It has been quite a while since I first delved into Biohacking.
So, what is Biohacking? In simple terms, it involves reprogramming one’s habits and lifestyle aimed at achieving specific mental and physical wellness goals.
I embarked on this journey in early 2023, selecting experts who could introduce and guide me through this new realm.
My background is primarily in Trading, Financial Activities, and Investments. I also own three companies in Italy and one in Slovenia.
In my profession, the mental framework and the quality of decision-making are critical. To take my mind to the next level, I needed to elevate my body as well.
Initial Resistance and First Steps in Biohacking
The beginning was not smooth, primarily due to my own initial resistance. Often, when faced with significant changes in lifestyle, we encounter various excuses and reluctance.
I began in July with precision medicine exams (DNA, microbiota, and hormonal) to understand my initial state. Once I received the results, I was supported by three different professionals, each specialized in their field: a Biohacker, a nutritionist, and a trainer. They helped me interpret the test results and set the best-suited plans for me.
Opting for Biohacking as a lifestyle choice, rather than a temporary fix, was pivotal. To achieve this, I had to introduce new concepts into my routines and gradually turn them into established habits without rushing and by prioritizing effectively.
First major goal: regulate my sleep
Poor sleep quality and insomnia were part of my daily life, significantly impacting my mental agility and performance. The first step was acquiring an Oura Ring. I’m passionate about hacking at all levels, from Growth Hacking in marketing to applying its principles in trading. The core principle is that without measurement, there is no experimentation, and without experimentation, there is no improvement.
Thanks to the Oura Ring, I could assign a numerical score to my disastrous initial data and appreciate the improvements as I introduced new practices.
In just two months, my score improved from an average of 72, characterized by some concerning lows (50 on my worst nights), to an average of 82, with greater balance and consistency over time.
These practices significantly influenced the results:
- Waking up at the same time every day (7:00 AM, even on weekends)
- Going to bed around the same time each night, roughly at 11 PM
- Wearing blue blockers glasses throughout the evening
- Journaling before bedtime
- Engaging in 10 minutes of meditation before sleep with Theta Binaural Tones.
- An earlier dinner from 8:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Correcting my sleep disorder has brought tremendous benefits. Starting to sleep again is like starting to live again!
Second Biohacking Goal: Nutritional Supplementation
Having addressed the primary issue, I was highly motivated to identify which of the many received recommendations I could use to further enhance my well-being.
The next logical step of my biohacking journey was dietary supplementation.
My diet has been optimized for many years, primarily protein-rich, with plenty of fruits and vegetables and minimal carbohydrates and sugars, mostly due to personal preference rather than imposition.
However, I hadn’t considered the possibility and benefits of providing additional contributions to my body in the form of supplements.
This second step significantly optimized my energy level and began contributing to another goal of mine: weight loss.
Third Goal: Losing Weight
My starting point was 76 kg in March 2022, not too many but inadequate for my height of 170 cm.
After just a year, I weighed 68 kg, which I consider an extraordinary result achieved within a reasonable time frame, without making drastic sacrifices. Despite frequent travel and dining out 3-4 times a week for work, my new habits helped maintain this progress.
A light body means a light mind, and it’s an enormous benefit that I experience daily.
Sleep and supplementation were crucial for this result, but the next crucial step was the introduction of intermittent fasting.
Since I prefer to proceed gradually, I waited until I had fully integrated the first two steps before embarking on this much-anticipated challenge. I introduced intermittent fasting in January of this year.
What can I say, I was amazed! The energy benefit provided by this simple practice is incredible!
I call it simple because the fasting regimen I introduced is absolutely light.It involves 16 hours between dinner and the next day’s lunch (essentially skipping only breakfast) three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday).
Initially, I was concerned, fearing headaches and suffering, but from the very first day, I realized how often we eat out of social habit rather than a genuine biological need.
It’s equally incredible how much energy and mental clarity this practice provides.
Fourth Biohacking Goal: Achieving Perfect Physical Shape
In the last month of the biohacking program, I embarked on, I was even more determined to elevate myself to the next level. Certainly, refreshed and motivated by the previous results, I must say it was effortless.
So, I decided to add three more crucial steps forward: Cryotherapy, Hydration, and Exercise.
Cryotherapy
The cold morning shower was a practice I had experimented with years ago and reintroduced with significant benefits: increased muscle tone, higher energy levels, improved mood, and noticeably better thermoregulation.
I consider it a relatively simple step, taking only a few minutes that seamlessly fit into the morning routine, with no significant time or effort sacrifice. There’s a little resistance to overcome when I’m still in the waking phase, but my willpower grows stronger every day, and the benefits far outweigh the effort.
Much more challenging for me is to battle against the bad habit of drinking too little water.
Hydration
By now, I’ve learned that it’s a matter of forming the habit and then incorporating the good habit into established routines as naturally as possible.
Simply getting used to having a water bottle always available during my long trading sessions has significantly improved this aspect. Although I still need to commit to maintaining this habit consistently during the winter season.
Physical Exercise
Lastly, physical training, which is the most challenging part due to my tendency to be lazy.
Pure willpower has allowed me to introduce simple 30-minute workout sessions every other day. I chose the most suitable time slot for my habits (late afternoon) and tried to establish a routine that could become as natural and time-efficient as possible.
A few months down the line, the results are already noticeable, although I don’t always manage to maintain the consistency of time slots without excessive effort. Once the habit is firmly established, I can introduce more specific exercises.
This is still a work in progress, but I hope it becomes a lifestyle over time, capable of further enhancing my professional performance and personal well-being.
