As a personal trainer with years of experience in wellness and training, how do you perceive the rise of biohacking in the fitness industry?
I’m excited to see the rise of biohacking. I’ve been doing this for years before I even knew there was a word for it. I think some people take it too far and obsess over every little thing, but everyone can benefit from a healthy lifestyle and trying to build better daily habits. To oversimplify biohacking, it’s really just a focus on healthy habits. What we do day to day affects our health.
Is there valid scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of biohacking practices?
Yes & no. There’s a lot of research pointing to the benefits of biohacking practices. But we need to understand that these are all very small improvements in our health. It’s not magic. Some people really overstate the benefits from a certain behavior, which can give biohacking a bad reputation. We need to be realistic about what we expect from biohacking and switch our mentality about health to a long-term focus. We only have one body and it needs to last our entire life. My personal goal with biohacking is to have as many years as possible in good health. I’ve trained a lot of people in their 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. So I’ve seen first hand that the way a person lives their life and takes care of their body has a huge impact on how they will look and feel as they age.
Can individuals successfully engage in biohacking without the guidance of a personal trainer or expert?
Yes, I believe people can adopt biohacking practices into their lives without guidance from an expert. Choosing to make healthier decisions doesn’t need to be complicated. Would it help to have the guidance from an expert? Of course. But the information is out there for free if people want to learn more about the way their body functions and how to improve it.
Do you incorporate biohacking methods into your training sessions with clients? If so, how?
I incorporate biohacking into my training sessions as much as the client wants it. Some people just want to get a good workout, so that’s what we do. Other people want a comprehensive approach to their health & fitness. So I share my thoughts and ideas with them. I have several clients who have used intermittent fasting, diet changes, supplements, and other practices to improve their health. Every client is different, some have lofty goals, while others just want someone to hold them accountable to show up to the gym and exercise.
With trends coming and going in the wellness industry, do you think biohacking is a lasting movement or just another fleeting fad?
Unfortunately, it will likely be a fad. That just seems to be how things are in the world of fitness. People are always looking for something new & exciting. Always searching for the secret. But the secret is simply consistency applied over a long period of time. If you exercise frequently and develop healthy habits, your body will make small, incremental changes over the span of years. I think there will always be a community of biohackers out there, but the media attention will move on to something new as it always does.
Are there specific biohacking approaches tailored for men versus women, or for different age groups? How does this diversity play into your training methods?
I try to focus on things that benefit the majority of people. Yes, there are gender specific biohacking practices. I’m not claiming to be an expert on the female body, but I believe female practices surround the timing of the menstrual cycle. For the most part, a healthy habit will benefit anyone. Man or woman. Young or old. When it comes to training, both men & women can train in a very similar way to see results. However, the training is typically tailored towards their goals. For example, my male clients typically do a lot of upper body exercises. But my female clients aren’t interested in upper body growth. So there is a difference in exercise selection. Each person is unique, which makes it a fun challenge to develop different programs for people with different goals and abilities.
What do you hope to achieve through your work in the long term? What legacy would you like to leave behind?
My long term goal is to run a gym where people feel at home. I’ve heard from a lot of clients’ that getting to the gym is the hardest part. It can be an intimidating place. A lot of people feel uncomfortable and insecure in a busy gym environment, especially if they aren’t in great shape. I would like to create a positive environment where people feel comfortable.
What advice would you give to someone who is just beginning their own journey of healing and wellness?
Health & wellness is a life-long pursuit. Don’t listen to the marketing about 90 day programs, 7 day cleanses, and losing 20 pounds in 1 month. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Be patient, results take a lot longer than we would like to admit. Focus on developing healthy habits and enjoy the process. There is no finish line.
Thank you for these questions! It was fun to sit and think about what drives me.