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In This Issue:
Live Better Longer
Get Fit for Pickleball
Good Morning!
There I was in a medical gown, eating yogurt, staring out at Lake Michigan.
I was refueling halfway through a full day of testing at the Northwestern Longevity Lab.
Blood panels. Imaging. Hearing. VO₂ max. Strength. Cognitive work.
It’s an impressive experience. The kind that makes you feel like you’re stepping into the future of healthcare, one where we can measure, track, and better understand with precision how we are aging.
And by the end of the day, we walk away with something valuable: a detailed snapshot of how our internal systems are functioning.
But somewhere during all the poking and prodding, it occurred to me that we’re missing something.
You can come out of a day like that with strong markers across the board — a healthy heart, solid metabolic function, low inflammation — and still wake up the next morning with a creaky back, achy knees, or strained hips that quietly limit what you’re willing to do.
And over time, those minor inconveniences can start to impact how you live.
You become less active
You default to staying at home
You put limits on your future
That’s the part of the longevity conversation we aren’t having.
We’ve become highly focused on measuring certain markers of health, while overlooking the one system that determines how we actually move, function, and feel every day.
I’ve seen how this plays out. The person who did everything “right,” who looks healthy on paper, slowly pulls back from the things that once defined their life because of pain and bodily dysfunction.
And what strikes me is how early this starts.
We tell people in their 30s to track biomarkers and think long-term, but we’re far less intentional about helping them build and maintain the physical foundation that keeps them functional.
And once that foundation starts to crumble, everything else gets harder to sustain. We stop doing things we love and begin to use surgeries and pain meds to dull our pain while our lives narrow.
That’s why we begin our consultations at Formula 4 with a postural analysis, because it tells us where you’re compensating, where you’re overloaded, and where things are breaking down even before you feel it.
From there, we build functional mobility, restoring the ability to move well through full ranges of motion, without restriction or imbalance.
Then, and only then, do we layer in strength, conditioning, and performance.
We believe that if the goal is longevity, we have to expand the definition to include whether your musculoskeletal system is letting you live the life you deserve.
If you’re starting to notice those small limitations, that’s where we begin. You can schedule a consultation with us today by clicking on the button below.
See you at Formula 4!
P.S. If you enjoy this newsletter, please forward it to a friend or family member. Thank you!
Get Ready for the Sports You Love!
Did you know pickleball injuries have increased more than 6x in recent years, with lower-body issues leading the way?
Even more concerning: Achilles tendon ruptures are among the most common and serious injuries, with some estimates suggesting they account for up to 40% of major injuries in the sport.
Why? Because pickleball demands quick lateral cuts, sudden stops, and explosive movements, things most of us simply don’t train for.
That’s where Formula 4 comes in.
Our small group training model is built to develop the lateral mobility, balance, and strength needed to play (and keep playing) the sports you love at any age.
Right now, our golf performance group is heading into week four of an eight-week program, and they report that they are moving better, generating more power, and feeling the difference on the course.
Next up, we’ll be adding additional small group training for golfers and launching a new program specifically for pickleball athletes, focused on injury prevention, movement quality, and real-world performance.
👉 If you’re interested in either one, reach out to Kyle Kopenhaver at [email protected], or simply reply to this email being sure to include your contact information.
Weekly Inspiration
“We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."
— George Bernard Shaw
Find Your Fit with Our New Classes
We’ve expanded our class schedule to give you more consistent opportunities to train with purpose. Not just to sweat, but to improve how your body moves.
Led by our staff of expert trainers, these sessions are designed to be structured, efficient, and energizing, so you get real results without wasted time.
Spots are limited to keep each session focused and intentional.
If you don’t yet have a Formula 4 account, you can still join us. Just reach out to book your spot.
📧 [email protected]
📞 (855) 897-6683
