Good morning.
We are moving toward the end of the year, and I hope you are feeling a good about your 2025 goals. Mine ebb and flow like anyone else’s, but one thing I try to keep in focus is understanding why I do the things I do for my health. When I understand the “why,” motivation tends to follow. This week I want to share something that sits at the foundation of our energy, our movement, and honestly, our ability to function day to day. It’s something we don’t often talk about, yet every one of our cells depends on it.
I’m talking about ATP—the true energy currency of our bodies.
If you’ve spent any time reading “Coffee & Chat with the Coach,” you know I love grounding our training in real science. Not to complicate things, but to remind us that the body is wonderfully designed, and when we work with that design, the benefits are incredible. ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a perfect example of that. It is the molecule that fuels every movement—whether we are lifting a dumbbell, walking across the parking lot, or getting up out of a chair.
Here’s something fascinating: we only store enough ATP to power a few seconds of strong activity. After that, the body has to constantly produce more. And how effectively it does that affects everything—our stamina, our strength, and even how tired or energized we feel during the day.
Science continues to show that well-functioning ATP systems are not just an athletic advantage; they are a major part of healthy aging. Just as our muscles and bones get stronger when they are stressed appropriately (Wolf’s Law at work!), our energy systems adapt too. Through consistent training—strength, mobility, and even simple daily movement—our bodies actually become better at producing ATP. Better energy production equals better daily functioning, sharper thinking, and yes, better workouts.
Just as important as the muscles and bones we can see, the cellular machinery we can’t see—the mitochondria inside each cell—is quietly adapting as well. The more we move, the more these little power plants multiply and strengthen. The less we move, the weaker they become. It reminds me of Wolf’s Law but applied to our internal engines: stress the system, and it gets stronger; ignore it, and it declines.
Of course, we always proceed wisely, and with our physician’s guidance when needed. But once we have the green light, there is so much we can do to support our energy systems. Strength training, interval training, walking, proper hydration, balanced nutrition, and quality sleep all contribute to improving ATP production. It doesn’t require perfection—just consistency.
Running has always been “my thing,” and I hope it can continue to be. But I also know that without strong ATP production, without taking care of the internal systems that power movement, running becomes much harder. For me, I have come to put more emphasis on strength training and now resistance train three times a week, not just for performance but because I am investing in my energy and capability for years to come. And when you feel your body respond—when movements that once felt taxing become smoother and easier—it truly is an amazing feeling.
This was a bit long and maybe more sciency than you need to know, but we now understand more than ever, what ATP does and how it matters to us.
Have a great weekend!
God Bless,
Mike
