286. Dr. Jordan Metzl: Why Movement Is a First-Line Drug for Depression

I sat down with Dr. Jordan Metzl, a sports-medicine physician who's convinced that the reason most of us can't stay consistent isn't discipline or knowledge, it's motivation, and he says you can actually engineer it by "lowering the cost to act." We get into exercise as a literal medicine that would beat almost any drug if it came in a pill, why fun is the real holy grail of compliance, and how movement can go head-to-head with antidepressants for everyday anxiety and depression. If you've been white-knuckling your way through willpower and losing, this one's going to change how you think about getting off the couch. CLICK HERE TO BECOME GARY’S VIP!: https://bit.ly/4ai0Xwg Get Dr. Jordan Metzl's book, “Push: Unlock the Science of Fitness Motivation to Embrace Health and Longevity”: https://bit.ly/4f28xiO Connect with Dr. Jordan Metzl Website: https://bit.ly/4gzA0tp Instagram: https://bit.ly/4aRhbhA Facebook: https://bit.ly/4fdR45E X: https://bit.ly/4aP5Mig Thank you to our partners A-GAME: “ULTIMATE15” FOR 15% OFF: http://bit.ly/4kek1ij AION: “ULTIMATE10” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/4h6KHAD AIRES: "ULTIMATE20 " FOR 20% OFF: https://bit.ly/4a3Duze BAJA GOLD: "ULTIMATE10" FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/3WSBqUa BODYHEALTH: “ULTIMATE20” FOR 20% OFF: http://bit.ly/4e5IjsV COLD LIFE: THE ULTIMATE HUMAN PLUNGE: https://bit.ly/4eULUKp CYMBIOTIKA: "ULTIMATE20" FOR 20% OFF: https://bit.ly/4tjyluP GENETIC METHYLATION TEST (UK ONLY): https://bit.ly/48QJJrk GENETIC TEST (USA ONLY): ⁠https://bit.ly/3Yg1Uk9 GOPUFF: GET YOUR FAVORITE SNACK!: https://bit.ly/4obIFDC H2TAB: “ULTIMATE10” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/4hMNdgg HEALF: 10% OFF YOUR ORDER: https://bit.ly/41HJg6S PEPTUAL: “TUH10” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/4mKxgcn SNOOZE: LET’S GET TO SLEEP!: https://bit.ly/4pt1T6V WHOOP: JOIN & GET 1 FREE MONTH!: https://bit.ly/3VQ0nzW Watch the “Ultimate Human Podcast” every Tuesday & Thursday at 9AM EST: YouTube: https://bit.ly/3RPQYX8 Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3RQftU0 Connect with Gary Brecka Instagram: https://bit.ly/3RPpnFs TikTok: https://bit.ly/4coJ8fo X: https://bit.ly/3Opc8tf Facebook: https://bit.ly/464VA1H LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4hH7Ri2 Website: https://bit.ly/4eLDbdU Merch: https://bit.ly/4aBpOM1 Newsletter: https://bit.ly/47ejrws Ask Gary: https://bit.ly/3PEAJuG Timestamps 00:00 - ​Intro of Show 02:00 - From family of doctors to sports medicine 04:00 - Prescribing the medicine of exercise 05:55 - What an exercise prescription looks like 07:41 - The 1950s London Transport study 10:22 - Cellular adaptations and mitochondria 11:52 - Inflammation and chronic disease 13:31 - Immuno-fatigue and the theory of aging 14:45 - Motivation, not discipline, is missing 18:14 - Knowledge, emotion, and belief 20:25 - Building a fitness community 24:11 - Biomarkers and the cost of chronic disease 26:23 - Lifespan vs healthspan gap 28:26 - Fun is the holy grail of compliance 34:00 - Why remote work hurts our health 39:16 - Making exercise pay for doctors 41:01 - Two minutes of vigorous activity a day 44:30 - The GLP-1 and arthritic knee study 48:49 - Exercise vs antidepressants 55:38 - Lowering the cost to act 59:42 - What it means to be an Ultimate Human 1:01:29 - Alice: a marathon at 70 Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. It is not intended for diagnosing or treating any health condition. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before making health or wellness decisions. Gary Brecka is the owner of Ultimate Human, LLC which operates The Ultimate Human podcast and promotes certain third-party products used by Gary Brecka in his personal health and wellness protocols and daily life and for which Ultimate Human LLC and / or Gary Brecka directly or indirectly holds an economic interest or receives compensation. Accordingly, statements made by Gary Brecka and others (including on The Ultimate Human podcast) may be considered promotional in nature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices