What if aging weren’t a mystery to solve, but a challenge to conquer? Dr. Filippo Ongaro – former ESA physician to astronauts – combines exercise science, nutrition and inner work into a practical roadmap for healthy longevity. Together with his wife, psychologist Sonia Ongaro, he developed a method that merges medical insight with behavioural change – grounded and built for real life. In this interview, he slices through the noise of longevity trends to return to what actually works: movement as medicine, inner work as emotional longevity, habit change as the real frontier, plus a future where the biggest breakthroughs might come not from labs, but from how we think, live, and lead our own health.
What sparked your journey toward longevity as a personal and professional mission?
„While I was working with astronauts at the European Space Agency, one of the problems we faced was the accelerated aging of crew members – that’s how I developed an interest in aging and practical ways to slow it down.”
While working with astronauts, Ongaro saw something few physicians ever do: how brutally fast the human body can age.
„In six months, astronauts age more or less the equivalent of ten years on Earth”
– a shocking acceleration that, with the right tools, can be slowed. Not miracle cures, but fundamentals. „Nutrition, exercise, stress management, smart supplementation – we’ve known these for years.” That’s why, he says, longevity doesn’t need to be overcomplicated. „Many people are waiting for a magic pill, but we should focus on helping more people adopt the basics.”
For Ongaro, longevity isn’t about chasing immortality – it’s about staying fit, for as long as possible. „In my mind, this is the essence of longevity,” he says. The rest? Just noise. Endless theories, trend-driven conferences, and big promises often overshadow the simple truth: we already know what works. So instead of focusing on a handful of biohackers hoping to reach 120, he argues, the real shift will come when the majority of people age better and healthier. „That’s when we’ll truly see a change in society.”
Dr Filippo Ongaro, CEO of Longevity Solutions, Switzerland
He’s also quick to point out that, despite the hype, we still lack solid human data on life extension. „We have some models on worms, on flies, a little bit on mice, a little bit on monkeys – but basically, we don’t have data on human beings.” That’s why he believes the conversation around extreme life extension or immortality may be getting ahead of itself.
For now, he says, the focus should be on helping more people reach their 80s and 90s in good health and physical shape.
What the field needs most, he says, is clarity – starting with measurement. „We need aging biomarkers that are certain. Without them, it’s hard to tell what actually works.” Current tools are mostly indirect – VO₂ max, muscle strength, bone density – and while concepts like Horvath’s biological clock or telomere length offer interesting directions, none provide a fully definitive picture. That’s why, for Ongaro, measurement comes before innovation. „If I had to choose one priority for research today,” he emphasizes, „I’d say identifying clear, reliable biomarkers of aging is more urgent than defining new approaches – because if we can’t measure the effectiveness, we’re back to square one.”
You often stress the basics. Of the four pillars of The Ongaro Method® – nutrition, nutraceuticals, physical training, and inner work – which do you find the most transformative, and why?
„If you think about what has the strongest impact on your body, your habits, your character, even your identity, then I think it’s physical exercise. But if you mean a deeper perspective on life and death, then inner work is the most powerful, because longevity should come from the joy of living, not the fear of dying.”
The expert sees physical training as essential to both longevity and overall well-being. „We’re made for movement,” he reflects, yet most people spend their lives sitting. Exercise has a profound impact on nearly every aspect of healthy aging: from muscle strength and cardiovascular health to mitochondrial function, metabolic, brain and bone health. But it’s not about light activity.
Dr Filippo Ongaro, CEO of Longevity Solutions, Switzerland
„We need a systematic approach – muscle work, weightlifting, intensive cardiovascular training,”
-he explains. Of course, this has to be approached gradually. „If someone comes from a sedentary lifestyle, they can’t start at full intensity – but the goal should be to reach the highest level your body can tolerate at your specific age.”
Changing habits is one of the greatest challenges Ongaro sees in his work. That’s why The Ongaro Method® combines coaching principles with insights from neuroscience and behavioural research. „People don’t change just because you tell them to,” he explains. „Instead of working against the brain, we try to work with it – by understanding how habits form, how gratification works, and by building change step by step.”
Let’s shift to your other venture. What was the inspiration behind creating Swiss Longevity Solutions?
„If the same number of people who grow old today continue to age in poor health, it will be a disaster – we won’t have the resources to care for them. That’s why we need to act before people get sick. Therefore, I believe in healthy longevity, and our mission with Swiss Longevity Solutions is to transform scientific knowledge into practical tools, products, and services that help people transform their lives.”
Ongaro sees the longevity economy as a major transformative force across industries – not just in healthcare, but in insurance, real estate, banking, education, tourism, and beyond. As people aim to live not only longer, but healthier lives, every sector connected to that goal becomes part of a growing, cross-market shift.
As for the next big frontier in longevity science? Ongaro points to psychology and behavioural science – areas he believes have often been overlooked. Yet this is where, in his view, the real potential lies. „Nobody wants to live longer without happiness,” he reflects.
Dr Filippo Ongaro, CEO of Longevity Solutions, Switzerland
The longevity expert believes that understanding how people think, change, and find meaning could become the missing link – the human layer that gives depth and direction to the science of longevity.
Looking ahead, Ongaro feels happy to be part of a growing global shift that is changing how we think about aging, health, and human potential. When he first started working in the field, longevity was a fringe topic. Today, it’s gaining momentum. What excites him most is seeing more and more people take charge of their health, choosing to stay well rather than waiting to get sick. It’s a mindset he’s proud to support, and one he hopes to embody for years to come.
What has it been like to build this mission alongside your wife?
„We share the same vision, the same passion, the same interest – that’s what made building this mission together feel natural from the start. Combining the medical and psychological sides is not just our strength, it’s how we believe people should be treated: not as separate parts, but as integrated systems. More and more people are starting to understand this. And honestly, it’s fun, and fun is addictive. That’s how you build something that lasts.”
Dr Filippo Ongaro, CEO of Longevity Solutions, Switzerland
If you could leave our readers with one message, what would it be?
„Can I be direct? Move your ass.” He laughs, but he means it.
„Get off the chair, do sports, be curious, learn something new. Even if a miracle pill arrives tomorrow, it will only work on those who already take care of themselves.”
“So, start now, have fun and don’t see it as a sacrifice, but as a way to experience the beauty of taking care of yourself and your body.”
Author: Révész Bogi
(Featured image: Dr Filippo Ongaro, CEO of Longevity Solutions, Switzerland)
