My 2025 Functional Blood Work: Blood Sugar, Stress & Performance – Part 6
In the first five parts of this series, I unpacked a lot.
From immune system stress and gut health to liver, kidney, and hormone function. This post might not sound as exciting as “testosterone” or “gallbladder,” but it’s just as important, maybe even more.
Why?
Because blood sugar regulation isn’t just about diabetes or fat loss. It’s about performance, recovery, energy, and brain clarity, especially in midlife.
And when I reviewed my latest blood markers, a few things jumped out that most GPs would skim over... but from a functional lens, they’re full of clues.
When Fitness Isn’t Enough: My Wake-Up Call and the Health Lesson Every Man Needs
In 2018, I walked away from the gym I had poured my heart and soul into. I left London. Sold my shares. Moved to Byron Bay (East Coast Australia), chasing sun, surf, and space to breathe.
From the outside, it looked like a bold life pivot. A clean break. A midlife upgrade.
But the truth?
I was exhausted. Burnt out. Strung out. And completely disconnected from my own health.
The Potato Diet
For those that have been following my (@stretch_rayner) Instagram story this week, you would have seen me posting about the potatoes diet. What is the potato diet? What are the benefits? How does it work? Why did I do it?
A Tip to Lower Stress and Improve Productivity
One of our most popular blogs to date has been The Human Stress Response - Homeostasis. Recently we asked our Team Sustain clients what aspects of Sustainable Health are important to them, and how can TSTMethod offer more? One common thread that seems to appear in the feedback is stress management. Stress management is important because no matter what diet you follow, how much you exercise and what supplements you take, if you’re not managing your stress you will struggle to make progress in the gym and be at risk for modern degenerative conditions like heart disease, diabetes, hypothyroidism and autoimmunity