Are we talking about sex drive?

Yes but so much more. It’s the fuel for goal-directed behavior, motivation, and dominance-seeking, not just libido.

Many believe testosterone is only a masculine element, but studies show that women benefit from healthy optimal levels of testosterone as well - and per this NYTimes piece - it boosts female libido.

Low testosterone is linked to fatigue, low motivation, depressive symptoms, and reduced vitality.

But in my case, it all started on the beach in Miami on Labor Day weekend in 2023. I was sitting there with my wife realizing I was lazy. I was athletic and active for so much of my life but the last decade I was sitting at my desk all…day….long… (which some still argue is as dangerous as smoking).

So I knew I had to figure something out - first I took a blood test - nothing comprehensive - in fact nothing more than testing my testosterone. I then found a trainer to kick my butt into gear.

This was the first test I did below - just a few days after my trip.

This was my next four tests (via Function Health) over the past two years - my most recent showing I’ve more than doubled my testosterone - slowly but surely.

I was asking myself what I did differently the last 6 months that I wasn’t doing the previous 24?

I really only have one key thing I can point to - I was lifting heavy weights all along the way, I was eating healthy, I was sleeping good, I was even taking some herbs and adaptogens with supposed ways to raise testosterone or systems that make that easier. All of it didn’t do much - but the last 6 months - I started finding ways to lower my stress and specifically cortisol.

As you probably saw in my welcome emails to this newsletter, I can see a direct correlation between my drive in life and my stress levels - whether that be motivation, ideation, libido, energy in the morning etc - its either testosterone is winning or stress is winning. The science shows this isn’t some anomaly.

So I went after cortisol

I started to enjoy some lemon balm tea, some high MGO honey in the mornings and actually started to avoid any foods that may cause any inflammation which can increase cortisol. I upped my cold plunge game - a few more sauna sessions - a few more random teas that may lower cortisol and honestly I have no idea what’s working if it’s any specific habit or a mixture of all - I feel like the numbers don’t lie.

Did stress in my overall life drop? NOT IN THE SLIGHTEST…it piled on. So I’m encouraged that I’ve been building my stress tolerance and finding ways to actively lower cortisol.

These aren’t just random. You will benefit by addressing what sources of stress are raising your cortisol and thus potentially preventing your testosterone from being at optimal levels.

There are many good arguments on ways to lower stress and increase testosterone and how the same habit can do both at the same time.

Find one small way to address this delicate balance and I think you too will see numbers trend in the right direction.

-Jared

P.S. - My wife has a beautiful newsletter where she shares her perspectives on tending the land, recipes, women’s health and more.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. 👋

I write this newsletter each week because I feel my best when my body, mind and soul are all healthy. I want the same for you. If you feel like you’ve seen something valuable here, please do me a favor and forward this newsletter to a friend or let me know what you think by replying to this email or texting me - (310) 879-8441

P.S. - This newsletter does not provide medical advice. The content, such as graphics, images, text, and all other materials, is provided for reference and educational purposes only. The content is not meant to be complete or exhaustive or to be applicable to any specific individual's medical condition.

Here are a few other links to things that have changed my life:

Whoop - Track your HRV and REM Sleep

Function Health - Optimize Your Health via 160+ BioMarkers

Here are a few topics I think you’ll love if you haven’t checked them out before:

How to Breathe for Better Health

How to Supercharge Your Sleep

The Power of the Sauna