Mel Robbins
MIT Longevity Expert: Do These 3 Things Now to Stay Young, Live Longer, & Keep Your Freedom
What no one tells you about aging is that it starts long before you feel old.
In fact, the choices you’re making in this moment are shaping how strong, independent, connected, and fulfilled you’ll feel decades from now.
In this hopeful conversation, Mel sits down with MIT longevity expert Dr. Joseph Coughlin, founding director of the MIT AgeLab, for a wake-up call that will change how you plan the rest of your life.
The good news?
Dr. Coughlin says you’re probably going to live longer than you think. But longevity is not just about adding more years to your life. It is about deciding how you want those years to feel – and preparing now so they stay active, meaningful, fun, and fully yours.
Dr. Coughlin is sharing his research-backed framework for a happier, healthier future, one that will show you why you shouldn’t be afraid of getting older if you do the simple things within your control.
You’ll learn exactly what to do to avoid the biggest regrets of people in their 80s, 90s, and 100s, and live life on your terms.
And if someone you love is getting older, this conversation is essential.
Dr. Coughlin is also sharing practical guidance for caregivers and will walk you through the conversation every family needs to have about aging before it’s too late, and exactly what you need to know to help your aging parents.
You’ll learn:
–The science-backed habits that predict how well you’ll age
–3 simple questions that will help you design a vibrant future
–The surprising number that may predict how long you’ll live
–The hidden forces that can quietly steal your strength and independence, and how to fight them
–How to talk to your parents about aging before a crisis hits
–What retirement will really look like, and it’s not what you think
–The 8,000-day framework that will change how you see the rest of your life
–Why getting older can be something to look forward to, not fear
You’ll also hear what happens when Mel tries on AGNES, MIT’s full-body aging suit, and sees the world and the people she loves in a whole new way.
But this isn’t a conversation about decline. It’s about preparation, possibility, and taking back control.
As Dr. Coughlin says, getting older isn’t something to dread. It is a gift of time, and what you do with that time starts now.
For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page: https://www.melrobbins.com/episode/episode-419/
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I’m just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I’ll see you in the next episode.
This episode is brought to you by Apple Card.
In this episode:
0:00 Introduction
04:58 The 8,000-Day Life: How to Plan for the Next Chapter of Aging
07:30 3 Questions to Ask Now to Plan a Longer, Better Life
11:30 How to Build a Strong Social Life and Prevent Loneliness as You Age
15:03 Inside the MIT AgeLab: The Future of Aging, Technology, and Independence
20:38 What Aging Feels Like in Your Body: Mel Tries MIT’s AGNES Aging Suit
31:58 Everyday Tasks and Aging: Carrying Laundry, Bending Down, and Fall Risk
33:56 Climbing Stairs as You Age: Strength, Balance, and Fear of Falling
38:00 Why Chairs, Cars, Toilets, and Other Everyday Tasks Get Harder With Age
42:08 Technology and Aging: Why Phones Become Harder to See and Use
54:31 Are You Ready to Live to 100? Take the Longevity Preparedness Test
1:02:57 Caregiving for Aging Parents: How to Discuss Housing, Health Decisions, Finances, and Who Will Provide Care
1:09:27 The Caregiver Roadmap: Health, Money, Burnout, and How to Support the Person Providing Care
1:12:42 When Should Aging Parents Stop Driving? Warning Signs and How to Discuss the Keys
1:14:14 3 Ways to Protect Your Independence, Strength, and Freedom as You Age
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Published Jul 30, 2026
