According to research in
The Founder's Dilemma,
65% of startups fail due to founder mismanagement.
And a third of that sixty-five percent fail due to challenges with the physical and mental health of the founder. This is insane.
And it's one of the reasons why we talk about founder wellness in every other issue of FIV.
Your well-being can make or break your business. And I'm a big believer that if you treat yourself like a high-performance athlete, you're 10x more likely to create a high-performance business.
AI can't replace your health—but it can help track, measure, and optimize it. Tools like Heads Up Health give you real-time biomarkers and pattern recognition that's light years ahead of the old "annual check-up" model. This week we'll look at a trending therapy that promises to improve hormone regulation, immune responses, longevity, and brain function:
Peptides. Peptides are the building blocks of proteins and the body's repair kit—these short chains of amino acids send signals to the cells, targeting specific physiological processes.
In an episode of Huberman Lab titled
The Benefits & Risks of Peptide Therapeutics For Physical and Mental Health, Dr. Andrew Huberman mentioned two peptides in particular that made my ears perk up.
If you've ever wondered why children heal so quickly, the first one will fascinate you.
Thymosin beta-4, a naturally produced peptide by the thymus in children, helps them heal faster and with less scarring—it even accelerates tissue repair.
The second peptide that stood out is:
BPC-157, a synthetic peptide similar to a natural gut peptide…it aids in wound healing by enhancing cell turnover.
Now, imagine layering in AI-driven wearables or recovery apps that monitor your sleep, inflammation markers, and energy output
after taking peptides. That's next-level feedback. You're not just feeling better—you're seeing it in the data.
Some of the other popular peptides include:
- Semaglutide — Known for its weight loss benefits, it helps reduce appetite and improve metabolic health. It can be purchased through many pharmacies and telehealth services. The monthly cost of semaglutide typically ranges from $800–1500, depending on the dosage and insurance coverage. Pair this with an AI-powered nutrition tracker like Zoe or Signos to fine-tune how your metabolic markers respond in real time.
- Tirzepatide — Used for type 2 diabetes management and weight loss, it has a dual action on insulin and glucagon, providing a range of metabolic benefits, and it's fantastic for improving energy and cognitive function. Tirzepatide costs between $900–1300 per month based once again on insurance and the dosage. AI can assist here too: LLM-powered journaling apps like ReflectAI can help you map your energy spikes and dips throughout the day based on when you dose.
- Ipamorelin — Ideal for founders seeking to maintain high energy levels and mental clarity, this growth hormone secretagogue also promotes muscle growth, fat loss, and better sleep. You can normally get ipamorelin for around $50 per vial (varies based on dosage).
In a
podcast episode of the "Doctor's Farmacy," Dr. Mark Hyman, author of
Young Forever, went deep into his peptide regimen—worth a listen if you're interested in how they can increase longevity, and what his personal experiences with peptides have been like.
"I've had injuries for example on my shoulder. I just inject a little peptide in there called bp157, and it's like rather than suffering for weeks of rehab, and pain goes away, and I'm back in gear the next day."—Dr. Mark Hyman Are Peptides Right For You? AI-powered health platforms like
InsideTracker or
Viome are bridging this gap fast. You get hyper-personalized suggestions based on your blood, gut, and lifestyle data, turning "gut feelings" into quantifiable upgrades.
Does Peptide Therapy Work? I've yet to try peptides, but I know dozens of founders who swear by them. The most common peptides my friends take are Sermorelin (growth hormone booster) and BPC-157 (for anti-inflammatory effects).
Some of the potential benefits include:
- Improved Athletic Performance
- Increased Energy and Endurance
- Anti-Aging Benefits
- Improved Cognitive Function
- Enhanced Immune Function
- Faster Healing
![Circular infographic illustrating various applications and classifications of short peptides. The center reads]()
Growth hormone secretagogues (GHS), a type of synthetic peptide,
have been linked to muscle growth to the extent that if you're competing in an athletic competition, all GHS supplements are on the World Anti-Doping Agency's banned list.
That likely means it works 😉.
In metabolic disorders, peptides may
improve insulin sensitivity and reduce appetite, offering hope for treating obesity and diabetes. Silicon Valley is even turning to peptides as a
longevity hack.
Is Peptide Therapy Safe? As Dr. Andrew Huberman said on an episode of his podcast:
"Peptides fall into a new kind of wedge in between supplements and prescription pills." And they're naturally found in many foods…especially ones that are chock-full of amino acids, such as:
- Meat
- Flaxseed
- Hemp seeds
- Beans and lentils
- Fish and shellfish
Peptide therapy targets specific physiological processes, and while early research is encouraging, consult with your healthcare provider to weigh the potential risks and benefits.
The truth is that we do not have longitudinal data on peptides, and thus, we cannot be sure of what the long-term effects will be.
Founder-to-founder tip: AI can't give you certainty, but it can give you patterns. If you're logging your symptoms, sleep, training data, and bloodwork, AI can start pointing to trends before you even feel them.
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