Staying Curious About Health and Healing

Yesterday I was listening to the podcast Diary of a CEO. Steven Bartlett was speaking with Dr. David Sinclair, author of the book Lifespan, and it made for a very interesting listen.

Over the last two decades, my thirst for knowledge about how to reduce my rheumatoid arthritis pain has grown enormously. It started with a simple curiosity about my diet and how food might help prevent chronic inflammation. From there, it expanded into learning about the benefits of movement and strength training, working on my thought patterns, strengthening my resolve, and learning how to reduce stressful thinking.

All of this curiosity has led me to read hundreds of books, travel to lectures, and listen to countless podcasts.

In this particular podcast, Dr. Sinclair talks about the possibility of reversing aspects of ageing, and the negative impact ageing has on the body — including the decline in our immune system as we get older. One of the main challenges, he explains, is that our immune cells gradually lose efficiency, making it harder for the body to fight off disease.

But he also explains something very important: our bodies are designed for healing, repair, and balance.

When we focus our attention on supporting that natural healing ability, things can begin to shift.

Giving our body the best possible chance to slow down the ageing process involves some fairly simple lifestyle principles. Not smoking, avoiding alcohol, eating a healthy and balanced diet full of nutrient-dense foods, prioritising lean protein and healthy fats, reducing anxiety and stress, and keeping our bodies active and strong.

When we support our bodies in these ways, our immune cells are less likely to age as quickly. In fact, research suggests that aspects of the ageing process may even be slowed or partially reversed, allowing our immune system to function more effectively.

So how might this help someone living with an autoimmune disease?

Supporting the body in this way may help rebalance the immune system. It may help reduce harmful immune responses against our own tissues and encourage the body to repair itself more effectively. Unlike many conventional treatments that suppress the entire immune system, this type of approach focuses on improving overall immune balance and reducing inflammation.

I love learning new ideas from different sources — whether it’s nutrition, science-backed research, or even learning a better way to perform an exercise that keeps my body moving forward and helps me maintain remission.

Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis are rarely described as “cured.” They remain present in the body even when symptoms disappear. In my case, my RA has been sitting dormant for the past 17 years, and still shows clearly in my regular blood tests.

Could it come back one day? Of course — I don’t deny that possibility.

And that’s exactly why I remain curious. I’m always looking for tools that can support the body and give me the best possible advantage to stay ahead.

I encourage you to keep learning too. Listen, read, explore new ideas, and stay open to different approaches that support your health.

From my own experience of living through this journey and winning my little corner of it — I can tell you it’s absolutely worth it.