Ep. 480 | Resilience Over Optimization: Why Biohacking & Big Data Isn’t the Answer with Dr. Tommy Wood
Are wearables and health tracking apps really helping us optimize our health, or could they be causing more harm than good? Dr. Tommy Wood, a neuroscientist and performance consultant to world-class athletes, challenges common assumptions about health optimization and data-driven wellness.
In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Wood shares insights from his experience in elite sports, neuroscience research, and digital health to reveal the potential downsides of our obsession with health data and optimization. He offers a more balanced approach to using technology for health improvement while avoiding common pitfalls.
Learn:
How wearables can negatively impact sleep and performance
Why more health data doesn't necessarily lead to better outcomes
How to use health tech effectively without becoming obsessed
The importance of building resilience over constant optimization
A smarter approach to personalized health improvement
ABOUT dr. tommy wood
Dr. Tommy Wood is a neuroscientist, elite-level professional nerd, and performance consultant to world class athletes in a dozen sports. Dr. Wood received an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of Cambridge, a medical degree from the University of Oxford, and a PhD in physiology and neuroscience from the University of Oslo. He is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Neuroscience at the University of Washington, where his laboratory focuses on brain health across the lifespan including in babies born preterm, adults who experience brain trauma, and the confluence of factors that can affect long-term cognitive function and risk of dementia.
Dr. Wood has published dozens of scientific papers and lectured all over the world about brain health, metabolism, physical activity, and human performance. Alongside his career in medicine and research, he has also been a performance consultant to professional athletes in multiple sports including several Olympians and world champions and helped to found the British Society for Lifestyle Medicine, the fastest growing lifestyle medicine society in the world. His experiences include caring for dementia patients, running a team of scientists as part of a neuroscience research program, being a health coach to individuals struggling with a range of health conditions, working with digital health companies to develop ways to support individuals in building new habits and improve their health with small actions, and helping Formula 1 drivers maintain focus and performance while driving at 200 miles per hour. These experiences give him a broad perspective and an ability to see the big picture and help people support their brain health in a personal and practical manner.
Dr. Wood lives in Seattle with his wife Elizabeth and two boxers Bowen and Morgan.
ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT PODCAST
The Blueprint Podcast is for busy professionals and Household CEOs who care deeply about their families, career, and health. Host Dr. Erik Korem distills cutting edge-science, leadership, and life skills into simple tactics optimized for your busy lifestyle and goals. Dr. Korem interviews scientists, coaches, elite athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and exceptional people to discuss science and practical skills you can implement to become the most healthy, resilient, and impactful version of yourself.
On a mission to equip people to pursue audacious goals, thrive in uncertainty, and live a healthy and fulfilled life, Dr. Erik Korem is a High-Performance pioneer. He introduced sports science and athlete-tracking technologies to collegiate and professional (NFL) football over a decade ago. He has worked with the National Football League, Power-5 NCAA programs, gold-medal Olympians, Nike, and the United States Department of Defense.
Erik is an expert in sleep and stress resilience. He is the Founder and CEO of AIM7, a health and fitness app that unlocks the power of wearables by providing you with daily personalized recommendations to enhance your mind, body, and recovery.
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