In this episode of The Weaponized Body Podcast, Dr. Ryan Hewitt breaks down his top 10 habits for optimizing health, fitness, and mindset in his 40s—ensuring he remains strong, agile, and thriving well into his 70s and beyond. These principles aren’t just theories; they’re battle-tested, backed by personal experience, patient results, and research. If you want to build a resilient, high-performing body and mind, this episode is packed with actionable insights you won’t want to miss.

Key Takeaways:

✔ Prioritize Muscle Building: Strength and hypertrophy training 4-5 times per week is essential for longevity, metabolic health, and resilience. More muscle means better hormonal health, higher metabolism, and greater physical durability.

✔ Eat a Protein-Based Whole Food Diet: Whether animal-based or plant-based, structuring meals around high-quality protein supports muscle growth, recovery, and overall performance. Aim for a gram of protein per pound of your ideal body weight.

✔ Daily Movement Matters: Beyond gym workouts, staying active throughout the day—walking, stretching, or light jogging—keeps metabolism high and prevents stiffness and stagnation. Your non-exercise movement matters more than you think!

✔ Hydration is a Non-Negotiable: Drinking at least half your body weight in ounces of water daily (or more if you’re active) is crucial for kidney function, metabolism, and cellular hydration.

✔ Routine Zone 2 Cardio for Heart Health: Low-intensity, steady-state cardio (walking, rucking, incline treadmill) helps optimize cardiovascular health and longevity—even if you’re primarily focused on strength.

✔ Mindset Work: Read, Meditate, and Journal Daily: Dr. Ryan integrates meditation, gratitude, and “stacking” (structured journaling) into his daily routine to clear mental clutter and enhance focus, creativity, and problem-solving.

✔ Get Routine Checkups & Labs: Blood work, dental exams, skin screenings, and chiropractic adjustments should all be part of your regular health maintenance plan—early detection and proactive care make all the difference.

✔ Prioritize Frequent Intimacy & Sex: A healthy sex life isn’t just fun—it’s great for hormonal health, cardiovascular fitness, mood, and overall vitality. Research backs this up, and Dr. Ryan is all in on this strategy for long-term well-being.

✔ Keep Learning & Challenge Your Brain: Whether it’s a new language, skill, or sport, constantly stretching your mind is key to maintaining cognitive function and adaptability as you age.

✔ Travel & Have Fun: Expanding your horizons, experiencing new cultures, and breaking out of your daily routine brings mental refreshment, joy, and new perspectives.

Bonus: Prioritize Sleep & Cut Back on Alcohol—A consistent sleep schedule and minimizing alcohol intake can drastically improve recovery, energy, and overall well-being.

“The more muscle you have, the harder you are to kill.” - Dr. Ryan Hewitt

Learn more about Dr. Ryan Hewitt by visiting the following links:

Dr. Ryan Hewitt Website: https://www.drryanhewitt.com/

The Weaponized Body Program: https://www.theweaponizedbody.com/

Weaponized wellness HRT: https://www.weaponizedwellness.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theweaponizeddad/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theweaponizedbody