Speed up

Welcome back to Wellworthy, your weekly wellness rundown. In today’s issue:

• A former NFL QB shares his go-to wellness picks. 

• Zone 2 hype might not match the science.

• New drops from HOKA, Bloom Nutrition, Ten Thousand, and more.

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

Health Stack: Jordan Palmer

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

This week: Jordan Palmer, former NFL quarterback and co-founder of Thread Performance. As a dad and business owner, Palmer optimizes for efficiency. “Life moves fast, so I train smarter, not harder. Wellness has to fit into my lifestyle, not take it over.”

Focused on lowering his A1C through diet and sleep, Palmer squeezes in strength training between coaching his kids’ sports teams. His secret? Hitting the gym in his office for short, focused workouts throughout the day.. For recovery, Jordan does regular sauna and cold plunge sessions.

Here’s Jordan to share his favorite products: 

• Ancient Nutrition: “I’m a big fan of Ancient Nutrition’s Bone Broth Protein.”

• LMNT: “I’m big on LMNT hydration sticks, especially after sauna or cold plunge sessions.”

• Maui Nui Venison: “I eat a lot of wild game, especially Maui Nui Venison.”

• Organic Tree Juice Bar: “I’m a regular at our local juice bar, Organic Tree Juice Bar, for fresh, nutrient-dense options.”

• GymWeed: “For a quick boost, GymWeed is my go-to energy drink. It’s packed with adaptogens and doesn’t leave me jittery.”

• Thread Performance: “I co-founded Thread to help busy, developing athletes; but honestly it’s just as essential for me in this season of life where I'm balancing work, family, and my own health goals.”

On Our Radar 

Interesting stories we spotted this week → 

Leg strength = longevity. A 3-year study found leg strength and walking speed predict both gradual and rapid disability in older adults. The takeaway: Building leg strength is an insurance policy against slowing down with age. 

Brain fuel. Creatine could be your secret weapon for sharper thinking and better aging, according to a comprehensive review of 685 clinical trials. Texas A&M researchers also found most people fall short of the recommended 2-4 grams daily from diet alone (you'd need a pound of red meat or fish to get just one gram).

Bad dreams. Researchers tracking 183k adults found those with weekly nightmares were three times more likely to die before age 70 than those who rarely had them. Nightmare frequency was a stronger predictor of premature death than smoking, obesity, or poor diet. The reason? Prolonged stress hormone exposure and disrupted sleep hamper overnight cellular repair. 

Zone 2 hype. A new review challenges claims that Zone 2 training (low-intensity exercise below the lactate threshold) is optimal for metabolic health. Researchers found no evidence Zone 2 workouts are superior for the general population. Conversely, higher-intensity exercise showed greater benefits, especially when time is limited. 

Just Dropped

New products and launches spotted this week → 

Hoka collaborated with Portland artist Alex Proba for unique a range of running shoes designed to celebrate joy, movement, and color. The HOKA x Studio Proba Kawana Mid, Ora Primo, Speedgoat 6, and Speedgoat 6 youth are available now. Discover the designs here.

Goldwin launched the Performance Capsule Summer 2025, a running-focused collection with five unisex items featuring strategically placed ventilated and reflective panels for breathability and safety from road to trail. Shop the collection. 

Ten Thousand launched the Tactical Recon Shirt, featuring a performance mesh back panel for breathability and ultra-durable fabric reinforced to handle plate carriers, weight vests, and rucksacks. The shirt includes moisture-wicking technology and UPF 45+ sun protection. Shop now.

BRĒZ unveiled four new functional tonics featuring adaptogens and Lion's Mane to support everything from morning clarity to evening wind-down. Now available at all Sprouts locations nationwide. Find your retailer.

Grüns dropped its first limited-edition flavor: Raspberry Lemonade. The seasonal blend delivers all the original Grüns benefits with 60 potent ingredients for whole body vitality, but with a juicier, more fun summer twist. Try here. 

Jackson's called out unhealthy potato-starch snack brands with Super Veggie Straws made from actual vegetables (yellow peas, brown rice, cassava, sweet potato) and fried in premium avocado oil, available in Sea Salt, Cheddar, and Ranch at Walgreens and regional grocers. Grab a bag here.

Premier Protein went plant-based with new Almondmilk protein shakes, packing 20g of non-dairy protein in Chocolate, Vanilla, and Coffee flavors, now at Target and Amazon. Try them now.

Bloom Nutrition debuted Pop, a better-for-you soda with just 3-4g sugar and PreticX™ prebiotic for gut health in five nostalgic flavors like Shirley Temple and Strawberry Cream, launching exclusively at all Walmart stores nationwide. Order here.

Lura Health pioneered non-invasive health monitoring with wearables that track biomarkers in saliva instead of blood, integrating into dental devices for pain-free chronic disease management. Learn more.

MILER RUNNING released its Summer 2025 Collection. The collection includes the new Base Running Tank, which combines breathable Coolmax® mesh with a sleeveless silhouette for high-performance running. Plus, essential half tights for carrying fuel and water during hot-weather training. Check out the collection.

OpenRock launched the S2 open-ear sports earbuds, weighing just 7 grams each, with a titanium wire hook design that keeps you aware of your surroundings while delivering BassDirect™ sound technology and 32-hour battery life for $98.99. Pick up a pair here.

Odwalla returned with nationwide delivery of six 100% fruit juices and smoothies made with real fruit and zero added sugar. The lineup includes nostalgic favorites like Strawberry Banana and bold new blends like Orange, Guava & Ginger, available on Amazon and OdwallaDrinks.com with 25% off first orders. Order now.