Whether she’s out running errands or meeting friends, Andi Lew is often mistaken for someone decades younger.
The 52-year-old Sydneysider, now based in Los Angeles, radiates energy and confidence – attracting attention wherever she goes, particularly from men half her age.
‘It’s so fun, I love seeing people get shocked by my age,’ the Well To Do podcast host told Daily Mail, recalling the countless times she’s left admirers speechless.
‘When I reveal I’m 52, they usually say, ‘What? You’re not. Prove it.’ Then I show them my ID. Their level of respect for me goes up and they change the way they talk to me.’
Andi says younger men are often keen to date her, and one of her closest friends is 20 years her junior – though she rarely notices the age gap.
Her age-defying looks aren’t thanks to expensive treatments, fancy serums, Botox, filler or a facelift.
Instead, Andi credits her vibrant appearance to a whole-body focus on lifestyle, diet, and exercise – prioritising rejuvenation and balance from the inside out.
‘The people who age the best are the ones who move and keep their brain active with curiosity. When the brain starts to shut down through a lack of movement, you start to age rapidly,’ she said.
Andi Lew is often mistaken for being 15 years younger than she actually is. The mother-of-one from Sydney who now lives in Los Angeles, shares the secrets to her ageless appearance
Lift weights every week
As we age, our exercise routines shift to accommodate to our body and capabilities.
Andi, who has researched nutrition, wellness and written best-selling books including Connected, has been committed to weight training consistently for decades, though now her schedule is flexible.
‘Sometimes I train five times a week, and sometimes I train once a week, but I’ve never stopped,’ she said.
‘I’ve always done some kind of weight training, and that’s definitely made an impact.’
Andi emphasised the importance of adapting your exercise routine as you age, particularly shifting toward resistance and weight training in your 30s and beyond.
‘As soon as you hit your 30s, it’s important to start doing resistance training and weight training – the biggest longevity hack is to keep muscle.’
When she was in her 20s (pictured) she was 10kg heavier and wasn’t as focused on her health
She also stressed the importance of practicing good form and finding a type of resistance exercise you enjoy, whether it’s in the gym, using resistance bands, or through activities such as swimming or rock climbing.
See a chiropractor
For the past 28 years, Andi has visited her chiropractor weekly.
‘I’m spending money on chiropractic work whereas others will spend money on cocktails and designer fashion,’ she said.
‘Taking pressure off the nervous system through scientific and specific adjustments allows clearer communication between my brain and body – that’s where cellular regeneration begins.’
Her sessions have also improved her posture and relieved neck and back pain.
While some people question the value of chiropractic care, Andi insists it’s her top tip for longevity and believes she is not degenerating as fast as most people.
‘I’m not waiting for a symptom to occur. It’s a proactive approach,’ she adds.
She notes that those with chronic conditions can ask their GP for an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan, allowing eligible patients up to five Medicare-subsidised chiropractic treatments per year.
Andi lifts weights every week – and has done for years. She also highly rates appointments with her chiropractor
Supplements – but only as needed
Rather than relying on supplements, Andi prefers fresh, quality food – using supplements only when needed.
A few years ago, she was taking up to 30 supplements daily after suffering unexplained symptoms from an undetected breast implant rupture.
In her book Treasured Chest, Andi shares how she had breast implants removed in 2023 after the issue was finally uncovered.
‘I knew there was something wrong from day dot. It felt like an odd little lump,’ she said.
She recalls visiting her surgeon early on: ‘I remember going to the implanting surgeon in the first week and knew something was off but he focused on the aesthetic result – symptoms were dismissed.’
Six surgeons and an MRI missed the rupture, and because nothing was detected, Andi had to wait two years to see a Explant surgeon for the specialist surgery, which removes not only the implant but the surrounding scar tissue as well.
‘I should have been seen immediately. Instead I had to wait my turn and save money for it, because it can cost between $14,000-$25,000,’ she adds.
It was her friend, Adelaide doctor Dr Tania Ash, who finally recognised the symptoms and helped save her life – a traumatic episode Andi still finds difficult to discuss.
Now, she takes lesser-known supplements for cellular health, detoxification, and wellness. One favourite is a NAD precursor called TruNiagen, which she says helps repair mitochondria for healthy ageing; another is shilajit, a potent antioxidant and detoxifier.
Most of all, Andi swears by fresh pomegranates: her top antioxidant for calming the immune system. Pomegranates are not only high in antioxidants, but are known for calming mast cells – the immune cells.
She tailors supplements to her body’s needs and focuses on detoxification first -‘remove before you add’ – before introducing anything new.
To support her nutrition, Andi also avoids stimulants like coffee, switching instead to cacao.
‘I substitute coffee for cacao because it’s a great super food,’ she explains.
Andi enjoys a hot cup most nights, favouring Power Super Foods, and notes it’s rich in magnesium and protein – helping her feel full and relaxed before bed.
‘It’s so fun, I love seeing people get shocked by my age,’ the host of the Well To Do podcast told Daily Mail
Start and finish the day right
Andi suggests starting your day with a walk and staying off your phone – a routine she follows herself.
‘I always wake with room temperature water with some squeezed lemon, and give myself some time before I start eating. In winter I have bone broth, something very healing and sealing for the gut,’ she said.
For breakfast, she opts for something light and nourishing, like coconut yoghurt with fruit, pumpkin seeds, and macadamias. Lunch is always packed with vegetables and a quality protein, from chicken to hummus.
‘I was a vegetarian for 16 years but eat protein now from both animals and plants. If you can kill it or grow it, you should eat it. You want to eat food that is alive, fresh and has had a good quality of life,’ she said.
‘I don’t care about counting calories – it’s all about the quality of the food. The reason why plants and live foods give you life is because they also have water. Humans are chronically dehydrated, we need more water.’
At night, Andi avoids her phone for at least an hour before bed, and even switches off her Wi-Fi to limit wireless signals while sleeping.
Opt for natural products
Andi steers clear of perfume, antiperspirant deodorants, dry shampoo, mainstream sunscreens, and popular skincare or haircare.
‘I haven’t worn perfume for 17 years and make my clients aware of spraying it on their thyroid,’ she said.
Instead, she uses only natural products, choosing brands like Ere Perez for makeup and Neil Naturopathic for shampoo and conditioner.
‘Never use dry shampoo. It’s so toxic. I haven’t worn antiperspirant for 27 years because why would I want to anti-perspire? I want to perspire, so I’ll wear a natural deodorant,’ Andi said.
‘I haven’t used traditional toothpaste like fluoride. I haven’t used fluoride for decades.
‘I only use natural sunscreens. One of my favourite natural ones that I’ve been known to use is Little Urchin and it’s also reef safe.’
Limit junk food, processed foods and alcohol
Andi believes in limiting your consumption of unhealthy processed foods and alcohol to maintain health, energy and longevity.
‘Processed foods have been stripped of the micro-nutrition we need to feel full. It’s also got chemicals and additives in it, and sugar makes it addictive. Without those vitamins and minerals, you’re not satiated, so you’ll still feel hungry,’ she said.
‘All of those things are inflammatory, which impacts the gut then it becomes highly addictive.
‘I hardly drink alcohol, maybe once a fortnight and I usually only have one or two glasses of organic red wine or tequila.’