Sleep Versus Business

Will Ahmed, CEO of Whoop, shares insights on balancing entrepreneurship with health, particularly focusing on sleep optimization and recovery. He emphasizes that while building a successful company requires pushing beyond normal stress limits, there are techniques to maintain high performance sustainably.

Key Points:

• Sleep Quality vs. Quantity:

  • Focus on percentage of time in bed getting high quality sleep
  • REM and slow wave sleep are crucial, awake and light sleep are irrelevant
  • Aim for 50%+ of bed time in REM and slow wave sleep
  • Can get 3-4.5 hours of quality sleep in 7 hours of bed time

• Entrepreneur Sleep Optimization:

  • Optimizing for being CEO rather than optimal human health
  • Chooses 7-7.5 hours in bed vs ideal 8-9 hours
  • Uses techniques to maximize sleep quality in shorter duration
  • Wears blue light blocking glasses before bed to counter screen effects

• Health-Business Balance Philosophy:

  • Must overcome stress levels that would break most people
  • Need to "sprint a marathon" for a long time
  • Taking care of yourself enables sustained high performance
  • Balance discipline with maintaining joy in life

• Recovery Techniques:

  • Consistent sleep schedule improves quality
  • Cold room, dark room, quiet room
  • High air quality
  • Avoid sleep drugs (they reduce sleep quality)
  • Consider supplements like magnesium and melatonin

• Performance Perspective:

  • Health monitoring will become mainstream in next 10 years
  • Sleep quality directly impacts all aspects of performance
  • Continuous monitoring provides insights for optimization
  • Data-driven approach to health enables sustained high performance