Driven… by Nature to become more Human

Sports DNA - Analytics

A doctor will help find what is wrong with you.
I will help find what is right with you.
(So you can live and write your own true story.)

The Sports DNA-Analytics report and data are based on ancestral genetics, gender, age, current weight (goal weight), sport, and athletic events. Recommendations are performance-oriented and apply only to you. While genetic contributions can range from 20% to 80%, these recommendations, along with training and nutritional plans, are intended for performance and informational purposes (not for predicting health or athletic outcomes). The personalized information is not to be used for medical advice or to estimate future medical probabilities and should not replace professional medical care. For DNA analytics unrelated to athletics, consult a medical provider.

Your genetic information is never to be shared, not out of greed for yourself, but simply because your genetic path is as rare as the fingerprints unique to you. Unless someone knows your genetic blueprint, be cautious of unsolicited advice from others.

the story of your future…
is in your DNA

As a former clinical dietitian, I have spent a great deal of time assisting various medical practitioners in identifying what is wrong with a patient and then spending considerable effort to find the right solutions to address their biological “weaknesses.”

Today, as an Author, Researcher, Educator, Coach, and World Record setting Athlete, I draw on my extensive experience in the lab (exercise physiology lab), the clinical setting (in the hospital or clinic), and the field (as a world-class athlete, high-level coach, and sports dietitian) to identify what is right for you and provide science-backed solutions that build on your strengths and are tailored to your DNA.

Using direct-to-consumer DNA testing and raw data, I will explore more than 100 genes related to athletic performance to inform and educate for what is right with you through the process of “Athletically Driven… by Nature to become more human.”

But what does it mean “...to become more Human?”

“More human”… driven by Nature… moves an athlete beyond preset biological limitations.

Within the scientific community, scientists believe there is a “central regulator” that manages the biological output of life, enabling the body to achieve survival objectives with minimal effort. The baseline survival state (with minimal effort) falls within the 60-80% regulated zone, preserving energy and high functionality for emergencies.
Under the idea of a “central regulator” (or Central Governor), the subconscious brain acts as a processing center that regulates physiological stress, core temperature, and energy reserves with one objective… to prevent bodily harm. Unfortunately, the brain will limit muscle use through the perception of pain and fatigue well before the body’s absolute physical limits are reached.

Less Human, Average Human, More Human

Your subconscious regulator can move you in three directions: less human, average human, or, through the athletic pursuit of the highest ambitions, more human.

Less Human (driven by a feedback mechanism… to fail) refers to a state of underutilization or suppression of natural biological potential, in which the body is prevented from achieving basic physical objectives.

Average Human (the comfort of protection) is the baseline state of survival with minimal effort, as the body operates comfortably within the 60-80% regulated zone that balances physical obligations (of just showing up) with energy preservation (to limit pain and fatigue).
More Human (driven by a feedforward mechanism… to succeed) operates under the idea that “nature drives us” to push our boundaries through intense adaptation (commonly known as evolution). Through the pursuit of athletic drive, the brain unlocks physical, mental, and emotional capabilities that increase output at all levels, transcending survival (fight-or-flight) into a higher state of striving and thriving that taps into your “dig deep” reserves.

“More human” requires effort….
Until you get it right.
And then “more human” effort…
Until you can’t get it wrong!

Thanks to breakthroughs in DNA analytics, there is…
No more guessing
No more random advice
No more train and error

…Decode, learn, and apply…

For example…

The COMT gene is responsible for how your brain and body process and use dopamine.
(One of your six flow hormones).

If you have the gene variant that processes dopamine very quickly, you are known as a “Warrior” athlete who seeks adrenaline. Also known as an adrenaline junkie, you seek higher-risk adventures that boost your dopamine production and use. Pre-event rituals include slapping your body, shadowboxing, and side-to-side movements as you bring the event to you. You are ready before the race even starts. Grrrrr…

On the other hand, if your brain and body produce and use dopamine more slowly at a steady rate, you are known as a “Become the Warrior” athlete, as you patiently wait for the event to start. You are the “calm before the storm.” Breathe in, breathe out, wait for it…

Other examples of the COMT gene include… risk aversion vs. high risk, as in…

To Jump or Not to Jump

The COMT gene regulates dopamine levels, which allow some individuals to thrive in high-stress, fast-paced environments and to improve their low-fear cognitive performance, such as a base jumper who chooses To Jump. Others choose not to jump, as they excel under conditions that provide certainty and safety through deliberate planning (that avoids danger).

Sidenote: While some “Become the Warrior” type individuals will make the jump, the conditions have to be extremely favorable. As a species, we need individuals who will test the human limits to jump, and we need those who are safety-driven, Not to Jump.

This also leads us to the engineer vs. test pilot population distribution. Orville and Wilber Wright perfectly exemplify this genetic distribution within this historical brotherhood:

The Engineer vs. The Test Pilot

Wilbur Wright / The Engineer: Tended to be highly analytical, cautious, and methodical. He preferred to let Orville take the physical risks while he focused on the meticulous engineering, mathematical calculations, and physics of flight.
Orville Wright / The Test Pilot: Tended to be the risk-seeker. He was the daredevil of the duo who took the prototype planes up into the air, relying on rapid reflexes and the ability to stay cool while navigating unpredictable winds.

What’s your type?
What’s your story to be written?

The COMT gene is just one of the 100+ genes analyzed for their influence on athletic abilities, allowing an athlete to match their Nurture to the DNA-analytic Nature unique to them.

DNA analytics can identify…

Warrior Athlete or Become the Warrior Athlete
Nutrition related genes
The old school concept of Calorie in vs. Calorie out…
has been replaced with Nutrient in vs. Nutrient out based on genetics.
MTHFR gene (related to B vitamins, known as energy vitamins)
Animal-based vs. Plant-based (Do you have the “vegetarian genes” to become fully plant-based, or do you need the perfect blend of animal and plant proteins?)
Hunger Sensitivity genes (such as the GLP-1 gut peptide) can drive your appetite higher than it should be, or does food sensitivity drive an uncontrollable eating response due to physical, mental, or emotional stress?
Protein complexity… More protein and different protein for the Warrior athlete, versus less protein and different protein for Become the Warrior athlete.
Adaptogens/Nootropics/Food density genes (Adaptogens feed the body. Nootropics feed the brain. Depending on “your” genetics, you need somewhere between 5,000 and 25,000 different types of nutrients.
Pre-During-Post training nutrition genes
Athletic-related genes
Before you can properly Nurture, you need to know your Nature.
Muscle fiber genes related to use, training, energy systems, and recovery (Type I, Type Ic, Type IIc, Type IIa, Type IIx?)
Pain sensitivity genes. Does your body (and brain) know the difference between bad pain vs. good pain, athletic pain vs. medical pain?
Recovery process genes (Do you recover in less than 12 hours, or does it take you 48 hours?)
3-Phase Detox genes. Is your “activation,” “conjugation,” and “elimination” process fast-fast-fast, fast-slow-fast, slow-slow-fast, fast, slow, slow, slow-fast-slow, or slow-slow-slow? To prevent harmful “bottlenecks” within variations, you may require specific recovery processes and nutritional support.
Injury-risk genes
Collagen genes
Sleep genes