Episode Description:

In this week’s roundup, Arielle and Karissa explore two powerful solutions shaping the future of health and sustainability. First, discover how five simple fitness tests—like balancing on one leg or your natural walking speed—offer surprising insights into longevity and independence as we age. Then, journey to the Netherlands, where architects are transforming old wind turbines into stylish, eco-friendly tiny homes. Along the way, they reflect on wellness, COVID recovery, and why optimism fuels progress. Tune in for science, sustainability, and a dash of everyday inspiration.

Click here to nominate your Local Changemaker of 2025. Every nomination enters you to win a cozy Optimist Daily mug!

Want to be part of the Optimism Movement? Become an Emissary.

Follow us on Instagram, X, and Blue Sky.

The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.

Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://

Transcript:

Theme music

Karissa: 

Hello, and welcome to the Optimist Daily’s weekly roundup. I’m Karissa. 

Arielle: 

And I’m Arielle, and we’re working hard to put solutions in view and optimism in movement. 

Karissa: 

Welcome back to the pod! If you didn’t get your solution straight to your inbox, you can by signing up for our free daily newsletter. 

Arielle: 

If you’re more of a social media type of person, then you can also follow us on pretty much all channels: Pinterest, Instagram, Blue Sky, Twitter, or… X, as it’s now called. We are @OptimistDaily on everything except for X. There we are @OdeToOptimism. 

Karissa: 

Yeah. As always, we thank our emissaries for financially supporting the Optimist Daily. And if you want to find out how you can become an emissary, check out the show notes for information on how. 

Arielle: 

We also really appreciate all of our other supporters who help us in non-financial ways, such as engaging with our social media posts, sharing this podcast to someone that they love, forwarding a solution that you find on the website, all of that engagement and interaction really helps us do our thing. 

Karissa: 

Yeah, and as Arielle let you know last week in a special announcement, we are running our Local Changemaker series again. So, we are accepting submissions for that until September 26th. So, if you want to recognize someone in your community making a difference, we want to know about it, and we want to write about it. So please let us know. And you can find the information on that in the link in the show notes or on our website. 

Arielle: 

We had so much fun last year reading about all of the cool things that are happening in your local communities, and I’m sure there are still so many things going on that we don’t want to miss. Also, when you do nominate someone, then your name gets put into a raffle to win an Optimist Daily mug. And this is my favorite mug. I have tea in it every day. I’m sure everyone’s going to love it, so don’t miss out on your chance to win one. 

Karissa: 

I also love mine, and we get a lot of feedback that people love theirs as well. It’s a good shaped mug. 

Arielle: 

All right, with all of that said, Karissa, how are you doing this week? 

Karissa: 

I’m doing a lot better than last week. Yeah, I was out of commission last week because I came down with COVID. It really… knocked me over on the floor. And I’ll be completely transparent that I’m not up to date on my vaccines. It’s been like a year or two since. So, I think that also had something to do with it. 

Arielle: 

Yeah. 

Karissa: 

But I’m feeling better now, so that’s great. But what about you, Arielle? 

Arielle: 

I feel great. There’s been a lot going on in my personal life, lots of friends moving and lots of changes happening for people that I care about. But me, I feel like I’m in the eye of the storm. So, I’m pretty grateful for the peace and the calm that I feel for now. But it is getting to the end of the year, and that’s always a hectic time. So, I’m just kind of enjoying this now and preparing myself for yet another crazy holiday season. Yeah. I guess I’m feeling pretty positive this week. 

Karissa: 

I know, it’s wild to think that we’ll be at this end -of-the-year part so soon. The last couple of months of the year are always pretty busy, so I agree. It’s nice to kind of enjoy this peace for a little while longer. 

Arielle: 

Do you have an I’m an optimist, but… this week, Karissa? 

Karissa: 

I do! So back to COVID. Thinking about it when I had it last week, it’s just so unfortunate that I guess it’s kind of not taken seriously anymore. And, you know, when people have it, they’re not masking up. Even just being sick in general, we’ve lost so much of the lessons I feel like we should have learned during the global pandemic, like just, you know, masking up and staying home. And it was a rough week, and I just feel so bad for people too who might catch it and have a lot worse effects from it because luckily, I’m thankful that I have a healthy body and was able to fight it off, but yeah. It’s just crazy that it’s still going around, and it’ll probably be around for a long time. And as I mentioned with the vaccines and stuff in the United States, they’re trying to really restrict access to the vaccine.  

Arielle: 

Oh, really?  

Karissa: 

There’s been a lot of discussion about that in the past week, you know, not making it as widely available, which I think it should be personally. So, it makes me a little… worried. 

Arielle: 

I didn’t know that they were restricting access to the vaccine, but I’m going to have to look into that. I totally understand what you’re saying, though, because when someone says that they have it, feels kind of vintage. 

Karissa: 

Yeah. 

Arielle: 

I know that it hasn’t been that long. It’s only been less than five years, really. But we quickly forget as a species, it seems, all of the protocols and all of the safety measures that we had in place to protect each other. So yeah, it is a bit disheartening to see that people are not being as diligent as they were when the pandemic was in full swing. 

Karissa: 

Yeah.  

Arielle: 

Because yeah, you never know how it’s going to affect someone else. And if someone’s immune system is weak, then it could really have very… very bad outcomes. 

Karissa: 

Yeah, totally. And not to be like a fearmonger on it or anything, but I’ve had it two other times before when I was more up to date on my vaccine. So it definitely wasn’t as bad. But yeah, this time was just really hard on me last week. 

Arielle: 

So yeah, okay. Well, I do have a story, I guess, about wellness and staying healthy for as long as you can. So, do you mind if I use your I’m an optimist, but… for my segue? 

Karissa: 

Yes, please. Let’s dive into some solutions. 

Arielle: 

Okay, great.  

If you, like me, are curious to know how well you’re aging or even how long you might live, you might picture expensive scans or genetic testing or detailed blood work. But researchers say there are surprisingly simple ways to get a snapshot of your long-term health. And that’s what my solution is about today. It’s titled 5 simple fitness tests that may reveal how long you’ll live. And the best part is that they don’t require anything more than your own body weight and a few minutes of your time. 

Karissa: 

Well, this is interesting. We can just do this at home, and it’s very simple. So, I am definitely excited to hear more about this, Arielle. 

Arielle: 

All right, well, Jonathan Myers, a clinical professor at Stanford, puts it this way: these assessments are surrogates for key capabilities like balance or strength that influence how long you live. They’re simple fitness tests, but they actually tap into critical systems. Muscle strength, coordination, cardiovascular health, even brain function.  

So, the first test is called the one leg stand, and it has to do with balance. In a long-term study of nearly 2,000 older adults, researchers found that people who couldn’t balance on one leg for 10 seconds were significantly more likely to die during the study period. 

Karissa: 

Wow, 10 seconds? I mean, that’s really tempting for me to just stand up right now and do it. But that’s not very long at all. 

Arielle: 

No, it’s not. And that’s kind of the point. Balance tends to decline with each decade after 50, unless you actively train it. And balance isn’t just about strong legs. It’s about coordination between your muscles, vision, and nervous system. Kenton Kaufman from the Mayo Clinic says 30 seconds is a strong benchmark. Some experts even suggest trying it with your eyes closed for an added challenge. 

Karissa: 

Okay, well, it seems like it’s not just about, you know, not tipping over. It’s really about reducing falls, I would imagine. 

Arielle: 

That’s exactly right. Falls are one of the biggest threats to independence as we age. But the good news is that balance is trainable. You can even incorporate little exercises into your daily routine without much trouble. For instance, you could try standing on one leg while brushing your teeth or cooking, or you could strengthen your hips with side leg lifts while you’re waiting for the bus or binge -watching your favorite show. 

Karissa: 

Yeah, these are good ideas and a good reminder that balance is important because I know we do a lot of balance work in yoga too and sometimes I’m just like, why? But it’s good for us. 

Arielle: 

Yeah, it takes your focus and also doing it with your eyes closed really does present so much more of a challenge. Like whenever the yoga instructor is like, okay, now try this pose with your eyes closed, suddenly it’s impossible. 

Karissa: 

I know. Yeah, I’m guilty of tumbling pretty quick if my eyes are closed, but it’s something I’ll continue to work on. 

Arielle: 

All right, well, the next test is called the Dead Hang. Honestly, I tried all of these after I read the article, and I showed my weakest performance when I did this test. It’s… Basically just grabbing a pull-up bar and hanging for as long as you can, which, trust me, is a workout in itself. That said, it’s less about showing off your upper body strength and more just about the grip strength. 

Karissa: 

Interesting. I mean, I do not have a lot of upper body strength, so this sounds… This sounds like I would not like this challenge, but I have heard that grip strength is a predictor of aging before. So, I guess, why does it matter so much? 

Arielle: 

Well, grip strength reflects your overall muscle strength and even bone health. Myers notes that hanging for 75 to 90 seconds is excellent if you’re under 40. I got to the 75 -second mark, but it was pretty tough for me. I was, like, really hanging on for dear life. So, this is definitely something I’m going to work on. If you’re in your 40s or 50s, 60 to 75 seconds is a solid result. And if you’re over 60, then you should be aiming for about 45 seconds. 

Karissa: 

And beyond the numbers, what else does grip strength really tell us? 

Arielle: 

Well, it’s linked to daily functions such as carrying groceries, opening jars, another weak point of mine, and maintaining mobility. Stronger grip often correlates with healthier aging. To improve, you don’t need to hang from a bar every day, although that would definitely help. You can also build it through rows, deadlifts, even just squeezing a stress ball. 

Karissa: 

Oh, okay. Well, that’s good to hear because I’m trying to think even where I have a bar where I could do this at and hang. I’m, like, thinking there is a park nearby, so maybe I should see if there is something I could dead hang from. 

Arielle: 

Yeah. 

Karissa: 

Okay, so what are the other kinds of tests? 

Arielle: 

The next one is called the Sitting-Rising test, and it’s one that often surprises people. What you do is you sit cross-legged on the floor, then you stand up without using your hands or knees for support. You’re scored out of 10, and higher scores have been tied to longer lifespans. 

Karissa: 

I don’t know that I’ve ever even done this before, so that sounds pretty humbling, and I feel like I would wobble a bit getting up. 

Arielle: 

Yeah, most people do, but that’s why it’s so telling. The test combines balance, coordination, flexibility, and lower body strength. If you can get up smoothly, you’re signaling that those systems are working together. If it’s a bit harder for you, it’s a clue to strengthen your legs and core. And you can do that through squats, lunges, glute bridges, even single leg exercises like curtsy lunges mimic the same movements and would be helpful. 

Karissa: 

Yeah, okay, well, something I’ll also have to do. 

Arielle: 

The next is somewhat in the same vein. It’s called the Chair Stand test. So, for this one, you sit in a chair, cross your arms over your chest, and stand up without using your hands. Then you can either time yourself doing 5 repetitions or count how many you can do in 30 seconds. 

Karissa: 

Wow, yeah, well, this is basically the movement most of us do dozens of times a day without thinking, so. 

Arielle: 

Yeah, especially if you’re like working at a desk job. But when you test it deliberately, it becomes a marker of cardiovascular fitness, leg strength, and even fall risk. Myers points out that under 40, finishing 5 stands in less than 10 seconds is excellent. For older adults, hitting 12 or more in 30 seconds is a very good sign. 

Karissa: 

Well, it seems like the training here sounds like the basics again. squats, step-ups, and strengthening the lower body. 

Arielle: 

Yeah, they’re simple and functional movements, and they translate directly into daily independence. The next one that we have is gait speed, which is one of the simplest predictors. Researchers have found that how fast you naturally walk can reveal a lot about survival odds. 

Karissa: 

Really? Just walking speed? 

Arielle: 

Yeah, the test is straightforward. Walk 6 meters at your usual pace, then calculate the speed. Anything slower than 1 meter per second has been tied to shorter lifespans in older adults. And walking speed isn’t just about leg strength. It reflects cardiovascular health, coordination, and neurological function. 

Karissa: 

Well, I guess the takeaway is walk faster. 

Arielle: 

Yeah, pretty much. Studies show brisk walkers live longer on average. And adding just 15 minutes of fast walking daily can reduce mortality risk by nearly 20%. If you want to push yourself, you can sprinkle in some hills or light jogs. Of course, these five tests aren’t the whole story. Deborah Kado, co-director of the Stanford Longevity Center, reminds us they’re just one piece of the longevity puzzle. Genetics, mental health, and relationships all matter too. And things like fatigue or a cold or COVID can throw off your results. 

Karissa: 

I know; I’m thinking right now that I’m still recovering from COVID. I’m like, I don’t think I could do a lot of these. It seems like these tests aren’t meant to scare anyone if you don’t hit the benchmarks. And like we just said, you might be off one day or something too. 

Arielle: 

So yeah, you shouldn’t take it like totally to heart if you’re failing some of these exams sometimes, or exams, tests (laughs). But you can think of them as useful clues. They’re accessible, they’re low cost, and most importantly, they’re trainable. You can practice, improve, and track your progress over time. Because longevity isn’t just about how many years you get, but how well you can live them. And these five tests offer a roadmap for keeping the quality of life strong as you age. 

Karissa: 

This is a very fascinating solution. And I know as soon as we get off this podcast recording, I’m going to go try all of these. 

Arielle: 

All right, well, let me know how you do! 

Karissa: 

Yeah, we’ll report back. Yeah, thanks for sharing that, Arielle. 

Arielle: 

Yeah, no problem. I found it really interesting. Hopefully everybody else does as well. But what caught your eye this week? 

Karissa: 

So, my solution is called: From wind farm to front door: architects turn turbines into tiny homes. So let me set the scene. Step inside something called Nestle, and you might think you’re in a sleek, minimalist cabin. The sunlight filters through glass doors, white walls glow under a skylight, and four solar panels gleam overhead.  

Step outside, though, and the secret is revealed. This cozy 35 -square-meter pod once spun on a windy plane as the nacelle of a 20-year-old V-82MW wind turbine. 

Arielle: 

Whoa, a wind turbine cabin? That’s a pretty interesting concept. 

Karissa: 

Yep, Nestle, named as a playful nod to the word “nacelle,” is the world’s first tiny home crafted from a turbine’s engine housing. Dutch company Blade-Made sees it as proof that even the most complex turbine parts can be reborn. And Jos de Krieger, who is the Blade-Made co-founder, says this is basically the most complex thing that you can do with it. 

Arielle: 

Wow, okay, so why are they using wind turbines if it’s so complex? 

Karissa: 

For one, wind power is booming. It currently supplies about 8% of the world’s electricity today, with the share expected to nearly double by 2030, which is great news. But turbines don’t last forever. After 20 to 25 years, their blades and nacelles often end up as waste. And unlike steel towers, these fiberglass-heavy parts are notoriously difficult to recycle. Estimates actually suggest that the U.S. alone could generate 2.2 million tons of blade waste by 2050, and many European countries have already abandoned sending these hulking parts to landfills, which is raising the stakes for creative alternatives. 

Arielle: 

Okay, it sounds like the solution is all about reinventing the leftovers. 

Karissa: 

Precisely. Krieger has been tinkering with turbine scraps for more than a decade, and in 2008, as an intern, he actually turned blades into a children’s playground. 

Arielle: 

Oh, nice. 

Karissa: 

And since then, Blade-Made has reimagined turbine waste into benches, bus stops, street sculptures, and even highway sound barriers. 

Arielle: 

As cool as wind turbine benches and sculptures are, I would imagine that building a livable house would be slightly more difficult. 

Karissa: 

Yeah, definitely. Nestle is Blade-Made’s most ambitious project yet, because upcycling turbines isn’t simple at all. The materials are unwieldy, transport is difficult, and information about blade composition is often kept under wraps by manufacturers. But researchers like Justine Beauson of the Technical University of Denmark argue that upcycling may be the most practical option for now since, as mentioned earlier, the blades are almost impossible to recycle. Meanwhile, innovations are bubbling up elsewhere. A company called Siemens Gamesa has produced recyclable blades using a special resin, and governments, including the U.S. Department of Energy, are funding new recycling technologies. 

Arielle: 

Well, until these innovations are more widespread, it’s great that people are giving turbines second lives in unexpected forms. 

Karissa: 

Yeah, totally. I mean, the winds of possibility are flowing, and the whimsical charm of a home born from a wind turbine has struck a chord. Blade-Made is already preparing its first production run of about 10 Nestle homes, refining the design to fit the market. The hope is that the success stories like this will convince more wind farm owners to consider reuse. 

Arielle: 

And I think it would be so fun to tell everyone that your house was once a wind turbine. 

Karissa: 

Yeah, it definitely adds some charm. I mean, if the world is looking for proof that yesterday’s energy infrastructure can become tomorrow’s living space, Nestle may have the answer with homes that are stylish, sustainable, and have a good story to tell. 

Arielle: 

That’s really cool. And it’s great that it’s happening in the Netherlands. The guy’s Dutch, right? This company is Dutch. 

Karissa: 

Yeah. 

Arielle: 

Because we have a lot of wind turbines out here and a lot of wind and not so many houses. 

Karissa: 

Right. I know. That’s what I was thinking too, because in California we have a lot of wind turbines as well and not enough houses either. 

Arielle: 

Yeah, maybe it’s a two-pronged solution. 

Karissa: 

Yeah. 

Arielle: 

Well, that is really, really cool. I’m going to have to look into that and maybe see if I can get my hands on one of these in the future. 

Karissa: 

I wonder how much they’ll be going for. 

Arielle: 

Well, we do have quite a lot of other solutions that you can find on our website, OptimistDaily.com, and they include 

Karissa: 

Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize unite to protect Great Mayan Jungle. How to revive your work mojo after a vacation. Europe approves twice-yearly HIV prevention shot amid rising cases. And Palo Santo explained: history, meaning, and mindful ways to use it. 

Arielle: 

We also have Australia says goodbye to plastic soy sauce fish in world-first ban. How to raise siblings who love each other, according to a psychologist. Three-minute fastball test could help spot Alzheimer’s risk earlier. And How to create meaningful full moon rituals this autumn. 

Karissa: 

Yeah, lots of cool solutions this week, so definitely go check them out on the website if you haven’t already. 

Arielle: 

We will be back next week with more solutions, but until then, Karissa, I hope you get back to 100%, and I wish all of our listeners, readers, and fellow optimists a very, very happy weekend. 

Karissa: 

Thanks, Arielle, and yeah, I hope the same for everybody. Bye! 

Arielle: 

Bye.