Face facts

Welcome back to Wellworthy. Here’s what’s happening this week:

• The Freeletics CEO’s wellness must-haves

• Harvard’s new AI predicts aging and how sleep impacts performance

• New drops from RXBAR, Peloton, Tom Holland, and more

— Let’s go!
Ash Read, co-founder, Wellworthy

Health Stack: Daniel Sobhani

Each week, we tap our network of health and fitness experts to offer personal insights and recommendations.

This week: Daniel Sobhani, CEO of Freeletics, an AI-powered fitness and lifestyle coaching app used by over 59 million people in 175+ countries. 

"I lead a fast-paced life, balancing long workdays with staying active," Daniel tells Wellworthy. “For me, it’s not about perfection. It's about consistency, simplicity, and making time for the things that energize me, mentally and physically." 

Here are the Health Stack essentials that help him keep up with his frenetic schedule:

• ESN supplements: “I stick to a tight, effective stack. Citrulline and arginine for performance and blood flow. Omega-3s for brain and heart health. Creatine for strength. And daily B12, folate, magnesium, and collagen for energy, recovery, and joint support.”

• Oura Ring: "Oura has been a game-changer for my sleep. It gives me real insight into how small habits like late meals or extra screen time affect my recovery. Sleep is non-negotiable for me, and the ring keeps me honest." 

• Apple Watch Ultra 2: "I never travel without my Apple Watch Ultra 2. It keeps me moving – even when I’m navigating airports or stuck in meetings." 

• Snipd: “This is one of my favorite tools. I use it to listen to podcasts while commuting or working out. It lets me save key insights and take notes on the go. It’s a small thing that’s made a big impact."

• Freeletics: “Right now I'm deep into our upcoming Strength Training Journey in the Freeletics app using the AI Coach to tailor each session to the time and equipment I have available.”

• Barebells Protein Bar: "Time is always tight, so I need convenient solutions. Their hazelnut nougat bar is a go-to — convenient, tasty, and keeps me fueled.”

On Our Radar 

Interesting stories we spotted this week → 

Better sleep, better performance. New research shows sleep hygiene can enhance athletic performance. Male soccer players who followed a sleep protocol during an 8-match tournament significantly improved sleep quality and in-game performance, covering more distance across all speed zones without added fatigue. The takeaway? Structured sleep habits may be a performance enhancer hiding in plain sight.

Age prediction technology. Harvard researchers developed FaceAge, an AI that predicts biological age and survival odds — from facial photos. Trained on 64,000 images, the system found cancer patients often look 5 years older than their actual age, and tend to have worse outcomes. One oncologist used it to recommend aggressive treatment for an 86-year-old who looked younger, he's now thriving at 90. 

Cold plunge, cold results. Despite the hype, researchers found that cold water immersion (CWI) didn’t enhance muscle recovery or improve next-day performance after high-intensity interval exercise. In fact, CWI slightly delayed the recovery of high-frequency muscle force. For athletes racing back-to-back, it may be time to rethink the ice bath.

Protein science. New research suggests endurance athletes need more protein than previously thought. While typical recommendations suggest 1.5g of protein per kg of body weight daily, contemporary studies recommend approximately 1.8g per kg daily, and exceeding 2.0g per kg during carbohydrate-restricted training and rest days.

Just Dropped: Rally’s orbital massage tool

Rally launched a new massage device featuring unique orbital technology that delivers soothing relief, especially for sensitive areas. Unlike traditional percussive massagers, Rally's quiet design allows customizable pressure, angle, and intensity, with three precision attachments and three speed settings to match your body's natural patterns. Order it here.

More drops perfect for:

• Weighted walks. Peloton added rucking classes to its lineup, with new weighted vest walks and hikes led by Rebecca Kennedy and Joslyn Thompson Rule. Check out the classes.

• Protein enhancement. AmplifyeP24 launched P24, an enzyme combining nature and Nobel Prize-winning science to unlock protein's power by increasing amino acid and peptide absorption. Shop now.

• Adventurous steps. Tropicfeel unveiled TERRA.001, a field-tested shoe featuring double-stack Flowt+ foam cushioning, water-draining VENTure mesh, 3mm lug outsoles for multi-surface traction, and anti-bacteria treatment that adapts from jungle trails to city streets. Explore more here.

• Endurance fuel. BPN debuted G.1.M. Endurance Pre-Workout, combining 20g carbs, 350mg caffeine, and nootropics like Alpha GPC for mind-to-muscle connection, plus Cluster Dextrin for sustained energy without the crash or bloating. Shop now.

• Sober nights. Tom Holland's BERO dropped Double Tasty, a West Coast IPA that's everything you want from craft beer, minus the alcohol, featuring Mosaic, El Dorado, and Cascade hops for citrus and pine notes. Get yours here.

• Portable energy. Wip launched clean energy caffeine pouches. Available in four flavors and two strength (100mg or 200mg), each serving costs just $0.60 versus $4 for typical energy drinks. Shop here.

• Clean protein. RXBAR debuted High Protein bars with 18g plant-based protein and just six recognizable ingredients, rolling out alongside new Lemon Honey Cashew Butter. Order at Target.com.

• Women's wellness. Momentous committed $500k to female health research while launching The Women's Three bundle featuring morning Iron+ and evening Calcium plus Vitamin D3, designed with Dr. Stacy Sims to address nutrition gaps affecting women. Shop here.

Today’s newsletter was brought to you by Joe Niehaus and Ash Read.

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