The go-to newsletter for execs in their 40s who lack the time (but have the drive) to get in shape — before it's too late.
Why most executives stay fat & confused
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A few weeks back, I posted a screenshot of a client's WhatsApp message: What was interesting, though, was the exchange that followed in the comments. One CEO made a very generic claim that fat demonization is responsible for all obesity these days. And that we should all:
I would’ve posted the thread here, but he deleted his comments soon after our exchange. Anyway, here’s how I responded: “There’s more nuance to this.
As much as fat demonization doesn’t serve anybody, in this context, watching saturated fat was critical to his results.
If you look at current evidence, there’s a direct correlation between elevated LDL (often driven by excess saturated fat consumption) and increased risk of coronary heart disease.
As for carbohydrates — they catapult athletic performance.
The man I work with is an avid runner who saw significant improvements just by swapping out eggs and steak pre-run for oatmeal with fruit.”
Now, we’re entering a dangerous area… Because we’re talking to someone who went low-carb, lost weight, and feels better than ever. So he fires back with: “Being fat-adapted is the best way to train, period. Look up… (he dropped a couple book authors arguing for high saturated fat diets).” Now — I don’t blame the guy. This worked for him, and he’s trying to share what helped. But here’s the thing: If you understood sports nutrition, you'd know glucose is the preferred fuel source for most athletes. Why? Because when you’re physically active and metabolically healthy, glucose gets converted into glycogen — stored in the muscles and liver — and becomes the fuel for intense, explosive movement. You could do slow-paced endurance events while fat-adapted. But if your activity includes any elements of strength, speed, or power? Glycogen is where it’s at. That’s why you see LeBron eat a bowl of fruit before games. That’s why athletes fuel with Gatorade (carbs + electrolytes), not ketone drinks during games. And who seems more legit?
There’s not a single top-level athlete in the world who’s fat-adapted, so let's put that to rest. That’s the nuance. Eggs are great. Steak is great. I'm not demonizing any foods. But if you want to optimize athletic performance? Good-quality carbs — like fruit and starches — are your friend. Anyway — after I explained all that, he switched gears: “Just because you use the word nuance doesn’t make you an expert. Minimizing carbs helps control blood sugar and insulin. For older folks, that’s life-saving.” I get where he’s coming from. But the “carbs” he had in mind? Heavily processed, fiber-devoid, calorie-dense foods — the kind that are actually 50/50 fat and carbs in their caloric makeup. And if we follow that logic, older folks thriving on plant-based diets should all be dead by now. But they’re not — because they’re eating vitamin- and mineral-rich carbs, high in fiber, that help manage blood sugar effectively. The point of this story? Polarization in nutrition and fitness is what keeps people fat and confused. Absolute claims get clicks. Diet gurus get more exposure than they should. And people get hurt because nuance gets thrown out. Most people get results on any diet — low-carb or high-carb — because they eliminate a bunch of high-calorie junk. They drop weight. They feel better. Then the guru tells them it’s all because of the carbs — and now they’re in a box. They miss the context. They don’t know how to fuel performance. And the moment they travel, eat with a client, or hit a stressful stretch at work, it all falls apart. Your schedule is not the problem. The novel, context-devoid, algorithm-friendly information you're being fed is.
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Get Fit in Your 40s
The go-to newsletter for execs in their 40s who lack the time (but have the drive) to get in shape — before it's too late.