TUCSON, Ariz. – The Greek yogurt, crunchy granola, and sweet berries were delightful.

I had spent the morning fasting for blood tests at Canyon Ranch, a wellness resort where I had signed up for various medical assessments as part of their “Longevity8” program. I was supposed to gain insights into extending my lifespan, and now it was finally time to enjoy a meal.

This was my second day at the retreat, where I basked in the scorching Arizona sun shining on the burnt orange roofs (and felt the heat sinking into my fair skin). I couldn’t help but think about the tests that still awaited me, including pulmonary function tests, sleep studies, and the application of a continuous glucose monitor, among others.

The first shock came at breakfast after completing my bone density and body composition scans. Dr. Diane Downing urged me to eat while we reviewed my preliminary results.

“If we examine this, you are actually classified as having osteopenia,” she stated, indicating I had lower bone density than my peers. This was a remark she would typically reserve for a post-menopausal woman, not a seemingly fit 32-year-old man like me. She contemplated: Could it be a genetic issue? Am I consuming enough calcium? Is my testosterone low? Despite attending HIIT classes and weightlifting regularly, I had only fractured my right pinky in the past.

The revelation hit me hard. Another blow came when Dr. Downing continued: “Evaluating you from head to toe, we find you have 27.7% body fat.” Overweight.

The Greek yogurt lost its appeal, and the granola felt abrasive against my teeth. The sweet berries began to taste bitter.

‘Are you certain you want to know all this?’

<p”When I began sharing with friends that I was exploring the longevity program, one remark struck me hard: ‘Yikes. Are you sure you want to know all this?’

I felt defensive. Wouldn’t I want to be aware of any issues now, so I can make positive changes while I’m still young? Or, worst case, catch something dangerous in my body before it progressed?

Shortly, I would also undergo continuous glucose monitoring, a DEXA body scan, a sleep examination, breathing tests, and more. I considered myself to be in good shape, enjoying a balanced diet and exercising six times a week; thus, I presumed I had nothing to worry about. Perhaps I’d discover ways to gain muscle, tone my abdomen, or manage my irritable bowel syndrome better.

Ultimately, what I gleaned from this experience is to be cautious about what you wish for—don’t rush to judgment about your health based on isolated results, but rather wait until you can analyze the entire picture.

‘Perhaps we don’t have enough muscle rather than too much fat’

“That is absurd.” Both my mother and boyfriend echoed this sentiment after I shared my bone density and body composition results with them. They helped alleviate my anxiety over the body weight aspect that was weighing heavily on me. Despite engaging in regular exercise and attending doctor’s appointments for various concerns—like IBS and knee pain from running—wouldn’t someone have alerted me if my weight was a problem? And if it wasn’t, why was I being presented with this result so bluntly, with no additional context?

The following days were filled with tests and consultations, offering a broader perspective. While it didn’t completely ease my worries regarding the results, it did help identify specific areas to enhance my longevity.

Sweat streamed down my forehead and into my eyes as I alternated between walking and running during a VO2 max assessment to analyze which fuel my body uses while exercising, along with measuring my oxygen levels. Meanwhile, I processed childhood traumas on a therapist’s couch. My spine adjusted unexpectedly when Brendan Murray, the Director of Sports Medicine, pointed out that my knee discomfort stemmed from poor posture rather than running itself.

I also gained more insights on the body weight concern: “Certainly, the average person would look at you and think, ‘that person can’t be overweight, can they? Not a chance,'” explained Mike Siemens, Canyon Ranch’s director of performance science, as he laid out all my results on a round wooden table. “So, what’s happening? It suggests we might be slightly under-muscled instead of simply over-fat.” He proposed a strength training plan since my cardio was already well-managed.

Everyone had good intentions and aimed to equip me with information to ease my anxiety. This became especially clear when I got back home to Washington, D.C.

What does it mean when my health is marked as ‘above average’?

A few weeks later, after arriving home, the medical team followed up with more detailed insights during a virtual consultation. I discovered that I have moderate sleep apnea, a slightly thicker artery which raises my risk of heart disease in the future, as well as signs of lactose intolerance and a heightened risk for celiac disease, among other minor issues. They offered various suggestions on how to address these findings, like eliminating lactose for a week to monitor my body’s reaction. I’m doubtful about this, but I guess I’ll only know once I give it a shot.

Overall, my health is considered “above average,” nutrition director Eric Williamson reassured me. It was comforting to hear this after reviewing my test results from Canyon Ranch. However, it did feel a bit late to arrive at this conclusion. I understand they had to wait for my full results before giving me a complete picture, but receiving the information gradually didn’t sit well with me. I wonder how prepared participants in the “Longevity8” program are for the onslaught of information they receive.

Many external experts – along with nearly every friend, family member, and my therapist – have advised me to treat my results with a grain of salt. To their credit, Downing and Williamson attempted to calm my worries and reminded me of the positive test outcomes as well.

However, there was one specific person I truly wanted to consult, but I was unable to.

Lessons Learned from Canyon Ranch

I couldn’t help but reflect on my father, who was a primary care physician and passed away over two years ago due to a rare neurological condition called Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD). The Canyon Ranch program did not include testing for this genetic factor, and we have no way of knowing if his illness was hereditary, which I have decided not to pursue further. I wish I could have discussed these findings with him. However, thinking of him helped crystallize a vital truth about longevity: Ultimately, we will all face death due to some cause. The best we can do is strive for good health.

And I’m already doing my utmost. My health is “above average.”

So, am I pleased with my experience? Absolutely. Do I wish the data had been presented differently and with greater care? Definitely. I think I dwelled too much on the results related to weight and bone density. However, if I can enhance my workouts and gain insight into other aspects of my health, I am all in.

“Wow. Are you really ready to learn all that?”

No. But now that I do know, it’s my responsibility to decide how to act on it.

The journalist covering this story received services from Canyon Ranch, but YSL News has retained editorial control over the content.