Download a free chapter from our forthcoming book, The Vital Being. Go to the classroom here: https://www.skool.com/hololife-academy/classroom/5817d6fb?md=deb55c827a554f03b0a0809c88a24872 🔑 The Core 9 Hallmarks (López-Otín, 2013) 1. Genomic instability – DNA damage from ROS, replication errors, toxins. 2. Telomere attrition – Chromosome shortening leading to senescence. 3. Epigenetic alterations – Disrupted DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling. 4. Loss of proteostasis – Protein misfolding/aggregation (e.g., Alzheimer’s). 5. Deregulated nutrient sensing – Overactive mTOR/insulin vs. protective AMPK, sirtuins. 6. Mitochondrial dysfunction – Declining ATP, mtDNA mutations, oxidative stress. 7. Cellular senescence – Accumulation of pro-inflammatory “zombie cells.” 8. Stem cell exhaustion – Reduced regenerative capacity. 9. Altered intercellular communication – Inflammaging and impaired immunosurveillance. 🚀 Expanded Hallmarks (2021–2023) - Dysbiosis – Gut microbiome imbalance driving systemic inflammation. - Chronic inflammation – Persistent cytokine activity (IL-6, CRP). - Disabled autophagy – Failure to clear damaged proteins/organelles. - ECM stiffening – AGE cross-links reduce tissue elasticity. - Altered mechanical properties – Mechanobiological decline in tissue resilience. - Cellular enlargement – Senescent hypertrophic cells with impaired function. - Splicing dysregulation – RNA processing errors linked to cancer and metabolic disease.

This challenge lasts for 14 days (although you can opt to participate for a longer period). You will practice grounding every day with at least one 10-minute session outdoors. Use the video as guidance: Holohabits – Grounding & Nature Connection -> In the app, add this challenge and also post yourself doing it there! But remember to keep posting here as well :) Grounding allows the body to absorb free electrons from the Earth’s surface, which can neutralize reactive oxygen species and reduce oxidative stress. This electron transfer influences the autonomic nervous system, lowers blood viscosity, stabilizes electrical activity in cell membranes, and supports anti-inflammatory processes. ✅ Goals - Recharge your nervous system through Earth contact - Reduce stress and improve sleep - Support recovery and lower inflammation - Strengthen connection with nature 🔍 Session Structure (Each Grounding Day) - Preparation (choose your spot: grass, sand, soil) - Grounding (barefoot contact with Earth, 10+ minutes) - Combine with mindful breathing or awareness of surroundings - Journal / Notes ⚠️ Safety Guidelines - Avoid hazardous areas (sharp objects, polluted ground, extreme temperatures). - If barefoot outdoors is not possible, use grounding mats as an alternative. - Listen to your body — stop if you feel discomfort, pain, or skin irritation. - Be mindful of weather conditions (e.g., lightning storms, cold). 📈 Progress Markers: Track these over the 14 days to see growth: - Minutes of being grounded each day - Perceived calmness and stress levels - Changes in sleep quality and recovery - Shifts in mood, energy, and focus After each grounding session, post in this challenge thread: “Today was Session X. I felt ___ before, ___ during, ___ after.” One thing that surprised me was ___. My goal for next session is ___. Let’s do this!

Some recent alien musings, to Hololife (or tribe?) only... For generations, we’ve scanned the stars, listening for a signal, searching for some hint of alien intelligence. We imagined spaceships descending from the heavens. But what if the most profound and truly "alien" forms of intelligence aren't in outer space at all? What if they are hidden in plain sight: inside our own bodies, in the natural world around us, and in the very technology we are building to reflect ourselves? The crop circles literally emerged out of our computers in the form of ChatGPT. 1. The Most Advanced Aliens Are Inside You Change your diet to change your mind. The first shift in perspective was the realization that we are not singular beings. We are "holobionts": walking, talking ecosystems inhabited by countless other life forms. To put it bluntly, there is more foreign DNA in your body than there are your own unique cells. These bacterial colonies, which outnumber our own cells by a factor of ten, are not passive passengers. They can directly influence our minds, modulating neurotransmitters in our gut to alter our thoughts, moods, and even our personalities. This isn't just theory, like everyone here knows: Changes in diet and lifestyle can lead to shifts in personality. This dissolves the boundary of the self: Who are you, really? This dissolution of the self doesn't stop at the microbial level. It reaches into our deepest genetic history, connecting us to other kingdoms of life in ways we rarely consider. 2. Genetically, You're 60% Mushroom The connections to other life forms go deeper than we imagine. Consider the fact that humans and mushrooms share approximately 60% of their DNA. A very long time ago, our evolutionary paths diverged. Mushrooms developed a sophisticated chemical-based immune system, while we evolved a primarily physical one. Despite our material divergence, the ancient connection remains. Our bodies still respond to the same receptors, which is why functional mushrooms can have such a noticeable effect on our biology.

We do kick-off tomorrow, send any questions you have here: Hopefully will see as many of you in the Zoom mastermind call. See details in the ”calendar” tav on how to join. We focus on introducing the community, some overview on Hololife Practices, tools, tips and tricks for healthier habits and life - And your questions, of course. See you tomorrow!

What fun it is that everything I eat right now is coming from my own garden!