Former Athlete Society Q&A: Weightlifting Shoes, Office Hacks, Sleep Supplements, Routine Bloodwork & Hamstring Health

One of my favorite things about the Former Athlete Society is the opportunity to sit down, answer our community questions, and address all of the health, performance, and general fitness topics that move the needle.

Former athletes share a unique bond. We’ve logged the hours in the weight room, played through the aches, and built habits that stick long after the final whistle. But life changes. Careers grow, families expand, and free time shrinks.

That’s why the Former Athlete Society exists—to help you keep performance, health, and vitality at the center of a busy life.

In our latest live Q&A session, I answered five powerful questions from members across the globe. We covered everything from the science of magnesium to the practicality of blood testing.

Below you’ll find the full replay along with detailed notes for each topic, so you can scan, learn, and put these ideas into practice immediately.

Here’s what I'm covering...

1. Olympic Lifting Shoes: Worth It?

Bowling Green, Kentucky’s own Danielle asked whether investing in Olympic lifting shoes makes sense if you’re not a competitive lifter. My take is clear: unless you’re seriously training the snatch or clean & jerk, you probably don’t need them. Their raised heel helps with deep squat mechanics and overhead stability, but a solid flat shoe like a Chuck Taylor or a minimalist trainer will cover 95% of strength programs. Save your money for something more versatile.

2. Office Calorie Burn Hacks

From Cedar Falls, Iowa, Marcus wanted ideas for increasing daily calorie burn without another gym session. We talked about standing desks, floor-level working positions to open the hips, and walking treadmills that let you accumulate thousands of steps during meetings. Even simple changes—like taking your lunch on a 15-minute walk—can add up to hundreds of calories burned each day while improving posture and digestion.

3. Magnesium for Better Sleep

Traverse City’s Elena asked about magnesium supplementation. While I’m not a doctor, I shared my own routine and the research showing magnesium glycinate and threonate can calm the nervous system and help the body wind down at night. Paired with low lights, a consistent bedtime, and limited screen time, magnesium becomes a quiet but powerful sleep enhancer.

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4. Blood Tests That Matter

Carbondale, Illinois’ Trevor wanted to know which blood panels I recommend. We explored cardiovascular markers like HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and apoB; liver and kidney tests such as AST, ALT, and creatinine; and key metabolic numbers including fasting glucose and A1C. Regular blood work is like checking the dashboard of your car—you catch problems early and stay ahead of long-term health issues.

5. Hamstring Flexibility & Pelvic Tilt

From Invercargill, New Zealand, Sophie asked how to improve hamstring length. My answer: start with PNF stretching to retrain the nervous system, not just the muscle. Add daily mobility breaks, glute activation, and posture resets to counteract the sitting culture that lengthens hamstrings while tightening hip flexors. It’s a smarter, more sustainable path to lasting flexibility.

All of These Questions were Answered!

During our LIVE YouTube Q&A Session but you MUST be a member to access the exclusive behind the scenes content and information!

Join the Society to Watch

Closing Thoughts

Each question reflects what it means to be a former athlete: still competitive, still curious, and still committed to long-term health. Whether you’re chasing a stronger squat, deeper sleep, or pain-free mobility, these lessons will help you stay in the game for decades to come.

If you haven’t yet, check out the full session replay below! And as always, keep sending your questions my way. The Former Athlete Society is only as strong as the community behind it, and these Q&As prove that every single week.