I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Dean Ornish, a pioneer and global authority in lifestyle medicine, during the Roundtable for Longevity Clinics held on December 6–8, 2025, organised by the International Institute of Longevity and held at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in California.

In our conversation, Dr. Ornish shared the deeply personal story that led him to redefine modern medicine: from witnessing the limitations of surgery and pharmaceuticals, to proving – through decades of rigorous, peer-reviewed research – that simple lifestyle changes can not only prevent, but reverse some of the most common chronic diseases of our time. We discussed how nutrition, movement, stress management, social connection, and purpose influence gene expression, inflammation, telomeres, cognitive decline, and even early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.

This interview offers a powerful reminder that longevity is not only about high-tech interventions or supplements, but about addressing root causes and restoring agency, meaning, and hope. A must-watch conversation for anyone shaping the future of longevity clinics, lifestyle medicine, and human health.