Mark Sisson: Why Walking Beats Running for Longevity

Mark Sisson: Why Walking Beats Running for Longevity

Author: Abel James March 6, 2025 Duration: 1:03:21
What’s better for longevity—running or walking?

It’s a bit of a trick question.

But if there is one answer, it’s definitely walking.

If you want to be fit and live for a long time, you don’t need to subject yourself to suffer fests and slog through long runs.

In fact, when you combine daily walks with the habit of sprinting just about once a week, magic starts to happen.

Today, I’m thrilled to be joined once again by our friend Mark Sisson, New York Times bestselling author and founder of Primal Kitchen and Peluva minimalist shoes.

Mark had an incredible career as an elite endurance athlete, qualifying for the 1980 Olympic trials in the marathon. But as you’ll hear, his high-mileage running habit ultimately took a toll, leading him to rethink everything he thought he knew about fitness and longevity. 

In his new book, Mark makes a compelling case that we humans are actually born to walk, not necessarily run, and that walking is one of the most powerful and most underrated tools we have for improving our health, body composition, and quality of life. 

As usual, this conversation challenges mainstream fitness dogma, and Mark always brings the receipts.

In this conversation with Mark, you’ll hear: 
  • Why effective exercise includes walking, strength training, and sprinting (but not necessarily jogging or running)
  • How “biohacking” is broken
  • Why stem cell treatments might be more dangerous than we thought
  • What longevity really means
  • And much more…
Read the show notes: https://fatburningman.com/mark-sisson-why-walking-beats-running-for-longevity/

Pick up Mark’s new book, “Born To Walk” on Amazon or wherever books are sold.

Join the Abel James’ Substack channel: https://abeljames.substack.com/

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This episode is brought to you by:
AG1—claim your FREE $76 gift with your subscription. Just go to DrinkAG1.com/abel to start your new year on a healthier note. 
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For over a decade, the Abel James Show has served as a deep and often surprising conversation space where health, business, and human potential intersect. Rather than offering quick fixes, this podcast delves into the nuanced strategies and personal philosophies of top performers across diverse fields. You’ll hear candid, long-form interviews with hundreds of pioneers, from biochemists like Dr. Casey Means and longevity experts like Dr. Mark Hyman to entrepreneurial minds such as Tim Ferriss and James Clear. The discussions naturally explore the practical connections between metabolic health, cognitive performance, and building a meaningful career or business. Launched back in 2012, the show has evolved from its original, playful focus into a broader exploration of what it means to live well and work smart. Tuning in provides a unique blend of actionable science for your body and innovative thinking for your ventures, all framed through Abel’s engaging and curious perspective. Each episode feels like a chance to sit in on a private masterclass, stripping away the hype to examine what truly works for optimizing a modern life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Abel James Show
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