My Morning Cup
I’ve been fortunate to work for F&L for ten years and during this time, I’ve had many patients return for physical therapy. Some have commented that I’ve lost a lot of weight since they last saw me. They all ask me the same question, “What did you do?”
Most of my life I’ve been in decent shape. I’ve always been active and practiced mostly what I’ve preached by having a movement practice that involved many of the things that I’ve learned while being a therapist for 15 years. I’ve gone through different phases of exercises and nutrition as the research has evolved. I’ve weighed as much as 170 lbs and as low as 135 lbs during that time period.
Last year, like most people, I made a New Year’s resolution to be in the best shape of my life since I would be turning 50 years old. I came up with a plan to work out, eat right, and have the right attitude. Like most resolutions, it went out the door after a week. But not for the usual reasons of unreasonable goals or loss of momentum and motivation. Turns out that it all changed with a cup of coffee.
The day after New Year’s 2014, my nephew Ramsey, introduced me to a cup of Bulletproof Coffee. It contained a fresh brewed cup of coffee blended with coconut oil and grass-fed butter. It was smooth, delicious and the best cup of coffee I’ve ever had. It really sparked my interest that something so contradictory, (butter in my coffee?!?) could be so satisfying. It led me to do some Google-ing so that I could make myself a cup the next day.
Bulletproof Coffee was created and branded by Dave Asprey, a self described “biohacker“. Asprey came up with coffee idea after having a cup of tea that contained yak butter while hiking in the mountains of Tibet. He has gone on to create a brand that not only includes coffee, but other supplementations and technological tools to “biohack” oneself. He also created the Bulletproof Exec, which features a blog and podcast that is both informative and inspirational. His interviews are with other biohackers that have a specialty in exercise, nutrition, lifestyle, or performance.
I’ve listened to every podcast that he has put out and it has led to significant changes in my life style. By being introduced to other people interested in improving human performance, such as Ben Greenfield, Jimmy Moore, Kelly Starrett, Hal Elrod and Ari Meisel, I’ve been able to attain my goal of being in the best shape that I’ve been in for years. My perception of “best shape” has changed as well. While improving my physical presence was important, it was clear that focusing specifically on my diet, personal development and gratitude would make the most positive changes to my health. And with those positives changing first, my body changed as well. Most of my weight loss was body fat and i had increased energy, mental focus and a greater awareness to change.
There are many detractors of Bulletproof Coffee and of the biohacking community. There is the perception that many of the ideals behind it are not based on medical research and old views of what traditional medicine, nutrition and exercise should be. Yet our society continues to see increases in heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Challenging that traditional thinking has affected everything that I’ve done since drinking that cup of coffee and it’s led to a new life of fulfillment and gratitude. Starting my day with a cup of Bulletproof Coffee is part of my morning routine that I doubt will change for a while.
Over the next few blogs, I plan to talk about the changes i’ve made and how I think it can help others. If you have any questions for me, please feel free to email me at [email protected].
References:
Biohacking. (2015, February 7). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 17:50, March 9, 2015, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Biohacking&oldid=646035829