During my time with the Korps Commandotroepen (Dutch Special Forces), I gained many invaluable skills: i.e. endurance, mental toughness, adaptability, and… a brotherhood for life.
But there was a surprising gap: Proper nutrition.
Think about this:
Elite operators performing at Olympic levels.
Making critical decisions under extreme fatigue.
Pushing physical and mental boundaries daily.
Yet we ate standard army meals.
Nothing terrible most of the time, but hardly optimal fuel for peak performance.
The Reality Check:
• At 25: Your body forgives poor choices, but still functions sub-optimally
• At 40+: Everything changes
– Slower metabolism
– Lower testosterone
– Longer recovery times
– Less energy
– More aches
Today’s Approach for me:
1. Foundation
– No alcohol (10 years strong and counting)
– Moderate meat/fish
– Almost no highly processed foods
– Daily exercise
2. Optimization
– Nature over factories (eat from plants, not out of plants)
– Abundant vegetables, nuts, fruits
– Strategic supplementation (countering modern soil deficiencies)
Key Insight:
You can’t outrun poor nutrition.
According to ultra-runner Brendan Brazier, nutritional stress (1. not giving what the body needs and 2. giving it what it does not need) can account for 40% of total body stress.
Yes: 40%.
Reduce this, and you:
→ Lower overall stress (good!)
→ Enhance performance
→ Improve recovery
→ Maximize energy
The Mission:
Elite performance isn’t just for Special Forces.
It’s about optimizing your daily life, whether you’re:
• Running a business
• Raising a family
• Pursuing personal goals
Your body is your primary weapon system. Fuel it accordingly.
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