Fit For Science
Two biological data scientists, Rob and Stephan, discuss how they use science, data, technology, wearables, and systems to optimize their lives. The podcast explores evidence-based lifestyle design, health tech, and personal experimentation, aiming to help listeners become their best N-of-1.
Episodes
#19 The Harmful “Longevity Bubble” + Updates from Oura, WHOOP, and Google's New FitBit Air
In this episode, biological data scientists Rob and Stephan examine Oura's cardiovascular age validation study, discuss WHOOP's new medical concierge service, critically analyze the overhyped commercialization of the longevity bubble, and explore the citizen science potential of the Google Fitbit Air.📝SummaryIn this episode, biological data scientists Rob and Stephan break down recent stru
#18 Will AI Actually Cure All Diseases? The Promise, Limits & Our Contributions to “AI for Science”
Stephan and Rob explore the ambitious claims made by AI industry leaders about rapid scientific advancement due to AI. They provide an introduction to the "AI for Science" field and analyze the fundamental physical limitations that govern the acceleration of biomedical discovery through AI.📝SummaryBiological data scientists Stephan and Rob evaluate the grand claims made by major tech exe
#17 The Three Dimensions of Wearables: Hardware, Algorithms and Apps (UI/UX)
Rob and Stephan break down the three critical dimensions of wearables—hardware, algorithms, and UI/UX—to explain what truly drives accurate health and sports tracking.📝SummaryBiological data scientists Rob and Stephan explore the three foundational pillars that determine the quality of health and sports tracking wearables: hardware, algorithms, and Apps (UI/UX). They begin by evaluating the maturi
The 1-Minute Exercise Myth, Exercise & Mortality, Athletes' Health Risks & Rob's 8-Watch Marathon (Fit For Science #16)
In this episode of Fit For Science, Rob and Stephan explore the complex relationship between various exercise types, intensity levels, and mortality, while also recounting Rob's intense DIY smartwatch-testing marathon.📝SummaryIn this episode, Rob and Stephan dive into the nuanced impacts of physical activity on mortality and disease risk, emphasizing that while exercise is universally benefici
Stanford's Aging Fish, Tracking Wishlist, Placebo Blueberries & Measuring Body Composition - Q1’26 Updates (Fit For Science Episode 15)
In this episode, Rob and Stephan explore the intersection of lifespan research, the exposome, and daily health tracking, tackling everything from aging fish and AI stool analysis to passive exercise tracking and body composition scales.📝SummaryIn episode 15 of Fit For Science, Rob and Stephan explore the intersection of lifespan research, the exposome, and daily health tracking, tackling everythin
The Silicon Valley Peptide Craze: Trust the Science, Not the Influencer (+ Hierarchy of Evidence) (Fit For Science Episode 14)
In this episode of Fit for Science, Rob and Stephan use the recent Silicon Valley "peptide craze" as a case study to explore how to critically evaluate health claims and navigate the scientific hierarchy of evidence.📝SummaryIn episode 14 of the Fit for Science podcast, biological data scientists Rob and Stephan delve into the growing trend of Silicon Valley tech elites self-injecting unr
The $100 Genome: Genetic Risk Scores & Sequencing Babies (Fit For Science Episode 13)
Rob and Stephan explore the new reality of $100 whole genome sequencing, the actionable value of polygenic risk scores, and the ethical future of personalized genomic medicine.📝SummaryBiological data scientists Rob and Stephan discuss the implications of the newly achieved $100 whole genome sequencing milestone, comparing unbiased whole genome reads to popular genotyping consumer products like 23a
How We Think About Supplements: What We Take, What We Ditched & Our Daily Protocols (Fit For Science Episode 12)
Rob and Stephan unpack their personal supplement protocols, discussing everything from creatine and omega-3s to the reasons they both ditched popular green powders like AG1.📝SummaryIn this episode, biological data scientists Rob and Stephan explore the rationale, logistics, and science behind their personal supplementation protocols, emphasizing that supplements can never replace foundational habi
Can and Should We Live Forever? Blue Zone Myths, Longevity Drugs & The 50/50 Genetics-Lifestyle Split (Fit For Science Episode 11)
Rob and Stephan dissect the "Nature vs. Nurture" debate in longevity, debunk Blue Zone myths, and evaluate the potential of anti-aging interventions like calorie restriction and Rapamycin.📝SummaryIn this episode, biological data scientists Rob and Stephan explore the realistic limits of human lifespan, starting with the outlier case of supercentenarian Jeanne Calment. They tackle the age
How to Actually Read Your Sleep Data (Beyond Accuracy) + 7 Scientific "Cumulative Biomarkers" for Longevity (Fit For Science Episode 10)
Rob and Stephan discuss why sleep stage trends matter more than absolute accuracy, review Oura's latest metrics, and define seven essential cumulative biomarkers for long-term health.📝SummaryIn this episode, biological data scientists Rob and Stephan challenge the standard approach to sleep tracking validation, proposing that detecting deviations from an individual's baseline is often more
The “Dark Side” of Tracking & VO2 Max as Longevity Predictor: Testing, Training & Our Results (Fit For Science Episode 9)
In this episode, Rob and Stephan explore the psychological risks of self-quantification, the science of aerobic capacity, and the physiological nuances of lactate thresholds.📝SummaryBiological data scientists Rob and Stephan discuss the "dark side" of the quantified self, specifically focusing on orthosomnia, a condition where sleep tracking leads to increased anxiety and worsened sleep quality. T
AI is Changing Wearables in 2026(?) and Predicts 130 Diseases from Sleep! (Fit For Science Episode 8)
Rob and Stephan evaluate current AI features in wearables, break down a revolutionary paper predicting diseases from a single night of sleep, and discuss the future of medical integration into wearables.📝SummaryIn this episode, biological data scientists Rob and Stephan critically assess the current use of AI in the wearable market, ranging from the practical limitations of Oura and Whoop coaches
The 4 Types of Wearables! Epigenetic Aging & Peakspan vs Healthspan? (+ Enhanced Games) (Fit For Science Episode 7)
Rob and Stephan categorize the modern wearable landscape, explain the shift from epigenetic to proteomic aging clocks, and debate the ethical implications of the upcoming 2026 Enhanced Games.📝SummaryIn this episode, biological data scientists Rob and Stephan provide a systematic framework for navigating the wearable market by defining four distinct device categories: Sleep, Sports, Smartwatches, a
Is “Biological Age” Useful According to Science? Systematic 2026 Outlook & 2025 Year Review (Fit For Science Episode 6)
Rob and Stephan analyze their 2025 health data, discuss the validity of "biological age" metrics, and set systems-based goals for the coming year.📝SummaryIn this episode, biological data scientists Rob and Stephan explore how to use wearable data to review the past year and plan for a better future. They critique the "year in review" features of popular apps, debating whether t
Apple Sleep Updates, Wearable Subscriptions & The Philosophy of Self-Tracking (Fit For Science Episode 5)
Data scientists Rob and Stephan discuss Apple's latest sleep algorithm improvements, the evolving landscape of wearable subscriptions, and three reasons for personal (health) tracking.📝SummaryIn this episode, the hosts examine the rapid iteration cycles of health technology, starting with Apple’s recent algorithmic improvements to sleep stage detection. They explore the "subscriptionification" of
Blood Pressure Wearables, Light Therapy & Nicotine Supplementation (Fit For Science Episode 4)
Rob and Stephan discuss the efficacy of blood pressure wearables, morning activation protocols like light therapy, and the use of nicotine as a cognitive stimulant.📝SummaryIn this episode, biological data scientists Rob and Stephan examine the evolution of wearable technology, focusing on Garmin’s Firstbeat sleep staging and the current limitations of wrist-based blood pressure monitoring. They co
Apple Watch Sleep Myths, Why We Quantify & Is Creatine Safe? (Fit For Science Episode 3)
Rob and Stephan dive into the "deep sleep problem" of the Apple Watch, share their personal motivations for long-term self-quantification, and provide a science-heavy look at why creatine is one of the most underappreciated supplements in medicine.📝SummaryIn this episode, Rob addresses the controversy surrounding Apple Watch sleep staging based on a recent study comparing wearables to po
Blue-Light Blockers, What to Track with Wearables & Plogging: Real Science or Fake Marketing? (Episode 2)
Biological data scientists Rob and Stephan discuss what to track and why, the psychological value of blue-light blocking glasses, and the multifaceted longevity benefits of "plogging".📝SummaryIn this episode, biological data scientists Rob and Stephan dive deep into the philosophy of self-quantification. They explore why tracking the "unobservable" state of sleep provides the h
Best Smart Rings, Sleep Lab Results & VO2 Max Study: How Two Scientists Really Use Wearables (Episode 1)
In this inaugural episode, biological data scientists Rob and Stephan dive into the world of self-quantification. They discuss their personal setups, the reliability of popular smart rings, and share exclusive preliminary results from recent independent validation studies on sleep and fitness tracking.🔬 SummaryTwo scientists, Rob (chemist turned bioinformatician) and Stephan (mathematician turned
