The Challenges
Despite being proactive about health and wellness, Sunil faced interconnected optimization challenges that DIY approaches couldn't solve:
Fragmented Health: “I was kind of tiptoeing into all the longevity and healthy stuff,” Sunil said.
Hidden Stress Markers: Although he has always felt calm and composed, Sunil’s biomarker test results revealed that he was physiologically stressed out. “I feel like I am the calmest person I know,” Sunil said, “but some of the cortisol tests and omega-3 to 6 ratios suggested there was underlying tension in my body.”
Suboptimal Muscle Mass: Body composition testing consistently categorized Sunil as “lean and under-muscled.” At 65, Sunil understood the urgency, as he knew that he would lose muscle mass over time (sarcopenia).
Sleep and Memory Concerns: “At the top of my [overall health] pyramid were sleep and memory, which are connected,” Sunil said. Despite reading Matthew Walker's book Why We Sleep and implementing protocols, he struggled to get consistently restful slumber.
Alcohol Consumption: His doctor had repeatedly warned him about excessive drinking. “My doctor's been telling me for years I’m drinking a little bit too much,” Sunil said.
Exercise-Induced Limitations: Diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma, Sunil required albuterol during intense workouts, limiting his training capacity and athletic enjoyment.
The Solution
Through Kevin Schwartz's recommendation and Andy Galpin's compelling presentation, Sunil chose RAPID over other platforms. “I had the two main flavors that I was exposed to,” he said. “One is Peter Attia and his medically-oriented flavor, and the other was Andy and a more performance-oriented flavor.”
RAPID's approach to identifying performance ranges to each of the 500+ biomarkers they tested rather than medical reference ranges that are often too broad appealed to Sunil's goals: “What I liked about Rapid was that they were agnostic about I wanted to become. Then they said, ‘We'll help you get there.’”
Comprehensive Assessment
RAPID's decode process revealed extensive opportunities for improvement through biomarker testing. “The data collection was so in depth,” Sunil said. “It included all types of performance testing, including VO2 max, DEXA, and how many reps of 15 different exercises I could do.”
The personalized video presentation that the RAPID team sent to Sunil made complex data accessible and actionable: “You get a one-hour video where Andy and Dan [Garner] are speaking to you directly about what they've found,” Sunil said. “It's a combination of ‘attaboy’ [encouragement] on things which are good, but then plenty of things that can be improved.”
Implementation
RAPID's systematic approach prioritized foundational elements and then progressed. “Before we started getting into a lot of heavy exercise, Andy said, ‘Let's get you in a place that you can make best use of it,’” Sunil said.
Nutrition Optimization: As a vegetarian seeking 120 grams of daily protein, Sunil worked closely with RAPID’s in-house nutritionist. “He was really thoughtful about putting together a plan for me and then checking in. We kept modifying the plan based on how it was going.”
Supplementation Protocol: “RAPID’s supplementation program changed every two or four weeks,” Sunil said. This evolving approach appealed to him. “They said, ‘We don't want you on supplements after six months. We're trying to get you to an equilibrium, and then you should be able to get everything you need from your food.’”
Support and Accountability
Weekly quarterback sessions with Dr. Mike Lane provided crucial coordination. “There's one person at RAPID who pulled it all together,” Sunil said. “Our weekly calls would be about how the plan was, and each meeting was motivating.”
When sleep optimization required specialized intervention, RAPID connected Sunil with Absolute Rest. Their deep expertise led to Sunil significantly improving his sleep and exercise recovery.
Breakthrough Discoveries
Breathing Better: Sunil’s CO2 tolerance testing revealed unexpected limitations. Working with RAPID’s breathing coach and spending a few minutes a day on guided breathwork expanded his self-awareness. “I'm 65 years old and I didn't know what proper breathing was,” he said.
The impact was immediate: “As soon as I started doing the breathing exercises and was able to exercise at a high level, I didn’t need the albuterol inhaler,” Sunil said. His supposed exercise-induced asthma was resolved through proper breathing techniques.
Hidden Stressors Revealed: Despite feeling mentally peaceful, biomarkers revealed physiological stress that supplementation and lifestyle changes successfully addressed.
Results
Body Composition Transformation
Sunil achieved remarkable physical changes, gaining eight pounds of muscle mass while reducing visceral fat by over 20%. “I moved from one of the quadrants on my Tanita scale – lean and under-muscled – into another – lean and properly muscled,” he said.
Biomarker Improvements
When RAPID re-tested Sunil after he’d completed his bespoke, Arétē program, Dan Garner and Dr. Nathan Jenkins found that he had made some significant objective improvements:
- Cortisol reduction: 40-50% decrease in stress hormone levels
- HbA1c improvement: From pre-diabetic range (5.7 to 6.4) to a healthy 5.4 score
- Cholesterol optimization: HDL increased, triglycerides decreased
- Micronutrient and macronutrient correction: Vitamin D and B12 levels normalized, and daily protein intake increased to fuel muscle growth
Athletic Performance
Friends noticed immediate changes on the golf course. “I'm hitting the ball much farther and everyone's talking about that,” Sunil said. “My legs are a lot stronger than they were, as is my upper body.”
His training partner observed the acceleration: “He was amazed that I’m the same person who he's been talking to for many years, and suddenly, I’m starting to kick his ass,” Sunil said.
Mental Clarity and Confidence
Sunil has gained confidence in his diligent approach to his overall vitality. “I feel like I've got my arms around the problem now, and I know what to do,” he said. “RAPID gave me a plan that I trust.”
Long-Term Impact
Sustainable Protocols: “I used to listen to podcasts all the time, but I don't need to do that anymore,” Sunil said. “I've got a meditation practice, and I'm no longer experimenting with lots of different things.”
Ongoing Support: Months after completing the initial Arétē program, the RAPID team continues providing guidance. “I got a note from Andy Galpin just a couple of weeks ago,” Sunil said. “He was eager to set up another call with me about my sleep.”
Health Mastery: The program delivered what Sunil sought most: increased self-knowledge about his physiology and the ability to create meaningful change. “RAPID is a one-time investment of your time and money to come up with the best plan possible,” he said. “I’m going to be doing it for 20 or 30 more years and will keep getting better.”
Program Philosophy
Sunil appreciated RAPID's evidence-based yet practical approach. “The [human performance] field has so much new research coming out,” he said. “There's an awful lot that they could pick, but they chose exactly what to highlight, which for me was a really important step.”
The team's communication style resonated with him: “Andy Galpin is able to motivate people in a very good way,” Sunil said. “When he said, ‘You’d better stop drinking alcohol,’ it came across in a way that made it more likely that I’d actually do it.”
Final Thoughts
Sunil continues optimizing with confidence, no longer searching for the next protocol or podcast insight. “If you've got the ability to get RAPID on your side, why not do it?” he said. “If you want to holistically look at your physical health and wellness and get a plan that you trust, this is an incredible resource.”
