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- You Never Have to Stop Being an Athlete:
You Never Have to Stop Being an Athlete:
(3 lessons from founders shaping the future of health & wellness):
Eric Hinman
October 16, 2024
read on: themovementmemo.com
read time: 4 minutes
Welcome to The Movement Memo, a bi-weekly newsletter where I share actionable tips to help you live your best day ever, every day.
Today's Programming
Movement: 5 rounds for time
Quote: Willink on discipline
Lesson Learned: 3 principles from training with hybrid athletes
Optimization: Just out here protecting my nads
Today's Movement
Complete 5 Rounds for Time:
10 Deadlifts (225/135 lbs)
20 Wall Balls (20/14 lbs)
You can’t lose if you don’t quit
Today's Quote
“Discipline equals freedom.”
Discipline isn’t about limits—it’s the blueprint for real freedom.
It’s choosing the hard things now so the easy things come later.
The secret: the more you stick to your principles, the less life feels like a struggle.
Control the daily habits, and the future opens wide.
Today's Lesson Learned:
You Never Have to Stop Being an Athlete: 3 tactical lessons from founders shaping the future of health and wellness
I thought when I graduated from high school my career as an athlete was over.
I was done playing sports. I was never going to wake up for another 5 a.m. practice. I would never have to sprint again until a coach blew his whistle to stop…
Flash forward 25 years: I mountain bike every day I can. I wake up excited to prioritize a hard training session with friends. And well, I still don’t look forward to sprint sessions at the track, but let’s be honest—no one really does.
Ironically, the habits my 18-year-old self swore off have become the foundation of my list of daily “Tiny Wins”. These principles eventually evolved into a philosophy I live by today: “Movement is Medicine.”
One concept that resonates deeply with me—and with many in the health and wellness world—is the notion of the hybrid athlete. While some define hybrid athletes as individuals who lift and run, I say it’s about entrepreneurs who train with the same discipline and intensity as athletes.
Over the past 10 years, I’ve dedicated myself to two goals:
Pushing the limits of my physical capabilities, from Ironman competitions to CrossFit.
Building brands that shape the future of health and wellness, working with some of the most innovative founders in the space.
Below are 3 tactical lessons I’ve learned from training with these hybrid athletes and entrepreneurs who thrive by taking training lessons into their businesses.
Business Principle #1: Align Your Product and Strategy with Purpose
Wyatt, the founder of Ice Barrel, built his cold therapy company on a simple but profound mission: make cold therapy more accessible and effective for everyone.
Cold therapy isn’t just a product for Wyatt; it’s a philosophy about maintaining mental clarity and physical strength. His approach emphasizes doing less but with intention and providing cold therapy as an effective tool to unlock mental toughness and recovery.
Design with Simplicity for Maximum Impact: Most businesses need to simplify their offerings to reduce friction and promote adoption.
Create Consistent Routines: Cold therapy works because it’s practiced regularly. Focus on creating long-term “stickiness” with your product.
Business Principle #2: Simple Systems Create Sustainable Success
Peter, the founder of SISU Sauna, built a company rooted in the importance of intentional simplicity. When I asked Peter how he balances building a rapidly growing business, training for 100 mile ultras, and raising two kids, he shared it comes down to ruthless prioritization and keeping things simple.
Pete’s philosophy reflects a profound truth: you can’t do it all—not in business, not in life, and certainly not in training. His method? Cutting out the noise and focusing only on the essentials. He avoids unnecessary complexity, favoring systems and routines that are sustainable for the long run.
Plan by Elimination: Prioritize by identifying the few things that truly matter.
Work in Waves: Structured downtime leads to breakthroughs and avoids burnout.
Consistency Beats Perfection: Sustainable progress builds momentum, which beats short bursts of intensity.
Business Principle #3: Build Systems That Optimize Personal and Business Health
Blokes reflects Josh’s philosophy: when your system is optimized, good choices become automatic. Just as his service offers men personalized health solutions, businesses need processes tailored to their specific needs.
Make Good Decisions Automatic: Success becomes sustainable when the right systems are in place—whether in hormone optimization or operational efficiency.
Reduce Friction: The easier it is for users to follow a system, the more likely they are to stick with it—both in health and business.
The biggest takeaway from working with these founders—Wyatt, Pete, and Josh—is that success in business mirrors success in training. Growth happens when you find the right balance between massive action in the short term and prioritizing the long-term vision.
I’ve spent tens of hours training with each of these hybrid athletes. Their commitment to make an impact on the health and wellness industry and still maintain their training takes immense discipline. What they are doing, both physically and professionally, serves as constant inspiration.
Whether you’re building a business, scaling a brand, or striving for personal health, the principles are the same: show up, push your limits, and listen to feedback along the way.
Today's Optimization
Just Out Here Protecting My Nads
These are organic cotton briefs. They’ve got boxers, briefs, whatever style your nads fancy—and trust me, your nads deserve this level of care.
Endocrine disruptors, like phthalates and parabens (common in dyes and fabric softeners), can alter hormone levels, lowering testosterone and fertility. By switching to organic cotton briefs, you’re avoiding these risks while keeping things breathable, reducing heat buildup, and supporting overall hormone health.
That’s why I wear organic cotton—it’s free from toxic chemicals, breathable, and kind to your body.
The Science of Happy Nads
Endocrine Health: Many fabrics treated with chemicals release toxins absorbed through the skin, disrupting the endocrine system. Phthalates and other disruptors can interfere with testosterone production, contributing to lower fertility and increased estrogenic activity. Wearing organic cotton helps avoid these risks by keeping harmful toxins out of your wardrobe—and off your nads.
Temperature Regulation: Your body produces sperm at temperatures slightly below body temperature, which is why overheating can reduce sperm quality. Synthetic fabrics trap heat and moisture, but organic cotton is breathable, allowing better airflow and reducing heat buildup. Cooler nads = healthier testosterone levels and better fertility.
Skin-Friendly & Eco-Conscious: On top of protecting your hormones, organic cotton is hypoallergenic and free of pesticides. Conventional fabrics often contain residues from chemicals used during farming and processing, which can cause skin irritation and long-term health risks. Organic cotton supports your health and the planet—it’s soft on your skin and sustainable for the earth.
Know friends, training partners, or co-workers who would take value from weekly tips on a healthier lifestyle, enhanced accountability, and improved routines? Thanks for sharing!
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Publisher: Eric Hinman
Editor-in-chief: Bobby Ryan