How to destroy your health: all of the mistakes I made

Before we begin: Thank you to everyone for the support and encouragement on my previous post. It has been such a privilege to work with the best clients I could ask for, and as I begin a new chapter, I hope to continue providing value to you through this blog.

Moving forward, I want to focus on the aspects of health and fitness that are often overlooked and share the kind of information you won’t find anywhere else on the internet.

Today, I want to be completely transparent with you about some of the biggest mistakes I’ve made. Being informed about a topic doesn’t always mean you’ll apply that information correctly. That’s why my goal is to help you take the right actions—not just learn the right stuff.

1. Trying to make my eating “perfect” or “optimal”

Nothing holds people back more than expecting to reach some perfect endpoint where every meal is made up of whole foods, tastes amazing, is high in protein, and takes no time to make. Spoiler alert: you’ll never get there. And that’s okay. It’s okay to eat processed foods. It’s okay to have sugar. It’s okay to eat out. I spent way too much time stressing over the occasional meal or snack that didn’t look like the “picture of health.” The truth? That mindset is far more damaging than the food itself.

2. Making my life revolve around my workouts instead of the other way around

Working out is supposed to enhance your life, not consume it. If you’re constantly rearranging your schedule just to squeeze in a workout, your priorities may be out of alignment. Did I just admit that working out isn’t the most important thing in the world? Yes, I did. That’s not an excuse to skip exercise, just a reminder that a “good workout” doesn’t have to mean an hour in the gym.

3. Assuming I could control my weight

You can control your inputs, but you can’t fully control the outputs. All you can do is try your best. Our bodies and metabolisms are incredibly complex. If the number on the scale isn’t what you expected, don’t blame yourself. As long as you're eating well, moving intentionally, and prioritizing sleep, the rest will fall into place in time.

4. Constantly learning, reading, and consuming information

Sometimes, the less you know, the better. When someone comes to me asking about fasting, seed oils, protein myths, lemon water, or every supplement under the sun, I know they’re in the weeds. Ironically, I struggle most with my health when I’m overwhelmed by too much information. You can find a study or an expert to support or refute anything. Take a step back. You already know what to do. The answer isn’t hiding two hours into another podcast.

5. Embracing the wrong restrictions instead of the right ones

Restrictions, in and of themselves, aren’t bad. What matters is why you’re restricting. For years, I avoided foods I genuinely loved and could have enjoyed in moderation, like dessert. At the same time, I allowed foods that probably should have been limited, like ultra-processed protein bars that upset my stomach. I also went through a phase where I believed any restriction was disordered… so I said “screw it” to everything. That wasn’t healthy either. Now, I restrict in ways that feel good and serve me. For example, I usually choose spaghetti squash or hearts of palm noodles over pasta. Not because pasta is bad, but because I like the alternatives. They’re high in fiber, taste great, and leave me satisfied. At the same time, there are things I won’t restrict anymore, like chocolate. That doesn’t mean I eat an entire bar every night, but I can’t go a night without at least a few squares!

What are some ways you’ve been unintentionally hurting your health while trying to improve it?