Healthspan vs. Lifespan: 3 Functional Medicine Pillars for Stronger Aging
In the modern health conversation, we hear a lot of noise about "longevity," and honestly, it sometimes bothers me. It often sounds like another commodity the healthcare industry wants you to buy through endless testing and supplements. At Whole Woman Health, I believe the goal isn't just to increase your lifespan—the number of years you live—but to maximize your Healthspan: the number of years you spend active, vibrant, and well. I want to compress the time spent in sickness so you can live a full, independent life, much like my grandfather did. This essential shift in focus moves us away from chasing quick fixes and back toward honoring the intelligence of our own bodies.
In this video, I break down my simple, functional medicine approach to building a robust Healthspan. This isn't about buying the latest product; it's about intentional daily practices focused on foundational pillars: Nourishment, Movement, and Connection. You'll learn why a modified Mediterranean diet still reigns supreme, why losing muscle mass is one of the fastest paths to decline, and how staying mentally and spiritually engaged can transform your later years. Press play to start shifting your focus from living longer to living better.
If this video resonates, come spend three focused days with me translating Nourishment, Movement, and Connection into daily rhythm you can keep. We’ll work with functional medicine’s practical tools—so you leave with clarity, not overwhelm.
Aging Successfully: A Functional Medicine Retreat with Carrie Levine MSN, CNM, IFMCP
May 14–16, 2026 • 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. daily
With seasonal, health-supportive lunches by Salt Water Farm
Join Carrie Levine, local certified nurse midwife and functional medicine practitioner, for a three-day exploration of what it means to, and what we can do to, age successfully. Each day will include a healthy, delicious meal prepared by Salt Water Farm to reinforce the dietary concepts learned in class. Students are encouraged to read Carrie’s book, Whole Women Health, prior to the retreat to get the most out of this experience.
People are increasingly curious about how to improve health span – the time we spend feeling, being, and living well, as opposed to lifespan – living a long life regardless of quality. We will explore a variety of topics related to aging successfully through the lens of functional medicine, a systems biology approach to chronic disease, health, and wellness. Functional medicine is the medicine of “why,” rather than the medicine of “what,” and relies heavily on lifestyle and nutrition as primary interventions.
What we’ll explore
Physical Vitality & Longevity – Bone density, mobility, strength, energy, and staying active as you age
Hormones, Metabolism & Sleep – Menopause and post-menopause, metabolism and weight, and truly restorative sleep
Gut & Inflammation Health – The gut–brain connection, age-specific digestive changes,, and lowering inflammation through food and lifestyle
Emotional & Mental Resilience – Explore tools for managing stress, anxiety, grief, and cultivating calm, clarity, and joy
Brain & Heart Health – Supporting cognitive function and cardiovascular health in midlife and beyond
Connection & Purpose – Meaning in life transitions, community, and how joy, creativity, and gratitude support health
Details & registration
Dates: May 14–16, 2026 (Thu–Sat), 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. each day
Location: Salt Water Farm (lunch included daily)
Tuition: $1,200 per participant
Cancellation: 50% refund up to 90 days before start; 100% refund if your spot is filled from the waitlist.
Minimum: 10 students required. If we don’t meet that number by April 1, 2026, all registrants will be notified and refunded.
Optional pre-read: my book Whole Woman Health will deepen your experience, but it’s not required.