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Good morning! Today in 1804, Vice President Aaron Burr mortally wounded Founding Father Alexander Hamilton in their now infamous duel. Keep reading to see why facts like this are so useful.

The Weekly Pounce provides five, science-backed healthspan tips that we refer to as the Pounce Pot Protocol. Each week, you can power up your future self by integrating these budget-friendly longevity and pro-aging strategies into your routine. 

It’s not too late (and it’s never too early) to pounce on life’s possibilities! Join our supportive community. We achieve more by learning together! Need to catch up? Read past issues in the archive.

Boost Your Brain

15-Minutes to Learn Something New

Remember how exciting it was to learn something completely new as a student? That feeling doesn't have to stop. Immersing yourself in a topic that fills a gap in your knowledge stimulates curiosity and builds new neural connections, keeping your brain nimble and adaptable. Find out how: 

This week, try spending 15 minutes exploring a brand new topic daily. Begin with something like, say, cameras. Read about the world’s biggest and newest digital camera, the history of cameras, or the “50 Best Photographers Ever.”

Look into something else arcane, random, or intriguing next—like “Today in History.” Try not to let your newsfeed trick you into reading the same ol’ same ol’ about what you already know. Search for something new!

Connect & Thrive

What’s Better Than “How are you?”

In a world full of distractions, truly listening to a friend or colleague is a rare and powerful gift you can offer. 

This week, in at least one conversation, challenge yourself to listen without interrupting and truly absorb what the other person is saying. According to my husband, I’ve got a pretty annoying habit of interrupting him. I’ll accept this week’s challenge, too.

This helpful article suggests how we can encourage the other person to add to the conversation by frequently ending our thoughts with: “What do you think?” 

Watch this funny way to change up your standard answer to “How are you?” (Hint: it’s so much better than “Fine, how are you?”)

Harness Hidden Powers

Wash Your Produce

Last week, we reviewed the 2025 Dirty Dozen list. This week, I encourage you to look closely at why we need to wash our produce so thoroughly.

Keeping in mind that your gut health is one of your most important hidden super powers, you can learn in this chart how disturbing their delicate balance with pesticides can be detrimental.

This week, commit to taking some extra steps to carefully wash your produce. Try out these tips →

Fuel Your Journey

Protein-rich Salad Toppers

Keeping cool in the kitchen means one thing: It’s salad season! 

Adding protein to your diet in healthy ways is essential to avoiding sarcopenia as you age. And if you’re still a growing teenager or actively training to gain muscle through strength-training, protein is also an essential part of your daily nutrition.

Try adding some extra protein to your salads this week with the following toppers: 

✔️ walnuts, almonds, or pistachios 
✔️ sunflower or pumpkin seeds 
✔️ sliced boiled eggs
✔️ white beans
✔️ quinoa

Stay Active

Walking in Sunshine

When this summer heat becomes oppressive, don't let it derail your activity goals. I confess to avoiding my own outdoor walks in this heat; even early morning seems too hot and humid. 

But like I mentioned last week, there are countless ways to stay active indoors, including walking in place with these videos: 

Just one minute using this video, an easy 10 minutes, a brisk one-mile indoors, or with nearly 15 million views, this one is fun, too →

You still need sunlight, however. So don’t become a house-hermit. Pop outside for at least 5 to 15 minutes in the sunshine within an hour of waking up. (Perhaps just take a stroll around your house to water your plants or have your coffee on your patio.) 

Read this easy to understand article to discover how morning light improves your well-being and sleep. It’s one of your hidden powers that you can harness, and we’ll dig into it more in future Pounce Pot posts.

Pounce Pick of the Week

Pounce Pot Post

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