"Thank you Doc,

you gave me 2 or 3 extra years to enjoy life".

This is what Damir Jaksic, CIO of KEO International Consultants told me when we met in person in Abu Dhabi after the end of the health and performance optimization program we did with KEO for the second year straight.

I was a little bit lost for words - how does anyone react to this? But the truth is that he was probably right.

After 5 months, we had shared enough science and evidence based strategies and hacks with him and his fellow 2024 class members and helped him understand how to implement them so that he probably gained a couple more years of proper health.

It gave me the opportunity to take a step back and look not only into the change we saw in the other participants of the program but the transformation I've witnessed in "my people" over last year:

• From almost falling asleep in the middle of the first session with me to the being "in the best shape of my life".

• From being unsure if could change to losing 40+kg and running a half-marathon while leading the engineering department of a Unicorn.

• From being on the verge of burning out for the second time to being able to recharge, thrive and get his company closer to an IPO.

• From feeling trapped and crumbling under anxiety to being in control and transforming from a super weakness into a super power.

• From being just ok to get on top of his life and tackle life in more than one way.

Only when I stopped to contemplate the level of positive transformation I witnessed during 2024 I realised the level of overall positive change my team and I had in people's health, performance and happiness. We were actually and probably literally extending not only their lifespan by also their healthspan and "performance-span".

It goes without saying that I'm beyond grateful and committed to expand our work and reach - that's for 2025 to bring.

It also left me with a deeper question: what is the main driver of change?

Is it our methods and how we combine different bits of knowledge with data to create personalized precision plans? I honestly want to say it is but I don't think it is. I don't think it is the secret sauce.

I compare what we do as being the co-pilot with the GPS.

We do our very best to find the best, easiest and fastest route from going from A to B. People tell us their goal and what they want to overcome and achieve, we find where they are and craft strategies and plans to get them there and move beyond it.

We are definitely not driving the car. It's our people themselves that are behind the wheel and making the final decision on whether to follow the route or not. It may say "turn left" but if the choose to turn right, they will go right.

The best results come when the best route is followed by the best driver.

That's the answer: a deep partnership between our people and ourselves.

When you empower people with enough knowledge by translate the science into understandable language, explain the data and that they are broken beyond repair and tell them "I think this is the way to go and we will support your journey", that's when magic happens and you see people flourish.

That's the secret sauce.

That's what I want everyone to know: they can drive to their destination and we can show them the way.

2025 is just starting and now it's the right time to start the engine and claim back a few great years of health, performance and happiness!

Thank you!

Miguel Damas, MD

P.S.: Can I ask you to forward this email to your family, friends and colleagues who you know that to know and read this message?

More importantly, reply to this email to tell me how I can help and support you!