1 00:00:06,047 --> 00:00:12,297 (INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING) 2 00:00:19,185 --> 00:00:23,725 -DIRECTOR: Three, two, one. Action! -(SCREAMS) 3 00:00:23,940 --> 00:00:25,070 CHRIS: Since I was playing Thor... 4 00:00:25,233 --> 00:00:26,233 (GRUNTS) 5 00:00:26,484 --> 00:00:28,784 CHRIS: ...I've definitely ate a lot more food than I used to. 6 00:00:29,070 --> 00:00:30,110 (GRUNTS) 7 00:00:30,238 --> 00:00:31,488 Each meal is about 1000 calories. 8 00:00:31,698 --> 00:00:33,068 Ice cream. 9 00:00:34,409 --> 00:00:35,579 Big juicy steaks. 10 00:00:35,744 --> 00:00:37,124 Goes straight in there. 11 00:00:37,287 --> 00:00:40,917 Burgers, pad Thai, pasta, ribs. 12 00:00:41,291 --> 00:00:47,051 Sausage rolls, pizza, cake, donuts, hot dogs. 13 00:00:47,672 --> 00:00:50,342 When it comes to food, I'm like a starving hound. 14 00:00:53,219 --> 00:00:54,509 Only less picky. 15 00:00:56,056 --> 00:00:58,886 I mean, I do know that what I put into my body is important, 16 00:00:59,017 --> 00:01:02,097 but what I didn't know is that the best thing I can eat 17 00:01:02,270 --> 00:01:06,110 if I wanna live a long and healthy life is nothing. 18 00:01:06,941 --> 00:01:08,111 Absolutely nothing. 19 00:01:08,401 --> 00:01:12,861 (MID-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYING) 20 00:01:14,282 --> 00:01:16,492 CHRIS: Well, at least that's what this guy says. 21 00:01:17,619 --> 00:01:20,369 Longevity expert, Dr. Peter Attia. 22 00:01:22,415 --> 00:01:23,415 CHRIS: Thank you very much. 23 00:01:23,500 --> 00:01:25,460 -We'll make this our last supper. -CHRIS: Our last supper. 24 00:01:28,505 --> 00:01:32,005 CHRIS: For the next step in my quest to live longer and better, 25 00:01:32,425 --> 00:01:36,545 he wants me to go on a fast. It's basically water 26 00:01:36,638 --> 00:01:41,018 and zero calories for four days. 27 00:01:42,769 --> 00:01:45,189 Thank you... very much. 28 00:01:45,563 --> 00:01:46,823 PETER: Thank you. 29 00:01:47,607 --> 00:01:50,027 -(INDISTINCT CHATTER) -Right. (CLEARS THROAT) 30 00:01:52,862 --> 00:01:56,452 Yeah, good thing I got to kick it off with a hearty last supper. 31 00:01:56,699 --> 00:01:58,789 Six shreds of lettuce and a carrot. 32 00:02:00,620 --> 00:02:02,250 -Hmm. -Look, I'm gonna do it with you. 33 00:02:02,413 --> 00:02:03,503 -You are? -And... Yeah. 34 00:02:03,623 --> 00:02:05,793 It makes it a lot easier to go through this with somebody else. 35 00:02:05,917 --> 00:02:07,037 -So... -Okay, good. 36 00:02:07,127 --> 00:02:08,457 -Good, we'll suffer together. -Yeah. 37 00:02:08,628 --> 00:02:10,508 -(BOTH CHUCKLE) -We will. 38 00:02:11,005 --> 00:02:13,165 I've definitely gone a day without food before. 39 00:02:14,884 --> 00:02:18,434 I think I get pretty cranky when... (CHUCKLES) ...I've missed a meal. 40 00:02:20,431 --> 00:02:23,691 Certainly, detrimental to my happiness. (CHUCKLES) 41 00:02:23,977 --> 00:02:27,307 So, it's a pretty long time, why four days? Why not... 42 00:02:27,730 --> 00:02:29,440 -Why not longer? -(BOTH LAUGH) 43 00:02:29,566 --> 00:02:32,436 I mean, what is the benefit with four days? Why that number? 44 00:02:32,610 --> 00:02:37,490 Three to four days is probably that window at which we do enough 45 00:02:37,574 --> 00:02:41,744 to change how your body is interacting 46 00:02:41,828 --> 00:02:45,748 with the absence of nutrients to basically do kind of a reboot 47 00:02:45,874 --> 00:02:47,384 -on your system. -Oh, really? 48 00:02:47,792 --> 00:02:49,462 You think I'm gonna be able to hold it together? 49 00:02:49,544 --> 00:02:52,344 You reckon, in your experience, you see a lot of people, 50 00:02:52,547 --> 00:02:54,337 the first time they do it, succeed? 51 00:02:54,632 --> 00:02:56,842 In the next four days, there is no doubt in my mind, 52 00:02:56,968 --> 00:03:01,508 there will be a period of time in which you feel sluggish or... 53 00:03:01,681 --> 00:03:03,061 -Tears? -Yeah. (CHUCKLES) 54 00:03:03,266 --> 00:03:05,806 -Emotional. -Kinda grumpy, grouchy, whatever. 55 00:03:06,853 --> 00:03:08,693 But, you know, if you really stop to think about it, 56 00:03:08,813 --> 00:03:11,073 this idea that we kind of live today 57 00:03:11,149 --> 00:03:14,279 where we're sort of surrounded by unlimited access to food 58 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:17,740 and we can eat three meals and snack in between them, 59 00:03:17,906 --> 00:03:21,576 that's a relatively recent addition to our species. 60 00:03:21,701 --> 00:03:24,661 -Right. -And our ancestors would've gone days 61 00:03:24,746 --> 00:03:26,246 without food all the time, 62 00:03:26,331 --> 00:03:29,501 and not only did they have to do that, they had the ability to, 63 00:03:29,709 --> 00:03:32,249 in a period of starvation, actually go out and hunt. 64 00:03:32,462 --> 00:03:34,882 -(INDISTINCT CHATTER) -(PETER CHUCKLING) 65 00:03:35,632 --> 00:03:40,352 Right. I'm done. I have nothing left, except for one tiny little carrot. 66 00:03:42,388 --> 00:03:44,388 You gonna finish that last piece left of lettuce? 67 00:03:44,515 --> 00:03:46,425 Though, what about dessert? We get dessert or not? 68 00:03:46,768 --> 00:03:48,098 -No. -(BOTH CHUCKLE) 69 00:03:49,103 --> 00:03:53,193 CHRIS: Starting to think, this could be the most difficult four days of my life. 70 00:03:53,441 --> 00:03:57,401 (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) 71 00:03:57,570 --> 00:04:00,450 In truth, I think Chris will find this hard. 72 00:04:01,282 --> 00:04:05,122 But I've been practicing periodic fasting for many years, and in doing so, 73 00:04:05,203 --> 00:04:07,713 I've realized that the key is staying busy. 74 00:04:08,665 --> 00:04:10,745 So I've thought of an entirely appropriate challenge 75 00:04:10,875 --> 00:04:15,835 to help distract Chris from his hunger. I want him to do what his ancestors did. 76 00:04:16,381 --> 00:04:17,971 I want him to hunt for his next meal. 77 00:04:19,259 --> 00:04:23,219 But not on land. Instead, in the ocean. 78 00:04:23,513 --> 00:04:26,683 (UPLIFTING MUSIC PLAYING) 79 00:04:29,769 --> 00:04:32,859 So, the plan is, that after four days without food... 80 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:37,360 we're gonna head for the Great Barrier Reef. 81 00:04:43,074 --> 00:04:44,994 I'm gonna be armed with a lungful of air... 82 00:04:51,874 --> 00:04:53,004 and a speargun... 83 00:04:54,085 --> 00:04:56,835 I'm gonna try and dive 30 feet to the ocean floor... 84 00:04:58,423 --> 00:04:59,423 in search of a fish. 85 00:05:01,718 --> 00:05:02,928 So, there's no pressure at all. 86 00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:11,640 Thanks a lot, Pete. 87 00:05:12,061 --> 00:05:16,021 (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) 88 00:05:21,654 --> 00:05:22,914 CHRIS: This is day one of the fast. 89 00:05:24,324 --> 00:05:27,744 I had a good sleep, I had probably seven... seven hours. 90 00:05:28,161 --> 00:05:29,251 I did dream about fasting, 91 00:05:29,329 --> 00:05:31,499 which was weird 'cause I wasn't in a fasted state. 92 00:05:31,956 --> 00:05:34,246 Fed the kids bacon and eggs this morning, that was a little tempting, 93 00:05:34,417 --> 00:05:39,087 but it's early days and I don't feel a huge threat 94 00:05:39,255 --> 00:05:42,045 at this point of breaking my four-day fast. 95 00:05:42,592 --> 00:05:44,592 I'm gonna get rid of the dog though, just in case he does... 96 00:05:44,677 --> 00:05:46,597 -(ALL CHUCKLING) -...eat it. 97 00:05:46,679 --> 00:05:48,929 The dog will start to look like a roast chicken or something, right? 98 00:05:49,015 --> 00:05:50,135 (LUKE CHUCKLING) 99 00:05:50,266 --> 00:05:53,726 Yeah, yeah. No, we wouldn't eat her, unless we really had to. 100 00:05:54,437 --> 00:05:57,977 At first, Chris will feel fine. He'll be working off the energy 101 00:05:58,066 --> 00:06:03,646 from his last meal. But once that's gone, he's gonna start to feel a lot worse. 102 00:06:04,197 --> 00:06:05,987 But I'm gonna want him to stick with this, 103 00:06:06,491 --> 00:06:10,121 because, of all the things that we can do to impact Chris's longevity, 104 00:06:10,536 --> 00:06:13,656 periodic fasting may be one of the more effective. 105 00:06:14,207 --> 00:06:18,587 (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) 106 00:06:18,669 --> 00:06:20,799 CHRIS: My food contains glucose. 107 00:06:22,924 --> 00:06:26,094 The fuel that feeds the trillions of healthy cells in my body. 108 00:06:29,097 --> 00:06:31,677 But that glucose also feeds something else... 109 00:06:33,476 --> 00:06:34,636 zombie cells. 110 00:06:35,311 --> 00:06:39,441 Old, damaged cells that have lingered beyond their useful life. 111 00:06:40,024 --> 00:06:46,324 By spewing toxic sludge, these zombies infect other healthy cells, 112 00:06:46,906 --> 00:06:48,986 speeding up the aging process. 113 00:06:51,411 --> 00:06:53,871 Everything from hair loss and wrinkles 114 00:06:54,122 --> 00:06:57,712 to the onset of arthritis, cancer, and dementia. 115 00:06:59,794 --> 00:07:03,884 But what scientists have realized is that when we fast and cut off 116 00:07:03,965 --> 00:07:05,295 the supply of glucose, 117 00:07:05,842 --> 00:07:10,642 that zombie army is starved of energy which saps them of their power. 118 00:07:13,182 --> 00:07:15,142 -(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING) -CHRIS: It's long-term gain 119 00:07:15,226 --> 00:07:16,476 for short-term pain. 120 00:07:17,603 --> 00:07:20,943 For a food lover like me, lots of pain. 121 00:07:26,696 --> 00:07:27,696 Yeah, I'm hungry. 122 00:07:29,031 --> 00:07:30,991 -We are not gonna make it. -(SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY) 123 00:07:31,617 --> 00:07:34,327 CHRIS: And by "we," I mean me and my best mates. 124 00:07:36,164 --> 00:07:40,254 If anybody can help me get through this, they can, so I'm very, very pleased 125 00:07:40,334 --> 00:07:42,844 and thankful that they've agreed to fast with me. 126 00:07:43,129 --> 00:07:45,259 We're buddies from high school... 127 00:07:45,506 --> 00:07:47,506 -Yeah. -...primary school to Chris. 128 00:07:47,717 --> 00:07:49,297 -I'm Aaron. This is Luke. -Yep. 129 00:07:49,469 --> 00:07:50,889 And now we work for Chris. 130 00:07:50,970 --> 00:07:53,930 -So we're paid friends, really. -Yes. With benefits. 131 00:07:54,015 --> 00:07:55,845 -With benefits, and, yeah... -We're a little family. 132 00:07:56,017 --> 00:07:57,387 We're a little family. 133 00:07:57,602 --> 00:07:59,272 CHRIS: Having a bit of moral support could be good. 134 00:08:00,146 --> 00:08:02,106 Are you doing it all the way? Aaron, you're doing four days. 135 00:08:02,190 --> 00:08:03,230 -Yeah. -Yeah. 136 00:08:03,357 --> 00:08:04,937 -(MOUTHS) No. -No, you're gonna try. 137 00:08:05,109 --> 00:08:06,239 Yeah, I'll try. 138 00:08:09,071 --> 00:08:11,031 -He loves his food. -The angriest he's ever got at me 139 00:08:11,115 --> 00:08:12,825 -was because I bought him too small... -(LAUGHS) 140 00:08:12,909 --> 00:08:14,489 ...a steak once, in London. 141 00:08:14,994 --> 00:08:18,214 He almost punched me out 'cause it was like that, and he was like, 142 00:08:18,289 --> 00:08:20,419 "Look at the size of me. Why would you buy me that steak?" 143 00:08:20,541 --> 00:08:22,131 I mean, he's not gonna do four days. 144 00:08:22,376 --> 00:08:25,166 (UPLIFTING MUSIC PLAYING) 145 00:08:25,338 --> 00:08:26,878 CHRIS: (YAWNING) I'm cracking. 146 00:08:27,924 --> 00:08:29,844 We're days away from eating, not, like, hours. 147 00:08:30,009 --> 00:08:33,549 It's not like we can go home and smash a big bowl of spaghetti. 148 00:08:35,515 --> 00:08:41,845 Forget pasta, our next meal, with a bit of luck, is a big, juicy fish. 149 00:08:44,565 --> 00:08:46,855 -(BIRDS CHIRPING) -(WIND BLOWING) 150 00:08:46,984 --> 00:08:49,284 CHRIS: But if I'm gonna be the designated fish catcher... 151 00:08:50,279 --> 00:08:52,199 I'll need some serious dive training. 152 00:08:53,908 --> 00:08:57,448 So, Peter has hooked me up with someone with a remarkable set of skills. 153 00:08:57,745 --> 00:08:59,365 (TANYA BREATHING SHARPLY) 154 00:08:59,455 --> 00:09:03,535 I'll give you a brief demo. I'm gonna start with a really big exhale. 155 00:09:04,293 --> 00:09:06,883 -(EXHALES DEEPLY) -CHRIS: Wow. 156 00:09:08,172 --> 00:09:14,642 (INHALES DEEPLY) 157 00:09:19,684 --> 00:09:20,984 -Huge expansion there. -TANYA: Okay. 158 00:09:21,060 --> 00:09:22,350 That was incredible. 159 00:09:23,020 --> 00:09:25,060 (UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING) 160 00:09:25,231 --> 00:09:28,731 CHRIS: Tanya Streeter is a breath-holding phenomenon. 161 00:09:28,818 --> 00:09:30,108 (WHALE BELLOWING) 162 00:09:31,195 --> 00:09:33,565 CHRIS: She's a ten-time free diving world champion... 163 00:09:36,450 --> 00:09:39,370 and can hold her breath for an amazing six minutes. 164 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:47,340 What we do as average human beings, is we breathe in the top part 165 00:09:47,628 --> 00:09:50,968 of our chest, but you're not getting a lot of oxygen into your blood like that. 166 00:09:51,132 --> 00:09:53,882 There's a greater capacity in the lower part of your lungs, 167 00:09:54,176 --> 00:09:58,176 and you can't access that unless you relax your abs. 168 00:09:58,681 --> 00:10:03,311 You basically learn to stick your stomach out as you breathe in. 169 00:10:03,477 --> 00:10:08,187 (BOTH INHALE DEEPLY) 170 00:10:10,735 --> 00:10:15,065 (BOTH EXHALE DEEPLY) 171 00:10:18,242 --> 00:10:21,202 -TANYA: All right, how're you feeling? -Ready to set some records. 172 00:10:21,454 --> 00:10:22,624 TANYA: Let's do it. 173 00:10:23,039 --> 00:10:29,549 (TENSE MUSIC PLAYING) 174 00:10:31,255 --> 00:10:33,215 CHRIS: So, is that the goal, the orange thing there? 175 00:10:33,341 --> 00:10:35,091 TANYA: Sure, there and back, man. (CHUCKLING) 176 00:10:35,176 --> 00:10:36,586 CHRIS: And what's that, about 50 meters? 177 00:10:36,719 --> 00:10:39,009 -TANYA: No, that's about 100 meters. -Oh, is it? 178 00:10:39,430 --> 00:10:40,850 Be rather claustrophobic under there. 179 00:10:41,557 --> 00:10:44,227 TANYA: Yeah. We've linked up a guideline, 'cause it's pretty dark, 180 00:10:44,310 --> 00:10:46,310 but it gives me an opportunity to see what you're made of, 181 00:10:46,395 --> 00:10:49,565 -mentally as well as physically. -Okay, we'll see. (LAUGHS) 182 00:10:57,448 --> 00:10:58,988 TANYA: All right, whenever you're ready, Chris. 183 00:11:10,586 --> 00:11:15,876 It was really poor visibility and instantly, my lungs are burning. 184 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:29,190 I hear in my head... 185 00:11:29,814 --> 00:11:31,824 that I should give up and I'm running out of air. 186 00:11:36,570 --> 00:11:38,990 And I'm trying to override that 'cause I know 187 00:11:39,073 --> 00:11:41,783 that there is a lot more oxygen in my lungs than you'd think. 188 00:11:44,286 --> 00:11:47,666 (MUSIC BUILDS DRAMATICALLY) 189 00:11:47,873 --> 00:11:49,963 And surely, I must be there by now. 190 00:11:52,294 --> 00:11:55,594 -(CHRIS GASPS) -(BOTH BREATH HEAVILY) 191 00:11:56,257 --> 00:11:58,337 -CHRIS: Almost halfway. -TANYA: I don't think so. 192 00:11:58,426 --> 00:11:59,886 (BOTH CHUCKLE) 193 00:11:59,969 --> 00:12:02,559 -TANYA: Not even close. Twenty meters. -CHRIS: How many meters was that? 194 00:12:03,431 --> 00:12:04,931 TANYA: I don't think you quite made it 20. 195 00:12:06,058 --> 00:12:08,688 CHRIS: Yeah, I'm a little disappointed. (CHUCKLES) 196 00:12:08,894 --> 00:12:13,234 Turns out, I was under for a whopping 27 seconds. 197 00:12:17,361 --> 00:12:20,281 I'm actually quite surprised how ineffective and useless 198 00:12:20,448 --> 00:12:21,818 my free diving skills are. 199 00:12:22,366 --> 00:12:26,036 I know I can hold my breath on land for a few minutes, but, in the water, 200 00:12:26,162 --> 00:12:28,752 when you're kicking and using up air and energy, 201 00:12:28,831 --> 00:12:31,381 it's... it's just a whole different story. 202 00:12:33,085 --> 00:12:36,045 Diving for my dinner is gonna be harder than I thought. 203 00:12:38,799 --> 00:12:40,009 Speaking of food... 204 00:12:41,844 --> 00:12:48,484 (MELLOW ACOUSTIC MUSIC PLAYING) 205 00:12:49,810 --> 00:12:51,230 CHRIS: ...I don't even like broccoli. 206 00:12:54,607 --> 00:12:59,397 (EXERCISE MACHINE WHIRRING) 207 00:12:59,695 --> 00:13:01,525 (PANTING) 208 00:13:04,158 --> 00:13:05,988 And even though I've got homework to do... 209 00:13:07,119 --> 00:13:12,669 without mealtimes to punctuate the day, time just seems to drag on. 210 00:13:12,917 --> 00:13:15,587 (SEAGULLS SQUAWKING) 211 00:13:18,881 --> 00:13:23,641 It's, uh, almost dinnertime, and this is the worst I've felt. 212 00:13:25,221 --> 00:13:32,191 Feel pretty light-headed... (GROANS) ...super weak and incredibly hungry. 213 00:13:35,689 --> 00:13:42,199 -(SEAGULLS SQUAWKING) -(TIDE CRASHING) 214 00:13:42,780 --> 00:13:45,490 -I feel tired. I didn't sleep very well. -(INDISTINCT CHATTER) 215 00:13:45,574 --> 00:13:47,454 I woke up a lot feeling really hungry 216 00:13:47,618 --> 00:13:48,658 and then, um... 217 00:13:50,162 --> 00:13:53,042 I... You know, feel empty, empty of food. 218 00:13:53,123 --> 00:13:56,923 Almost as if I'm empty of, like, energy. Feel very flat. 219 00:13:57,294 --> 00:14:00,674 Now, cooking this. I feel hungry. 220 00:14:02,675 --> 00:14:03,875 INDIA: Why can't you eat? 221 00:14:04,051 --> 00:14:05,301 'Cause I'm not supposed to eat. 222 00:14:05,845 --> 00:14:07,505 INDIA: For how long, Dad? 223 00:14:07,888 --> 00:14:08,928 Four days, bro. 224 00:14:09,557 --> 00:14:10,597 INDIA: Why? 225 00:14:10,683 --> 00:14:15,733 I'm not even remotely tempted by this delicious, crispy bacon and eggs. 226 00:14:19,525 --> 00:14:23,735 The second day of a water-only fast is an especially difficult day. 227 00:14:24,113 --> 00:14:28,243 And the reason for this is that the body's primary reserves of glucose, 228 00:14:28,450 --> 00:14:30,330 which are kept in the liver and in the muscles, 229 00:14:30,494 --> 00:14:34,084 are starting to get rapidly depleted. And as a result of this, 230 00:14:34,164 --> 00:14:36,334 Chris is feeling really tired and groggy. 231 00:14:37,084 --> 00:14:40,214 But it's important for him to understand that this is okay, 232 00:14:40,588 --> 00:14:42,838 because there are some people who routinely do this 233 00:14:42,965 --> 00:14:46,925 and not only do they not starve, but they actually manage to thrive. 234 00:14:47,344 --> 00:14:50,854 (WIND HOWLING) 235 00:14:51,140 --> 00:14:56,350 (ATMOSPHERIC MUSIC PLAYING) 236 00:15:00,691 --> 00:15:02,651 (IN HADZA) Hey... You missed... 237 00:15:05,821 --> 00:15:06,861 Listen son, 238 00:15:06,947 --> 00:15:09,907 if you can't hit the target, 239 00:15:09,992 --> 00:15:11,122 the village won't eat. 240 00:15:12,202 --> 00:15:13,252 Try again. 241 00:15:16,332 --> 00:15:17,672 I'll try my best Dad... 242 00:15:18,292 --> 00:15:19,882 Yeah, well done. 243 00:15:20,669 --> 00:15:23,299 CHRIS: (IN ENGLISH) Isafiri is a member of the Hadza tribe. 244 00:15:28,594 --> 00:15:29,804 He's a hunter. 245 00:15:30,387 --> 00:15:32,557 (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 246 00:15:33,057 --> 00:15:34,807 (IN HADZA) We are hungry, 247 00:15:34,892 --> 00:15:36,772 and we have run out of food. 248 00:15:37,186 --> 00:15:39,056 ISAFIRI: Yeah, okay. 249 00:15:39,229 --> 00:15:40,979 I will hunt tomorrow. 250 00:15:41,273 --> 00:15:45,073 I will catch something big. 251 00:15:45,235 --> 00:15:46,525 (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 252 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:53,080 ISAFIRI: Being hungry is part of life here. 253 00:15:53,994 --> 00:15:55,084 Sometimes we don't eat for days. 254 00:15:56,413 --> 00:15:57,753 But we are not afraid. 255 00:15:58,540 --> 00:16:01,130 because I know we won't starve. 256 00:16:04,922 --> 00:16:06,552 ISAFIRI: Look, we should hunt there... 257 00:16:07,299 --> 00:16:09,589 Come around from the side. 258 00:16:09,802 --> 00:16:14,222 -(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) -(INSECTS CHIRPING) 259 00:16:14,556 --> 00:16:15,806 ISAFIRI: Being hungry... 260 00:16:18,268 --> 00:16:19,598 makes me a better hunter. 261 00:16:22,356 --> 00:16:24,526 (SPEAKS HADZA) 262 00:16:24,692 --> 00:16:28,072 PETER: (IN ENGLISH) Even after days without food, people like the Hadza 263 00:16:28,153 --> 00:16:30,573 are still able to find the energy to hunt... 264 00:16:31,699 --> 00:16:33,779 (IN HADZA) Look, dik-dik antelop e has taken a poop. 265 00:16:34,284 --> 00:16:35,954 (IN ENGLISH) ...because when a person fasts, 266 00:16:36,704 --> 00:16:38,004 when you stop eating... 267 00:16:38,205 --> 00:16:41,415 ISAFIRI: (IN HADZA) I think he is close by. 268 00:16:42,084 --> 00:16:44,634 (IN ENGLISH) ...it reveals the body's superpower. 269 00:16:44,837 --> 00:16:46,087 (UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING) 270 00:16:46,171 --> 00:16:49,431 CHRIS: When food is plentiful, our body stores excess energy 271 00:16:49,508 --> 00:16:53,508 in the form of fat under the skin and around the internal organs. 272 00:16:54,972 --> 00:16:56,352 When food is scarce... 273 00:16:59,226 --> 00:17:00,976 that fat is sent to the liver... 274 00:17:05,649 --> 00:17:09,359 where it's turned into an alternative fuel source called a ketone. 275 00:17:09,778 --> 00:17:13,698 And it's these ketones which provide the emergency power source. 276 00:17:13,866 --> 00:17:17,996 Not only for our bodies, but also our brains. 277 00:17:20,664 --> 00:17:24,384 (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) 278 00:17:24,585 --> 00:17:26,245 Along with an energy boost, 279 00:17:26,420 --> 00:17:29,550 it seems ketones also sharpen mental focus. 280 00:17:32,092 --> 00:17:35,552 Heightening the ability to see, hear... 281 00:17:37,139 --> 00:17:39,179 and sense things in the environment... 282 00:17:42,269 --> 00:17:44,399 that we normally wouldn't be able to perceive. 283 00:17:46,899 --> 00:17:49,149 And ketone production ramps up... 284 00:17:51,820 --> 00:17:54,700 just when a hunter needs it most. 285 00:17:56,366 --> 00:17:57,786 (IN HADZA) The dik-dik is in there... 286 00:18:01,455 --> 00:18:03,115 ISAFIRI: When you're getting closer, 287 00:18:05,209 --> 00:18:08,669 your mind becomes alert to the wild. 288 00:18:10,422 --> 00:18:12,552 The animal is your only goal. 289 00:18:19,515 --> 00:18:22,265 (MUSIC SWELLS, FADES) 290 00:18:27,189 --> 00:18:28,399 (SHOUTS IN HADZA) 291 00:18:37,032 --> 00:18:38,532 Yes. it's a dik-dik. 292 00:18:39,201 --> 00:18:40,741 ALL: We got it, we got it! 293 00:18:42,162 --> 00:18:43,252 (SHOUTS IN HADZA) 294 00:18:43,413 --> 00:18:46,963 (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 295 00:18:47,167 --> 00:18:49,707 (ISAFIRI SHOUTS IN HADZA) 296 00:18:51,797 --> 00:18:53,757 ISAFIRI: Everyone is happy. 297 00:18:55,092 --> 00:18:56,392 when I bring home meat. 298 00:18:56,802 --> 00:19:00,472 (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 299 00:19:00,806 --> 00:19:02,306 ISAFIRI: Our children 300 00:19:04,101 --> 00:19:05,521 and our wives are happy. 301 00:19:05,769 --> 00:19:06,979 Everyone is happy. 302 00:19:07,312 --> 00:19:09,402 (SOFT MUSIC PLAYING) 303 00:19:09,606 --> 00:19:12,276 CHRIS: (IN ENGLISH) Ketones help the Hadza hunt when food is scarce. 304 00:19:14,695 --> 00:19:17,695 And I'm pretty sure I'm gonna need some ketones of my own 305 00:19:18,031 --> 00:19:20,411 if I'm gonna catch a fish in two days' time. 306 00:19:21,285 --> 00:19:22,905 (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) 307 00:19:23,537 --> 00:19:24,827 Little prick here. 308 00:19:26,331 --> 00:19:27,461 (GRUNTS) 309 00:19:32,296 --> 00:19:33,506 Didn't hurt that much. 310 00:19:35,048 --> 00:19:37,628 So, I'm checking ketones on two different meters. 311 00:19:37,718 --> 00:19:38,718 CHRIS: Mmm. 312 00:19:38,844 --> 00:19:41,104 PETER: They're in pretty good agreement at about one, 313 00:19:41,430 --> 00:19:43,140 and over time, this will go up. 314 00:19:43,432 --> 00:19:45,182 -There's more of them in my system now? -PETER: Yeah. 315 00:19:45,309 --> 00:19:46,439 Or I'm producing more? 316 00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:49,100 PETER: Exactly. Actually, around ten times more. 317 00:19:50,522 --> 00:19:52,272 -And that's pretty low. -Right. 318 00:19:52,649 --> 00:19:56,569 But hopefully today, tomorrow is when we'll start to see that transition 319 00:19:56,737 --> 00:19:58,067 -where once you get over... -Yeah. 320 00:19:58,155 --> 00:20:00,445 PETER: ...two and into three, that's when you start 321 00:20:00,532 --> 00:20:03,122 to kinda feel, like you're in the Matrix a little bit. You kinda seeing things 322 00:20:03,243 --> 00:20:04,493 -a little bit different. -CHRIS: Yeah. 323 00:20:04,912 --> 00:20:06,162 And what about the zombie cells? 324 00:20:06,246 --> 00:20:08,826 Do you think my body's getting rid of them at the moment? 325 00:20:08,999 --> 00:20:10,669 You're in the process of starting that, yeah. 326 00:20:10,751 --> 00:20:12,671 -I... I think that comes in hand... -Good to know. 327 00:20:12,753 --> 00:20:15,423 ...with this transition to, uh, ketones, 328 00:20:15,672 --> 00:20:19,302 and so, as the body starts sort of adapting to what's going on... 329 00:20:19,384 --> 00:20:21,014 -CHRIS: Hmm. -...it's gonna start to reprioritize 330 00:20:21,094 --> 00:20:23,604 and hopefully, it's knocking those guys out. 331 00:20:23,847 --> 00:20:24,887 Good. 332 00:20:25,182 --> 00:20:27,682 (CHILLED MUSIC PLAYING) 333 00:20:27,851 --> 00:20:29,691 CHRIS: So, the war on zombies has begun... 334 00:20:30,687 --> 00:20:32,477 but no ketone boost yet. 335 00:20:33,941 --> 00:20:38,151 Which is a little worrying 'cause I'm off for more dive training. 336 00:20:38,445 --> 00:20:40,565 Can't say I'm swimming in energy. (CHUCKLES) 337 00:20:40,822 --> 00:20:43,242 -I'm... My ability to speak is... -(AARON SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY, CHUCKLES) 338 00:20:43,408 --> 00:20:46,698 CHRIS: ...rapidly declining. How do you guys feel? 339 00:20:47,287 --> 00:20:49,997 Yeah, it's kinda peaks and troughs, isn't it? 340 00:20:50,082 --> 00:20:52,212 -It is a definite a roller coaster. -It's like... It's a real... 341 00:20:52,292 --> 00:20:54,132 It's a roller coaster of emotions. Uh-huh. 342 00:20:54,253 --> 00:20:55,923 At the moment, I'm up, but there will be 343 00:20:56,004 --> 00:20:57,764 -a time tonight when I'm down. -CHRIS: Hmm. 344 00:20:59,341 --> 00:21:01,221 (ANNOUNCER SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY OVER PA) 345 00:21:01,301 --> 00:21:04,101 (ALARM BEEPING) 346 00:21:06,390 --> 00:21:09,270 CHRIS: So, another Peter and Tanya training gig. 347 00:21:11,270 --> 00:21:13,520 This time, underwater hockey. 348 00:21:13,939 --> 00:21:20,319 (UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING) 349 00:21:21,989 --> 00:21:23,989 CHRIS: They say it's gonna help me catch a fish. 350 00:21:24,908 --> 00:21:26,698 -Hey, guys. -Hey, how's it going? 351 00:21:27,160 --> 00:21:30,290 CHRIS: They also think, maybe it'll help keep my mind off the fast. 352 00:21:33,292 --> 00:21:34,882 Well, it ain't working. 353 00:21:36,295 --> 00:21:39,165 What else would you wanna do when you're fasting, tired, and starving? 354 00:21:39,464 --> 00:21:40,924 Learn a new sport. 355 00:21:41,591 --> 00:21:45,681 And nothing against underwater hockey, it's cool, but right now, 356 00:21:45,971 --> 00:21:47,141 I just wanna eat. 357 00:21:49,224 --> 00:21:50,394 (CHUCKLES) 358 00:21:51,935 --> 00:21:55,185 (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 359 00:21:56,148 --> 00:21:58,438 Now, it's rough down there, but it's actually really good 360 00:21:58,525 --> 00:22:00,895 for spearfishing. There's this sudden burst of energy, there's... 361 00:22:00,986 --> 00:22:02,316 -Yeah. -TANYA: You know, you don't know 362 00:22:02,404 --> 00:22:04,954 when you're gonna have to dive, so you have to be super, super efficient. 363 00:22:05,073 --> 00:22:06,123 -CHRIS: Oh, okay. -TANYA: Okay? 364 00:22:06,199 --> 00:22:07,529 CHRIS: Yeah. 365 00:22:07,701 --> 00:22:09,081 Peter's playing for the reds. 366 00:22:12,122 --> 00:22:14,252 Me for the blues. Number seven. 367 00:22:16,251 --> 00:22:19,341 And my co-fasting best buddies, cheerleaders. 368 00:22:19,671 --> 00:22:23,631 (INTRIGUING MUSIC PLAYING) 369 00:22:25,177 --> 00:22:28,177 I feel like I'm watching my son go off to battle or something. I'm nervous. 370 00:22:28,263 --> 00:22:29,933 -I'm real anxious. -I'm just worried about... 371 00:22:30,015 --> 00:22:31,515 I'm worried about that because without that... 372 00:22:31,600 --> 00:22:33,810 -We don't have a job. (CHUCKLES) -...we don't have a job, so... 373 00:22:33,894 --> 00:22:35,524 -We can't really... -Look after his face, please. 374 00:22:35,604 --> 00:22:36,734 Don't touch his face, please. 375 00:22:37,064 --> 00:22:38,274 (ALARM BEEPING) 376 00:22:38,398 --> 00:22:43,448 (UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING) 377 00:22:43,945 --> 00:22:45,355 CHRIS: Things don't start so well. 378 00:22:46,865 --> 00:22:50,195 Ooh! Oh, oh, oh, oh. He's taking a beating. 379 00:22:51,119 --> 00:22:52,789 Now, holding your breath is one thing... 380 00:22:53,163 --> 00:22:57,883 but doing it while being pushed and shoved, and thrown around, and so on, 381 00:22:57,959 --> 00:22:59,249 it's just a whole other thing. 382 00:23:00,003 --> 00:23:01,093 It's pretty intense. 383 00:23:06,927 --> 00:23:08,847 My need for air is overpowering. 384 00:23:11,765 --> 00:23:13,015 (CHRIS BREATHES DEEPLY) 385 00:23:16,853 --> 00:23:19,693 CHRIS: If that puck was a fish, I wouldn't get anywhere near it. 386 00:23:24,236 --> 00:23:26,236 -(CHEERING) -(ALARM BEEPING) 387 00:23:26,488 --> 00:23:27,738 ALL: Oh! 388 00:23:28,490 --> 00:23:30,530 -(CHUCKLES) -CHRIS: Well done, Peter. 389 00:23:31,159 --> 00:23:32,239 Good goal. 390 00:23:35,831 --> 00:23:39,001 CHRIS: Half time, and it couldn't have come quick enough. 391 00:23:41,711 --> 00:23:42,881 (GASPS) 392 00:23:43,422 --> 00:23:45,172 -TANYA: How are you doing? -It's exhausting. 393 00:23:45,340 --> 00:23:47,380 -I know. -Just trying to work out, 394 00:23:47,551 --> 00:23:50,261 you know, when to conserve your energy, and when to dive, and make sure 395 00:23:50,387 --> 00:23:52,557 you dive when the puck's coming as opposed to waiting under there 396 00:23:52,639 --> 00:23:54,599 -and then by the time it gets there... -Yeah. Yeah. No, no! 397 00:23:54,724 --> 00:23:56,774 -...you've got nothing left. It's like... -Yeah. No waiting. 398 00:23:57,060 --> 00:23:58,400 But you got all the oxygen you need, 399 00:23:58,520 --> 00:24:00,060 -so it's mental. Your stamina becomes... -Yeah. 400 00:24:00,147 --> 00:24:01,227 ...really mental at this point. 401 00:24:01,481 --> 00:24:02,771 -CHRIS: Sure. Yeah. -(ALARM BEEPS) 402 00:24:02,858 --> 00:24:05,648 TANYA: Okay? So, just try to take some long, slow, deep breaths. So... 403 00:24:05,819 --> 00:24:09,199 -(INHALES, EXHALES DEEPLY) -TANYA: Through your mouth. 404 00:24:10,240 --> 00:24:13,240 (BOTH INHALE, EXHALE DEEPLY) 405 00:24:13,702 --> 00:24:15,202 -Do you feel better? -I feel good. 406 00:24:15,495 --> 00:24:16,745 Okay, good. 407 00:24:18,874 --> 00:24:20,464 -(ALARM BEEPING) -TANYA: Okay. 408 00:24:23,545 --> 00:24:29,715 (PLAYFUL MUSIC PLAYING) 409 00:24:33,096 --> 00:24:34,846 CHRIS: I don't know if it's the half time coaching 410 00:24:34,973 --> 00:24:36,273 or something else... 411 00:24:37,934 --> 00:24:40,314 but I feel a little different. 412 00:24:45,984 --> 00:24:47,654 My need for air is less urgent. 413 00:24:51,281 --> 00:24:52,821 I feel more efficient in the water. 414 00:24:55,285 --> 00:24:57,575 More aware of the other players around me. 415 00:24:59,372 --> 00:25:01,002 And I'm focused on the puck. 416 00:25:06,463 --> 00:25:09,763 And I feel a slight surge of energy. 417 00:25:11,468 --> 00:25:12,678 Just enough... 418 00:25:15,138 --> 00:25:16,308 to score. 419 00:25:18,808 --> 00:25:21,938 -(ALARM BEEPING) -(ALL LAUGHING) 420 00:25:35,116 --> 00:25:37,406 -PETER: How do you feel? -CHRIS: I feel all right now. 421 00:25:37,494 --> 00:25:39,084 -PETER: Yeah. -I feel much better than I did 422 00:25:39,246 --> 00:25:40,456 -prior to playing. -PETER: Me, too. 423 00:25:40,580 --> 00:25:41,620 Yeah. Why is that? 424 00:25:41,998 --> 00:25:43,918 I think we're probably making more ketones at the moment, 425 00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:45,540 our bodies are trying to ramp up production. 426 00:25:45,627 --> 00:25:47,667 -It's basically saying... -It thinks... thinks we're hunting.. 427 00:25:47,754 --> 00:25:48,924 -PETER: Exactly, it's like... -Yeah. 428 00:25:49,047 --> 00:25:51,297 ..."Hey, they're... they're hunting. They're getting us food." Um... 429 00:25:51,383 --> 00:25:52,973 I wouldn't be surprised if in an hour or two, 430 00:25:53,093 --> 00:25:54,553 -we feel a little worse. -Yeah. 431 00:25:54,970 --> 00:25:56,810 PETER: 'Cause it'll realize, "We haven't got the food." 432 00:25:56,930 --> 00:25:58,470 -(CHRIS LAUGHING) -"We've been kinda let down," 433 00:25:58,557 --> 00:26:00,177 and... and then, sort of, that production level 434 00:26:00,267 --> 00:26:01,727 will come down a bit. 435 00:26:03,937 --> 00:26:06,267 (UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING) 436 00:26:07,065 --> 00:26:08,725 CHRIS: That doesn't help though, does it? 437 00:26:09,276 --> 00:26:10,816 Oh, for heaven's sakes. 438 00:26:12,237 --> 00:26:14,567 CHRIS: Just as I was beginning to feel a bit better... 439 00:26:14,739 --> 00:26:16,159 -PETER: Oh. -They're doing it on purpose. 440 00:26:16,241 --> 00:26:18,161 CHRIS: A familiar feeling returns. 441 00:26:18,785 --> 00:26:21,245 -CHRIS: See, now I'm hungry again. -(INDISTINCT CHATTER) 442 00:26:21,329 --> 00:26:23,329 CHRIS: Still, at least my best mates are fasting with me. 443 00:26:24,457 --> 00:26:25,707 And they never let me down. 444 00:26:39,931 --> 00:26:41,981 -Hey, Chris! (LAUGHS) -Hey! 445 00:26:43,268 --> 00:26:44,268 What the... 446 00:26:44,477 --> 00:26:47,307 Sorry, mate, we couldn't do it. This is so good. 447 00:26:47,731 --> 00:26:48,861 Are you (BLEEP) 448 00:26:49,733 --> 00:26:51,113 Come and have a slice, mate. 449 00:26:51,276 --> 00:26:54,106 Two minutes ago, I was like, "It really helps the guys 450 00:26:54,279 --> 00:26:56,409 "are doing it with me, you know, 'cause I'm like... 451 00:26:56,656 --> 00:26:58,656 "I'm like feeling sluggish." I'm like, "Oh, I feel bad." 452 00:26:58,742 --> 00:27:00,622 But then I'm like, "Oh, actually, they're laughing..." 453 00:27:00,702 --> 00:27:02,202 -(AARON CHUCKLES) -"...and I gotta keep it up." 454 00:27:02,287 --> 00:27:05,117 You know, "We're all in this tog... together." That was three minutes ago. 455 00:27:05,749 --> 00:27:07,249 And I'd love to tell you it's not that good, 456 00:27:07,334 --> 00:27:09,134 -but it's honestly the best thing ever. -LUKE: Mm-hmm. 457 00:27:09,961 --> 00:27:11,961 -What, I thought you were fasting? -That's what I said. 458 00:27:12,047 --> 00:27:14,547 Both of them were fasting. I said to them, like, I... like, I... like, I... 459 00:27:14,758 --> 00:27:15,928 AARON: Just have a smell of that. 460 00:27:16,635 --> 00:27:18,965 -CHRIS: Cool. -I gotta say, I really thought 461 00:27:19,054 --> 00:27:20,144 you were gonna hang tough. 462 00:27:20,221 --> 00:27:23,431 AARON: I was gonna, but then this is the best milkshake I've ever had. 463 00:27:23,642 --> 00:27:25,562 -CHRIS: Good luck finding... -AARON: Oh, my God. 464 00:27:26,436 --> 00:27:28,766 I can smell the pizza. I'll just go away. I can smell it. 465 00:27:29,022 --> 00:27:31,522 (TIDE CRASHING) 466 00:27:38,448 --> 00:27:42,328 CHRIS: Great, my best buddies have bailed, and just as Peter predicted, 467 00:27:42,410 --> 00:27:47,210 the ketone pick-me-up has gone, and I feel terrible. 468 00:27:47,457 --> 00:27:50,667 Okay, so this is, uh, day three. 469 00:27:51,127 --> 00:27:54,167 Feeling pretty weak. Didn't sleep very much last night. 470 00:27:54,255 --> 00:27:55,915 I feel like my sleep's getting worse and worse. 471 00:27:56,007 --> 00:27:58,717 You know, last night was really hard, giving the kids dinner. 472 00:27:58,802 --> 00:28:05,352 They had, um, delicious, like, roast lamb, and vegetables, and... and fruit, and... 473 00:28:06,184 --> 00:28:08,314 and I saw a chocolate brownie in there somewhere. 474 00:28:09,104 --> 00:28:13,824 Multiple occasions, I... I... I... I thought about just ripping that food 475 00:28:13,900 --> 00:28:16,650 straight out of their hands. Feel pretty weak trying to walk up 476 00:28:16,820 --> 00:28:21,030 the stairs, trying to walk down the hall, I feel like it's tough to catch my breath. 477 00:28:21,116 --> 00:28:25,366 Uh, but, you know, day three, and, um... 478 00:28:26,830 --> 00:28:28,620 I guess we're almost there. It's only... 479 00:28:30,041 --> 00:28:36,261 12, 48, I don't know, I can't even think. Like, I... Don't know. 480 00:28:38,717 --> 00:28:40,297 I'm losing it. 481 00:28:40,885 --> 00:28:43,885 (MID-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYING) 482 00:28:43,972 --> 00:28:47,062 (BREATHES HEAVILY) 483 00:28:47,475 --> 00:28:50,055 (EXHALES, GRUNTS) 484 00:28:54,899 --> 00:28:59,279 I'm trying to get my ketones going again by working out, but I'm feeling nothing. 485 00:29:09,080 --> 00:29:13,170 Oh, and did I mention that I'm feeling really, really hungry? Hmm? 486 00:29:13,418 --> 00:29:15,918 (PANTING) 487 00:29:16,087 --> 00:29:17,257 (WEIGHT CLATTERS) 488 00:29:18,047 --> 00:29:21,547 I don't think Chris has found this to be a pleasant experience at all. 489 00:29:22,260 --> 00:29:23,800 -But a big part of fasting... -(BLOWS AIR) 490 00:29:23,887 --> 00:29:25,927 PETER: ...is understanding why you're doing it. 491 00:29:26,473 --> 00:29:28,813 And that's the key to tolerating this thing. 492 00:29:29,100 --> 00:29:32,690 It's being able to focus on the motivation behind the fast. 493 00:29:33,897 --> 00:29:36,437 PETER: One of the benefits is, you have a family. 494 00:29:36,524 --> 00:29:38,284 -CHRIS: Yeah. -PETER: And you can sort of see 495 00:29:38,401 --> 00:29:42,411 how much you enjoy that, and that's kind of the anchor, 496 00:29:42,572 --> 00:29:43,952 -I think, um... -Yeah. 497 00:29:44,324 --> 00:29:48,164 PETER: You can actually look into the eyes of the people for whom it matters 498 00:29:48,244 --> 00:29:49,374 the most to you. 499 00:29:49,579 --> 00:29:52,459 Yeah, sure. I like that motivation, you know? 500 00:29:52,624 --> 00:29:54,174 Anything that stops me thinking about food 501 00:29:54,250 --> 00:29:57,550 is sort of a... a good thing at this point, so... (CHUCKLES) 502 00:29:59,339 --> 00:30:06,049 Asking Chris for his very first fast to go as long as four days is a big ask. 503 00:30:13,561 --> 00:30:15,811 But I really need him to continue now. 504 00:30:16,439 --> 00:30:17,609 (INDISTINCT CHATTER, CHUCKLING) 505 00:30:18,024 --> 00:30:21,154 Because once a human goes three days without food, 506 00:30:21,694 --> 00:30:26,204 we think some remarkable biochemical changes take place 507 00:30:26,825 --> 00:30:29,405 that have significant longevity benefits. 508 00:30:29,786 --> 00:30:33,326 (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) 509 00:30:33,498 --> 00:30:36,578 CHRIS: Remember those toxic zombie cells aging my body? 510 00:30:37,001 --> 00:30:39,751 Well, they're not the only things getting dealt with. 511 00:30:40,380 --> 00:30:43,680 Even inside my healthy cells, there's wear and tear. 512 00:30:44,509 --> 00:30:47,299 But scientists think that without food to process, 513 00:30:47,554 --> 00:30:50,274 those cells can switch into repair mode, 514 00:30:50,849 --> 00:30:55,599 fixing damage, cleaning up garbage, nipping any problems in the bud. 515 00:30:58,606 --> 00:31:01,896 With the zombies in check and the rest of me in tip-top condition... 516 00:31:03,027 --> 00:31:06,987 the future looks healthier and also longer. 517 00:31:08,116 --> 00:31:10,826 Science is only just beginning to understand 518 00:31:10,910 --> 00:31:13,040 the longevity benefits of fasting. 519 00:31:14,247 --> 00:31:17,457 In fact, we're just catching up with the cultures and religions 520 00:31:17,542 --> 00:31:21,632 that have placed fasting at the center of their practice for millennia. 521 00:31:21,880 --> 00:31:27,640 (GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING) 522 00:31:29,596 --> 00:31:31,636 TODESSO: (IN AMHARIC) Today is a beautiful day. 523 00:31:34,767 --> 00:31:37,397 CHRIS (IN ENGLISH): Retired teacher Todesso and his family 524 00:31:37,520 --> 00:31:40,270 are celebrating Easter with a walk to church. 525 00:31:42,692 --> 00:31:45,742 HELEN: (IN AMHARIC) Papa, are we nearly there yet? 526 00:31:47,030 --> 00:31:48,360 TODESSO: No, not yet. 527 00:31:49,240 --> 00:31:51,870 CHRIS: (IN ENGLISH) But the church is three days away 528 00:31:52,744 --> 00:31:54,414 in the holy city of Gondar. 529 00:31:56,623 --> 00:31:57,923 TODESSO: (IN AMHARIC) Are you tired? 530 00:31:57,999 --> 00:31:59,329 HELEN: Yes I'm tired. 531 00:31:59,417 --> 00:32:02,207 TODESSO: (CHUCKLES) Don't be tired, be strong. 532 00:32:03,922 --> 00:32:05,722 CHRIS: (IN ENGLISH) During their grueling pilgrimage, 533 00:32:05,840 --> 00:32:08,090 the family eat absolutely nothing. 534 00:32:09,719 --> 00:32:13,179 TODESSO: (IN AMHARIC) Fasting is very important to us, 535 00:32:13,681 --> 00:32:16,941 it is a tradition handed down by our ancestors. 536 00:32:17,518 --> 00:32:18,808 We fast to be closer to God. 537 00:32:20,229 --> 00:32:21,269 Come on you two. 538 00:32:21,356 --> 00:32:23,016 I'll be so happy when we get there. 539 00:32:24,651 --> 00:32:26,441 (IN ENGLISH) I got you. (GRUNTS) 540 00:32:27,654 --> 00:32:30,824 CHRIS: And joining her parents for the first time is daughter Helen. 541 00:32:31,407 --> 00:32:35,327 (IN AMHARIC) The first day was the hardest. 542 00:32:36,329 --> 00:32:38,209 I felt so weak. 543 00:32:38,581 --> 00:32:42,131 (TENSE MUSIC PLAYING) 544 00:32:43,628 --> 00:32:47,468 HELEN: My brain was telling me, "You can do this." 545 00:32:48,049 --> 00:32:51,549 But my stomach was saying, "Bring me food!" (LAUGHS) 546 00:32:52,845 --> 00:32:55,635 CHRIS: (IN ENGLISH) But fasting isn't just bringing them closer to God... 547 00:32:56,724 --> 00:32:59,144 they believe it's bringing them health benefits. 548 00:33:00,812 --> 00:33:04,402 (IN AMHARIC) Although my father is 75 years old, he is very strong. 549 00:33:05,191 --> 00:33:07,111 I have never seen him sick. 550 00:33:08,194 --> 00:33:11,704 He swears fasting is why. 551 00:33:12,907 --> 00:33:14,327 (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 552 00:33:16,119 --> 00:33:19,119 TODESSO: I started fasting when I was seven. 553 00:33:19,956 --> 00:33:22,076 And I've been doing it for 68 years. 554 00:33:24,043 --> 00:33:27,013 It keeps me feeling healthy. 555 00:33:27,714 --> 00:33:31,344 -(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING) -(INSECTS CHIRPING) 556 00:33:31,592 --> 00:33:37,602 I have never been affected by a common cold, 557 00:33:38,391 --> 00:33:41,851 or any other disease. 558 00:33:43,354 --> 00:33:45,444 TODESSO: Look, Gondar is just over the mountain. 559 00:33:45,606 --> 00:33:46,816 HELEN I can see it... 560 00:33:46,899 --> 00:33:48,069 TODESSO: Come on. 561 00:33:52,196 --> 00:33:53,236 I can smell incense. 562 00:33:54,824 --> 00:33:59,414 (MYSTICAL MUSIC PLAYING) 563 00:33:59,746 --> 00:34:01,246 CHRIS: (IN ENGLISH) Easter isn't the only time 564 00:34:01,330 --> 00:34:03,370 Ethiopian Orthodox Christians fast. 565 00:34:04,709 --> 00:34:09,669 In fact, they observe up to 250 fasting days a year, 566 00:34:10,006 --> 00:34:13,586 during which they vary their practice, sometimes eating nothing, 567 00:34:13,885 --> 00:34:17,215 and others, restricting how much or when they eat. 568 00:34:18,514 --> 00:34:20,894 (IN AMHARIC) All these smells So much food. 569 00:34:22,101 --> 00:34:24,061 HELEN: Gondar is an amazing place. 570 00:34:24,145 --> 00:34:25,225 (TODESSO SPEAKS AMHARIC) 571 00:34:25,813 --> 00:34:26,863 (BELL TOLLS) 572 00:34:26,939 --> 00:34:29,189 PETER: (IN ENGLISH) There are many ways to go about fasting. 573 00:34:29,609 --> 00:34:31,279 There are countless protocols. 574 00:34:31,778 --> 00:34:34,658 But remember, they all have one thing in common. 575 00:34:35,031 --> 00:34:37,991 They reduce the number of calories we consume. 576 00:34:38,493 --> 00:34:42,253 And in a world where so many of us are over-nourished, 577 00:34:42,663 --> 00:34:47,133 this is an essential part of how we can go about living a longer, 578 00:34:47,418 --> 00:34:49,798 -healthier life. -(BELL TOLLS) 579 00:34:49,962 --> 00:34:53,632 (MUSIC SWELLS) 580 00:34:53,758 --> 00:34:58,678 (IN AMHARIC) I am very proud of myself for doing the fast. 581 00:34:59,305 --> 00:35:00,595 (BELL TOLLS) 582 00:35:00,890 --> 00:35:02,730 I will do it every year. 583 00:35:04,352 --> 00:35:07,732 I will only stop fasting on the day I die. 584 00:35:15,238 --> 00:35:17,868 (INDISTINCT SINGING IN AMHARIC) 585 00:35:17,949 --> 00:35:20,329 CHRIS: (IN ENGLISH) Two hundred and fifty fasting days a year. 586 00:35:21,410 --> 00:35:22,910 (MELLOW ACOUSTIC MUSIC PLAYING) 587 00:35:23,079 --> 00:35:25,919 CHRIS: Makes me think, "Surely, I can go another 24 hours... 588 00:35:27,667 --> 00:35:29,167 "can't I?" 589 00:35:30,294 --> 00:35:33,094 Struggling, struggling I'm struggling 590 00:35:33,172 --> 00:35:35,382 (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 591 00:35:36,425 --> 00:35:39,255 CHRIS: I'm on the ferry to our dive base in the Great Barrier Reef... 592 00:35:41,848 --> 00:35:43,178 (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 593 00:35:43,266 --> 00:35:45,766 CHRIS: ...and I could really do with a ketone pick-me-up. 594 00:35:49,772 --> 00:35:53,572 -I had a little, like... -(INDISTINCT CHATTER) 595 00:35:53,651 --> 00:35:55,281 ...like an hour ago, a little burst of energy. 596 00:35:55,361 --> 00:35:58,661 I thought, "Oh, this is good." Now... 597 00:35:58,739 --> 00:36:00,619 (INDISTINCT CHATTER) 598 00:36:09,876 --> 00:36:11,746 -(SEAGULLS CALLING) -(MOTOR RUMBLING) 599 00:36:11,878 --> 00:36:16,758 (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) 600 00:36:21,095 --> 00:36:22,255 CHRIS: So, this is it. 601 00:36:22,722 --> 00:36:26,562 The last day of the fast, and the day I'm supposed to catch dinner 602 00:36:26,642 --> 00:36:30,272 for me and Peter. What could possibly go wrong? 603 00:36:30,980 --> 00:36:32,610 PETER: So, how are you feeling this morning? 604 00:36:32,732 --> 00:36:35,322 Uh, pretty weak. Pretty... Pretty low energy. 605 00:36:35,443 --> 00:36:37,203 I feel like I've just rolled out of bed. 606 00:36:37,320 --> 00:36:41,070 You know, even though you don't feel it, at the microscopic level, 607 00:36:41,157 --> 00:36:43,327 inside your body, there's a war going on. 608 00:36:43,492 --> 00:36:45,622 And that war is being won by the good guys. 609 00:36:45,828 --> 00:36:46,868 CHRIS: Hmm. 610 00:36:46,954 --> 00:36:49,174 PETER: And that's the real reason we're doing this. 611 00:36:49,332 --> 00:36:52,292 -Yeah. -All right, let's see what we got here. 612 00:36:54,545 --> 00:36:58,045 CHRIS: So, I could live longer, but right now, 613 00:36:58,257 --> 00:37:00,007 I'm not sure I'm gonna make it through the day. 614 00:37:03,971 --> 00:37:06,681 So, remind me, where were my ketone levels yesterday? 615 00:37:06,891 --> 00:37:09,481 PETER: So, yesterday, you were at about one. 616 00:37:12,897 --> 00:37:14,437 -Now, you're almost at two. -CHRIS: Yeah. 617 00:37:14,607 --> 00:37:17,567 -When the ketones get closer to three... -Yeah. 618 00:37:17,693 --> 00:37:19,363 PETER: ...is really when that switch is flipped. 619 00:37:19,487 --> 00:37:21,027 -But once you get in the water... -CHRIS: Mmm. 620 00:37:21,113 --> 00:37:22,283 ...I think it's gonna shoot up. 621 00:37:23,074 --> 00:37:26,164 I don't wanna put any pressure on you, but I'm hungry, man. 622 00:37:26,619 --> 00:37:29,619 And seeing as I can't catch a fish with a spear and you can... 623 00:37:31,249 --> 00:37:33,919 I kinda need you to come through on this. The stakes are high... 624 00:37:34,043 --> 00:37:35,253 -CHRIS: Yeah. -...for the both of us. 625 00:37:35,378 --> 00:37:38,708 -All I heard was "steaks." Edible kind. -(LAUGHS) Yeah. 626 00:37:40,049 --> 00:37:42,549 (EXCITING MUSIC PLAYING) 627 00:37:42,635 --> 00:37:44,965 CHRIS: The stakes are high, and not just for today. 628 00:37:45,805 --> 00:37:48,055 By fasting, Peter says I'm fighting 629 00:37:48,140 --> 00:37:50,690 those zombie cells and repairing healthy ones. 630 00:37:51,644 --> 00:37:54,194 And that could mean a longer, healthier life. 631 00:37:56,148 --> 00:37:59,358 But first, I've gotta go hunt down that fish. 632 00:37:59,735 --> 00:38:01,735 (TENSE MUSIC PLAYING) 633 00:38:02,280 --> 00:38:04,320 -CREW MEMBER: Welcome aboard. -Thank you so much. 634 00:38:04,490 --> 00:38:05,370 (GRUNTS) 635 00:38:06,242 --> 00:38:07,622 CHRIS: If only I can find the energy. 636 00:38:10,454 --> 00:38:11,964 I'd love some ketones right now. 637 00:38:13,791 --> 00:38:15,841 (MUSIC BUILDS) 638 00:38:15,918 --> 00:38:19,548 PETER: Chris's ketone levels have risen, which is what we wanna see. 639 00:38:20,298 --> 00:38:23,968 I know he isn't feeling it yet, but just as in the underwater hockey, 640 00:38:24,385 --> 00:38:28,305 the effort of hunting is going to ramp up these evolutionary adaptations 641 00:38:28,389 --> 00:38:31,349 in his body, giving him the edge he needs. 642 00:38:36,439 --> 00:38:38,019 -CHRIS: Ooh. -TANYA: Stretch your legs. 643 00:38:38,399 --> 00:38:39,819 -I know. -Just made me really light-headed. 644 00:38:43,946 --> 00:38:45,446 (EXHALES DEEPLY) 645 00:38:46,782 --> 00:38:48,412 CHRIS: I'm feeling really vague... 646 00:38:50,703 --> 00:38:52,753 and kinda absent from everything. 647 00:38:54,874 --> 00:38:58,594 I was expecting this big flood of energy that he keeps talking about. 648 00:39:02,631 --> 00:39:04,131 It's not kicking in though. 649 00:39:06,927 --> 00:39:08,137 Don't overdo it. 650 00:39:08,679 --> 00:39:11,639 Blackout, or what we refer to as a loss of motor control, is... 651 00:39:11,766 --> 00:39:12,846 is very real. 652 00:39:14,060 --> 00:39:16,520 Yeah. So what are the symptoms 653 00:39:16,604 --> 00:39:20,074 that I'll feel if I need to wave the flag 654 00:39:20,149 --> 00:39:21,529 -of retreat? -(CHUCKLES) 655 00:39:21,734 --> 00:39:27,374 Um... There's a fine line between feeling completely empty and done, 656 00:39:27,531 --> 00:39:31,241 and really feeling almost like your head is shaking 657 00:39:31,410 --> 00:39:33,500 -and your hands are shaking a little bit. -Hmm. 658 00:39:33,704 --> 00:39:36,424 TANYA: I mean, if it's a blackout, you're not gonna feel anything at all 659 00:39:36,499 --> 00:39:37,999 and you're not gonna remember anything at all. 660 00:39:38,376 --> 00:39:41,246 So if I take one look at you and your face tells me that you're done, 661 00:39:41,587 --> 00:39:44,217 doesn't matter how driven you are, you're done and we're gonna get out. 662 00:39:44,298 --> 00:39:45,548 Sure. 663 00:39:47,134 --> 00:39:49,304 Let me know how you're feeling and just don't push it too hard. 664 00:39:49,929 --> 00:39:51,059 -I'm hungry. -TANYA: I know. 665 00:39:51,138 --> 00:39:52,348 (BOTH CHUCKLE) 666 00:39:54,809 --> 00:39:59,229 (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING) 667 00:40:10,074 --> 00:40:11,124 CHRIS: I'm exhausted already. 668 00:40:12,993 --> 00:40:14,163 TANYA: All right, it's go time. 669 00:40:15,913 --> 00:40:17,503 (INHALES DEEPLY) 670 00:40:23,629 --> 00:40:25,049 CHRIS: Right, I'm in. 671 00:40:46,777 --> 00:40:48,647 CHRIS: I know I have enough oxygen in my body... 672 00:40:50,990 --> 00:40:55,490 but I look up and the boat seems so, so far away. 673 00:40:57,663 --> 00:40:59,543 I feel like I'm losing all focus... 674 00:41:00,833 --> 00:41:03,593 and suddenly the urge to breathe is overwhelming. 675 00:41:06,088 --> 00:41:07,758 (CHRIS GASPS) 676 00:41:09,884 --> 00:41:10,974 TANYA: How do you feel? 677 00:41:12,303 --> 00:41:13,933 CHRIS: Yeah, I just went down there and then went, 678 00:41:14,013 --> 00:41:15,723 "Oh, I need to breathe soon," 679 00:41:15,806 --> 00:41:17,216 and then I felt really weak, and I thought, 680 00:41:17,391 --> 00:41:19,231 -"There's no way I can do this, ever." -TANYA: Yeah. 681 00:41:21,103 --> 00:41:25,613 I'm feeling so tired. And the energy boost that Peter promised me... 682 00:41:26,692 --> 00:41:27,782 nothing. 683 00:41:31,530 --> 00:41:34,200 So after a brief moment, I go again. 684 00:41:39,079 --> 00:41:44,539 (EERIE MUSIC PLAYING) 685 00:41:48,714 --> 00:41:51,594 CHRIS: But this time, I start to feel a little different. 686 00:41:54,094 --> 00:41:56,854 As I'm going down, it's like I'm tuning into the ocean. 687 00:41:59,266 --> 00:42:00,476 I can hear every sound. 688 00:42:03,562 --> 00:42:05,192 Time seems to slow down. 689 00:42:10,653 --> 00:42:12,613 And I start to feel a surge of energy. 690 00:42:17,243 --> 00:42:19,953 And then, I see a fish. 691 00:42:20,579 --> 00:42:27,339 (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING) 692 00:42:33,717 --> 00:42:34,927 (SPEARGUN FIRES) 693 00:42:35,844 --> 00:42:38,394 (WHIMSICAL MUSIC PLAYING) 694 00:42:40,224 --> 00:42:43,394 -TANYA: Nice work. You did it. -CHRIS: Got one. Peter... 695 00:42:43,769 --> 00:42:45,769 -(TANYA CHUCKLING) -...your dinner. 696 00:42:45,938 --> 00:42:48,268 -PETER: Hey, nice one. -(APPLAUSE) 697 00:42:49,817 --> 00:42:52,437 -PETER: Awesome job, man. -(CHRIS EXHALES DEEPLY) 698 00:42:52,653 --> 00:42:53,903 TANYA: He looked great. 699 00:42:55,072 --> 00:42:56,242 You looked great. 700 00:42:58,617 --> 00:43:00,827 -(PETER LAUGHING) -CHRIS: Whoo! 701 00:43:02,580 --> 00:43:05,580 CHRIS: We did another test after the hunt, and the surge of energy, 702 00:43:05,916 --> 00:43:08,876 turns out my ketones had shot up to nearly three. 703 00:43:09,628 --> 00:43:12,668 So it worked. The science came good. 704 00:43:12,881 --> 00:43:17,141 (SEAGULLS SQUAWKING) 705 00:43:17,720 --> 00:43:23,600 (UPLIFTING MUSIC PLAYING) 706 00:43:24,351 --> 00:43:25,771 -Not a bad catch, huh? -(GRILL SIZZLING) 707 00:43:25,978 --> 00:43:27,188 It's an amazing catch, man. 708 00:43:27,980 --> 00:43:29,400 It smells good, looks good. 709 00:43:29,732 --> 00:43:32,482 But, you know, I'd have been happy eating vegetables right now 710 00:43:32,568 --> 00:43:34,238 -if that's all we had. -CHRIS: I know. 711 00:43:35,404 --> 00:43:36,414 Boom! 712 00:43:36,488 --> 00:43:39,988 There's all this anticipation and buildup, it almost felt guilty 713 00:43:40,117 --> 00:43:43,287 or like I was doing something wrong if I was gonna take that first bite. 714 00:43:46,707 --> 00:43:49,627 This will be the nicest "break-fast" I've ever had, I think. 715 00:43:52,546 --> 00:43:54,876 -So who eats first? -PETER: The man who caught the fish. 716 00:43:54,965 --> 00:43:56,005 (LAUGHS) 717 00:43:56,175 --> 00:43:58,755 We didn't dive into it like we'd expected. 718 00:44:00,220 --> 00:44:01,220 CHRIS: It's unreal. 719 00:44:05,059 --> 00:44:07,349 Ceremonial and... 720 00:44:08,395 --> 00:44:09,555 and important and special. 721 00:44:09,813 --> 00:44:10,903 CHRIS: Mmm. 722 00:44:11,023 --> 00:44:13,363 (SEAGULLS SQUAWKING) 723 00:44:15,027 --> 00:44:16,527 (CUTLERY CLATTERING) 724 00:44:20,741 --> 00:44:22,371 (CHUCKLES) 725 00:44:24,161 --> 00:44:26,461 Don't know whether to laugh or cry. (LAUGHS) 726 00:44:27,247 --> 00:44:30,497 That was the best meal I've ever had, I think. (CHUCKLES) 727 00:44:32,961 --> 00:44:35,511 Sometimes when I'm eating that first meal after a fast, 728 00:44:35,589 --> 00:44:38,759 I have this tiny, tiny piece of regret. 729 00:44:39,009 --> 00:44:41,429 And I think, "Should I have gone another day?" 730 00:44:41,637 --> 00:44:42,757 Do you feel any of that? 731 00:44:44,098 --> 00:44:47,688 -Not a teeny, tiny piece. -Not that much of it? 732 00:44:47,851 --> 00:44:48,851 -Nothing. No. -No. 733 00:44:48,977 --> 00:44:51,437 (LAUGHS) Absolutely not. 734 00:44:51,605 --> 00:44:52,645 (LAUGHS) 735 00:44:53,440 --> 00:44:56,610 No, right now, mate, I'm in the middle of heaven. 736 00:44:56,985 --> 00:44:58,235 (PETER CHUCKLING) 737 00:45:01,699 --> 00:45:03,329 -CHRIS: Oh! It's amazing. -Mmm. 738 00:45:06,495 --> 00:45:08,905 CHRIS: Mmm. Well, I'd like to make a toast... 739 00:45:10,416 --> 00:45:12,876 to the ocean, for feeding us this fish... 740 00:45:13,752 --> 00:45:17,172 and you, for making me suffer through four days of fasting 741 00:45:17,256 --> 00:45:18,716 to really, really appreciate it. 742 00:45:19,299 --> 00:45:23,009 I'll make a toast to your 90-year-old self and those great-grandchildren 743 00:45:23,095 --> 00:45:25,345 -you're gonna be playing with. -Cheers. 744 00:45:25,431 --> 00:45:28,931 (RELAXED MUSIC PLAYING) 745 00:45:33,856 --> 00:45:39,356 So, that's it, four days, no food. Didn't crack. Would I do it again? 746 00:45:39,778 --> 00:45:43,068 (CLICKS TONGUE) Uh... Can't believe I'm saying this, but yes. 747 00:45:43,741 --> 00:45:46,451 From now on, I do want fasting to be a part of my life. 748 00:45:46,660 --> 00:45:50,330 AARON: Oh, oh. Look at us going at it. Yeah! 749 00:45:50,748 --> 00:45:53,878 That's not to say I'm never gonna go out with a bunch of friends. 750 00:45:54,001 --> 00:45:56,461 -(AARON LAUGHING) -CHRIS: It's so hot. 751 00:45:56,670 --> 00:46:01,720 Basically eat everything on the menu, like a starving hound. 752 00:46:02,551 --> 00:46:04,301 -(AARON LAUGHING) -CHRIS: It's so hot! 753 00:46:04,470 --> 00:46:05,800 I'll definitely do that. 754 00:46:06,847 --> 00:46:11,887 (UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING) 755 00:46:52,726 --> 00:46:55,476 I'm just looking at it. I'm just looking. I'm not eating anything. 756 00:47:18,544 --> 00:47:19,714 (UPBEAT MUSIC CONCLUDES)