Self-Care for Leaders: 4 Key Biohacks for High Performers
If you’ve ever spent time in leadership circles or listened to wellness podcasts lately, chances are you’ve come across the term biohacking.
Even though this word sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, it’s become quite popular among business leaders, athletes, and everyone who’s concerned about health and performance optimization.
But what exactly is biohacking, and does it actually work?
Read on to find out.
What is Biohacking, and Why Every High Performer Needs It in 2025
Biohacking is one of those buzzwords that means different things to different people. At its core, however, it’s simply a way of tweaking your biology so that you can perform at your best. Think of it as experimenting with small changes in your mind and body to give yourself a slight edge, resulting in smarter energy, sharper focus, and faster recovery.
So, why does this matter in 2025? While biohacking is not a new trend, it matters now more than ever because the pressure to perform has never been higher. A recent report from Sifted EU revealed that dozens of founders are “overworked”, “exhausted”, and “broken”, with 49% saying they could quit this year.
In moments like these, coffee and willpower just won’t do. It demands strategies that can help tap into deeper reserves of energy and resilience. That’s what biohacking can do.
4 Biohacks to Boost Your Productivity
So, what are the biohacks you can do if you’re chasing peak performance? Let’s look at some options.
Biohack #1: Use Supplements & Nootropics
Supplements and nootropics (aka “smart drugs”) are popular among biohackers. From vitamin D supplements and omega-3s to adaptogens like ashwagandha, the list is endless.
That you’re interested in using supplements and nootropics doesn’t mean you buy and swallow every pill you come across on Instagram. You need to figure out what your body needs and maybe talk to your doctor to avoid wasting your money and harming yourself.
Here are the basics that are surprisingly effective:
- Omega-3 fatty acids for brain health.
- Magnesium for stress and sleep.
- Vitamin D (especially if you’re indoors a lot).
- Caffeine + L-theanine for calm, focused energy.
CBD is another one that’s showing a lot of promise. Many professionals use it to reduce anxiety before a big presentation or to wind down after a long day at work.
The good news is that CBD is legal in all 50 states of the US, with some restrictions. In Michigan, for example, it has been legal for recreational use since 2018.
According to NPR, New Buffalo, in particular, has become one of the top markets for marijuana sales in the state. According to Vibe Dispensaries, this approach is not for everyone, but the transition from counterculture to boardrooms cannot be denied.
If cannabis, CBD, and THC products are your thing, there are reliable dispensaries in New Buffalo, Michigan, that carry what you need to optimize your performance.
Biohack #2: Upgrade Your Sleep
We all know that sleep is important, but many high performers treat it like a luxury. For example, U.S. President Donald Trump is said to sleep for only three to four hours each night. Most experts will not support that. Why? Because sleep is the body’s number one recovery tool, and no hack works without it.
If that’s not good enough, think about the economic implications. Poor sleep costs U.S. businesses an estimated $207.5 billion annually in lost productivity. That’s really huge.
The takeaway cannot be clearer. If you want to be more productive, get quality sleep every night.
Biohack #3: Practice Intermittent Fasting
The idea of skipping meals is not a new one, but intermittent fasting (IF) has become quite popular in recent times.
IF is simply when you cycle between periods of eating and not eating. There are several ways this can happen. Some people opt for fasting at least twice a week, while others only eat during certain hours.
Why do people do it? For many, the goal is weight control, but for higher performers, it’s mental clarity.
The theory is that when you’re not bogged down by food, your brain feels sharper, lighter, and less cluttered. There’s also evidence that it can sharpen cognitive function.
If you’re thinking of doing intermittent fasting, the 16/8 method is a good one to try. Eat within an eight-hour window and fast for the remaining sixteen hours.
Biohack #4: Leverage Wearable Tech for Smarter Decisions
One of the biggest shifts in the past few months has been the rise of affordable, hyper-accurate wearable tech. No longer the toys of fitness buffs alone, CEOs, celebs, and even politicians now use it to track stress levels, sleep quality, heart rate variability (HRV), and even focus patterns.
Wearable tech should be a part of your biohacking routine because you can’t improve what you don’t measure. If your wearable shows you’re getting only 25 minutes of deep sleep, it’s time to rethink your bedtime habits.
Leaders no longer rely on just gut feelings. They combine data with intuition. That’s exactly where wearable tech earns its place in your biohacking toolkit.
Conclusion: Build Your Own Biohacking Toolkit
Here’s the thing about biohacking: no single approach will turn you into a productivity machine overnight. You’ll have to try a combination of many different approaches consistently over time to see results.
The trick is to start small. Pick one hack and try it for a few weeks, and see how you feel. In no time, you’d have built your own biohacking toolkit of hacks that work just for you.