October 2025 – InspireGrowth

Be Blue

No, I don’t mean feeling sad or depressed. And definitely not catastrophically ill and hypoxic (oxygen deficient) that you are literally blue.

However, I do wish that one day millions more people will be Blue.

Imagine This

Imagine a place where many people live into their 90s—and often beyond 100.

And no, these individuals are not what you’d probably expect a typical 90-100 year old person to look like—frail, oxygen-dependent, in a diaper, and driving a wheelchair.

On the contrary, these nonagenarians and centenarians are active, mobile, and vibrant—gardening, performing manual labor, cooking, and gathering with friends.

Have I started to weave some crazy fairy tale—not just an occasional sprinkling of a healthy senior, but a robust and thriving percentage of the local aged population that is several times the global average?

Does this place even exist? Have they actually discovered the fountain of youth?

Yes, this place really does exist, Plus, it’s even on this planet. Care to learn more about it or maybe even visit?

Well, you’re in luck, because it’s not just a single location—there are actually five such places.

The Blue Zones

This quintet of seemingly magical locales are collectively known as the Blue Zones. More specifically, they are:

Okinawa, Japan
Sardinia, Italy
Ikaria, Greece
Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
Loma Linda, California

What makes these places so special?

How do their populations reach such advanced ages while also maintaining excellent health?

What’s Their Secret?

Is it superior genes? No. It is estimated that genetics contribute about 25% to our overall health.

The million dollar question then becomes—what contributes the other 75%? And the trillion dollar answer is…drumroll please 🥁—lifestyle!

So, what type of a lifestyle do the people in the Blue Zones live?

As you may have guessed, they actually have several health-promoting lifestyle practices.

The Longevity Lifestyle

First and foremost, what they place into their mouths on a regular basis is probably the largest contributor to their health—mostly plant-based, whole foods. 🌾🌿

Beans are a dietary staple, as are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Meat is eaten rarely, and often reserved for special occasions.

Minimal amounts of processed foods or added sugars

Healthy fats from olive oil, nuts, and seeds

This way of eating isn’t a temporary “diet”—it’s simply how they live.

And the result? A culture where growing old often means thriving, not declining.

Imagine Yourself at 98

Vibrant. Active. Independent.

That’s the essence of being Blue.

And while their whole-food, plant-based diet is a major key, it’s not the only one.

Stay tuned… we’ll explore those next time. 🌿

If you’re interested in bringing this type of message to a wider audience, I speak regularly on topics related to health and wellness. You can learn more about my talks at https://stevepiriano.life/speaking/

I also explore similar topics more deeply in my books, which you can find at https://stevepiriano.life/books/ if you’d like to dive in.

You Can’t Just “Want to be Healthy.”

If you ask most people, they’ll say they want to be healthy.

That’s the standard and expected response—but what does it really mean?

If you wanted to be healthier, what exactly would that mean to you?

If better health were your goal, how would you know when you achieved it?

“Better health” can mean so many different things:

Losing weight
Having more energy
Running around with your kids or grandkids without getting winded
Being more focused and productive at work
Decreasing or discontinuing medications
(The list goes on…)

The truth is, you have to be crystal clear about what you want.

The Power of Specific Goals

Setting goals is powerful, but only when those goals are specific, concrete, and, once again, crystal clear. This applies to every area of life: education, career, finances, relationships, parenting, and, of course, health.

You need to hold a vivid image in your mind of how your life will look and feel once you’ve achieved your goal. Let yourself experience that excitement now — that emotional connection will help carry you through the hard work ahead.

“I Want to be Healthier” Isn’t Enough.

You can’t just set a goal to be healthier. That is too vague to be motivating and might even backfire.

For instance, since jogging is a healthy activity, you might say, “My goal is to start jogging.” Fantastic! (In case you missed it, that was sarcasm.)

Talk about obscure. Starting to run could mean jogging five yards twice a week. Goal accomplished! (Okay, I’m a bit sassy today.) 🤪

Make it Crystal Clear

Seriously, would you like to set some solid health goals? If you said yes—perfect!

But first, one of the other most important things to understand about goals is that they should be challenging enough to stretch you, but not so difficult that they are overwhelming.

Let’s get back to our running example.

If you’re new to jogging, a crystal clear and achievable goal might look like this:

Jog for 10 minutes, three times a week for two weeks.
Then increase to 15 minutes, three times a week for two weeks.
Then 20 minutes, three times a week for two weeks.
Then 25 minutes, and finally 30 minutes three times a week for two weeks.

Check out that progression—in 2½ months, you’ve gone from a novice runner to jogging 30 minutes a few times each week. Now, that truly is fantastic! (Sincere praise there.)

Keep the Momentum Going

And once you’ve hit that milestone, you don’t have to stop. You can set new goals—run more frequently or for longer durations. The same concept can also be applied to other health-related goals, such as eating and stress management.

For more important info on effective goal setting, check out this post: SMART Goals

Final Thought

Specific, crystal-clear goals are what turn “I want to be healthy” into “I am healthy.”

Clarity fuels motivation — and motivation fuels results.

What are your health goals?

I also explore similar topics more deeply in my books, which you can find at https://stevepiriano.life/books/ if you’d like to dive in.

Lessons from Rocky: Have a Compelling Why

A happy yellow Labrador retriever resting on a stone patio beside a tennis ball.

Originally published on September 30, 2024 | Updated on October 16, 2025

My dogs have taught me countless lessons over the years: patience, living in the moment, seizing the day, and forgiveness. Last summer, my yellow lab, Rocky, reminded me of a lesson I first learned many years ago.

Rocky was ten at the time, and he hadn’t seemed interested in running around the yard anymore. If I compared him to a horse, he’d barely be trotting. Early in the summer, my wife bought some toy doggie balls for our four dogs, including Rocky. I always knew Rocky loved balls—but I didn’t realize just how much.

The moment I threw one, Rocky didn’t just trot—he galloped after it. If I had two balls, he’d drop the first to chase the second, repeating this over and over until he finally needed a rest. Watching him, I realized something: he had found his “why.”

Many years ago, I learned that your “why”—your reason for doing something—needs to be strong enough to propel you forward. Without a compelling “why,” momentum fades and goals are abandoned. Rocky had been moving slowly, just going through the motions. But once his “why”—the ball—was introduced, he sprinted with joy and purpose.

The lesson is simple: choose goals and have a powerful “why.” You’ll find yourself overcoming obstacles and sprinting toward them with energy and focus—just like Rocky.

I also explore similar topics more deeply in my books, which you can find at https://stevepiriano.life/books/ if you’d like to dive in.

Unlock Your Broccoli

Want to Unlock Broccoli’s Full Health Power? 🥦

Want to get the most out of broccoli?

Here’s a quick science-backed tip:

Broccoli contains sulforaphane, a powerful compound with anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. But sulforaphane isn’t “ready to go” on its own — it needs to be activated.

🔑 How activation works:

Sulforaphane is formed when it mixes with an enzyme called myrosinase (naturally present in broccoli’s plant cells).
To make them mix, you need to break open the cells — by chopping, blending, or chewing.

So, eating raw broccoli ensures you get the full benefits.

⚠️ Beware:

Boiling, roasting, or microwaving will inactivate the myrosinase, while steaming for short periods (1-3 minutes) will not.

What can you do if you want to boil, roast, or microwave your broccoli?

Simply chop it and let it sit for about 10 minutes before cooking. This will allow the myrosinase to activate the sulforaphane before cooking. Voila!

🧑‍🍳 Pro tip: if you cook your broccoli:

Sprinkling mustard seed powder (which contains myrosinase) onto your cooked broccoli can restore sulforaphane formation.

👉 Bonus:

The same principle applies to the beneficial compounds found in onions and garlic. If you are not eating them raw, chop them up and wait about 10 minutes before cooking.

So, to get the most out of these vegetables, either eat them raw or chop them, wait, and then cook.

😋Enjoy!

I also explore similar topics more deeply in my books, which you can find at https://stevepiriano.life/books/ if you’d like to dive in.