For more than two decades, Matt Kaeberlein studied the biology of aging from behind a lab bench, publishing hundreds of papers and building one of the most respected research programs in the field of geroscience. Now, the former University of Washington professor has turned himself into the experiment — and his personal longevity protocol reveals just how much the science of aging has matured from theoretical curiosity to actionable daily practice.
Kaeberlein, who left his tenured position in 2023 amid a dispute with the university, has emerged as one of the most influential voices in translational aging research. His approach is notable not for exotic interventions or bleeding-edge therapeutics, but for its disciplined reliance on fundamentals — the unsexy, evidence-backed habits that most people know about but few execute consistently. As he detailed in a recent interview with Business Insider, his regimen for 2026 is built around exercise, sleep, nutrition, and stress management, with a handful of supplements and one prescription drug added to the mix.
Exercise as the Cornerstone: Why the Data Points to Movement Above All Else
At the foundation of Kaeberlein’s protocol sits exercise — and not in a casual, take-a-walk-around-the-block sense. He has described physical activity as the single most impactful intervention available for extending both lifespan and healthspan, a position supported by a growing body of epidemiological and mechanistic research. His routine includes a combination of cardiovascular training and resistance work, reflecting the emerging consensus among longevity researchers that both modalities are essential. Cardiorespiratory fitness, as measured by VO2 max, has been shown in large observational studies to be among the strongest predictors of all-cause mortality, and Kaeberlein takes this data seriously.
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