Today we’d like to introduce you to Andi McKinley.
Andi, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Just over 3 years ago, I was introduced to triathlon. I have been a Personal Trainer and Group Fitness instructor for over 7 years, so fitness has been part of my daily life. But, I went from gym rat to tri rat overnight and this is where the old saying “and the rest is history” really takes over.
Over the past 3 years, I have gone from racing Super Sprint triathlons, all the way up to 70.3. What became evident to me, especially in the longer distances, was that the success of a race wasn’t all down to training. From talking to people after races, and from my own personal experiences, I found that there was the 4th discipline in triathlon, hydration/nutrition.
When we look at training for a race, the internet is packed with training plans to suit all abilities. However, looking at someone’s hydration and nutrition needs during a race is very personal. It’s not a one size fits all, and that’s where people go wrong. And this isn’t something that just happens in a triathlon, it’s applicable to all sports.
12 months ago, I had the opportunity of being sweat tested by a company called Precision Hydration that is based out of the UK. The test told me exactly how much sodium I lost per liter of sweat, something that is crucial for performance during racing and training and also aids recovery.
The owners were astounded as to the level of humidity in Texas, and the effect it would have on those training in the heat. They approached me to join their business and be the official tester for Texas. I have always had a passion for helping people achieve their goals, so for me, this was a no-brainer! If I can add to their successes in any way, I was up for the challenge.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The hardest struggle is getting people to understand that it’s not a one size fits all. The level of sodium we lose is something that’s genetic and can vary 15 fold. Add that to the variance in peoples sweat rates, and that number multiplies even further.
Being properly hydrated makes a big difference to performance and sometimes, less is more! I’ve spectated many races seeing people taking huge amounts of salt in the hope that it’s going to cure any alignments they are experiencing while racing. The test takes all the guesswork out, as you know exactly what concentration of sodium YOU need for optimal performance.
Bottom line, any athlete in ANY field can benefit from this test and the developed hydration strategy that will help to maximize readiness for performance and post-activity recovery.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Sweat Test Me story. Tell us more about the business.
At Sweat Test Me, we test the sodium concentration of your sweat. No blood test is required, and no need to bust a gut on a treadmill. The test is simple and painless taking about 15 minutes. All you have to do is sit comfortably whilst we talk to you about how you train and compete.
The results give us an accurate reading of the amount of sodium (the key electrolyte lost in sweat) you lose every time you exercise. This is actually genetically determined and changes little throughout your lifetime, so one test is enough.
We combine the reading with the context you give us, during the test, to create a hydration strategy just for you. We’ll advise you on when, what and how much to drink before, during and after training or competitions so that you’re ready to achieve your goals.
We developed these multi-strength electrolyte tablets because the off-shelf products, just don’t do the job for most people. Our strongest product, H2Pro Hydrate 1500 has up to 3.5 times more electrolytes than other brands you might have used before. We’ll recommend the strength of Precision Hydration for you best suited to your specific results and activity demands.
The fully patented testing technology has a long and credible history in medicine, as a diagnostic tool for Cystic Fibrosis. We’ve also been granted US Patent (Pending) for the concept of providing personalized hydration strategies through an accurate sweat test.
Sweat Test Me, is the only company in Texas that offers this service from Precision Hydration.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m not a believer in luck, I feel you make your own luck in life. Maybe, I was in the right place at the right time to be offered this opportunity, but as Gary Player once said, “the harder I try, the luckier I get”!
So, the harder I can work on spreading the knowledge, the luckier my clients will become in achieving the goals they set for themselves.
Pricing:
- The cost for the advanced sweat test is $175
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sweattestme.com
- Phone: 936-525-7529
- Email: am@precisionhydration.com
- Facebook: Sweat Test Me
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
