The Journal · No. 001May 2026

Insights for
performance
& longevity.

Notes on training, fueling, sleep, and bloodwork -- from biomarker analysis to performance protocols, written for people who'd rather act on the signal than chase the trend.

Yoga and mindfulness
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Trail run through an open field
Pavement run at pace
Active
Sections28 articles
A1C: What Your Three-Month Blood Sugar Average Actually Predicts
Health TopicsApril 17, 2026

A1C: What Your Three-Month Blood Sugar Average Actually Predicts

Most people see their A1C as a single number on a lab report. It is one of the most predictive markers you have access to — if you know how to read it.

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Your 10-Year Heart Attack Risk: Making Sense of Your ASCVD Score
02Health TopicsApril 17, 2026

Your 10-Year Heart Attack Risk: Making Sense of Your ASCVD Score

The ASCVD score is one of the most used calculations in clinical medicine. Your doctor runs it every physical. Here is what it means and what to do with it.

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Functional Threshold Power: Why Cyclists Define Themselves by One Number
03FitnessApril 17, 2026

Functional Threshold Power: Why Cyclists Define Themselves by One Number

FTP has become a cyclist is identity — the watt number that anchors their training. Here is what it actually measures, how to test it, and what to do with it.

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Grip Strength: The Simplest Longevity Test in Medicine
04Health TopicsApril 17, 2026

Grip Strength: The Simplest Longevity Test in Medicine

A $40 dynamometer and three seconds of effort predict your 10-year mortality risk better than your blood pressure. Here is why grip strength matters and how to test it.

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Intermittent Fasting: What the Research Actually Says in 2026
05NutritionApril 17, 2026

Intermittent Fasting: What the Research Actually Says in 2026

A decade of hype, followed by studies suggesting it might not beat ordinary calorie restriction. The real picture is more interesting than either camp will admit.

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Your Menstrual Cycle Is a Vital Sign — Here Is What to Track
06Health TopicsApril 17, 2026

Your Menstrual Cycle Is a Vital Sign — Here Is What to Track

For decades the cycle was framed as a fertility issue or something to suppress. That framing missed what it actually is: a monthly readout of hormonal health, training capacity, and metabolic state.

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Pregnancy Weight Gain: The Range That Matters More Than the Number
07Health TopicsApril 17, 2026

Pregnancy Weight Gain: The Range That Matters More Than the Number

The "25 to 35 pounds" rule most women have heard is oversimplified. The actual guidance depends on where you start — and most pregnant women have been told the wrong range.

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Sarcopenia Starts Earlier Than You Think
08Health TopicsApril 17, 2026

Sarcopenia Starts Earlier Than You Think

The word sounds clinical. The condition is quietly shaping your thirties, forties, and every decade after. Here is what sarcopenia is and how to stop its trajectory.

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VDOT: Running Its Most Accurate Intensity System
09FitnessApril 17, 2026

VDOT: Running Its Most Accurate Intensity System

Jack Daniels turned forty years of coaching into a single number that tells you how hard every run should feel. Here is what VDOT is and how to train with it.

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Wilks vs DOTS: The Math Behind Ranking Powerlifters Fairly
10FitnessApril 17, 2026

Wilks vs DOTS: The Math Behind Ranking Powerlifters Fairly

Two formulas, one goal — comparing strength across weight classes. Here is how each one works, why DOTS replaced Wilks at the sport is top meets, and when to use them.

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Understanding Body Composition: Beyond the Scale
11Health TopicsApril 1, 2026

Understanding Body Composition: Beyond the Scale

Learn why body composition matters more than body weight, how to measure it, and what the numbers actually mean for your health.

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Calorie Deficit 101: The Science of Sustainable Weight Loss
12NutritionMarch 20, 2026

Calorie Deficit 101: The Science of Sustainable Weight Loss

Understand how calorie deficits work, how to calculate yours, and how to lose fat without crashing your metabolism or losing muscle.

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Heart Rate Zone Training: A Complete Guide
13FitnessMarch 15, 2026

Heart Rate Zone Training: A Complete Guide

Learn how to use heart rate training zones to optimize your cardio workouts for fat burning, endurance, and performance.

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VO2 Max Explained: The Gold Standard of Cardiovascular Fitness
14FitnessMarch 10, 2026

VO2 Max Explained: The Gold Standard of Cardiovascular Fitness

What VO2 max is, why it matters for health and longevity, how to test it, and proven strategies to improve it.

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Sleep Architecture: Understanding Your Sleep Cycles
15Sleep & RecoveryMarch 5, 2026

Sleep Architecture: Understanding Your Sleep Cycles

How sleep cycles work, why sleep quality matters more than quantity, and evidence-based strategies to optimize your rest and recovery.

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Biological Age vs Chronological Age: What Really Matters
16Health TopicsFebruary 28, 2026

Biological Age vs Chronological Age: What Really Matters

Your birthday tells you how long you have been alive. Your biological age tells you how well your body is aging. Learn what it means and how to measure it.

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Protein for Muscle Growth: How Much Do You Really Need?
17NutritionFebruary 20, 2026

Protein for Muscle Growth: How Much Do You Really Need?

The evidence-based guide to protein intake for building muscle, preserving lean mass, and optimizing recovery.

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Hydration and Performance: How Much Water Do You Really Need?
18NutritionFebruary 15, 2026

Hydration and Performance: How Much Water Do You Really Need?

The science of hydration, how dehydration affects your body and mind, and practical guidelines for daily water intake.

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BMR vs TDEE: Understanding Your Metabolism
19NutritionFebruary 10, 2026

BMR vs TDEE: Understanding Your Metabolism

What basal metabolic rate and total daily energy expenditure are, how they are calculated, and why understanding them is essential for any nutrition goal.

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Strength Training Fundamentals: Progressive Overload and One-Rep Max
20FitnessFebruary 5, 2026

Strength Training Fundamentals: Progressive Overload and One-Rep Max

The essential principles of strength training, how to use your one-rep max to structure workouts, and the science of progressive overload.

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Making Sense of Your Wearable Data: From Metrics to Action
21Health TopicsJanuary 25, 2026

Making Sense of Your Wearable Data: From Metrics to Action

How to interpret the health and fitness data from your smartwatch or fitness tracker and turn raw numbers into meaningful improvements.

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Vitamin D: The Deficiency You Probably Have
22NutritionJuly 25, 2024

Vitamin D: The Deficiency You Probably Have

Why vitamin D deficiency is so widespread, what this nutrient actually does beyond bone health, and how to fix your levels.

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Biomarkers: The Numbers That Actually Predict Your Health
23BiomarkersJuly 1, 2024

Biomarkers: The Numbers That Actually Predict Your Health

Why biomarkers matter more than symptoms for catching disease early, which ones to track, and how to put your lab results to practical use.

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Melatonin: What It Actually Does and How to Use It Right
24Sleep & RecoveryJune 10, 2024

Melatonin: What It Actually Does and How to Use It Right

Melatonin is the most popular sleep supplement in the world, but most people use it wrong. Here is what the evidence says about dosing, timing, and when it genuinely helps.

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Magnesium Threonate: The Form That Actually Reaches Your Brain
25NutritionMay 23, 2023

Magnesium Threonate: The Form That Actually Reaches Your Brain

Why magnesium threonate stands apart from other forms for cognitive health, sleep quality, and mood — and how to use it effectively.

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Nutrition Basics: Building a Solid Diet Without Overthinking It
26NutritionMay 13, 2023

Nutrition Basics: Building a Solid Diet Without Overthinking It

A practical guide to macronutrients, micronutrients, and how to build a sustainable diet grounded in evidence — not trends.

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Cold Plunge and Healthspan: What the Evidence Actually Supports
27Health TopicsApril 12, 2023

Cold Plunge and Healthspan: What the Evidence Actually Supports

A clear-eyed look at cold water immersion — what it does to your body, which benefits hold up under scrutiny, and how to use it safely.

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Fish Oil and Omega-3s: What the Evidence Actually Supports
28NutritionJanuary 15, 2023

Fish Oil and Omega-3s: What the Evidence Actually Supports

A clear-eyed look at fish oil supplementation — what omega-3s do, what they don't, how much you need, and what to look for in a supplement.

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