The Personalized Performance Strategy This 44-Year-Old Executive Used to Lose 50 Pounds and Reclaim His Vitality
Testosterone is one of those seemingly buzzy topics that a lot of people have started talking about in recent years, but there’s a valid reason for that buzz. One out of four men over 30 is reported to have low testosterone levels, and most men begin experiencing a gradual one percent decline per year starting in their late 30s to early 40s. Josh Whalen, 44, co-founder and CEO of Joi + Blokes, experienced that reality firsthand when he discovered his testosterone levels had dropped low enough to trigger a wide range of debilitating symptoms.
The toll it took on his life was immense. Low testosterone affected his physical health, but it also rippled into his family life. He and his wife were on the brink of divorce, and he didn’t have the energy to be present with his kids. What he had assumed was just the normal stress of being a husband, father, and entrepreneur turned out to be a deeper hormonal issue.
"I stumbled into this diagnosis almost by miracle," Whalen shared. "I spent hours in couples therapy and doctor offices without ever being recommended to get my hormones checked. Most men never figure this out for themselves. I used to think TRT was for older guys or guys with a specific set of problems, not for a former athlete in their 30s. And yet there I was, checking off every single symptom on the list."
Now, Whalen is over 50 pounds lighter, has repaired his relationship with his wife, and together, they even built Joi + Blokes to help men address a problem too often overlooked: hormone health.
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Addressing His Hormone Health
To address his low testosterone, Whalen began with comprehensive lab work, discovering just how low his levels were. The deficiency manifested physically through chronic fatigue, low libido, brain fog, increased belly fat, and lack of motivation. Working with a clinician, he decided to start testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and occasionally microdose GLP-1 medications.
"I think it’s important to emphasize that this kind of approach should always start with the fundamentals, since those are often the most impactful and overlooked drivers of hormonal health," Whalen adds.
Alongside these therapies, Whalen focused on the fundamentals: diet, strength training, sleep, and stress management. With clinician guidance, he also implemented a personalized supplementation plan.
"Establishing baseline labs and monitoring them regularly is key, as is making any treatment decisions in partnership with a licensed clinician to ensure care is personalized, safe, and appropriate," he says.
Ultimately, the combination of data-driven insights, lifestyle changes, and clinician-guided therapies improved both his testosterone levels and weight. He plans to continue TRT long term.
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Impact of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
"When testosterone levels aren't optimal, you feel off in ways that are hard to pin down, which is part of what makes low T so insidious," Whalen explains. "The symptoms creep up on you gradually enough that you adapt to feeling like a lesser version of yourself."
Most men understand testosterone’s impact on libido, but this foundational hormone affects everything: energy, muscle mass, bone density, mood, and beyond. For Whalen, TRT produced cascading effects. His motivation returned, libido improved, and he was even back in the gym after years away. Sleep quality improved, and brain fog started to lift.
"I truly credit TRT with saving my marriage, and being able to show up for my kids in ways I hadn't been able to for years," he says.
Key Takeaways
If any of this hits close to home, Whalen encourages seeking help. The process of getting the proper diagnostics and working with a clinician can take time, but it’s worth it. His own journey even inspired him and his wife to create Joi + Blokes, aiming to reduce the trial-and-error and misdiagnoses that many men experience.
Remember, this is one person’s experience and should not be taken as a diagnosis or a reflection of your own health. If you’re experiencing symptoms, it’s important to consult a qualified healthcare professional for proper evaluation and guidance.
"We need to completely redefine what masculinity looks like when it comes to health," Whalen says. "Burying your symptoms, pretending everything's fine, grinding through the fatigue and the weight gain and the fog isn't strength. Getting help is."