MSI Press Blog

  I don’t sweat. Not a drop. My skin stays dry even when my heart’s pounding and my face turns cherry red. People envy it. Brittany, my trainer, does not . “No fluid exchange,” she says. “You’re heating up, not cooling down.” So hydration? It’s not optional. It’s strategy . 🧬 Why Hydration Matters More When You Don’t Sweat Sweat cools the body . Without it, heat builds up faster. Fluid exchange regulates blood pressure and heart rate —especially important with a heart murmur and LBBB. Hydration supports endurance . Muscles need water to contract efficiently. Lungs need it to stay elastic. The brain needs it to stay sharp. 🥤 Grandma Ninja’s Hydration Rituals Pre-workout : I drink 8–12 oz of water 30–60 minutes before training. It’s like priming the pump. During training : I sip every 15–20 minutes, even if I don’t feel thirsty. Brittany watches my color, and I listen to her. Post-workout : I drink slowly over the next hour. Not a chug, but a steady refill. Daily baseli...

  People envy me. I don’t sweat. Not a drop. I can run, jump, shadow box, and bosun-ball my way through a workout, and my skin stays dry. But my trainer Brittany? She didn’t celebrate. She said: “No, no—not good. You’re not exchanging fluids.” She was right. 🔥 What Happens When You Don’t Sweat? Sweating isn’t just about cooling off. It’s how the body: Regulates temperature Releases heat Balances electrolytes Signals exertion limits Without sweat, heat builds up. I turn bright red after 10–20 minutes of intense exertion. Brittany sees it and sends me to hydrate and rest. Because even if I look composed, my body is waving a red flag. 🧬 The Science Behind It This condition is called anhidrosis (or hypohidrosis if partial). It’s rare, but not unheard of. Causes range from genetics to nerve or skin conditions. The danger isn’t vanity—it’s overheating , especially during cardio or high-intensity work. 🧘‍♀️ Ninja Strategy: Cooling Without Sweat Hydrate early and of...

  I’ve had a heart murmur since birth. Never bothered me. Never bothered the Army docs, either. More recently, I picked up a new badge: Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB). My EKG shows it doing its thing. My annual echocardiograms? Normal. So I pay it no mind. But should I? 🫀 What Is LBBB, Really? LBBB means the electrical signal that tells your heart to beat travels a slower, roundabout path to the left ventricle. It’s not dangerous by itself—especially if your heart’s structure and function are normal, as yours are. 💨 Does It Affect Breathing or Exercise? Breathing : LBBB doesn’t directly affect lung function. But if the heart’s pumping efficiency is reduced, oxygen delivery can lag behind demand during intense exertion. Exercise : Most people with isolated LBBB and normal heart function can exercise safely. But endurance may be harder to build, and recovery might take longer. Heart murmur : If it’s benign (as yours seems to be), it’s just background music. But always worth...

  I’m not trying to win a race. I’m trying to last . I want to walk up those 17 stairs five times and feel energized , not pooped. I want to run—not just for one minute—but for many. That’s why I train. That’s why I breathe. 🫁 Breath Is the Engine of Endurance Muscles need oxygen. The heart needs rhythm. The brain needs calm. Breath delivers all three—if you train it. Here’s what I’m learning: 1. Paced Breathing for Movement Match breath to steps: Inhale for 3 steps, exhale for 3. Then try 4. Then 5. This trains your lungs to stretch and your body to sync. 2. Diaphragmatic Breathing Breathe deep into the belly, not shallow into the chest. Practice lying down: hand on belly, inhale slowly, feel it rise. This builds lung capacity and calms the nervous system. 3. Recovery Breathing After exertion, sit tall. Inhale through the nose for 4 counts. Exhale through pursed lips for 6–8 counts. This slows the heart rate and clears fatigue. 4. Breath Holds for Resilienc...