'MythBusters' star Adam Savage explores longevity and life hacks: 'There's no magic secret'
Former "MythBusters" star Adam Savage is exploring the science of longevity, asking how lifestyle choices, stress and even sleep affect how long we live.
Savage, now a YouTube creator and head of the channel Tested, has partnered with health technology company Medtronic to engage in discussions about longevity. While not a researcher himself, he has taken a deep dive into scientific insights from experts and reflected on his own experiences.
"Longevity has always been a fascination for me," Savage told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview. "I mean, who doesn't want to know how to live better and maybe even longer? But the real question is what actually works?"
Humanoid Robot Stuns With Perfect Side-flip Acrobatics
He credits his "MythBusters" experience with fueling his passion for scientific exploration.
"Making that show legitimized the practice of science and engineering to me," Savage said. "It made me realize how much of our world can be tested, questioned and improved through experimentation."
Read On The Fox News App
Through his discussions with people on the street for Medtronic, Savage has uncovered key lifestyle factors affecting longevity. He noted a cultural shift in what we consider to be old age, highlighting that people today consider themselves "young-ish" for longer.
Savage also pointed to Blue Zones, regions known for long life expectancy, but questioned whether longevity there stems simply from location or cultural practices.
"We assume people in these areas live longer because of where they are, but what if it's really just the way they live? That's the part that fascinates me," he said. Ai Enables Paralyzed Man To Control Robotic Arm With Brain Signals
"There's no magic secret. It's a mix of daily habits — what you eat, how you move, how you interact with your community, how you handle stress. All those things matter."
Savage has taken a personal interest in testing different longevity strategies in his own life. He spoke candidly with Fox News Digital about his journey with intermittent fasting, which helped him lose 25 pounds and eliminate sleep apnea.
"It's crazy how much of a difference it made," he said. "I didn't just lose weight. I felt sharper, I slept better and I stopped snoring. It was like flipping a switch on my health."
He also reflected on his past smoking habits and what it took to quit.
"I had to admit I wasn't smoking for enjoyment," Savage said. "I was just doing it out of habit. Once I realized that, it was easy to quit."
On alcohol, Savage dismissed the idea of a universal approach, arguing that studies conflict. While he personally cut back, he emphasized that people shouldn't feel guilty about their lifestyle choices.
"I'm a big believer in not feeling guilty about the things that you do to the core, whether it's smoking, whether it's watching something dumb or puzzling for 100 hours at a time," he said. "I don't care about any of those. We all do these things to sort of bring relaxation and down regulate. I just think that alcohol is an especially poor down regulator in the final analysis."
Beyond lifestyle choices, medical advancements are playing an increasingly critical role in extending both lifespan and "healthspan," the years we live without serious disease. Medtronic, which focuses on healthcare technology globally, has developed medical devices designed to manage chronic conditions, improve heart health and advance minimally invasive surgeries.
According to Medtronic, as people live longer, the focus is shifting toward enhancing not just lifespan but quality of life. The company's latest innovations include artificial intelligence-driven healthcare monitoring, robotic-assisted surgeries and advanced pacemakers, all aimed at improving long-term health outcomes. Savage also spoke about the psychological aspects of aging, emphasizing that mindset and community play a significant role in longevity.
"That's really what science foreshadowing is," added Savage. "It's about asking these questions and seeing, 'OK, what numbers are unrealistic.' I think 40 years ago, 150 would have seemed radically unrealistic. Today it seems more realistic, and I think it's entirely reasonable that, let's say, by 2040, we may all have a different cultural answer to that question."Original article source: 'MythBusters' star Adam Savage explores longevity and life hacks: 'There's no magic secret'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
2 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
No, not push-ups — strengthen your entire body with this 15-minute standing dumbbell workout
Two light dumbbells and space to stand are all it takes to improve your fitness and strength with this simple but effective full-body workout. It's been put together by fitness trainer Maddie Lymburner, who goes by MadFit on YouTube, and it's a fantastic way to get stronger, leaner and fitter in just 15 minutes. The whole workout is done standing to avoid any pressure on your wrists from moves like push-ups. For the workout, Lymburner is using two 10lb weights, but you can do the whole workout using just one dumbbell, or whatever you have to hand that can increase the resistance for the exercises. If you have a set of the best adjustable dumbbells available, that would work well, because you can change the weight quickly if you're finding a move too tricky or easy. Lymburner suggests doing a short warm-up before you start the workout in the video. If you're not sure what to do for this, I'd suggest scanning through the video to see what exercises you'll be doing, then do a round of each of them without weights to warm up the right muscles. The workout involves doing two circuits of three exercises. You do three rounds of the first circuit before moving onto doing three rounds of the second circuit. You do each exercise for 30 seconds, then rest for 15 seconds and take a longer 30-second break at the end of each circuit. However, during this longer break, you'll do active recovery, like marching on the spot or similar, to keep your heart rate up. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. There are several jumping moves in the workout, but if you'd prefer to do a low-impact session, Lymburner provides alternatives for each exercise that don't require jumping. All the moves in the workout are designed to enlist multiple muscle groups and also raise your heart rate, so you improve your fitness and full-body strength at the same time. Lymburner herself says that the first circuit of the two is the harder one, so once you've completed three rounds of that, you can feel good knowing that the toughest part of the session is done. While this is a HIIT workout where you aim to boost your heart rate during each workout period, it's still important not to rush the moves. You're working with one or two dumbbells throughout, so focus on form and lifting the weights correctly to engage the right muscles and maintain good technique. If you start rushing, you might well lose your balance, since there are several moves that involve jumping or working on one leg. If you enjoy this standing dumbbell workout, then you can try another with this 20-minute full-body session. If you'd rather do a workout without weights, this 25-minute full-body session uses plyometric moves like squat jumps to increase the difficulty.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Deion Sanders 'feeling well' but timing of return to Colorado campus unclear
Colorado football coach Deion Sanders has been away at his estate in Texas dealing with an unspecified health issue even as CU's annual slate of summer football camps got underway last week in Boulder. Sanders appeared at his CU summer camps in 2023 and 2024. Operating them is listed as one of the official duties in his employment contract with CU. His picture also is used by the university to advertise them. Advertisement But it's unclear when Sanders is returning to Boulder. On Sunday, his eldest son Deion Jr. appeared on a YouTube livestream from the family estate in Canyon, Texas, where he said his father was in his room and 'feeling well.' 'He'll tell y'all soon enough what he going through, what he went through,' Deion Jr. said on the livestream. He suggested that when they return to Boulder was open-ended. 'When we get back in Boulder, I don't know,' Deion Jr. said June 8. 'I'm waiting until my dad leaves. When he leaves, then I'll go. Until then, I'm gonna sit here with him.' Sanders, 57, also canceled a scheduled speaking engagement scheduled for June 8 in Florida. He canceled because of an "unavoidable last-minute scheduling change," according to The Foundation for Sickle Cell Research, whose symposium had advertised Sanders as its keynote speaker. The foundation instead replaced him with NBA legend Magic Johnson. Advertisement In 2023, issues related to blood clots in Deion Sanders' legs led him to miss a Pac-12 Conference media event in Las Vegas. He has been accompanied in Texas by CU athletic trainer Lauren Askevold, who has helped him with his legs since the issue got serious in 2021, including the amputation of two of his toes and the removal of the sides of his left calf. Sanders has been out of the media spotlight since the NFL draft in April and suggested it was related to a health issue but didn't say what exactly. He mentioned it on a podcast with former NFL cornerback Asante Samuel in late May. 'I hope you're feeling better,' Samuel said to Sanders. Samuel then asked him if he ever tried fasting. Sanders responded by saying 'what I'm dealing with right now is at whole nother level' but said he's coming back after losing about 14 pounds. Advertisement Last week, CU hosted separate camps for high school football players and eligible high school graduates. CU also is scheduled to host a youth football camp this week before a women's football clinic on Thursday. The university didn't immediately respond to a message asking if Sanders would be appearing at this week's camp activities. His Buffaloes team opens the season on Aug. 29 at home against Georgia Tech. Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Deion Sanders' health issue raising questions at Colorado
Forbes
16 hours ago
- Forbes
Medtronic Announces Intent To Spin Diabetes Business
(Photo Illustration by) Deal OverviewOn May 21, 2025, Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT; $87.44, Market Capitalization: $112.1 billion), a global leader in medical technology, announced its intent to spin off its Diabetes business into a standalone entity (New Diabetes Company). This strategic move is designed to streamline Medtronic's portfolio, sharpen its focus on high-margin growth areas, and unlock shareholder value. Post spin-off, Medtronic (RemainCo) will continue to operate as a diversified MedTech innovator, concentrating on its core franchises in cardiovascular, neuroscience, surgical, and medical-surgical technologies. Further, the company aims to accelerate growth through innovation in areas like pulsed field ablation, renal denervation, soft tissue robotics, and neuromodulation. Meanwhile, the New Diabetes Company (NewCo) will be offering a complete ecosystem for intensive insulin management, including insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and digital health solutions. The separation is expected to be completed within 18 months, primarily through a capital markets transaction, with a preferred path of an initial public offering (IPO) followed by a split-off. The transaction is expected to be tax-free to Medtronic shareholders for US federal income tax purposes. The separation will include the Diabetes business employees, product portfolio, pipeline, intellectual property, strategic partnerships, and global manufacturing facilities. Medtronic Price Performance Spin-Off Details and Top 5 Shareholders The transaction is anticipated to be accretive to Medtronic's gross and operating margins, and earnings per share, while enabling the NewCo to pursue focused innovation and growth strategies tailored to the diabetes market. It is also expected to provide the ability to retire Medtronic shares outstanding without reducing cash, resulting in EPS accretion and a reduction in the dividend liability for Medtronic, enabling increased growth-accretive investment. Medtronic expects its dividend per share to remain unchanged pre- and post-transaction with no change to its dividend policy. The spin-off is subject to customary regulatory approvals, board consent, and market conditions. Que Dallara, current EVP and president of Medtronic Diabetes, will become CEO of New Diabetes Company. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and BofA Securities, Inc. are acting as financial advisors to Medtronic in its review of strategic alternatives for the New Diabetes Company. Key Data Deal Rationale Medtronic, a global leader in MedTech, is planning to spin off its Diabetes business into a standalone entity, as part of a strategic move to sharpen its focus on higher-margin, faster-growing segments such as Cardiovascular, Neuroscience, and Medical-Surgical, which together account for over 90.0% of its total revenues. The Diabetes segment, contributing approximately $2.5 billion in FY25 (about 8.0% of Medtronic's total $32.4 billion in revenue), has consistently underperformed over the past five years, with a revenue CAGR of just ~1.4% compared to Medtronic's overall ~2.9% CAGR. Segment profitability has also lagged: while Medtronic's overall operating margin stands at ~15.9%, the diabetes unit has been a drag, reportedly generating operating losses in the low teens in its core U.S. market. In FY19, the segment posted a strong operating margin of 30.9% but steadily declined to 24.8–24.9% through FY21 and FY22, before dropping significantly to 15.8% in FY25. Multiple headwinds contributed to this underperformance, including FDA regulatory setbacks, such as the 2021 warning letter and delayed approval of the MiniMed 780G insulin pump and Guardian 4 sensor, alongside intensifying competition from more agile players like Dexcom, Abbott, Tandem, and Insulet. These rivals outpaced Medtronic with faster innovation in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and closed loop insulin delivery systems. Furthermore, the rising adoption of GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., Ozempic, Mounjaro) is shifting treatment paradigms, particularly for Type 2 diabetes, reducing demand for insulin pumps. Despite a recent rebound, with the diabetes segment growing ~10.7% YoY in FY25 and six consecutive quarters of double-digit growth, the improvement is seen as insufficient to offset the structural challenges and lower returns relative to the rest of Medtronic's portfolio. By spinning off the diabetes business, Medtronic aims to lift its gross margin by approximately 50 basis points, adjusted operating margins by approximately 100 basis points, and be immediately accretive to adjusted EPS. As per management, following this separation, Medtronic is expected to increase focus on innovation-driven growth and category leadership for healthcare systems and physician customers. The company will have enhanced benefit from its scale and strategic commercial, manufacturing, and technology synergies. On the other hand, this separation is expected to enable more focused investment into New Diabetes Company's pipeline, as well as manufacturing scale and automation, positioning the company for success in Automated Insulin Delivery and Smart MDI, while driving margin expansion over time. At the same time, it will create an independent, scaled leader in Diabetes, focused on accelerating innovation and differentiated as the only company to commercialize a complete ecosystem to address intensive insulin management. The separation is also expected to unlock value for Medtronic and its shareholders, as it creates a New Diabetes Company shareholder base more aligned with its financial profile. Medtronic plc is a global healthcare technology leader that designs and manufactures medical devices and therapies to treat a wide range of chronic and acute health conditions. The company operates in over 150 countries and focuses on improving patient outcomes through innovation in areas such as AI, robotics, and data-driven care. Medtronic's operations are structured into four major segments, each addressing a distinct area of healthcare technology. The Cardiovascular segment includes heart rhythm devices, heart valves, and vascular therapies for treating cardiac and circulatory conditions. The Neuroscience segment offers spinal implants, stroke treatment devices, and neuromodulation systems for managing neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. The Medical Surgical segment provides surgical tools, robotic-assisted systems, and patient monitoring technologies, while the Diabetes segment delivers insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitoring systems, and smart insulin pens to help manage diabetes effectively. Cardiovascular: The Cardiovascular segment is dedicated to treating heart and vascular diseases through advanced medical technologies. It includes three subsegments: Cardiac Rhythm & Heart Failure, Structural Heart & Aortic, and Coronary & Peripheral Vascular. This segment offers pacemakers, implantable defibrillators, heart valves, ablation systems, and vascular stents. In FY25, it generated $12.4 billion in revenue (37.2% of total revenue), growing 5.5%. Medtronic continues to lead in innovations like leadless pacing and pulsed field ablation, addressing both chronic and acute cardiac conditions globally. • Cardiac Rhythm & Heart Failure (CRHF): CRHF focuses on devices tha manage abnormal heart rhythms and heart failure. It includes pacemakers like the Micra leadless system, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices, and insertable cardiac monitors. The segment also includes cardiac ablation systems and remote monitoring services.• Structural Heart & Aortic (SHA): SHA provides solutions for heart valve disorders and aortic diseases. It includes transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) systems like Evolut FX, surgical heart valves, perfusion systems, and endovascular stent grafts. These devices are used in both minimally invasive and open-heart procedures.• Coronary & Peripheral Vascular (CPV): CPV delivers therapies for coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular conditions. It includes druge luting stents (e.g., Onyx Frontier), angioplasty balloons, renal denervation systems (e.g., Symplicity Spyral), and venous disease treatments like VenaSeal. Neuroscience: The Neuroscience segment addresses neurological and musculoskeletal disorders through surgical and therapeutic technologies. It includes Cranial & Spinal Technologies, Specialty Therapies, and Neuromodulation. This segment integrates robotics, AI, and navigation systems to improve surgical precision and patient outcomes. In FY25, it generated $9.8 billion in revenue (29.4% of total revenue), growing 4.7%. Medtronic's innovations in spine surgery, stroke treatment, and neuromodulation continue to drive global adoption. • Cranial & Spinal Technologies (CST): CST develops surgical solutions for spine and cranial procedures. It includes implants, biologics, and enabling technologies like Mazor robotics, StealthStation navigation, and UNiD AI-driven planning. These tools help surgeons perform complex procedures with greater accuracy.• Specialty Therapies: This subsegment includes neurovascular, ENT (ear, nose, and throat), and pelvic health therapies. It offers stroke treatment devices like Solitaire and Pipeline, sinus implants like Propel, and bladder control systems like InterStim. These minimally invasive solutions address critical conditions and improve quality of life.• Neuromodulation: Neuromodulation provides implantable systems for managing chronic pain, movement disorders, and epilepsy. It includes spinal cord stimulators (e.g., Intellis, Inceptiv), deep brain stimulation (e.g., Percept), and drug infusion pumps (e.g., SynchroMed). These technologies personalize therapy using real-time Surgical: The Medical Surgical segment supports hospitals and surgical centers with advanced tools and monitoring systems. It includes Surgical & Endoscopy and Acute Care and Acute Care & Monitoring sub-segments. This segment offers robotic-assisted surgery, AI-powered endoscopy, and patient monitoring solutions. In FY25, it generated $8.4 billion in revenue (25.1% of total revenue), a decrease of 0.1%.• Surgical & Endoscopy (SE): SE provides advanced surgical instruments and digital surgery platforms. It includes stapling systems (e.g., Tri-Staple), vessel sealers (e.g., LigaSure), robotic-assisted surgery (Hugo RAS), and AI-powered endoscopy (GI Genius). These tools enhance surgical precision and efficiency.• Acute Care & Monitoring (ACM): ACM focuses on patient monitoring and respiratory care. It includes pulse oximetry (Nellcor), capnography (Microstream), airway management (Shiley), and brain monitoring (BIS). These solutions help clinicians manage critical care and reduce complications. Diabetes: The Diabetes segment is dedicated to managing Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes through smart, connected technologies. It includes insulin pumps (e.g., MiniMed 780G), continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems (e.g., Guardian), and smart insulin pens (e.g., InPen). In FY25, the segment generated $2.8 billion in revenue (8.2% of total revenue), growing 10.7%. Medtronic's diabetes solutions aim to automate insulin delivery and simplify disease management. The MiniMed 780G system features SmartGuard technology, which adjusts insulin every 5 minutes and includes a meal detection algorithm. The Guardian CGM system provides real-time glucose data, while the InPen smart pen integrates with CGM to guide dosing. Medtronic is focused on expanding access to automated insulin delivery systems and competing with pharmaceutical alternatives by emphasizing long-term glycemic control and patient empowerment. Revenue Trend and Adjusted Operating Profit vs. Margin Trend 4Q25 Total revenue grew by 3.9% YoY to $8.9 billion (+1.1% vs. consensus), driven by strong performance in Cardiovascular and Diabetes segments. International markets and new product launches made significant contributions to the growth. Cardiovascular segment revenue grew 6.6% YoY to $3.3 billion, driven by a 9.2% YoY increase in the Cardiac Rhythm & Heart Failure segment, a 6.9% YoY increase from the Structural Heart & Aortic segment, offset by a 0.2% YoY decline in the Coronary & Peripheral Vascular segment. Neuroscience segment revenue increased 2.9% YoY to $2.6 billion, driven by a 4.0% YoY increase in the Cranial & Spinal Technologies segment, a 9.5% YoY increase in the Neuromodulation segment, offset by a 2.4% YoY decline in the Specialty Therapies segment. Medical Surgical segment revenue improved 0.6% YoY to $2.2 billion, driven by a 0.2% YoY increase in the Surgical & Endoscopy segment, and a 6.3% YoY increase in the Acute Care & Monitoring segment. Diabetes segment revenue grew 10.3% YoY to $728.0 million, driven by strong US adoption of the MiniMed 780G system with high Continuous Glucose Monitor attachment and international pump upgrades to the Simplera Sync sensor. Adjusted operating income grew 7.6% YoY to $2.5 billion (-0.3% vs. consensus), and the corresponding margin improved ~94 bps to 27.8%, driven by strong revenue growth across key portfolios and disciplined expense management. Operating leverage from higher sales and lower SG&A as a percentage of revenue also contributed to margin expansion. Adjusted net income increased 7.8% YoY to $2.1 billion (+2.7% vs. consensus), and the corresponding margin grew ~84 bps to 23.3%. Adjusted diluted earnings per share came in at $1.62 (4Q24: $1.46), beating the consensus estimates by 2.7%. 4Q25 Revenue FY25 Total revenue grew by 3.6% to $33.5 billion (+0.1% vs. consensus), driven by strong performance in Cardiovascular and Diabetes segments, with notable growth in Cardiac Ablation. Continued innovation, international expansion, and new product approvals also supported overall growth. Cardiovascular segment revenue grew 5.5% to $12.5 billion, driven by a 6.6% increase in the Cardiac Rhythm & Heart Failure segment, a 2.3% increase from the Coronary & Peripheral Vascular segment, offset by a 0.1% decline in the Structural Heart & Aortic segment. Neuroscience segment revenue increased 4.7% to $9.9 billion, driven by a 4.6% increase in the Cranial & Spinal Technologies segment, a 10.7% increase in the Specialty Therapies segment, and a 1.2% growth in the Neuromodulation segment. Medical Surgical segment revenue declined 01% to $8.4 billion, due to 0.2% decline in the Surgical & Endoscopy segment, and offset by 0.1% growth in the Acute Care & Monitoring segment. Diabetes segment revenue grew 10.7% to $2.7 billion. Adjusted operating income grew 4.5% to $8.6 billion (in line with consensus), and the corresponding margin improved ~23 bps to 25.8%, driven by strong revenue growth and lower SG&A expenses. Adjusted net income increased 2.3% to $7.1 billion (+0.8% vs. consensus), while the corresponding margin contracted ~27 bps to 21.1%. Adjusted diluted earnings per share came in at $5.49 (FY24: $5.20), beating the consensus estimates by 0.6%. FY25 Revenue Company DescriptionMedtronic plc (Parent) Medtronic plc, headquartered in Galway, Ireland, is the world's leading healthcare technology company, committed to alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life. With over 95,000 employees across more than 150 countries, Medtronic delivers innovative solutions for more than 70 health conditions. The company operates through four primary segments: Cardiovascular, Neuroscience, Medical Surgical, and Diabetes. These segments encompass a wide range of technologies, including cardiac rhythm devices, spinal and brain therapies, surgical tools, and insulin delivery systems. New Diabetes Company (Spin-Off) The New Diabetes Company will emerge as a leading global direct-to-consumer diabetes care provider, uniquely offering a comprehensive ecosystem for intensive insulin management. With a portfolio that includes insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, and digital health solutions, it empowers individuals to manage diabetes with greater ease and freedom. Backed by a dedicated team of over 8,000 employees and a robust global infrastructure, the company is poised to accelerate innovation in Automated Insulin Delivery and Smart Multiple Daily Injections (MDI). Organization Structure
