#453 Dr Tommy Wood - How to Reduce the Risk of Cognitive Decline and Dementia

#453 Dr Tommy Wood - How to Reduce the Risk of Cognitive Decline and Dementia

Author: Andrew Coates March 19, 2026 Duration: 54:35

Dr Tommy Wood is a leading authority on neurodegenerative disease, cognitive health and decline, and related lifestyle interventions. Tommy has a medical degree from the University of Oxford, and a PhD in physiology and neuroscience.


I believe every guest and episode are excellent, but this episode and topic are off the charts for importance and valuable information. Everyone should care about their long term cognitive health and independence, and that of your loved ones.


Tommy shares his expertise about:


How we can decrease the long term risks of dementia


What’s within and what’s beyond your control


Why our idea of retirement may be a terrible idea


Is there a better way to retire


What is “headroom” and why does it matter for long term cognitive health


How important is physical activity for reducing risk of cognitive decline and does the type or intensity matter


Does bodyweight matter for long term neurodegenerative decline risk


What metabolic health factors and lifestyle diseases contribute to dementia risk


Is there a sweet spot for overall energy consumption and cognitive health


What role can nutrition play in cognitive health


Are video games beneficial in cognitive decline prevention


How dancing may be potent for prevention


And a ton more


IG: @drtommywood


CHAPTERS


01:15 Video Games And Brain Health

04:15 Cognitive Headroom Explained

07:57 Gaming Context Matters

09:59 Cognitive Reserve And Education

12:24 Learning Beyond School

15:19 Three S Brain Model

20:17 Uncontrollable Risk Factors

22:54 Genetics And APOE4

27:08 Family History And Lifestyle

28:23 Exercise Type And Intensity

29:03 Movement Minimums

29:46 Walking Grows Hippocampus

30:41 HIIT And Lactate

32:37 Lifting For White Matter

33:40 Dancing And Open Skills

36:18 Falls Illness And Decline

39:43 Retirement Brain Risk

45:04 Weight And Metabolic Health

46:35 GLP1s And Dementia

49:22 Key Brain Nutrients

52:17 Wrap Up And Book Plug


SUPPORT THE SHOW


If this episode helped you think differently about long-term brain health, you can support the show by:


• Subscribing and checking out more episodes

• Sharing it on social media (tag me — I’ll respond)

• Sending it to someone you care about


FOLLOW ANDREW COATES


Instagram: @andrewcoatesfitness

https://www.andrewcoatesfitness.com


PARTNERS AND RESOURCES


RP Strength App (use code COATESRP)

https://www.rpstrength.com/coates


Just Bite Me Meals (use code ANDREWCOATESFITNESS for 10% off)

https://justbitememeals.com


MacrosFirst – FREE Premium Trial

Download MacrosFirst and during setup select: ANDREW


KNKG Bags (15% off)

https://www.knkg.com/Andrew59676


Versa Gripps

https://www.versagripps.com/andrewcoates


TRAINHEROIC – FREE 90-Day Trial

https://www.trainheroic.com/liftfree


Reply to the email you receive (or email trials@trainheroic.com

) and let them know Andrew sent you


Andrew Coates hosts Lift Free And Diet Hard, a conversation grounded in the belief that strength and wellness are built on more than just routines. This podcast moves beyond quick fixes to examine the principles and personal stories that shape a sustainable, intentional life. You’ll hear from a variety of inspiring guests who share not only their expertise but also the real-world challenges and triumphs they’ve faced. The discussions naturally weave together the science of fitness with the practicalities of daily choices, offering a nuanced look at what it means to truly care for your physical and mental health. Each episode is designed to provide actionable insights you can use to navigate your own path, fostering resilience and confidence whether you're in the gym or the kitchen. By focusing on informed decision-making over dogma, the Lift Free And Diet Hard podcast becomes a resource for anyone looking to cut through the noise of wellness culture. Andrew facilitates these explorations with a focus on empowerment, ensuring every conversation adds a layer of understanding to the complex journey of building a strong, healthy life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Lift Free And Diet Hard with Andrew Coates
Podcast Episodes
#442 Alex Effer - Biomechanics 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:35
Alex Effer is a clinical exercise physiologist and biomechanics educator.Instead of getting your biomechanics education from TikTok, this episode brings one of the industry’s most thoughtful teachers to break down what a…
#440 Dr. Christle Guevarra - What’s New In Weight Loss Drugs? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:06
Dr. Christle Guevarra is a board-certified physician in family and sports medicine and an expert in GLP-1 agonist medications and other weight loss drugs.Christle returns to take us through a deeper dive into the rapidly…
#439 Dr. Supriya Joshi - Alcohol, NAFLD, and Your Liver Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:01
Dr. Supriya Joshi is a gastroenterologist, hepatologist, and lecturer at the University of Toronto. She joins the show to share her expertise on liver health and to clarify many of the misconceptions surrounding alcohol,…
#438 Brad Stulberg - The Way of Excellence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:12
Brad Stulberg returns to the show to share lessons from his newest book, The Way of Excellence.In this episode, Brad joins Andrew Coates to explore what excellence actually means for everyday people — not elite performer…
#437 Jonathan Goodman - Seasons of Unhinged Intensity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:09
Jonathan Goodman is one of the most influential thought leaders and entrepreneurs in the fitness industry. After years of building businesses and platforms, Jonathan has now made writing books his primary focus.In this e…