Being Human with Leana Deeb

I used to think longevity was about biohacking, supplements, and expensive technology. But after this conversation, I see it differently. In this episode, I sit down with Gary Brecka—human biologist, longevity expert, and founder of The Ultimate Human. Gary spent 20 years in the mortality research space predicting life expectancy for insurance companies. He could tell to the month how long someone had left to live. What he saw changed everything. We get into: - Why contentment, purpose, and passion don't happen to you—they happen within you - How disconnection from yourself is one of the biggest threats to your health span - The role of faith, silence, and radical responsibility in actually living longer - What "being human" really means and why most of us are living far below that "Satisfaction and contentment don't come from outside of you. They happen within you. When you learn to be comfortable with silence, you can start an inner monologue that really uncovers what your purpose here is on Earth." - Gary Brecka _____ TOPICS DISCUSSED (0:00) Intro (1:40) The Truth About Longevity (6:20) Why Isolation Is Shortening Our Lives (10:05) How Pain Becomes Purpose (11:03) Finding Purpose Through Pain (18:05) Gary's Life Pivot and Career Shift (34:05) Gary's Morning Routine for Longevity (43:40) Dopamine, Addiction and Social Media (49:15) Gut Health and Depression (57:20) Pregnancy, Folic Acid and Supplements (1:05:35) Blood Sugar and Hunger Explained (1:10:30) Fasting and Addiction (1:14:30) Staying Calm and Perspective _____ Gary Brecka is a human biologist and founder of The Ultimate Human. After two decades predicting life expectancy for insurance institutions, he shifted his mission to helping people extend their health span through practical, science-backed lifestyle changes–focused on whole foods, sleep, mobility, faith, and radical responsibility. Follow Gary Brecka: Instagram: @garybrecka Website: theultimatehuman.com Podcast: The Ultimate Human _____ Stay connected with Leana: Instagram: @leanadeebb / @beinghumannpodcast TikTok: @leanadeeb / @beinghumannpod YouTube: youtube.com/@leanadeeb _____ Thank you to our sponsors! Head to cozyearth.com and use my code BEINGHUMAN for an exclusive 20% off Visit Carawayhome.com/LEANA to take an additional 10% off your next purchase.

I’ve been holding this in for a long time. This is the first time I’m truly speaking without filters, without pressure to be perfect, and without trying to fit my thoughts into 60 seconds. In this first episode of Being Human, I’m sharing why I started this podcast, what I’ve been struggling with behind the scenes, and what this space really means to me. For a long time, I felt like I couldn’t fully express myself on social media. Everything felt polished, shortened, and incomplete. But that’s not who I am. I’m someone who wants to go deeper, ask real questions, and have honest conversations about life, faith, purpose, and growth. This podcast is that space. I talk about what “being human” actually means to me. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being real. It’s about embracing differences, having conversations with people from completely different walks of life, and still finding connection. I also open up about fear, imposter syndrome, and what it feels like to step into something new when you don’t feel ready. This episode is for the version of me who felt lost, unsupported, and unsure of who she was becoming. And if that’s you right now, I hope this reminds you that you’re not alone. We’re going to grow together. Learn together. And figure this out together. Welcome to Being Human. _____ TOPICS DISCUSSED (0:00) Introduction — Why This Show Exists (4:20) Welcome to the Being Human Podcast (5:10) Why Long-Form Over Short-Form Content (6:05) What "Being Human" Means (7:00) Who This Podcast Is For (7:55) Guest Format & Topics We'll Cover (8:30) Pivoting to the Next Chapter (9:00) Main Takeaways & What to Expect _____ Stay connected with Leana and follow along on her journey: Instagram: @leanadeebb / @beinghumannpodcast TikTok: @leanadeeb / @beinghumannpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leanadeeb

Welcome to Being Human, I’m Leana Deeb and I am so happy you’re here. I built this podcast because I myself was looking for a space where people of all walks of life can connect, let down their guards and be their most authentic selves and find their similarities even when the world tells you you’re different. I couldn’t find that space, so I built it. I hope you are able to join this journey with me where we can grow together, have open minds and dive into all the topics that we are sometimes scared to …. Faith, identity, discipline and so much more.  _____ Stay connected with Leana and follow along on her journey: Instagram: @leanadeebb / @beinghumannpodcast TikTok: @leanadeeb / @beinghumannpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leanadeeb