In 2005, the at-home fitness program P90X (short for Power 90 Extreme) had just been released. P90X’s claim to fame was that it would “get you ripped in 90 days.”

At the time, I had little understanding of what exercise was, much less how to do it. But as an introverted 13-year-old, this aspiration seemed like the perfect way to level up my social status, so I fired up the first workout and dove in. Despite the aftermath of crippling total body muscle soreness that lasted days to weeks, I was hooked.

To fuel my “gains“, I started experimenting with food and the various nutritional theories prevalent at the time; high protein, low carb, and low fat seemed to be the diet du jour back in those days. As a result, Egg “Mock-Muffins” (microwaved egg whites and turkey bacon over an English muffin) became the breakfast of choice I prepared for the family on our way to work and school.

Throughout high school, college, and into my early 20’s, my goal remained the same: lift progressively more weight to get as strong as possible. Unsurprisingly, this lifestyle required increasing amounts of food and time in the gym. At a certain point, it became unsustainable. As a full-time professional working in the financial services industry, I no longer had all the time in the world to train, meal prep, and recover properly.

Over the course of my 20’s, I still cycled through phases where I focused on building muscle, but a newfound curiosity for other types of training emerged. I adopted running and participated in numerous road races, took group fitness classes such as boot camp and hot yoga, found community in groups like The November Project, and reached peaks I didn’t know possible by competing in the Spartan Trifecta World Championship in 2019.

Nutritionally, I experimented with macro tracking (IIFYM or “if it fits your macros”), Whole30, vegetarianism, intermittent fasting/time restricted feeding, and numerous supplements from protein to fish oil to vitamins. It was fascinating to learn about the importance of nutrition to overall health, but it was just as confusing to attempt to weed through conflicting research and navigate what felt like religious or political ideologies. Unfortunately, little has changed since then and nutrition remains a field with strongly held beliefs, but little definitive evidence to show for them.

After more than 15 years of experimenting, I obtained my Certified Personal Trainer accreditation from the American Council on Exercise in 2020, passing the exam one week before surgery to repair left shoulder inflammation. Staring down a 3-6 month recovery process and physical therapy, for the first time in my life I had to find another outlet that didn’t involve exercise.

Confined by my injury and the COVID-19 pandemic, I discovered new disciplines within health and wellness. Intellectual and cognitive stimulation replaced physical exertion, my fascination with nutritional biochemistry was born, and I learned what mental unhealth felt like. I also started writing, which I believe provides its own, unexpected health benefits.

Today, Health Philosophe is the culmination of nearly 20 years of firsthand experience in health and wellness, including fitness, nutrition and lifestyle components. These concepts are applied in my pursuit of longevity, or the desire to live the longest, healthiest, most fulfilling life possible.

Health Philosophe recognizes that there is no one ‘right’ approach to wellness and longevity. We all have biases, varying access to resources such as healthy ingredients or gym memberships, and differing life circumstances that promote or inhibit our pursuit of health. Rather than provide a prescription for “how to be healthy,” instead my writing seeks to simplify complex scientific topics by leveraging everyday examples and musings, and transforming them into actionable information that helps you create and live your unique Health Philosophy.

In 2005, the at-home fitness program P90X (short for Power 90 Extreme) had just been released. P90X’s claim to fame was that it would “get you ripped in 90 days.”

At the time, I had little understanding of what exercise was, much less how to do it. But as an introverted 13-year-old, this aspiration seemed like the perfect way to level up my social status, so I fired up the first workout and dove in. Despite the aftermath of crippling total body muscle soreness that lasted days to weeks, I was hooked.

To fuel my “gains“, I started experimenting with food and the various nutritional theories prevalent at the time; high protein, low carb, and low fat seemed to be the diet du jour back in those days. As a result, Egg “Mock-Muffins” (microwaved egg whites and turkey bacon over an English muffin) became the breakfast of choice I prepared for the family on our way to work and school.

Throughout high school, college, and into my early 20’s, my goal remained the same: lift progressively more weight to get as strong as possible. Unsurprisingly, this lifestyle required increasing amounts of food and time in the gym. At a certain point, it became unsustainable. As a full-time professional working in the financial services industry, I no longer had all the time in the world to train, meal prep, and recover properly.

Over the course of my 20’s, I still cycled through phases where I focused on building muscle, but a newfound curiosity for other types of training emerged. I adopted running and participated in numerous road races, took group fitness classes such as boot camp and hot yoga, found community in groups like The November Project, and reached peaks I didn’t know possible by competing in the Spartan Trifecta World Championship in 2019.

Nutritionally, I experimented with macro tracking (IIFYM or “if it fits your macros”), Whole30, vegetarianism, intermittent fasting/time restricted feeding, and numerous supplements from protein to fish oil to vitamins. It was fascinating to learn about the importance of nutrition to overall health, but it was just as confusing to attempt to weed through conflicting research and navigate what felt like religious or political ideologies. Unfortunately, little has changed since then and nutrition remains a field with strongly held beliefs, but little definitive evidence to show for them.

After more than 15 years of experimenting, I obtained my Certified Personal Trainer accreditation from the American Council on Exercise in 2020, passing the exam one week before my first and only surgery to repair left shoulder inflammation. Staring down a 3-6 month recovery process and physical therapy, for the first time in my life I had to find another outlet that didn’t involve exercise.

Confined by my injury and the COVID-19 pandemic, I discovered new disciplines within health and wellness. Intellectual and cognitive stimulation replaced physical exertion, my fascination with nutritional biochemistry was born, and I learned what mental unhealth felt like. I also started writing, which I believe provides its own, unexpected health benefits.

Today, Health Philosophe is the culmination of nearly 20 years of firsthand experience in health and wellness, including fitness, nutrition and lifestyle components. These concepts are applied in my pursuit of longevity, or the desire to live the longest, healthiest, most fulfilling life possible.

Health Philosophe recognizes that there is no one ‘right’ approach to wellness and longevity. We all have biases, varying access to resources such as healthy ingredients or gym memberships, and differing life circumstances that promote or inhibit our pursuit of health. Rather than provide a prescription for “how to be healthy,” instead my writing seeks to simplify complex scientific topics by leveraging everyday examples and musings, and transforming them into actionable information that helps you create and live your unique Health Philosophy.