And there it was.

The upside of social media is that teens have access to more information than ever about fitness, muscle, and optimizing their bodies. The downside? Not all of that information is good information — and often, it’s only a small piece of the truth.

Yes, growth hormone plays a major role in helping teens grow, recover, and build muscle.
Yes, there are ways to support healthy growth hormone production.
No, jumping straight to a peptide is not the answer.

I was joking with a friend recently about seeing teenagers pull into school driving a Porsche. He said, “Where do you even go from there?”

Honestly? Using peptides as a shortcut for growth hormone can feel similar.

When the “quick fix” becomes the starting point, the foundational habits that actually build a strong body — sleep, nutrition, discipline, consistency — can start to feel less exciting. But those habits are exactly where the real magic is, especially in adolescence.

Here’s what parents (and teens) should know:

1. Teens are already primed for growth.

Growth hormone production generally doesn’t naturally decline until around age 30. A healthy teen body is already producing what it needs — often at peak levels.

2. Most teens don’t need peptides to “boost” what is already working.

Many peptides are designed to support systems that naturally decline with age. In most cases, teens already have robust hormonal and peptide activity when their lifestyle supports it.

The real opportunity? Education.

If your teen is curious about peptides, muscle, or performance, use that curiosity.

This can be the perfect opening to teach them how their body actually works:

Deep sleep = growth hormone release

A large portion of growth hormone is released during deep sleep, especially in the earlier part of the night (roughly 10 PM–2 AM).

Translation: Going to bed earlier may do more for growth, recovery, and muscle than many teens realize.

Blue light can interfere

Melatonin helps regulate sleep quality, and excessive screen time before bed can disrupt natural melatonin production.

Simple tool: Encourage screen shut-off about an hour before bed.

Food is information

Building muscle isn’t just about “eating more.”

It’s about:

• Protein

• Micronutrients

• Gut health

• Nutrient absorption

• Hydration

Their bodies need real building blocks, not just extra calories.

What I’d rather see teens “stack”:

• Consistent sleep

• Strength training

• Protein intake

• Whole foods

• Hydration

• Sunlight

• Reduced screen exposure at night

Not as flashy as a peptide.
Far more powerful long term.

Are all peptides off the table forever?

Not necessarily.

There may absolutely be situations down the road where certain peptides have a place, and as a parent, I understand wanting to research all available tools. I’ve personally taken a very thoughtful, research-heavy approach in some situations with my own teens.

But peptides like MK-677, Tesamorelin, or CJC-1295 shouldn’t replace foundational biology during the very years when the body is already biologically designed to thrive.

The bigger picture:

It can feel intimidating that teens now have access to this world — often before they have the maturity to fully understand it.

But instead of leading with fear, parents can lead with education.

Because curiosity isn’t the enemy.
Misinformation is.

If your teen is asking questions about peptides, performance, or optimization, that may actually be your invitation to help them build something even better than a shortcut:

A real understanding of their body, their health, and the habits that will serve them for decades.

The goal isn’t just raising stronger kids. It’s raising informed ones.

This article is for educational purposes only and reflects personal research and perspective. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions related to hormones, peptides, or adolescent health.

I sent our mutual doctor a selfie of us sitting together while she was enduring treatment, and he replied, “sisters.” It was such a compliment. She is one of the strongest people I’ve ever met.

I’ve experienced trauma bonding in my life, but I don’t think that’s what this is. I think it’s a shared realization of how quickly your life can be turned upside down—and how those moments can also hold the greatest lessons of your life.

Witnessing her journey has brought up a lot, but mostly gratitude for the people who were in my corner then, and who still are now. If I can pay that forward in even the smallest way, it feels like the least I can do.

One of the hardest parts of being on this side of things is realizing just how little people understand about this disease. So, to honor her—and all those out there battling one of the most excruciating illnesses—I wanted to share a few things I wish people knew about Lyme and co-infections.

1. Lyme often comes with co-infections, and they are what actually make you so sick. Common ones include Bartonella, Babesia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Ehrlichia. Not only do they come with a wide range of symptoms, but they also trigger Lyme disease—and they are often very hard to eradicate.

2. Lyme (and its co-infections) is often called the great imitator. Many people are misdiagnosed with MS, ALS, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and more, when the root cause is actually Lyme and/or its co-infections.

3. Lyme is extremely difficult to diagnose, and accurate testing is expensive. Because of this, people often go years without a proper diagnosis—while the bacteria continue invading multiple systems in the body.

4. Because Lyme is hard to diagnose, people are frequently made to feel like it’s “in their head,” or that their symptoms are rooted in mental illness. The trauma of not being believed can be one of the hardest things to heal.

5. You can have Lyme for many years—and sometimes forever—without knowing it. It may show up as seemingly random illnesses that come and go until it’s fully triggered. Many patients can look back and see that Lyme was the root of years of unexplained health issues.

6. Lyme has hundreds of possible symptoms, which makes it even harder to diagnose. It can also be confusing to those on the outside looking in. It’s rare for two patients to experience it the same way.

7. It’s Lyme, not Lymes. Lyme disease. No “s.”

8. Treating Lyme is difficult in part because the bacteria are spiral-shaped—like a corkscrew—and burrow into muscle and tissue. They can also form biofilms made from the body’s own tissues, disguising themselves from the immune system and blocking treatments.

9. There is a major difference between acute Lyme (a recent tick bite treated right away) and chronic Lyme (Lyme that has lived in the body for years, dormant, before being triggered). One is often treated and resolved quickly. The other is far more complex and difficult to treat.

10. There is no single treatment that works for everyone. Lyme is a complex disease that requires a highly individualized approach based on co-infections, constitution, and many other factors.

11. Lyme is often an invisible illness. Someone can look completely normal, participate in daily life, and then suffer greatly afterward. Something as simple as an hour out socially can take days to recover from.

12. Healing is not linear. You can have good days or weeks followed by hard ones. You can feel well for a few hours and then be hit with a wave of symptoms. This can be difficult to understand unless you’ve lived it.

This is just a short list—I could go on. And I promise, the smallest gestures mean more than you know. A quick text. A check-in. When you’re in that bed or that chair, it can feel like life is moving on without you. Knowing someone is still thinking of you matters more than most people realize.

If you have questions, while I’m not an expert, I welcome them and am always happy to share what I’ve learned.

A few things came up this week, and I relied heavily on them, so I thought I’d share here in case it helps someone else.

Years ago, I was introduced to Peter Crone through Heal, the documentary by Kelly Gores. That film helped me SO much when I was sick, and it introduced me to people like Peter, as well as Joe Dispenza and others whose work has been so impactful for me.

Peter has a quote that says, “Life will present you with people and circumstances to reveal where you are not free.” When I look at hardship—big or small—through this lens, it feels so much easier to see it as a way to get better and be better.

This past year, I was introduced to some of the philosophies of Kabbalah that I really loved. This three-step response to hardship really embodies Peter’s quote, but expands on it and gives you a bit of a to-do list. Here it is:

The 3-Step Kabbalistic Reframe (often taught as a daily practice)

1. Notice what’s happening (without collapsing into it)
Name the experience honestly. Not spiritual bypassing, not denial.
“This is happening. This feels painful/unfair/hard.”

2. Say, “This, too, is for the good” (Gam zu l’tovah)
This phrase comes from a deep Kabbalistic idea: that even when we can’t see it yet, there is hidden good unfolding. You’re not saying the event itself is “good,” but that the ultimate outcome can carry goodness beyond your current perspective.

3. Ask: “What is being asked of me here?”
Look for the tikkun (repair/refinement).
Is there a boundary to strengthen?
A truth to face?
A pattern to release?
A new capacity being forged?

So this week, when something would come up—you know that sick feeling in your tummy—I would pause and say, “Good,” and then go through the steps. Each time, peace would wash over me—not in an “oh, all better” way, but in a way where I knew something good was going to come from the challenge.

It’s also a great way to start teaching your kids how to tackle challenges. We share something like this:

Acknowledge → Trust the hidden good → Look for your role in the repair

The beauty at the end is that you begin to see God’s plan and the masterful way it unfolds.

I should preface this with my philosophy: given my past and everything I’ve learned about the human body, I do as much as I can to keep what I’m consuming—via food, drink, water, air, etc.—clean. I always want to be a bad host to potential pathogens.

That said, mental health is a huge component of wellness. I really try to find a happy medium. Some areas I’m looser in than others. I think it’s important to find what’s sustainable, not what’s perfect.

Water

My preference is always spring water in glass. I think water is alive and a huge part of our bodies, and the natural minerals are so important to me. I don’t think any water is perfect, but I do think most options are better than our own tap water.

There has been a lot of buzz on social media about Mountain Valley Spring Water, which is what we’ve gotten in five-gallon glass jugs for years. I’m keeping an eye on it and doing our own testing. For now, it’s still a weekly delivery for us.

Produce

The further your produce has to travel from the farm, the more nutrients are lost. Because of this, I try to get as much as possible from the farmers market or the Ecology Center—but that’s not always feasible.

Unless it’s something like a banana or avocado (thick skin that isn’t consumed), we buy organic. This is a non-negotiable for us. We’re exposed to enough that isn’t organic outside our home that inside the home, it’s a must.

Meat

We get our meat from ButcherBox. Is it the cleanest? No. Is it the cleanest we can afford? Yes.

Something like Buy Ranch Direct would be ideal, but there are plenty of organic and grass-fed/grass-finished options through ButcherBox that make it the right fit for us. Not to mention, the gluten-free chicken nuggets are organic and amazing.

Coffee

We are religious Kion users. I even travel with it if it’s an option. There really is no better coffee in terms of taste and purity.

If you’ve ever felt jittery with coffee, it’s likely mold. Kion is mold-free, organic, and actually tastes so good. My Jura coffee maker and my Kion coffee are probably the two things in our home I could not live without.

Protein

To be totally honest, we jump around on this. I rarely use a protein powder, and if I do, I’m using Metagenics Ultra GI Replenish and adding more protein in other ways.

Earth Fed Muscle is newer to us, and the boys are loving it. I’m a big fan of anything Kelly LeVeque does, but I don’t love the flavor of her protein powder—though it’s likely one of the best out there.

If you’re struggling with autoimmune issues, health issues, or gut issues, I cannot recommend Ultra GI Replenish enough. It was recommended to me by every single doctor I saw when I was sick and was a huge part of my healing diet.

Supplements

The most important thing here is purity and sourcing. Ideally, do not get your supplements from Amazon. If it’s an emergency, make sure you’re buying from the brand’s official storefront.

Two brands we use often are Thorne and Momentous. My boys are now big enough to take the same supplements my husband and I take (we do regular bloodwork and take a very targeted approach).

For kids, I’ve had to find balance—what they’ll actually take versus what’s perfect. For us, that’s often meant MaryRuth Organics.

My most important piece of advice here: test, don’t guess. You will save yourself so much money by getting regular labs and targeting what actually needs support.

Creatine

We use Kion for this as well. After hearing a talk on creatine, it’s important that what you’re using is sourced in Germany—which this is.

I have yet to find a way to take creatine that doesn’t make me look 20 weeks pregnant. I just ordered Cymbiotika’s new creatine that claims to avoid that effect. TBD. It’s stupid expensive, so I almost hope it doesn’t work.

Sauna

We have the Sunlighten mPulse. When I first got sick, we quickly ordered a sauna from Costco. Luckily, I learned very quickly that most cheaper saunas are made with imported wood.

Any wood imported into our country has to be sprayed for bugs—understandably—but not something I want to be boxed into and heating up. We promptly returned it and ordered the Sunlighten.

It’s been amazing and still works great eight years later. It was a HUGE part of my healing routine.

Air Purifier

Air quality is an area of wellness that I think is often overlooked. We’re intentional about what goes into our bodies, but we also breathe air all day and sleep in the same room all night—and it plays a huge role in health.

We’ve had our home’s air quality inspected twice over the past eight years, and I learn something new every time. We have several brands of air purifiers—AirDoctor, Molekule, and Jaspr.

The Jaspr is by far our favorite and the most effective. If someone is sick, they get the Jaspr in their room. If I were having a baby tomorrow, it’s the first thing I’d buy for the nursery. The owner is brilliant and genuinely wants to educate and help people.

Red Light

While I’d love a full red-light bed or larger panel, the handheld one gets SO much use in our house that we invested in a second.

The boys use it for injuries or post-pitching recovery. My husband uses it for whatever body part is nagging him (old-guy problems). I bring it in the car to use on whatever needs support that day—injury, soreness, neck for thyroid support, abdomen for gut support, etc.

We use the LumeBox and really love it. The quality is phenomenal, and I love having both red light and NIR options.

Vibration Plate

This is one where you really can’t go wrong. We bought a mid-range one (~$150) on Amazon, and I’ve bought cheaper ones for friends—they all seem very similar.

I’d recommend a full-size plate over a smaller one so you can adjust your stance and target different areas of the body.

Home Cleaning Products

This is another area where we focus on progress, not perfection. We use Branch Basics on as much as possible—especially countertops. If you enjoy scent, adding essential oils is a great trick.

Laundry detergent was a hard one for me. We finally landed on Zum. Clean ingredients, and the scent comes from essential oils. The key with more natural detergents is using more than recommended—two caps works great.

It’s wild how strong conventional detergents smell once you get used to clean products. Even my kids have noticed.

For dish soap, we use Seventh Generation (not perfect, but better). A very old-school favorite I still love is Thieves cleaner by Young Living.

Peptides

It’s funny this came up because I feel like it’s all I talk about. Research peptides can be scary—not just because of purity, but because there’s often zero guidance.

What matters most to me: purity, accessibility, professional guidance on both protocol and dosage, and continuous education. We are learning more every single day, and I want the latest information.

Loop has checked all of those boxes for me. I’m willing to pay more and I’m also willing to go the research route—with the right support. Everyone needs to find what’s right for them.

There you go. These are the most requested favorites—especially after I shared a question box.

I’d love to hear yours too. Share in the comments. Crowdsourcing is always the best way to go, if you ask me.

Two red lights charging.
A mini fridge humming quietly, holding peptides.

Not because I’d asked for any of it.
Not because of a nagging wife (though I’m sure I have my moments).
But because he noticed. He listened. He learned.

A professional baseball player who once played at the highest level and now knows — deep in his bones — that what he understands and practices today might have changed the ending of that story.

A husband who watched his wife move from barely here to fully alive, and stood beside her while she did.

A son who has seen what it looks like when health quietly slips away and takes pieces of life with it.

A father who cannot sit still — and doesn’t want to — who wants to be exactly that for as long as he’s given time. For them. For me. For the children who will one day call him Grandpa.

Months ago, we learned that the CHEK2 gene mutation runs on his side of the family — a mutation tied to the body’s ability to protect itself. And strangely, gently, there was peace in that knowledge. Because if it’s there, he’s already living the answer. The food. The movement. The mental health. The healing. The bloodwork. The imaging. The consistency. It’s already woven into his days.

I heard a quote recently — I believe it was Lewis Howes — When you stay ready, you don’t need to get ready.

If life has taught us anything, it’s this: nothing matters more than your health. Nothing. The road will bump and twist regardless. But it’s easier to meet what comes when you know you’ve done what you can to strengthen the ground beneath your feet.

So yes, he’s at times a thorn in my side.
But this morning, standing in that bathroom, I thought — we could all take a page from Luke’s book.

It’s simple: I go through each kid in my head and think about what they need most from me that week. It can be physical, emotional, or a bit of both. For one of my kids, it’s often the same thing each week. For another, it tends to be different. I’ve found it’s a great way to keep myself grounded during the chaotic moments of the week.

It’s never perfect.
But it’s progress.

Another exercise I do when I’m feeling stuck—those monotonous moments as a mom when every day feels the same—is to think of my kids as adults and imagine how they’ll reflect on their childhood. How did I make them feel? How did our house feel—peaceful, safe, chaotic, stressful? Will they look back on this time with fondness or sadness?

When I do both exercises, I quickly realize that what feels important to me in the day-to-day moments doesn’t always align with what likely makes them feel safe, secure, and loved. It’s a really gentle way to get back on track—and one that almost always brings me back to a place of gratitude.

It’s a quiet reminder that presence often matters more than perfection.

We’d never hand the keys to a new driver and stick them on the 405 in the middle of LA. You wouldn’t start your 5-year-old in 6th grade. New habits and skills are best learned in very gradual stages—this is when they become second nature.

There was a time in my life when my diet had to quickly and drastically change. When your livelihood is at risk, this is much easier. Over time, and as I healed, I was able to loosen up my diet and find a sustainable place. When I inevitably get a bit off track because of a vacation or holiday, this is a tried-and-true way I get back to my preferred normal. The great thing about wiring your mind and body to eat this way is that you never really fall far off track. The return to “normal” feels refreshing rather than daunting.

The Framework

Weeks 1–3: You are going to gradually remove three things from your diet: sugar, gluten, and dairy. This should naturally take processed and packaged foods off the table, but in the rare instance one qualifies, I recommend eliminating those completely.

Week 1

What to do

• Pick one of the three above to remove. I recommend starting with sugar, but if you’re feeling overwhelmed, pick the one that feels easiest.

• Eat as you normally would—just without that one ingredient. I’ll share alternatives to help with withdrawals below.

• Try your best to stick to three solid meals. Snacks are okay to avoid becoming overly hungry.

• Drink more water than you normally do.

• Start reading ingredients in everything you consume. If you’re not sure if it qualifies, skip it. Whole foods with single ingredients are always safest.

Things to notice

• When I eat, am I really hungry?

• How am I eating? Am I rushed? Distracted by TV or my phone? Am I chewing well? How do I feel right after eating?

• Do I feel different after I eat if I move—walking, housework, etc.?

• Do I really miss that food/ingredient, or am I just unsure what to eat without it?

• When I first wake up, how does my stomach feel?

Week 2

What to do

• Pick a second food to eliminate and continue avoiding the first.

• Eat as you normally would—just without those two ingredients.

• Stick to three solid meals; snacks are okay if needed.

• Drink more water than last week.

• Increase your daily movement slightly—no set amount, just more than your norm.

Things to notice

• Which food has been hardest to eliminate? Why?

• When I think about eating but I’m not actually hungry, what could I do instead? Try it for 10–20 minutes. If you still want to eat, eat.

• How is moving more affecting my energy, hunger, and happiness?

• How is my digestion (aka—how’s my poop)?

• Even if I’m eating a similar number of calories, does my body feel different?

Week 3

What to do

• Time to eliminate your third item. If you’ve made it this far without the first two—amazing job. You’re very close to creating a habit.

• If this feels daunting, wait a week and stick with the two you’ve already eliminated. But remember: change in the body requires change in what goes into it.

• Focus on whole foods. Choose single-ingredient items as often as possible.

• Portions can stay the same—just listen to your body.

• Stick to three solid meals; snacks are okay.

• Hydrate well, ideally between meals. Water with meals can disrupt digestion.

• Pick one day to do a slightly more challenging physical activity and notice how it affects both your body and your relationship with food.

Things to notice

• How have your cravings for the food you eliminated in week 1 changed?

• How does your stomach look and feel upon waking?

• Are food options feeling easier or still challenging? What would help?

• How is your mental clarity?

• When eating out, notice what still fits—or how menu items can be adjusted.

Week 4

What to do

• You’ve hit the 21-day mark without your first eliminated food—this should feel easier now.

• Continue avoiding sugar, gluten, and dairy.

• Now it’s time to add and fine-tune.

• Add more color through fruits and vegetables—one more per meal. Try starting meals with vegetables and notice how your stomach and energy feel.

• Pair foods intentionally: protein, fiber, and a carb and/or healthy fat at each meal. Avoid carbs alone.

• Keep hydration consistent.

• If you want to level up, try eliminating grains and beans to see how you feel.

Things to notice

• If you slipped, how did that food make you feel?

• Can you slip and recover quickly? Try not to let one choice ruin the day—fail fast.

• What do you notice about digestion, gut health, or inflammation?

• Does movement feel easier?

• Are there energy crashes? If so, try a protein-containing snack about 30 minutes before.

• What feels sustainable?

Week 5

What to do

• The second eliminated food has now been out for 21 days—how does that feel?

• Diversify what you eat. Choose one or two new recipes this week.

• Reduce how often you eat out.

• Keep hydration on point.

• Add one self-improvement element: an extra workout, emotional health work, or a wellness modality like sauna or lymphatic massage.

Things to notice

• How are these changes affecting your confidence?

• What’s been easier than expected?

• Picture yourself six months from now—how will you look and feel if you maintain this?

• Has finding food become easier or harder?

• Don’t be shy—how has your poop changed?

• How has your sleep changed?

Week 6

What to do

• Sugar, gluten, and dairy have been out for 21+ days—this should feel more solid.

• Consider closing your eating window 2–3 hours before bed to support sleep.

• Identify areas of lack and create easy alternatives.

• Give yourself grace. Aim for 80–90% consistency long-term.

• Experiment with new forms of movement. Consistency matters more than intensity.

• Integrate mental and emotional health practices—prayer, meditation, reading, or inspiring content.

Things to notice

• Do you feel proud of yourself?

• What was easiest? What was hardest?

• How can you support yourself during vacations, parties, or events?

• Do a body scan: inflammation, digestion, sleep, clarity.

• What does 80/20 look like for you?

• How would it feel to maintain this for a year?

• What do you want to add next?

Food Alternatives That Hit the Spot

Sugar

• Honey or maple syrup

• Fruit with nut butter

• Dark chocolate (Hu) after the first six weeks

• Unsweetened coconut yogurt with honey and fruit

• Thick blended smoothies

Gluten

• Gluten-free pasta (check ingredients)

• Rice

• Potatoes

• Avocado-oil potato chips

• Gluten-free pretzels with nut butter

Dairy

• Nut Pods or nut milk (avoid oat milk unless organic and GF)

• Kite Hill cream cheese

• Coconut or cashew yogurt

Tips

• ChatGPT is your friend—use it for recipes, ideas, and motivation.

• Paleo and Whole30 recipes are great resources.

• Sleep (7–9 hours) plays a huge role in hunger hormones.

• Sugar cravings are often dopamine cravings—try movement, music, or reading.

• Sugar hides everywhere—check labels.

• Whey is dairy.

• If you feel the urge to do more, tread lightly. Sustainability matters.

• Fail fast. Don’t let one slip derail you.

Peptides to Consider (Optional)

Peptides to consider during the initial 6 weeks:

• A mini or standard micro dose of a GLP – this can mildly reduce food noise, which can help with creating the better eating choices until they become habit. It can also help with inflammation and energy.

• BPC-157 – reducing inflammation can make movement and exercise easier as well as improve gut health.

• KPV – improving your gut health helps with regulating hunger hormones and improves every system of your body – mentally and physically.

Peptides to consider as you move into the next phase:

• Tesamorelin – if you’re ready to add some additional lean muscle mass.

• SS-31 or MOTS-c – not only can this slow down aging and boost energy, it can also take your workouts to the next level.

• Semax – maybe you’ve gotten a taste of what improved mental clarity can feel like – here’s your level up.

Keep in mind, this is one example of a starting off point. There are so many other elements we can add into this. If you’re interested in 1:1 support through a program like this or with more depth, I’d love to work together. Either way, leave your questions and comments below.

This post is meant to offer education, ideas, and encouragement—not medical advice. Use what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and always honor your own body’s cues. If you have underlying health conditions or are considering major changes, working with a trusted healthcare provider is recommended.

Sustainable Nutrition

Find a healthier version of how you currently eat that’s doable, isn’t overwhelming, and you can sustain. Once that feels easy, add in another healthy element. This gentle approach creates healthy eating that’s sustainable vs. a cleanse that typically ends in going back to old habits. 80/20 that lasts is far better for you than 90/10 that doesn’t.

Notice Numbing or Escaping — and PAUSE

For some it’s food or drinks, for some it’s busy work, for some it’s TV or even reading. Each done for the right reason is great. But when we’re doing it to escape or numb, that’s when it’s worth pausing and noticing. Eventually, the noticing will turn into healing.

Opening Windows

Our homes are built in a way now that keeps everything locked in, which is great for heating and cooling, but not great for oxygen levels in our homes. High carbon dioxide levels can make you feel sluggish and even cause headaches. One of the best things you can do for your air quality at home is to keep your windows open.

Try it and notice the difference in how much easier it is to take a deep breath with outdoor air than indoor air. Your body will thank you.

Root Cause Approach

And once you know the root cause, find the reason for that root cause. The only way to truly heal is to know what’s really happening and why. I’m so excited to hear many doctors doing the work to treat the cause rather than the symptom.

There’s always more digging that can be done. The ultimate IN is a practitioner with a shovel who won’t give up until you don’t need them anymore.

Momentum

Sometimes (often times) we need to feel momentum before we can feel motivation. What’s something that can give you momentum that you can view as that and not a cheat — getting a trainer to give you that initial push, a meal service for a couple of weeks to get yourself eating better so you feel motivated to do it yourself, even a peptide to give you that boost.

Get that momentum so you can feel motivated. Motivation is what creates consistency.

Airway Education

How we breathe is so important. Not only does it affect our health, but it also literally affects how we look. While a lot of this is established in infancy and childhood, awareness can create new habits as adults.

Brain Peptides

Health span has had its year, and it should continue to do so. But just as important as how we look and feel as we age is our cognitive health. Staying mentally sharp is as sexy as it gets, if you ask me.

How We Eat

Yes, what we eat is important, but how we eat it can be just as important. Digestion begins when we smell food cooking. Every step of the process is crucial to gut health.

Slow down, be aware, and chew.

Fruits and Vegetables

Protein is great, but so is diversity. I feel so much better when I’m intentional about adding an extra fruit or vegetable to each meal — ideally, as many different colors as possible.

Stretching

Sometimes it’s those things that feel boring that help us the most.

Doing Something Big, Hard, or Out of Character

Give something up, add something in, conquer a fear, do something that feels scary or foreign… vow to end your year proud of something you accomplished.

Valuing Others’ Time and Knowledge

In the age of social media, there’s this free flow of free content, but there’s always a cost to someone. If you receive value from someone in some way, thank them. Or pay them.

Less AI — more messiness, imperfection, and elementary-level descriptions

I miss reading captions that sounded like the author. I miss grammatical errors, sentences that end in prepositions, and explanations of things that aren’t straight from ChatGPT.

Tell me like I’m a friend and assume I’m your not-so-smart friend.

Healthy Dopamine Hits — Doing Hard Things

I want more of the dopamine that comes from hard work, tackling something that you’ve been avoiding, or getting a little dirty. Fewer quick hits with no work, more of that euphoric reward that comes from doing something hard.

OUT for 2026

Telling people what not to do or who isn’t right.
Maybe it’s my algorithm or maybe it’s rampant. There is so much negativity and insecurity in telling people what they shouldn’t do or what “expert” is wrong.

Share with me what you’re FOR — and let’s not waste time on what we’re against.

First sunset of 2026 - a definite IN.