Why Retirees Struggle with Health Over the Holidays (E122)

Today, Jesse is joined by Dr. Phil Pearlman—psychologist, behavioral finance veteran, and founder of the Pearl Institute—for a conversation about how long-term health and long-term wealth are two sides of the same coin. Together, they explore why the holiday season, while full of joy and connection, is also the unhealthiest stretch of the year for most Americans—and how small, deliberate choices can reverse that trend. Phil shares his "four pillars of health"—nutrition, exercise, sleep, and love/community—alongside his own powerful story of addiction, recovery, and rediscovering the athlete within. From the parallels between compounding habits and compounding returns to the dangers of "energy toxicity" in modern diets, the discussion connects physical and financial wellbeing through the shared principles of discipline, awareness, and intentional living. Phil explains why cutting alcohol, prioritizing protein, and starting with just one sustainable habit—like morning walks—can transform both body and mindset. Throughout, Jesse and Phil remind listeners that you only get one body, one life, and one chance to invest in both wisely.

Key Takeaways:
• Health and wealth are interconnected — both require discipline, patience, and compounding habits to create long-term success.
• Nutrition is the top priority; you can't "out-exercise" a bad diet, and most health challenges begin with poor food choices.
• Alcohol is one of the biggest barriers to health, harming sleep, metabolism, mood, and long-term physical wellness.
• Phil's personal transformation—from addiction and poor health to sobriety and vitality—shows that renewal is always possible.
• Morning walks are a high-impact, low-barrier habit, improving mood, metabolism, and sleep cycles.
• Community and connection are health essentials, not luxuries; love and belonging strengthen both body and mind.

Key Timestamps:
(00:00) – The Power of a Deeper Yes
(07:29) – Identifying Your Core Values and Spending
(12:00) – The Four Pillars of Health
(22:06) – Seasonality and Health During the Holidays
(33:41) – The Role of Alcohol in Nutrition
(39:10) – Setting Health Goals for the New Year

Key Topics Discussed:
The Best Interest, Jesse Cramer, Wealth Management Rochester NY, Financial Planning for Families, Fiduciary Financial Advisor, Comprehensive Financial Planning, Retirement Planning Advice, Tax-Efficient Investing, Risk Management for Investors, Generational Wealth Transfer Planning, Financial Strategies for High Earners, Personal Finance for Entrepreneurs, Behavioral Finance Insights, Asset Allocation Strategies, Advanced Estate Planning Techniques

Mentions:
Website: https://primecuts.philpearlman.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-pearlman-1002183/
Mentions:
https://bestinterest.blog/do-you-have-a-deeper-yes/ 

More of The Best Interest:
Check out the Best Interest Blog at https://bestinterest.blog/
Contact me at [email protected]
Consider working with me at https://bestinterest.blog/work/

The Best Interest Podcast is a personal podcast meant for education and entertainment. It should not be taken as financial advice, and is not prescriptive of your financial situation.