02/10/2026
đ¤ Tuesday Fit Tip: Sleep Apnea Isnât Just a âSleep Problemâ
Letâs talk about the Darth Vader masks for a second. đˇ
Sleep apnea affects an estimated 30+ million Americans, and most donât even know they have it. Many are told the solution is a CPAP⌠full stop.
Hereâs what often doesnât get talked about đ
đ Obstructive sleep apnea is frequently linked to excess body fat, poor metabolic health, and low muscle mass.
đ Strength training, fat loss, and improved nutrition can significantly reduce symptoms â and in some cases, improve or even eliminate the need for CPAP.
đ Not all sleep apnea is reversible (anatomy and neurological factors matter).
đĄ Important distinctions:
-CPAP treats the symptom
-Nutrition + exercise treat the system
-Lifestyle changes donât replace medical care, they enhance it
Now hereâs the uncomfortable (but important) part đ
Sleep studies, sleep apnea diagnoses, and sleep devices represent billions of dollars in healthcare spending every year.
That doesnât make treatment wrong. CPAP can be life-changing and necessary for many people.
But it does explain something important:
đ The medical system is extremely good at diagnosing and managing sleep apnea.
đ The system (including insurers, device manufacturers, and private equity-backed providers) is not designed to profit from prevention.
They DON'T get paid for:
-Building muscle
-Improving insulin sensitivity
-Losing body fat
-Strength training consistency
They DO get paid for:
-Tests
-Devices
-Supplies
-Long-term management
Thatâs not a knock on docs, at all. Many of my friends are amazing providers.
But thatâs just a reality of how "healthcare" system is structured.
And no, this isnât anti-CPAP.
Itâs anti-âno one told you there were other levers you could pull.â
If you:
-Wake up exhausted
-Snore like a freight train
-Need caffeine just to feel human
-Or feel like your recovery is trash despite âdoing everything rightâ
Thatâs not aging.
Thatâs your physiology asking for attention.
Train your body so it works better 24 hours a day.
Not just in the gym.
Sleep is a performance enhancer.
And strength training belongs in the sleep conversation.