights
  • The house is very warmly lit because of the incandescent lighting
  • Motion-activated night red lights
• Iris Computer Monitor Blue Light Blocking Software
• Adjusting iPhone screen light
• Most widely available antioxidants
  • Vitamin C — Ben takes 3 x 1g portions per day
  • Vitamin E — 4 vitamin E soft gels in the morning
• Glutathione — is a powerful antioxidant (use code BEN to save 5%) — maintains cellular health and protects against oxidative stress
• Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is another very powerful antioxidant — a compound that protects cells from oxidative damage and plays a role in cellular energy production 
• Your whole biology is connected to light
• Boundless by Ben Greenfield

-How do you return to ancestral living?…41:13

• Ancestral/evolutionary mismatch
• Humans live in a modern environment
• People do not grow food or hunt, they are in temperature-controlled environments
• Biohacking simulates what you are missing when disconnected from the planet
• You should marry modern science with ancestral wisdom

-How can modern food-related health concerns be effectively addressed?…44:36

• In India, ancestors might have cooked healthily with
  • Ghee (use code BEN10 to save 10%)
  • Mustard oil
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Coconut oil
• A rise in diabetes, obesity, and chronic diseases comes from replacing those with vegetable oil
• People know less about properly preparing plants for consumption
  • Soaking, sprouting, fermenting
• Address deficiencies of a plant-based diet with:
  • Creatine
  • Taurine
  • Vitamin B
  • Vitamin D
• Be an aware consumer
• Biohacking is the icing on the cake

-Can you dramatically increase your lifespan?…51:12

• Lifespan by David Sinclair
• TruDiagnostic TruAge Test
• People show results on the Rejuvenation Olympics website
• Bryan Johnson is near the top with all his routines, expensive supplements, and a strict regimen of life
• Also, a 55-year-old mom who spends $70 on supplements and walks her dog every morning
• In blue zones, people live naturally and live over 100 years
• There are so many factors that play into lifespan
• Jeanne Calment, the oldest human on record
• Focus more on things that you know contribute to life happiness — on meaning, purpose, human connectivity, and absence of loneliness
• The importance of human connectivity
• Chase happiness, life enjoyment, and adventure — a Renaissance man or a Renaissance woman's approach to life

-How should you approach getting older?…58:57

• The Values Factor: The Secret to Creating an Inspired and Fulfilling Life by Dr. John DeMartini
• Ikigai
• “7 Strange Questions That Help You Find Your Life Purpose” by Mark Manson
• Ben’s current life purpose is to be a wise human, a humble leader, and a gracious teacher
• Have a purpose statement for your personal life
• How do you craft a purpose statement, and how long does it last?
  • Ben changes it every couple of years
• A family should also have a purpose statement — a set of values
  • Ben's book Boundless 
  • Wants to raise his sons with a sense of legacy
  • The family constantly evolves
• Being aware that time is finite and using it wisely
  • Memento mori
• Start With Why by Simon Sinek

-What is Ben’s stance on new research regarding longevity?…1:09:47 

• Expense and anecdotal observations are two primary metrics
• Also, alternative options that would give similar results
• Diabetes — Metformin for lowing blood sugar
• There are other ways to lower blood sugar
  • Apple cider vinegar before a meal
  • Berberine
  • Bitter melon extract
  • Ceylon cinnamon 
  • Cold and hot showers
• There are more affordable, easier, and potentially less harmful options than Metformin
  • NAD or niacinamide
  • Naturally fermented foods
  • Sauna
  • Exercise
  • Limiting carbohydrates
  • Use of ketones
  • Getting into a state of ketosis
• Vitamin B complex
• Niacin 
• For sleep deprivation — combine NAD with creatine
• Rapamycin (use code BGF15 for 15% off) — small amounts inhibit mTOR, which is a potentially age-accelerating pathway
• Ultra Human CGM patch and Ring
  • Someone gave it to Ben, so he is experimenting with it
• At home, Ben uses the FreeStyle Libre patch for two weeks every two months

-What impact does alcohol have on your health?…1:19:34 

• Ben drinks every day — 6–7 times a week
• In the blue zones, people drink regularly in small doses
  • There is a big difference between having 6–7 drinks in one night
• Dr. Andrew Huberman
• In the blue zones, bitters, herbs, and spices are frequently consumed as tonics for the liver and help the liver upregulate
• When drinking alcohol, Ben takes:
  • DHM (dihydromyricetin)
  • ZBiotics — a new genetically engineered probiotic (use code BEN to save 15%)
  • Activated charcoal or some chlorella
  • Binder (use code GREENFIELD15 to save 15%)
• A high intake of a wide variety of plants, herbs, and spices can be good for you
• Microdosing psychedelics
• A glass of wine before dinner or less than an ounce of hard alcohol

-What is an easy morning and night routine for your health?…1:27:20 

• Self-massage in the morning with
  • Foam rollers 
  • Massage guns
  • Massage ball
• Movement all-day
• Heat and cold – shower, sauna
• Some form of strength training throughout the day
• In the afternoon, take some form of a nap or a siesta
• A hyperbaric chamber
• At night, limiting red light exposure
• Magnesium (use code BEN10 to save 10%)
• Melatonin (use code BEN to save 5%)
• GABA
• CBD oil
• Mouth tape
• Grounding mat
• Marriage meetings
• Family calendar
• Praying
• Ben's current daily routine:
  • Q&A On Ben Greenfield’s Current Morning, Afternoon & Evening Routines: Breakfast Timing, Infrared Light, Siestas, Meditations, Workouts & Beyond.

-And much more…

Upcoming Events:

• Uncovering the Secrets of Longevity: Live Beyond the Norms: February 26–March 3, 2024 (Pre-Recorded)

Join me in this pre-recorded event to learn from the experts in longevity, including those who understand the aging process and the mechanisms that can slow or halt it. Discover what you can do now to look and feel younger and extend your life span while maintaining your quality of life. After all, why live longer if you can't hold onto your health, purpose, mental acuity, fulfillment, and relationships? Learn how to age better than you ever thought possible; sign up for the pre-recorded event and use the code UNCOVER20 to save 20% here.

• Health Optimization Summit — London: June 15-16, 2024

The Health Optimization Summit is the ultimate gathering for anyone passionate about biohacking, wellness, and living their best life. Dubbed a must-do event, it promises a transformative weekend filled with the opportunity to meet and learn from over 35 world-class speakers (including yours truly) in nutrition, longevity, mental health, relationships, and more. Learn best-kept secrets, try out the latest high-tech health gadgets, and discover the cleanest supplements and foods on the market. Don't miss this life-changing weekend — grab your tickets before they're gone here.

• Keep up on Ben's LIVE appearances by following bengreenfieldfitness.com/calendar!

Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.

Resources from this episode:

– Mukesh Bansal:

• Myntra
• cult.fit
• SparX Podcast
• Meraki Labs
• Books:
  • No Limits: The Art and Science of High Performance
  • Hacking Health: The Only Book You’ll Ever Need to Live Your Healthiest Life

– Podcasts and Articles:

• Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Blood Sugar & Glucose Monitoring, But Were Afraid To Ask Or Didn’t Realize, With Casey Means Of Levels.
• How To Render Seeds & Plants More Digestible, Get More Amino Acids From Vegetables & Everything You Need To Know About Sprouts & Sprouting With Doug Evans.
• A Step-By-Step Blueprint For Longevity: The Most Advanced Age Reversal Strategies Known To Humankind, With Bryan Johnson.
• Q&A 467: Cheap Hacks To Reverse Aging, Life Extension For Dogs, Could Peptides Cause Cancer & Much More!
• Everything You Need To Know About Ketones & Ketosis With Dr. Latt Mansor of H.V.M.N.
• The Man Who Is Curing Blindness And Alzheimers, Growing New Brain Cells & Elegantly Fabricating Some Of The Most Powerful Nootropics Known To Humankind.
• Can Smoking Cigarettes Make You Live Longer, Are The Blue Zones A Myth, Which Meat You Should Think Twice About Eating & More With Dr. Steven Gundry
• Everything You Need To Know About Sleep Cycles (And Four Ways To Hack Your Sleep Cycles)
• Sunlight Makes You Skinny & Blue Light Makes You Fat: 11 Ways To Biohack Light To Optimize Your Body & Brain.
• How Factory Farming In America Is Producing Nutrient-Void Food (And How You Can Navigate Your Way To Healthier Options).
• How To Make Your Own Probiotics
• The Ultimate Guide To Biohacking Your Blood Sugar Levels (And Why Sugar Sometimes Isn’t Bad).
• Q&A On Ben Greenfield’s Current Morning, Afternoon & Evening Routines: Breakfast Timing, Infrared Light, Siestas, Meditations, Workouts & Beyond.

– Books:

• Boundless by Ben Greenfield
• Beyond Training by Ben Greenfield
• The Body Electric: Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life by Robert Becker
• Healing Is Voltage by Jerry Tennant
• Lifespan by David Sinclair
• The Values Factor by Dr. John DeMartini
• Start With Why by Simon Sinek

– Other Resources:

• Greenfield Water Solutions
• Water and Wellness
• Electrolytes
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E 
• Glutathione (use code BEN to save 5%)
• PQQ 
• Ghee (use code BEN10 to save 10%)
• Mustard Oil
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Creatine
• Taurine
• Vitamin B
• Vitamin D
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Berberine
• Bitter Melon Extract
• Ceylon Cinnamon 
• NAD
• Niacinamide
• Ketones
• Rapamycin (use code BGF15 for 15% off)
• DHM (Dihydromyricetin)
• ZBiotics (use code BEN to save 15%)
• Activated Charcoal 
• Chlorella
• Binder (use code GREENFIELD15 to save 15%)
• Dry Farm Wines
• Magnesium (use code BEN10 to save 10%)
• Melatonin (use code BEN to save 5%)
• GABA
• CBD Oil
• Online Blood Chemistry Tests
• 23&Me Saliva Test for Genetic Analysis
• DUTCH Test
• Food Allergy Panel
• Thorne At-Home Tests
• TruDiagnostic TruAge Test
• Oura Ring
• Grounding/Earthing Mats
• Grounding/Earthing Shoes
• Pulse PEMF
• Ra Optics
• True Dark
• Blue Blocks
• Iris
• Red Incandescent Lights
• Motion Activated Lights
• iPhone Red Screen
• Ultra Human
• Foam Roller
• Massage Gun
• Massage Ball
• Sauna
• HBOT
• Mouth Tape

Episode Sponsors:

CAROL Bike: The science is clear — CAROL Bike is your ticket to a healthier, more vibrant life. And for a limited time, you can get $250 off yours with the code BEN. Don't wait any longer, join over 25,000 riders and visit carolbike.com/ben today. 

BIOptimizers Magnesium Breakthrough: The seven essential forms of magnesium included in this full spectrum serving help you relax, unwind, and turn off your active brain after a long and stressful day so you can rest peacefully and wake up feeling refreshed, vibrant, and alert. Go to bioptimizers.com/ben now and use code BEN10 to get 10% off any order.

Beekeeper's Naturals: Beekeeper's Naturals' mission is to reinvent the medicine cabinet by merging modern science with natural medicine to create clean, effective products that actually work. Beekeeper’s Naturals is offering you an exclusive offer — go to beekeepersnaturals.com/BEN or enter code BEN to get 20% off your order. 

Maximus Oral Testosterone+: The team at Maximus Health, supported by top doctors, are not just creating drugs; they're revolutionizing the way men approach their health and well-being. If you're looking to elevate and become the best version of yourself, this is where you start. Go to maximustribe.com/ben to learn more.

Organifi: Get the restful sleep you need with the most soothing ingredients! Organifi is a delicious tea with powerful superfoods and mushrooms to help you sleep and recover so you can wake up refreshed and energized. Go to Organifi.com/Ben for 20% off your order.

Do you have questions, thoughts, or feedback for Mukesh Bansal or me? Leave your comments below and one of us will reply!