Book Review: Outlive
26 January 2026
The KOPI Book CLUB!
As an Osteopath, I specialise in the bio-mechanics of the beautiful human body. I am the eternal student of the body, an absolute privilege.
My book reviews are written to help you better understand and nurture your physical body. I hope you enjoy reading them, and if you have any books to suggest, I would be very interested to hear about them.
Book Review: Outlive - The Science and Art of Longevity by Dr Peter Attia.
"Longevity is meaningless if your life sucks"
- Dr Peter Attia
Peter Attia’s Outlive – The Science and Art of Longevity is a forensic examination of exactly what it takes to live well and live long, backed by extremely impressive research.
The detail is granular, so if you love depth, this is very much a book for you.
With comprehensive explanations and medically backed advice on exercise, nutrition (which Dr Attia refers to as nutritional biochemistry), sleep and emotional health, this is a truly 360-degree approach to long-term wellbeing.
In Part One, Dr Attia explores the “four horsemen”, the biggest epidemics of our time: cancer, heart disease, metabolic disease and neurodegenerative disease.
No facts or considerations are left unexplored. Raw, hard-hitting detail, supported by real case studies, is presented to the reader.
Sometimes we need to take the time to fully understand what is happening in our bodies, and what may lie ahead if we continue to make sub-optimal choices around health and wellbeing.
What I found particularly refreshing is Dr Attia’s personalised, whole-body approach, guided by expertise and focused on prevention, taking action before a problem becomes a crisis.
Welcome to Medicine 3.0, a significant shift away from reactive Medicine 2.0, which focuses on isolated pieces of the puzzle. Dr Attia explains which medical tests can be done and why a “normal” result is often far from optimal.
From sleep to exercise, what we can do to maintain excellent health is discussed in serious depth. This is not about hacking biology or becoming “humanoids”; it is about living well and, crucially, living happily.
Without happiness, health efforts are futile: “longevity is meaningless if your life sucks,” as Dr Attia pointedly remarks, drawing bravely on his own lived experience.
My favourite section (unsurprisingly) focused on exercise, the most powerful longevity tool we have.
Global fitness is key, and Dr Attia details this thoroughly, from strength training and balance to VO₂ max.
I also loved his approach to fuelling the body, nutritional biochemistry, here we come.
“Your résumé doesn’t really matter when it comes time for your eulogy.” This line stopped me in my tracks and has stayed with me.
What truly matters? Who truly matters? Sometimes we must challenge how we live and bravely reorganise our lives to bring what and who matters most to the centre.
Another unquestionable addition to my legacy library.