Chris Hemsworth’s new show Limitless goes beyond intermittent fasting and pumping iron
Aussie star Chris Hemsworth is going to be a “human guinea pig” for a series of mental and physical challenges that will make his current fasting regime seem like a piece of cake.
Eat
Don't miss out on the headlines from Eat. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Movie hunk Chris Hemsworth is a fan of intermittent fasting — but he’s about to go hungry for a longer period as part of a new challenge.
The Aussie Thor star is going to film a new NatGeo series, Limitless, in which he will be a “human guinea pig” to learn how humans can combat ageing to live healthier, longer lives.
Hemsworth will test the powers of human endurance, working with extreme athletes and adventurers from around the globe — and in one episode, looking at how early human hunter societies survived between episodes of plenty, he will likely have to go without food for several days.
“Basically, I was somehow convinced to volunteer myself as a human guinea pig and endure a series of mental and physical challenges across the globe, all for the sake of science,” Hemsworth said.
“We’re hoping to shed some light on new ideas and emerging science with the focus on extending a healthy life span. Production starts soon, so wish me luck.”
Beside him on this journey of discovery will be personal trainer and author Luke Zocchi, the man who introduced Hemsworth to intermittent fasting as a way of balancing one’s weight in a healthy and far less extreme way.
INTERMITTENT FASTING: What you need to know
NICOLE’S STORY: What fasting did for me
“I’m going to learn from all these high-end people,” Zocchi said. “While Chris is on camera doing it, I’ll be doing it behind the scenes.”
Zocchi, who is based in Byron Bay when not travelling the globe with Hemsworth, spoke to News Corp Australia about his health regime ahead of the launch of a new book on intermittent fasting: The Fast Revolution.
The book, part of the Taste Top 100 series, simplifies the increasingly popular approach to eating, which is used by celebrities like Hemsworth and wife Elsa Pataky, Margot Robbie and Hugh Jackman.
TASTE 100: Get into Summer Snackification
TASTE 100: Secret stars behind your fave foods
Unlike some fad diets, such as keto, intermittent fasting can be done by athletes and busy people without veering too much from “normal” eating.
“I’m currently doing now and I’ve done it on and off for a couple of years,” Zocchi said.
“The first time I did it was to lose weight and I was surprised at how well it worked.
“Since then it’s been an easy way to keep myself in check weight-wise.
“I find the whole set-up is just so easy to follow; and then the third thing is all the health benefits and new research that’s coming out about it,” he added, referring to an increasing body of work that indicates intermittent fasting, practised sensibly, can delay ageing and reduce risk of chronic diseases.
Hemsworth did a lot of intermittent fasting around the time of Men In Black — when he was noticeably less bulked-up than in Thor.
Zocchi believes the secret to successful intermittent fasting is to “keep busy”; and aside from physical benefits, he feels it keeps him sharp mentally — something he’ll need not only for his next challenge with Hemsworth but also for his own booming eco-friendly coffee business, SIPP Instant, which has recently been commissioned by high-end London store Selfridges.
His immediate challenge, however, is far less glamorous — he has to mend a broken toe, which he sustained after a 120kg weight fell on it.
“Mate’s it’s so embarrassing,” he laughed. “My hands got sweaty … it just slipped through my hand and straight onto my toe.”
He’s been prescribed a few weeks of light duties — plenty of time to dive into The Fast Revolution.
***
Taste Top 100: The Fast Revolution, produced by Taste and HarperCollins Australia, is on sale now.