We interviewed Dr. Antonio Maone, Sports Physician, Mental Coach and Director of the Center for Strategic Longevity and Performance Science.
What is meant by "strategic longevity" and what are its benefits?
It is a refined approach to health and improving an individual's physical and mental performance. It combines the principles of Precision Medicine, geared toward longevity, with Strategic Coaching techniques in Performance Science, the same techniques used by prominent athletes and managers, useful in enhancing one's mental resources and achieving the best possible outcome in health, efficiency, and longevity.
What is the scientific basis for this approach?
As much as medical science today has amazing technologies, it is a fact that health and fitness, like chronic diseases, are the result of the sum of our habits. Neuroscience teaches us that the mind creates our habits based on stimuli from the environment we create around us. Of this environment one can be an artificer and be well, or a victim de get sick.
In a strategic longevity pathway, we combine not only scientific knowledge inherent to lifestyle fromepigenetics, molecular biology, and neuroscience, but also a Strategic Coaching interventions from Performance Science to provide the person with useful mental strategies for the pursuit of achievement.
How is a strategic longevity path different from an ordinary diet?
In a strategic longevity journey, we work together and in a scientific way on all the major pillars of a person's psychophysical well-being: nutrition, nutraceuticals, physical activity, sleep, stress management, and emotional management. It is the combination of all these things that affects our quality of life, and our psychophysical well-being.
How is a strategic longevity pathway structured?
By definition, it is a brief strategic therapy organized in a "pathway'' that intends to make people acquire scientific tools and strategies to be used within their lifestyle in order to achieve the desired goal in the shortest possible time. This means that from the very first meeting, once the goal is defined, prescriptions of "strategic" behaviors will be given to the person to be implemented in his or her lifestyle by working alongside the patient over a period of 8-10 months, for a maximum number of 10 sessions. It is understood that the person may decide to discontinue the course at any time.
For whom is this route indicated?
There are no specific requirements, but since it is a mind-body approach, it is recommended for all curious people interested in discovering their physical and mental resources and knowing how to use them to their advantage under the guidance of a medical health professional for those who want to lead a healthy and balanced life.
To whom, however, would you advise against this approach?
A strategic longevity path must also be based on a performance ethic, rejecting the use of substances or practices that are harmful to an individual's physical and mental health. Therefore, it is not suitable for those seeking supplements or drugs to increase work capacity, sports performance, or to reduce sleep hours. Just as it is not suitable for those who do not want to change their habits, such as habitually consuming industrial processed foods, diet pills or meal replacements.
