Q&A with Pullela Gopichand | The art of ageing
In his new book, The Longevity Code, national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand reveals strategies for living better and longer
Q. How does the book simplify health and longevity?
Q. How does the book simplify health and longevity?
It breaks down scientific words and jargon into doable things for longer health. Marginal improvements in sleep, food and movement are more important than anything else. There are a lot of things that go around and come around in cycles. But I think the key is to keep moving a little more, eating a little better.
Q. How did the collaboration with your co-author, the physician-scientist Dr Sophia Pathai, come about?
The health of the population has come down drastically. When I met Sophia, I was amazed at her understanding of ageing and longevity. She liked the experiments with what had been happening with my body. So, it was a natural fit and the book happened organically.
Q. How was it to bounce back from injuries and surgeries to win some of the biggest titles of your career?
I believe each injury has its own lessons to learn from. I am the person I am because of the injuries I suffered. I’m really grateful for my entire support team who helped me during recovery. Having said that, I think it was meant to happen that way and it’s God’s grace that I could come back to win a few tournaments.
Q. How has sports science helped in extending the career of athletes?
This generation has got better science and technology, a lot of fundamental things—staying close to the ground, being in nature, pure water and air, pure thought and fewer distractions—could be some of the biggest factors that could help with recovery.
