Start strong

Happy New Year! Welcome back to Wellworthy. Here's everything that happened in health and wellness this week:

• A connected-fitness founder shares his Health Stack

• How elite HYROX athletes approach training

• New product launches from Stride, Superpower, Daily Harvest, and more
  
  - Ash Read and Joe Niehaus

Health Stack: Andy Hoang

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

This week: Andy Hoang, co-founder and CEO of Aviron. Drawing from his experience with undiagnosed ADHD, the Toronto native started Aviron to gamify fitness.

Here’s Andy to share his Health Stack: 

• Nurosym: “A versatile tool that helps me unwind and manage minor injuries through biofeedback and neurostimulation, maintaining my mental and physical balance.”

• Sauna: “Regular sauna sessions boost my sleep quality, aid in detoxification, and relieve stress. It's a relaxing ritual that enhances my overall sense of well-being.”

• Cold Plunge: “Jumpstarting my day with a cold plunge invigorates me, offering a quick dopamine boost and numerous health benefits like reduced inflammation and improved mental clarity.”

• Hyperice Normatec Legs: “Essential for someone who sits all day, these compression boots rejuvenate my legs by enhancing circulation and speeding recovery, keeping them feeling light and fresh.”

• Aviron Strong Rowing Machine: “Makes fitness fun and efficient. It's an engaging way to achieve a full-body workout that I actually look forward to.”

• Oura Ring: “A smart ring tracking sleep quality and providing daily activity advice. Its sleek design fits seamlessly into my lifestyle, helping me make informed decisions about my fitness and rest.”

On Our Radar 

Interesting stories we spotted this week → 

Training with elite HYROX athletes 

In preparation for HYROX Dallas, Nick Bare spent the day with Elite 15 HYROX athletes Rich Ryan and Ryan Kent to learn what goes into competing at the highest level of this growing sport.

Ryan and Kent’s key training advice: 

• Prioritize. Running makes up about 50% of race performance – while ski erg, sled push, and burpees only account for 3-4% of race time each.

• Progress. "You're going to mess up a few times before you find out what works... that's a cool thing about HYROX – there's not one blueprint on how to get results,” says Kent.

• Process. Setting race goals is just the start. As Kent emphasizes, "How bad do you want it?" and "Are you doing all the things you need to do to give yourself the best chance at success on race day?" Dedication dictates performance, including those 5 AM workouts. 

Reflecting on the experience, Bare noted, "It set expectations for me of what it takes to compete at this [Elite 15] level." The lessons are clear: prioritize what matters most, be patient with progress, and commit to the daily work.

In other news… 

Muscle up. Recent findings suggest muscle power—the ability to generate force quickly—may be more crucial for longevity than being lean. The study found high muscle power reduced mortality risk by over 40% in lean and overweight adults. 

Defy death. New Netflix documentary Don't Die follows tech millionaire Bryan Johnson's $2 million-per-year quest to extend human lifespan. The film from Tiger King director Chris Smith explores the science, psychology, and personal journey behind Johnson's ambitious anti-aging experiment.

Look back. Tim Ferriss shared his annual review process with Andrew Huberman. Each New Year, he lists the people, places, and activities that created his highest and lowest moments. This simple plus/minus analysis guides what he prioritizes for the year ahead. 

Just Dropped: Stride’s Better Stack

Stride debuted The Better Stack, a comprehensive wellness bundle combining DNA and microbiome testing with methylated supplements. The Stack includes 40+ personalized genetic reports covering methylation, nutrition, fitness, sleep, and skin health, plus microbiome analysis and a month of methylated B-complex supplements. Get your Stack here.

More drops perfect for:

• Circadian health. New app SunSeek tracks daily light exposure, offering personalized recommendations for optimal sunlight timing based on sleep, vitamin D, and circadian goals. Download now.

• Functional hydration. The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians launched RIVR, a Native American-owned line of functional beverages. The drinks feature traditional Yerba Mate and hemp for natural energy and calm. Shop now.

• Plant-based nutrition. Daily Harvest dropped a range of organic protein smoothies in Dark Chocolate, Vanilla Bean, and Mixed Berry flavors. Each blend packs 20g of organic pea protein, plus real fruits and vegetables. Buy a box.

• Sleep science. NOKT debuted its vegan sleep gummies, featuring clean adaptogenic ingredients and plant-based melatonin designed to support your natural circadian rhythm without creating dependency. The New York-made formula promises recovery-focused rest and hangover-free mornings, backed by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Pre-order here.

• Clean comfort. Superpower debuted the ‘World's Healthiest Hoodie,’ made from 100% organic cotton and biodegradable materials. Free from BPA, PFAS, and phthalates, it features algae-based ink and saves 45% CO₂ emissions versus traditional cotton. Available in cream and charcoal. Shop now.

• Bold training. NOBULL restocked its limited-edition Neon Glitch Collection, featuring its signature workout shoes reimagined in bright neon colorways. It’s selling out fast. Pick up a pair. 

• Virtual fitness. Jane Fonda brings her iconic '80s workout series to Meta Quest's Supernatural app with four new VR fitness experiences, including high-energy cardio sessions co-coached by Ludacris. The program features retro-inspired flows, boxing workouts set to hip-hop party jams, team sessions, and one-on-one stretching routines. Give it a try.

• Metabolic support. Lemme launched Tone, a metabolism-boosting gummy combining chromium picolinate, B12, and apple cider vinegar in apple-watermelon flavor. Available exclusively at Target for $30. Order at Target.

• New year renewal. Sakara launched Level II: Detox, a 5-day program featuring whole-food meals, hydration tonics, and targeted supplements for inflammation reduction and cellular rejuvenation. Includes body gua sha tools and digital guidance. Sign up here. 

• Plant protein. Koia launched Elite, a clean protein shake featuring 32g plant protein, 4g sugar, and avocado oil instead of seed oils. Available at Whole Foods nationwide. Shop now.

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

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