It can sneak up on you.
One day you’re full of energy, excited to tackle your day, enjoying workouts and making plans. Over time, the activities you used to love dwindle. Now you can’t make it through the day without an afternoon nap. You feel like a stranger in your own body. Many men just chalk it up to getting older – and age can certainly be a factor – but more often than not, there is a medical reason for the decline. The solution can be easy to find with the right guidance.
That’s where Andrew Hewitt, Board Certified Nurse Practitioner and owner of Firebird Vitality, comes into play for the many men who come to him seeking help. “A lot of guys, right after dinner, they’re ready to fall asleep. And we could all make the excuse we’re up at four or five o’clock in the morning. But that doesn’t mean we should be falling asleep at six o’clock,” explained Hewitt. “I started seeing more and more men with a lot of the same issues, fatigue, disengaged from their everyday life, not interested in what they used to be - all signs of clinical depression. And it just seemed like there has to be something else going on,” added Hewitt.
Andrew saw a clear pattern emerging. All the men were in the same age range of 38-56 years old and many were on medications that worked in the past but were no longer offering the same results. He started researching clinical studies and running labs to identify underlying issues. “Most of the men are low in vitamin D, which would lead to depression, but their testosterones are all low,” shared Hewitt. With supplements and medications, his patients were seeing huge impacts. “They start getting back to the gym. They start feeling better, looking better, mentally they’re re-engaged in life, whether it’s just hobbies or being present,” added Hewitt.
According to Hewitt, the optimal testosterone range for men to feel their best is between 900-1200 ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter). The main signs that men experience that indicate a potential problem with their testosterone levels are fatigue, disengagement, brain fog, lack of interest in anything, and low libido. While levels naturally lower as we age, regular physical activity also has an impact. “Our grandfathers and great grandfathers probably died with testosterone levels in the nine hundreds. Food was different. Lifestyle was different. A lot of them had physical jobs that required them to be moving. They didn’t have to go to a gym. But life changes evolution,” shared Hewitt. Those with a very active job will see less of a decline than those in a more sedentary position.
But activity level isn’t the only cause of decline. Nutrition also can have an impact. “We’re all guilty of it. We grab what we can. We’re all working hard, but, you know, you can meal prep and you’re still doing the same grab and go. There’s a good source of nutrients and protein that your body needs. It’s right there. It’s ready for you. It just you have to change that mindset of what is your grab and go,” offered Hewitt.
Armed with what to look for, it can be easy for men to reclaim their fire. The first steps Andrew has his patients do is take the ADAM (Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males) questionnaire on the Firebird Vitality website and labs. With those results and an assessment of current diet, sleep habits, and exercise, he’s able to create a plan to take back their lives. The tactics are well-rounded, including supplements, medication, diet changes, and a directed exercise plan focusing strongly on weights. “Doing a treadmill for 30 minutes three times a week might not be what your body needs,” offered Hewitt. “What we really need to work on is our core strength and mobility. A lot of it is kettlebell stuff and moving the weight across your body. The core has to get engaged. It doesn’t matter if you bench press 500 pounds if you have difficulty walking for five steps.”
For Andrew, the commitment he shows towards his patients at Firebird Vitality is very personal. “I’m speaking from experience. I’m treating from experience. These are all things I’ve done in the last five years to make my life better, and I see the benefit. My wife sees the benefit. My children see how different I am from eight years ago to now, when I was not even recognizable at 350 pounds. I want everyone else to feel like this,” shared Hewitt.
For many men, knowing others have experienced the same feelings and come back stronger can be all they need to take those first steps. Once they reach out, they can quickly be on the road to reclaiming their life and feeling fired up and ready for life again!
“I’m treating from experience. These are all things I’ve done in the last five years to make my life better, and I see the benefit.”
“Doing a treadmill for 30 minutes three times a week might not be what your body needs. What we really need to work on is our core strength and mobility.” - Andrew Hewitt, Board Certified Nurse Practitioner and owner of Firebird Vitality.