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EPI 237: The Incredible Health Benefits Of Being OUTDOORS & How It Improves Our Lives As We Age. With NY Times Bestselling Author Caroline Paul

February 03, 2026 2 min read

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Show notes:

(0:00) Intro

(0:40) From firefighter to author: Caroline’s backstory

(2:25) Why society tells us to slow down after 60, and why we shouldn’t

(5:09) The science: how our beliefs about aging shape how we age

(12:21) The 5 pillars of healthy aging

(17:15) Nature’s healing power: from tree chemicals to birdsong

(23:46 The psychology of awe and how it rewires your brain

(35:06) Caroline’s mom: biking into her 80s

(42:00) Outdoor activities don’t have to be extreme

(45:06) How to take the first step

(46:58) Where to find Tough Broad and follow Caroline Paul

(47:50) Outro


Who is Caroline Paul?

Caroline Paul is an American author and former San Francisco firefighter, known for her adventurous spirit and bestselling books. Born in New York City in 1963, she grew up in New York, Paris, and Connecticut, and studied communications and journalism at Stanford University. In 1988, she joined the San Francisco Fire Department, where she was one of the first women in the department and specialized in search and rescue. After 13 years, she shifted her focus to writing.

Her books include Fighting Fire (a memoir), Lost Cat, East Wind, Rain, The Gutsy Girl, You Are Mighty, and Tough Broad: From Boogie Boarding to Wing Walking, How Outdoor Adventure Improves Our Lives as We Age. She is also known for her TED Talk on bravery in girls and is a longtime member of the Writers Grotto in San Francisco. Caroline is the identical twin of actress Alexandra Paul and continues to live in San Francisco.

 

Connect with Caroline Paul

Website: https://www.carolinepaul.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caroline.paul.750/

IG:https://www.instagram.com/carolinembpaul


Grab a copy of her books: https://www.carolinepaul.com/tough-broad


Preorder her new book, Why Fly: https://tinyurl.com/d6kxa33j

 

Links and Resources:

Peak Performance Life - https://buypeakperformance.com/

Peak Performance on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/livepeakperformance/

Peak Performance on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/livepeakperformance


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