This is StRest! In this conversation, Kerstin sits down with physician, researcher, and lifestyle medicine pioneer Dr. Sharon Bergquist to explore one of the most surprising ideas in health today: stress—when harnessed correctly—can actually prevent Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and chronic disease.

Together they unpack why we’ve misunderstood stress, how “good stress” strengthens resilience and even rewires our brains, and why purpose is one of the most powerful protectors against cognitive decline. Dr. Bergquist introduces the science of hormesis, showing how exercise, fasting, heat/cold exposure, and plant foods stress our bodies into becoming stronger. She also shares her personal story of fleeing Iran during the revolution, how mindset shapes the impact of stress, and why “values conflict stress” is one of the most dangerous forms of all.

You’ll hear how resilience is a muscle anyone can build, why anti-fragility goes beyond bouncing back, and what practical habits (and mindset shifts) you can adopt today to live longer, healthier, and happier.

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CHAPTERS

(00:00) Intro & today’s big question

(00:34) Can stress prevent Alzheimer’s?

(04:02) Why we get stress wrong & resilience as a muscle

(07:27) Dr. Bergquist’s background in lifestyle medicine

(09:01) Stress as prevention in midlife and caregiving

(12:30) Hormesis: the science of good stress

(14:52) Stressors that build strength: exercise, plants, heat, cold

(21:26) Stress, Alzheimer’s, diabetes & brain health

(25:41) Dose, type, and purpose as protectors

(29:06) Purpose vs burnout: stories of alignment

(32:04) Executive stress, research & The Stress Paradox

(39:51) Physician burnout & values conflict stress

(44:41) Micro steps, bold moves & aligning with meaning

(51:16) Fasting, comfort, and natural repair

(58:44) Dr. Bergquist’s story, mindset shift & health non-negotiables

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More About Dr. Sharon Bergquist

Website: drsharonbergquist.com

Book: The Stress Paradox

Newsletter: Sign up here

Instagram: @thegoodstressdoctor

LinkedIn: Dr. Sharon Horesh Bergquist

More about Kerstin

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