Book Review: Outlive, by Peter Attia, MD
Two colleagues recommended the same book to me. They are both smart, witty, on-top-of-it people, very engaged in living a good life, and in different parts of the country, so it got my attention. A little context for what I am about to offer, in a signature statement: Professional Coaching is equal parts an art and a discipline. It is important to participate in skill development (continuing education) regularly, practice, stretching to grow in your work, and maintain a quality of presence that allows the other to go deep – which means staying “sharp”.
Coaching with full presence and awareness, fully engaged in the practice and discipline of coaching, takes a commitment to self-care. A tired, hungry and/or depleted coach is not going to be able to achieve the optimal quality of presence and mental acumen required to be fully present.
In his book, Outlive, Peter Attia, MD explores the graph that maps the intersection of lifespan and health span. While what he is doing is a deep dive into preventative medicine (highly researched, and incisive, he calls this Medicine 3.0), the areas he explores, examining through his own training and lived experiences, serve as a wake-up call for us all.
As I listened. (He narrates his own work, which lends nuance and a genuineness that is compelling), I began to realize that what he was un- or discovering were myths that got in the way of real health, that we are all uniquely biochemically created, and what constitutes a healthy choice for my particular body may not be a good choice for another. Fascinated, I also began to realize that the discipline of being a fully present and agile coach would be well-served by a deep dive into Outlive.
I highly recommend this book. It will support both your lifespan and your health span, promoting and providing scientific data, encouraging the question “what do I need to do to support myself towards living my best life?” Working with the basic principles in this book will support coaches who wish to improve their physical, cognitive and emotional stamina – toward being the nimble, aware and connected coach that clients will benefit from.
Peter Attia, Outlive
Audible: https://amzn.to/3V2UijA
Book: https://amzn.to/3QLXptB
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3WPzkpI
