The Longevity Project by Howard S. Friedman and Leslie R. Martin Summary
Overview of The Longevity Project
Forget what you think about living longer. The Longevity Project reveals an 80-year study's shocking truth: hard workers outlive the relaxed, and marriage doesn't guarantee longevity. Dr. Andrew Weil calls these counterintuitive findings "a remarkable achievement" reshaping health advice forever.
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Key takeaways
The Surprising Truth About Who Lives Longest
What if everything you've been told about living a long, healthy life is wrong? In 1921, Stanford psychologist Lewis Terman began tracking 1,500 children born around 1910, unwittingly creating what would become one of the most revealing studies on longevity ever conducted. Eight decades later, researchers Howard Friedman and Leslie Martin discovered that the secrets to a long life weren't found in diet fads or exercise regimens, but in surprising patterns of personality, relationships, and life choices. The most shocking revelation? Many commonly accepted health recommendations - from "cheer up" to "avoid stress" - are completely misguided. The Terman participants who lived the longest weren't necessarily the happiest, most relaxed, or most health-conscious. Instead, they followed distinct pathways characterized by persistence, meaningful work, and deep social connections that naturally promoted health as an unintended consequence.
The Conscientious Advantage: Why Responsible People Outlive Their Peers
The Sociability Paradox: When Being Popular Can Kill You
The Happiness Myth: Why Cheerful Children Often Die Young
Work and Success: When Stress Actually Extends Life
Social Connections: The Real Health Booster
Finding Your Path to a Long, Meaningful Life
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
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"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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