A look inside the United States' first-ever certified "Blue Zone" located in Minnesota

Living to 100 may seem like a major feat, but there are communities around the world where it's common — they're called "Blue Zones."

Minnesota native Dan Buettner is one of the foremost experts on how they work. Buettner's new Netflix documentary and New York Times bestsellers reveal the secret recipe to longevity.

"It's really what they're not doing. They're not doing anything consciously, and there's where we get it wrong," Buettner said. "We think we can resolve to get on the right diet, the right exercise program, supplement plan, superfoods, and get healthier. But it never works."

Buettner said that the "superagers" are often walking outside, having spontaneous conversations with the people they bump into, having a smaller dinner, and eating mostly a whole food, plant-centric diet.

Several years ago, a Minnesota community decided it wanted families to follow his guidance. Albert Lea made headlines in 2016 when it became the first community in the country to be a certified Blue Zones community.