Catch up on the latest episode of the What’s My Age Again podcast now
On a recent episode of Katherine Ryan’s hit podcast ‘What’s My Age Again?’, actor, activist and podcaster Jameela Jamil was shocked to learn she has a biological age of just twenty.
Every week, Katherine invites a famous face to chat about aging, beauty and how their lifestyles and career have impacted their body. Each guest then takes a biological age blood test which reveals how their bodies’ ‘real’ age compares to their chronological age.
Coupled with the health issues she has been through all her life, Jameela declared that with “the amount I have abused my body in this life, there’s no way the test will say I’m under 90.” But with her test revealing something entirely different, it posed the question: what could this youthful result really be attributed to? After all, Jameela strays far from beauty fads and wellness trends. The pair’s guess was something far more primal: rage.
“I don’t punish myself in the gym, I don’t do health kicks, I don’t take supplements, but I’m openly angry all the time,” she jokes. With expert Dr Nichola Conlan, the group discusses how stress drives inflammation, which in turn drives ageing. So, Jameela’s tendency to get things off her chest – alongside other factors, including the fact she doesn’t drink – could indeed be contributing to keeping her young.
How does Jameela feel about ageing?
Very positively. “I consider growing old such a massive privilege,” she says on the podcast. “I think a lot about my 85-year-old self and I want her to know that I was excited for her arrival and I didn’t dread her incoming. I’m hoping I feel that way forever.”
She speaks about loving the way older people look, both men and women, including the likes of Kristen Scott Thomas, Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet and Monica Belucci. “These women whose life and soul shows on their face … all of that is just hot personally to me.”
She also adds that given she has been catcalled from the age of twelve, she’s “enjoying becoming more invisible … and as far away from my twenties and teens as possible.”
What about the anti-aging pressures placed on women?
“I know I’m critical of anti-aging techniques, fillers, Botox, weight loss surgery and weight loss injections” says Jameela.
“I know sometimes … people can think it comes from a place of judgment. Genuinely, where it’s coming from is that there is risk with all of these things. I felt in danger as a girl and as a woman my whole life. I just don’t want to take any risks. I like makeup, I like nice clothes, I like anything that can come off and won’t do my body any damage. But I’m angry that it has become hyper-normalized for women to take immense risk with their bodies: not eat enough, mess up their bone density, their digestive health. The reason we’re fine with doing that with women is because we don’t actually value them after they reach a certain age.”
On her outspoken stance on beauty culture
During the episode, Jameela addresses public perceptions on her criticism of today’s beauty culture, especially the standards celebrities are perpetuating.
“I just want to make sure that we’re all having open discourse so that at least we’re consenting,” she told Katherine. “If you know the risks of the weight loss injections, then you’re consenting. But if everyone’s only telling you the good side … not the dangers, then that’s what I have a problem with.”
“It’s the same with the weight loss laxatives, I just want to make sure that we’re all having informed discussions and that we’re not endorsing hypocrisy or the harm of women and just hypernormalising it.”
How do I listen to the episode?
You can listen to Jameela Jamil’s episode now on Rayo, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts.
Want to take the test yourself?
If you want to try the Glycanage test for yourself, they are offering 25% off for ‘What’s My Age Again’ listeners with the code WHATSMYAGEAGAIN25. Head to glycanage.com to redeem. Terms and conditions apply.
How do I listen to more Rayo Original podcasts?
You can listen to many more Rayo Original podcasts for free on Rayo (via the Rayo app on iOS or Android, by visiting hellorayo.co.uk, or using your smart speaker), Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts. This includes Pete Wicks: Man Made, RISE with Roxie, Lost in Translation, Pete Wicks and Olivia Attwood’s Sunday Roast: The Podcast and Brothers Uncovered.
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