Hello everyone, Dom here. I'd like to introduce you to a principle that has revolutionised my understanding of health and fitness: Becoming the CEO of your own health. It means taking full ownership of your vitality and wellbeing, a journey that's about relishing the process, not just ticking off goals. This is an approach I've employed for over 15 years and, being a confessed left-brainer, the logic, measurements, analysis, and optimisation involved resonates with me.
A quick note before we proceed. The approach I am sharing with you is highly personal and subject to constant evolution as I continue to learn and grow. I do not claim it to be the best or a one-size-fits-all solution. However, remember this: there are myriad methods, but the fundamental principles are few.
Consider gravity as an example of such a fundamental principle if you live on planet Earth. It affects all of us equally. Yet, the ways we utilise gravity differ based on our preferences and situations. For instance, in recreational activities, some may exploit gravity to ski or bike down a hill, while others may use it as an added challenge, hiking uphill donning a weighted vest. Yes, it might sound eccentric, but different strokes for different folks, right? Anyway, let's return to our main narrative.
My intention is to share my insights with you, hoping to inspire, activate, and empower you to create your own tailored set of strategies that best align with your purpose, goals, and needs. This aspiration is deeply rooted in my own purpose, which is to empower others to discover and realise their full potential.
This concept of "becoming the CEO of your own health" has been a pillar for me over the years. It's a mindset that requires you to set long-term goals, devise a strategy to achieve them, and measure your daily progress against that goal, much like a CEO does in a corporate setting or we as founders do at our startups.
Picture this: a corporate shareholder meeting where the CEO unveils a new strategy without a shred of evidence or data to support it, relying entirely on "gut feeling" or "the latest trend some internet guru is promoting". The CEO wants to shift the company's trajectory, urging everyone to follow blindly without verifying the effectiveness of this new path. Sounds ludicrous, doesn't it?
Yet, this scenario mirrors what frequently happens within the health and wellbeing industry.
Proclamations like "YOU MUST EAT XXX and AVOID YYY" (substitute with your latest favorite food trend) are made without taking a glance at your personal data—such as genetic information and bloodwork—BEFORE crafting such directives. Further, there's rarely a follow-up to monitor if these dietary modifications are genuinely ameliorating the metrics you intend to improve.
I'm not denying that there are individuals who abide by such directives and enjoy superb health. Rather, my argument is that for myself—and many others who favor data-driven choices—we find the route of scientific self-care more appealing. This method is what we practice with our clients at Quest Vitality However, remember that just because you can measure everything doesn't mean you need to do it incessantly. In fact, there are numerous factors that I don't regularly monitor, as I've established a healthy baseline over time and have learned to intuitively understand my body. By corroborating my body's signals with my data, I can discern whether certain aspects are in order without the necessity of constant supervision. Routine, indeed, sets you free.
Today, I wish to share with you the cornerstone of this approach.
My journey began as a quest to optimise my energy levels, and in the process, I had a significant revelation: Mindset surpasses the toolset. My exploration of Optimalism and biohacking paved the way to truly understanding the essence of being a "Health CEO". I've realised that for any tool or technique to have a lasting impact, one must first consciously decide on the future state they aspire to attain.
Allow me to draw from the entrepreneurial realm, specifically the Agile Mindset, to illuminate my point.