- Andrew Herr is a human performance expert who has worked with professional athletes and Navy SEALs.
- He said the experiments helped him improve his routine for better concentration and energy.
- The go-to for breakfast is olive oil and almond butter – but there is no one-size-fits-all for best results.
Imagine your perfect breakfast, but instead of being whisked into a bowl, a plate of eggs and bacon, or a pile of waffles, olive oil, almond butter and water is a slushy slush.
It’s the perfect way to start the day—at least if you’re Andrew Herr, who’s worked with Navy SEALs and pro athletes and was awarded the US Army’s “Mad Scientist.”
He is also the CEO and Founder. Found outCustomers range from novice, military operators to senior business executives whose philosophy uses lifestyle testing to optimize performance.
Herr uses the same experimental procedure using exercise, diet, sleep and other practices in his life, which has unusual but effective results.
“Eating a mixture of almond butter, olive oil and water every morning is the perfect breakfast for me,” he told Insider. “It’s so much better than anything I eat. I bring it when I travel because it makes me feel good and I’m energetic. People find it very strange for obvious reasons.”
However, this does not mean that you should try it at home. Finding the best routine is unique to each individual, but finding specific patterns can unlock what your body and mind need to perform at their best.
There is no one size fits all for high performance.
Finding a way to fuel himself for the 24-hour Spartan race, Herr hit upon his unique breakfast combination. He says that a combination of olive oil, almond butter and water is very effective for providing it. Enough calories, energy and focus, added to the morning task. The ratio includes enough water to make the ingredients drinkable, but with the consistency of a pudding.
But he says part of the testing process involves trying and discarding strategies that don’t work.
“There is no such thing as a failed attempt,” he said. “It’s often the interventions that fail that provide the most valuable information. Doesn’t this change help? Great, you don’t need to make that change.”
For example, Herr said it doesn’t work well. Low-carb dietIt also has a negative response to omega-3 supplements, which occurs in a minority of people, he said. As a result, while those adjustments may be beneficial for many, there is no part of his ideal routine.
Andrew Hare’s work with the Great Army led him to special situations. He worked with Kazakh nomads in western Mongolia on a project studying stress and leadership at the Defense Ministry, training eagles.
Courtesy of Andrew Herr
When working with clients, he tailors each recommended test to the individual’s unique needs and goals, although there are some common patterns for finding what works.
For example, it is not uncommon for a client to complain of low energy in the afternoon. have breakfastAnd doing so prevents energy leaks, Herr said. Or, if Low energy occurs after lunchThen it might have something to do with what they eat, he said.
“You start seeing people you know very quickly,” he said.
Another example: Hear helped a A routine that prevents jet lag for many people.
Balance what feels good for your body with what works for your goals
It’s a misconception that improving performance means doing unpleasant tasks—feeling good is an important part of the process with proper planning, according to Herr.
“You have to lean a little toward hedonism. But basically, it’s about tomorrow’s hedonism,” he said.
There are exceptions to this kind of integrated approach – no one is a robot, including himself, and it’s all about balancing your own goals and priorities.
“If someone wants to take me to a three-Michelin-starred restaurant, I’ll happily accept the invitation and I’ll eat from the show and tomorrow I’ll feel somewhat worse and it will be totally worth it,” he said.