Michelle Discovered Genetics for Optimal Fitness

Michelle is a 28-year-old small business owner who always enjoyed weekends on the tennis court with her friends and early morning weight training at a local fitness center. Despite her enjoyment of physical activity, the demands of running a company had been keeping her at her desk most of the day. Over the past year, she noticed a gradual but continuing weight gain. She wasn’t eating more or getting less exercise but the new pounds were coming anyway. This article will discovered how Michelle discovered genetics for optimal fitness.

That’s when she decided to dig deeper. Instead of guessing what her body needed, she teamed up with a coach who specializes in genetics for optimal fitness. Together, they used her DNA to create a plan tailored to her biology—and the results surprised them both.

A Closer Look at Michelle’s Genetic Fitness Profile

Macronutrient Ratio: More Carbs, Fewer Fats

Michelle had always tended toward a higher-fat, lower-carb diet. She’d heard success stories from friends who’d done Atkins and keto style diets. But she also knew individuals respond differently based on their unique physiology. She talked to a personal at the gym who had been using genetic testing to help people who felt stuck for one reason or another. As it turned out, variations her FABP2 and PPARG genes suggested she would respond better to a moderate-to-high carbohydrate intake and a reduced fat percentage. This meant ditching the keto-style meals she used to rely on in favor of whole grains, fruits, and legumes.

Food Selection: Watch the Sugar, Boost the Fiber

Variants in SLC2A2 (GLUT2) and TCF7L2 genes indicated a tendency toward poor glucose regulation and higher sugar cravings. Her coach recommended a gradual increase in insoluble fiber and unrefined carbs to help stabilize her energy levels throughout the day. Berries, flaxseed, and steel-cut oats became pantry staples.

Cardio Strategy: Longer Sessions, Steady Pace

Michelle had a strong aerobic foundation, but her genetics painted a clearer picture. Polymorphisms in NOS3 and ACE suggested she would benefit most from moderate-intensity cardio performed over longer durations (45–60 minutes), 3 to 4 times per week. Instead of her usual HIIT workouts, she shifted toward steady-state swimming and longer tennis matches.

Ideal Cardio Type: Endurance over Explosiveness

Genes linked to muscular endurance, including ACE (I allele) and NOS3, confirmed that Michelle’s physiology favored endurance-based activities over power bursts. This aligned well with her natural love for swimming and tennis, but encouraged her to replace the quick sprints and box jumps with longer tempo drills and stroke development sessions.

Resistance Training: Light Weight, More Reps

Her results from the ACTN3 and NOS3 genes suggested she should not be working on lifting the heaviest weights. Instead, her body responded best to moderate loads with higher repetition ranges (12–15 reps per set). Michelle incorporated resistance bands, TRX workouts, and controlled dumbbell circuits into her weekly routine. She enjoyed her workouts a lot more an felt better after her sessions at the gym.

Long-Term Fitness Approach: Consistency and Variety

Michelle’s behavioral genetics report offered helpful clues. She carried the DRD2 A1 allele, often associated with lower dopamine receptor availability, meaning she might get bored more easily with repetitive routines. To keep her motivated, her coach rotates her activities every 4 to 6 weeks, weaving in new formats like Pilates, aquatic strength sessions, and tempo drills on court.

Behavioral Traits: Strong Satiety Signals, Weak Reward Regulation

She also had a mixed profile on eating behavior genes. Her LEPR gene variants indicated good satiety signaling, but her FTO and COMT results suggested she was prone to stress eating and consuming food for pleasure. They worked together on meal timing, mindfulness techniques, and creating a snack environment filled with healthy but enjoyable options like frozen grapes and dark chocolate-covered almonds.

Genetics for Optimal Fitness: Sustainable Transformation

Today, Michelle is on her way back to her ideal weight. She’s lost most of the weight she gained. She also she feels healthier an really enjoys her workout sessions. She believes that the adjustments she mad after getting some genetics-based insights helped her move in a more productive direction.

Michelle notes many improvements to her overall wellness. Her baseline energy level has improved, her sleep is better, and she’s been more competitive in her tennis matches. By understanding her genetic blueprint, Michelle made better decisions that aligned with her physiology. That’s the power of using genetics for optimal fitness.


References

Startup Kit for Personal Trainers and Coaches

We make getting started easy and inexpensive with simple-to-use cheek swab kits which we provide “at cost” – or sometimes even free.