Sleep Changed My Life And Why It’s Still Underrated
For most of my life, I treated sleep like an afterthought. If I got a few hours, I figured I could push through the next day with enough caffeine and willpower. Work, food, and even entertainment always seemed more important than rest.
But when I was heavier, sleep stopped being something I could ignore. It became one of the biggest struggles of my life and ultimately, one of the most powerful transformations.
When Sleep Became a Problem
At my heaviest, nights were a battle. I would lie down, exhausted, and instead of resting, I’d struggle to breathe. I’d wake up gasping for air, or toss and turn without ever feeling rested.
It wasn’t just uncomfortable. It was scary. I remember lying awake, wondering if my body was going to give out while I slept. And the next day, I’d drag myself through work foggy, unfocused, and irritable.
That cycle of poor sleep leading to poor decisions, which led to more weight gain, which made sleep even worse, was one of the hardest parts of being overweight. It wasn’t just about the number on the scale. It was about how that number stole my rest, my clarity, and my energy to live fully.
The Turning Point
What finally hit me was how profound sleep really is. It’s not just about avoiding grogginess. It’s about survival. Without good sleep, your body and brain simply don’t function.
When I began my health journey, I knew food and exercise would matter. But what surprised me most was how fixing my sleep changed everything. Breathing easier at night gave me more energy during the day. Restful nights meant clearer thinking, better moods, and fewer impulsive food choices.
Sleep wasn’t just a “nice-to-have.” It was the foundation for every other change.
Why Sleep Is Still Underrated
We live in a culture that glorifies hustle and undervalues rest. People brag about running on four hours of sleep, as if exhaustion is proof of productivity. I know because I used to do it too.
But here’s the truth: poor sleep is silently sabotaging performance, health, and happiness. You can eat clean, exercise daily, and work hard, but without sleep, you’ll never reach your full potential.
Sleep is when your body repairs itself. It’s when your brain consolidates memory and learning. It’s when hormones balance, muscles recover, and energy resets. Without it, everything else is harder.
What Changed for Me
When I started prioritizing sleep, the difference was night and day.
Breathing: Losing weight helped me breathe freely again at night, which felt life-changing in itself.
Energy: Instead of dragging through mornings, I had energy to move, train, and show up better in every area of life.
Focus: My work improved. I could think clearly, solve problems faster, and handle stress better.
Food Choices: With enough sleep, cravings and impulsive eating decreased dramatically. Tiredness wasn’t driving my hunger anymore.
The simple act of finally getting quality rest made me a better version of myself as a person, a leader, and a coach.
Sleep Lessons I Share With Others
When I talk with people about health, they usually want to start with workouts or diet. But I always ask about their sleep. Because no matter how disciplined you are, you can’t out-train or out-diet chronic exhaustion.
Here are a few lessons that helped me and that I now encourage others to try:
Create a routine. Go to bed and wake up around the same time every day. Consistency matters more than you think.
Protect your environment. Dark, cool, and quiet makes a huge difference. Even small tweaks, like blackout curtains, can change your sleep quality.
Cut stimulation before bed. Phones, caffeine, even late-night stress keep your body wired. Give yourself a runway to wind down.
Value sleep as performance. Treat it like fuel. Just like nutrition or training, it’s part of how you perform.
Don’t ignore problems. If you struggle with breathing, snoring, or insomnia, address it. Sleep apnea and other conditions are real and deserve attention.
A Leader’s Perspective
Sleep also changed how I lead. I used to think leadership meant pushing through exhaustion, always being available, and setting the “hardest worker” example. But I’ve learned that true leadership is about sustainable performance and showing up consistently at your best.
When I’m rested, I lead with more clarity, patience, and presence. My teams benefit. My clients benefit. My relationships benefit.
That’s why I tell people: don’t wait for a health scare to take sleep seriously. It’s not a luxury. It’s a leadership tool.
Final Thought
I used to think sleep was wasted time. Now I know it’s one of the most important investments I can make in myself.
Sleep gave me back my breath. It gave me back my energy. It gave me back my life. And it continues to fuel the progress I make every single day.
So if you’re stuck, tired, or struggling to move forward, start with sleep. It may not be flashy, but it might just be the most life-changing step you’ll ever take.