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So you want to adopt a proactive approach to health; but do you know what you’re starting from? How do you know what’s normal for you, and what’s worth keeping an eye on over time? For many of us, that first step – baselining our health – can feel confusing, or even intimidating.
In this episode, Greg and Charlie speak to Dr Vishal Shah, Thriva’s Chief Medical Officer, to discuss why establishing a baseline is one of the most important things you can do for your long-term health and show you how to actually do it.
In the science section, Vishal explains why health isn’t just the absence of disease but the result of many interconnected systems working together in the body. We draw connections between physical, mental, and environmental factors, and consider how small changes can lead to wide-ranging benefits.
In the practice section, Greg, Charlie, and Vish discuss how a few well-chosen measures can already paint a useful picture of your health. In a quick-fire round, we explore:
- Why a blood test is an accessible way to check key areas like heart health (ApoB) and hormone levels (26:23)
- What grip strength can show you about long-term vitality (33:16)
- How testing your hearing can protect your cognitive health (36:02)
Alongside more advanced options, we cover where you can access these tests for free or at low cost and how often it makes sense to track.
Finally, we hear from listeners who are already taking steps to track and understand their health. We explore how to find the right balance between proactive tracking and information overload and what alternatives exist for those who find certain metrics stressful, like weighing themselves. Vishal also responds to questions about heart health and nutrition, helping listeners interpret their data and decide the next step in their health journey.
In this episode, we see that small changes can have wide-ranging effects. When it comes to improving healthspan, the first step isn’t doing everything; it’s knowing where you stand.
Resources we mentioned:
- Cognitive health: Food for the Brain Cognitive Test
- Mental well-being: Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale Test
- Sleep: SATED Sleep Questionnaire
- Blood pressure monitors: Omron
To explore further:
If you’d like to send us your health questions for future episodes, you can email us a voice note, or simply write in with your question at themethod@thriva.co
About Thriva:
Thriva is a proactive health platform built for the modern age. The promise of longevity often comes with years spent in poor health. We want to bridge the gap between lifespan – how long we're living – and healthspan – how well we're living. We combine powerful at-home blood testing with wearable insights and expert guidance. So you can know exactly what’s going on inside your body - and what to do about it - before issues arise. With this podcast, we hope to bring listeners confidence in everyday health decisions.
To learn more about Thriva’s values and services, visit https://thriva.co/.
