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Lifting Through a Fast: More Strength, Not Less One thing I’ve learned—lifting during a fast is not only possible, it can be incredibly empowering. I make it a point to stay active and keep my muscles firing, even when I’m not eating. And here’s the surprising part: By the end of the fast, I often find I’m lifting heavier than before. My body feels stronger. My energy feels cleaner. It’s like my system is running more efficiently. Now, of course, mindset plays a role. If I start telling myself “I’m exhausted because of the fast”, then yeah, I might feel that way. But when I stay focused, stay hydrated, and get my electrolytes right, I usually don’t have any issues at all. For me, working out isn’t a chore—it’s something I genuinely enjoy. And when I have more time during a fast, I want to lift, move, and engage my body. Because fasting isn’t about restriction—it’s about reconnection. And strength, both mental and physical, is part of that reset.

The Most Effective Plan Is the One You’ll Actually Follow You’ve got to start with this question: What are your goals? Once you know where you're headed, the next step isn’t just asking, “What’s the most efficient or scientific way to get there?” It’s asking: “What’s the most effective way for me—something I’ll actually stick with?” Because the best plan on paper means nothing if you won’t follow it. The most effective strategy is the one that fits your life, your habits, your mindset. It’s the one that keeps you consistent. And consistency beats perfection every time. So don’t just chase the “optimal” path. Choose the path that you’ll walk—day after day—until you reach the goal.

Fasting Isn’t a Fix-All—It Has to Work for You So maybe you decide, “I need to lose weight.” And your plan? Do a five-day fast, six times a year—every other month. Sounds disciplined. Sounds strategic. But here’s the thing… If the psychological rebound is that, for the other 25 days of the month, you end up overeating or eating worse foods, you might land in a worse spot than where you started. That’s not an effective strategy—it’s a cycle. Now, I’m not against fasting. In fact, I’ve seen that after a fast, many people feel naturally inclined to eat cleaner. The body craves whole, unprocessed, nutrient-rich foods—it’s like a reset. But here’s the concern: I’m wary of blanket recommendations. What works for one person might not work for another. Men, women, different body types, different mindsets—we all respond differently. So yes, fasting can be powerful. But only if it fits your psychology, your routine, and your relationship with food. Because the best approach isn’t the one that looks good on paper— It’s the one that makes you feel better, live better, and stick with it long term.

We were promised freedom. Instead, we got… burnout. Remote work, flexible hours, and productivity hacks were supposed to free us. But most of us feel more tethered than ever—working from everywhere, chasing more, and still not feeling enough. John Maynard Keynes thought we’d be down to 15-hour workweeks by now. He was right about the machines. But wrong about our craving. Buddhism, Taoism, and Stoicism knew: Craving never ends. More isn’t the answer. Presence is. In building my company, I learned the hard way: Peace doesn’t come from outcomes. It comes from how you show up—right now. The answer isn’t to abandon ambition. It’s to unhook your worth from it. Climb that next mountain. But do it because it brings you alive. Not because you think it will make you enough. You already are.

I started taking amla powder—Indian gooseberry—after diving into the research. It’s over-the-counter, easy to find, and a four-month supply costs about 24 bucks. Just half a teaspoon a day. That’s it. And the impact? I’ve seen stories—and PubMed-backed research— showing ApoB levels dropping by 30 to 50%. Some even cut their numbers in half, without going on statins or heavy medications. No side effects. No prescriptions. Just a small, powerful dose of something natural. Isn’t it wild how a teaspoon of fruit powder could change the way we think about heart health? Have you explored natural alternatives with real scientific backing?

Many companies invest in wellness benefits. Few can tell you if any of it works. Step challenges. Meditation app subscriptions. Onsite screenings. They all sound good. But most operate in a vacuum—disconnected from how people actually feel, live, or change. Here’s the quiet truth: Wellness doesn’t fail because employees don’t care. It fails because the system is designed for optics, not outcomes. I’ve seen this firsthand. I've talked to health-committed employees who: Wear wearables but have no idea what the data means Have access to dozens of benefits but no guidance on what to choose Want to change but lack a simple, personalized path to start Meanwhile, HR leaders are overwhelmed. They’re tasked with improving retention, reducing claims, and supporting well-being—but without clear tools to measure what’s working. So what would success look like instead? It starts with a simple shift: From programs → to people From dashboards → to daily action From offering everything → to recommending the right thing It’s not about doing more. It’s about making health feel easier, more personal, and more effective. We don’t need another 20 tools. We need one that helps employees take the next right step. If you’re building in this space—or wrestling with wellness in your org—what’s working for you right now? Let’s compare notes.

We’re living longer than ever. But are we living better? I love the science. The protocols. The data. But at some point, you have to ask: What am I optimizing for? Because if you’re stacking supplements, tracking HRV, and dialing in your sleep—but not thinking about why you want more time—you’re just maintaining. Purpose is the real longevity hack. It gives your years direction. It shapes your energy. And yes—science backs it—it literally helps you live longer. But purpose isn’t a one-time discovery. It’s an evolving alignment. And it starts with your values. 📍 Try this: → Do a values exercise this week (Tony Robbins’ or Bart Foster’s are great) → Ask someone close to you their top 3 values—and share yours You might be surprised by what comes up. Because the best conversations? Start with the right questions. 👇 So here’s one to sit with: If you had 30 more years of great health… what would you want those years to mean?

We’re told to seek balance in everything. Work-life balance. Balanced meals. A balanced mindset. But what if balance isn’t the goal? What if it’s what’s holding us back? 🔁 Here’s a different idea: We’re built for rhythm, not moderation. For intensity + recovery. Not constant, low-grade effort. Think about it: ⚡ 1 hour of deep work + real rest 6 hours of half-scrolling, half-existing 💬 Let’s talk about it: What’s one area of your life where you’re chasing balance… but might be better off leaning into the extreme—and then fully recovering? 👇 Drop it in the comments. 📌 Save this if you’re ready to stop flatlining and start living in full.

What if the future of corporate health is no longer clinical—but metabolic? With Dr. Casey Means, MD being nominated as U.S. Surgeon General, we may be witnessing a turning point. Her work has centered not on traditional treatment, but on root causes: metabolic dysfunction, food systems, and the environment in which health decisions are made. If confirmed, she’ll be one of the most outspoken advocates for proactive, systems-based health thinking the post has ever seen. And this has massive implications—not just for public policy, but for the private sector. Because if we accept that brain fog, poor sleep, low energy, and emotional volatility are tied to metabolic dysfunction (and the data increasingly shows they are), then companies aren’t just fighting burnout—they’re fueling it through the systems they tolerate. This hits close to home. I’ve spoken to dozens of HR and benefits leaders over the past 90 days. Nearly all of them say the same thing: “We care about well-being—but we don’t know what actually works.” What I see in Casey Means’ nomination is a signal. A signal that: 1. The market is hungry for prevention, not just treatment 2. Employees want autonomy, clarity, and tools that actually impact energy and longevity 3. Companies need to think not just in terms of benefits, but biological performance We’re not there yet. But if this is the direction of public health, what will corporate health do in response? Do you think this nomination will reshape the way companies approach wellness? Would love to hear your perspective—especially from those working in benefits, workforce strategy, or building in this space.

You don’t need less drive—you need better rhythm. The next level isn’t about grinding harder. It’s about recovering smarter. 🧠 Save this if you’ve been pushing nonstop. 📥 Share it with the one friend who never lets themselves rest.

Not every day is a “dream.” Not every day feels like “paradise.” 
 And yet… 
 As Milton wrote, the mind “can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.” My friend Adrian Wall once pointed out something I now carry with me: 
 No matter where we are, No matter what is happening in our lives, This beauty is always out there—ready to be received, if we choose to notice. 
 In Tahiti, they greet one another with “‘Ia ora na” — not just “hello,” but “may you have life.” It’s a reminder: Every moment offers us the chance to see, to feel, to live more fully. 
 Today, from the peaks of Mount Otemanu to the quiet moments in your own life: What beauty will you seek to explore and appreciate?

Corporate wellness isn’t a joke. But it’s often treated like one. 
 When The Economist published a satirical “update” on a fictional extreme wellness program, it was hilarious—and all too familiar. Most corporate wellness programs are heavy on theatre, light on impact. 
 But underneath the parody lies a very real truth: 
 Stress-related illness costs U.S. businesses hundreds of billions each year. 
 And yet… many companies still treat employee wellbeing as a nice-to-have perk instead of the strategic investment it actually is. 
 That’s why I responded—and why The Economist published my reply. 
 At Alively we’re building what wellness should have been all along: ✅ Grounded in real data ✅ Personalized to each person’s life ✅ Focused on small actions people actually stick with ✅ Measured by real outcomes 
 Because when done right, wellness doesn’t just make people feel better. It makes companies perform better. 
 If you’re tired of performative perks and ready to actually support your people—let’s talk.