What We’ve Been Learning from Chris Hemsworth’s Limitless (and How It’s Inspired Me)

So, we’ve been watching Chris Hemsworth’s Limitless programme lately, and honestly, it’s been so interesting. The show follows Chris as he explores ways to optimise his mental and physical health after being diagnosed with a disposition towards dementia. He’s not just talking about exercise or eating well, although that's obviously important—he’s exploring the ways we can give our brains and bodies the best chance of staying healthy as we age.

One of the things Chris experiments with is temperature differences. The science behind it is actually fascinating: alternating between hot and cold increases blood flow, which can improve cardiovascular health and reduce inflammation. Cold exposure also triggers an adrenaline response, which can boost mood and alertness. The heat also relaxes your muscles and gets your blood flowing It’s uncomfortable at first—but in a way that make you feels alive. I already try to do a hot saunas and cold dips once a month, but it was interesting to watch what the scientist had to say about the long term benefits.I find that it's the following morning that I really reap the benefit. I tend to sleep well after it and wake up energised, focused and feeling amazing.

Some of Chris’s challenges really push him outside his comfort zone. Stepping out of your comfort zone is one of the most powerful ways to boost mental health and wellbeing. Challenging yourself—even in small or scary ways—releases endorphins, builds confidence, and trains your brain to handle uncertainty with resilience. We travel a lot which obviously takes me out of my comfort zone as everything is unfamiliar. I'm also up for trying new things all the time but recently in Senegal, I walked with lions. It was amazing but also quite scary. You know they’re massive, but when you’re standing that close and one of them roars… it’s impossible not to feel completely in awe and vulnerable. If they decided to attack, you really wouldn't stand a chance. It was terrifying, exhilarating, and probably one of the biggest ways I’ve ever stepped outside my comfort zone.

Chris also explores fasting, which inspired me to make it a regular part of my routine. I now fast for 14 hours a day, five days a week. I’ve been really impressed by how much better I feel since I started—it’s not just the physical benefits (though those are amazing, too). Fasting shifts your body from burning glucose to burning ketones, a process that can reduce inflammation, improve metabolic flexibility, support heart health, and may even help protect the brain from age-related decline. Personally, I’ve noticed more energy and clarity during the day, and it’s just such a simple way to give your body a chance to reset and repair itself. I have actually lost a little weight which is not my aim and I don't really want to do, so it's forced me to look at my diet and eating patterns and make changes there too.

Another big focus in Limitless is keeping the brain active. Chris is always trying new skills to challenge himself, which is something I’ve tried to incorporate too. Recently, we started line dancing a couple of times a month. I often muck it right up but, but it’s brilliant for the brain—  I can already see improvements in my memory and coordination. The act of learning new steps, remembering patterns, and moving my body in new ways is great for brain plasticity—basically keeping the brain flexible and able to adapt. Plus, it’s fun, social, and occasionally ridiculous—which, honestly, makes it more effective because if you enjoy it, you’re more likely to stick with it. It’s also a reminder that brain health doesn't have to be about puzzles or apps; it’s about doing things that make you think, move, and sometimes feel a little silly, but can open us up to new experiences and social opportunities too.

One of the parts of the show that I really resonated with was when Chris explored the benefits of accepting aging and our own mortality. It’s not morbid—it’s practical. We really aren't taught how to manage death - although it's a guaranteed event in everyone's life and the media and society seems fixated on trying to hold back the aging process, which is kind or like making snowballs in hell. Fighting reality is one of the biggest causes of stress and anxiety, and acknowledging that life is unpredictable can be freeing. I already practice acceptance in my own life, but it was a good reminder: embracing what is doesn’t mean giving up. It just makes you aware of what's important and helps you to stay focused on living in the now rather than pretending it won't happen and putting things off for the future. It can also helps us to navigate grief more effectively and we have a different perspective on loss..

And of course, there’s the physical fitness side of things. Chris mixes up his workouts to make sure all muscles get exercised, and he doesn’t stick to one type of movement. I already walk the dog every day and do yoga six days a week, which keeps me grounded, flexible, and strong—but adding dance has been such a fun way to build endurance, strength, and coordination. Science supports this too: mixing up your exercise routine not only prevents overuse injuries, it keeps your nervous system challenged, which helps maintain agility and overall body awareness as you age.

What’s been so cool about watching the show is seeing how everything connects. The mental challenges, the physical experiments, the lifestyle tweaks—they’re not separate “hacks,” they all feed into each other. Stress management, brain health, cardiovascular health, resilience, mood—they’re all intertwined. Watching Chris navigate that has made me think about my own life, especially as I lost both my parents to dementia: so looking at what I already do, what I could do differently, and how small changes can ripple into bigger results over time has been very worthwhile. I really want to support my body and mind to stay healthy for a long time to come.

We’re just about to start season two, and I’m genuinely curious to see what comes next.

You can watch Limitless on the the Disney Channel.

Chris.