Throughout Jamie Justice’s career as a scientific researcher, she says her life’s work has focused on ways to “prevent or delay the onset of functional decline, disability, or chronic disease” as people age.
Justice has been researching longevity since 2009, starting with studies of the performance of athletes, including adults over 50, looking at how long they can do a particular physical task before feeling fatigued. She conducted her research at the University of Colorado Boulder, ultimately earning a master’s degree in integrative physiology and a doctorate in the neurophysiology of exercise and integrative physiology of aging.
Working with these seniors led to the formation of Justice. They wanted a way to develop their ability to learn how to exercise effectively, spend time with their families, and stay active in their communities as they get older, she says. Justice was taken to laboratories, hospitals and research centers to conduct research in “gerontology,” a term that refers to the study of the biological mechanisms that affect aging and increase the risk of developing age-related diseases, she said.
“I started at a time when the field was really starting to grow, and the term ‘geroscience’ was being coined, and there was actually a rally around the term in the scientific community,” says Justice, now 45. She currently serves as Executive Vice President of Health for the XPRIZE Foundation. The XPRIZE Foundation is a nonprofit organization that hosts award competitions for technological breakthroughs in fields ranging from health care to space exploration to climate change.
Don’t miss: Leadership skills that will help you stand out at work
In recent years, multiple tech billionaires have reportedly donated billions of dollars to a related field, longevity biotechnology. This field aims to combine geriatric studies of biological mechanisms with technology-driven anti-aging treatments. Longevity biotechnology is sometimes considered controversial, with some anti-aging clinics offering expensive procedures for healthy aging that are not necessarily backed by extensive scientific research.
“In the absence of caution and a regulatory framework, there is a risk that charlatans will ride the hype and launch products or clinics based on insufficient evidence that the benefits of receiving geriatric-inspired treatments outweigh the risks,” Justice says. She added that XPrize follows a “clinical trial evidence structure that reduces on-site risk for investors, regulators, consumers (and) patients.”
In addition to his work with XPrize, Justice is an adjunct assistant professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University. Here, she shares her health and longevity practices, including her personal approach to diet, exercise, and social interactions. Always consult your doctor before making any changes that may affect your health.
“I’m not really interested in the biohacker aspect.”
CNBC Make It: What do you do to keep your body healthy?
Jamie Justice: I’m less interested in the biohacker side of things than some of my colleagues in the field. I’m very health conscious, but[my habits]are probably more in line with what your grandmother told you to do.
I exercise every day. I’ve been a distance runner (and) outdoor mountain athlete since the early 2000s. Several times a week, I have a habit of getting up early and working out before answering the phone or working. I mainly meditate every morning. I have a community group for mental health support and connection that I visit 5-6 days a week at 7am.
My daily routine is to wake up early, exercise, meditate a little, focus and prepare for the day, join a community group, and then start work. I work remotely and travel frequently. My work is primarily done online, via planes and conference rooms. Before transitioning to XPrize in 2023, my job was in a hospital academic medical center laboratory and clinical research center.
CNBC Make It: Brain health is a big issue that people talk about in terms of longevity. What exactly are you doing for your brain?
Justice: Meditation is great. Exercise is good too, such as running and muscle training. The connection between the body and the brain cannot be underestimated. The other thing for cognitive ability is really interacting with other people, listening to them and wanting to be helpful in some way.
I’m so lucky to have a life where I read, react, develop, and create every day. That (strengthens) the cognitive muscles. I enjoy learning new things outside of work. I listen to podcasts that challenge me mentally. Some topics are related to what I’m studying, but often they’re completely outside the box for me. Yesterday’s (podcast) was about interspecific parasites.
I wish I could have spent more time painting and other similar creative art activities that I enjoy. Due to my current schedule, they are a lower priority. Eventually they will come back.
CNBC Make It: You talked a little bit about the importance of reaching out to people, and I hear the term social fitness a lot. How is your social adaptability?
Justice: I don’t like small talk, so I need to take a moment to calm down and collect myself (after a social interaction). It was important to try to find a balance. Most of my work is building networks and collaborations. When I go to a conference or give a talk, I’m like, “Okay, I’m going to take an hour off to reset and then I can come back.”
For me, part of being socially adaptable is being very intentional about my relationships. I’ve been married for over 20 years and have a son who is really important to me, so I try to give them my full attention when I’m home. My meditation coach Penny has become one of my dearest friends. It is one of my most cherished relationships.
My community group focuses on contributing to society, particularly through providing support to individuals recovering from alcohol use and addiction. My son-in-law died of a drug overdose in 2019. Since then, it has become very important to us to find a place where we can give back to those who are struggling in our local communities.
CNBC Make It: Another major aspect of longevity is diet. What is your daily diet to live longer? What foods do you eat every day?
Judge: I’m a vegetarian. I (often) think, “Where can I get natural food sources?” We also know that we need to supplement our protein intake with processed foods.
Knowing my approach to exercise and my medical history, I make sure I get enough calcium and vitamin D. One of the most fundamental changes I made was in 2001 or 2000, when I was running ultramarathons. I thought I was doing everything right when it came to sports nutrition, like eating a plain bagel (for breakfast) and having a pasta dinner the night before.
Then I started passing out after running. I didn’t realize what was happening to me until I passed out while driving, hit a utility pole, and ended up in the emergency room. The doctor tested me for hypoglycemia and sure enough, my blood sugar was in the tank.
Now I carry snacks with me and make sure they are good snacks: fresh fruit, nuts, nut butters, Greek yogurt, protein drinks, cut veggies, hummus. I love chocolate, sweet and salty things, so when I’m running long distances or training for an event, it’s “good” to consume them in moderation. However, you need to be careful about when and how much you eat.
CNBC Make It: I always ask this question to end the conversation. What are you reading right now? You don’t have to be specialized in your field, but it’s interesting to hear what longevity experts have been reading lately.
Justice: I have a playlist on Audible that I listen to when I go on long runs. I listen to podcasts when I’m running around the house. Then I read a physical book. I’m a huge science fiction fan, and I’m in a field where I often interact with people who write really good science fiction.
One of the series I’m currently reading is by a former colleague of mine, Philip Kramer. It’s called “Motus” and it’s a hardcore sci-fi book set on this other planet, in the future, and it’s cool.
I also read a lot of nonfiction. My advisor and friend, Stephen N. Austad, wrote a great book on the comparative biology of longevity (Methuselah’s Zoo: What Nature Teaches Us About Living Longer and Healthier). One of the best books I read last year was called “Stronger” by Michael Joseph Gross. It’s about strength training. He is one of the best science fiction writers. Just couldn’t put it down.
Daily practices of longevity experts
To summarize Justice’s longevity routine, here’s a breakdown of how she structures her daily activities.
For physical health: Stick to tried-and-true habits like exercise and meditation. For mental health: Meditate daily, exercise, join service-oriented community groups, and learn new things as often as possible. For social health: Find a healthy balance between interacting with others and setting aside time for rest and solitude. Daily diet: Follow a vegetarian diet with adequate amounts of protein, calcium, and vitamin D. Media diet: listen to podcasts, read science fiction, stay up to date with the health literature in her field.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Want to lead with confidence and bring out the best in your team? Take CNBC’s new online course, How to Become an Exceptional Leader. Expert instructors share practical strategies to help you build trust, communicate clearly, and motivate others to do their best work. Sign up now!
