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How did Dana White get better? Inside the UFC CEO's health transformation

4 min read

After being told in 2022 by human biologist Gary Brecka that he had just over 10 years to live, UFC President Dana White was spurred into action. The dramatic health turnaround that followed has left many asking: 'how did Dana White get better?'.

Quick Summary

UFC executive Dana White dramatically improved his health by following a protocol from biologist Gary Brecka, which included a strict ketogenic diet, targeted supplementation, and a unique biohacking routine. The regimen led to significant weight loss, the normalization of critical health markers, and the ability to stop relying on multiple prescription medications.

Key Points

  • Life-Threatening Diagnosis: In 2022, biologist Gary Brecka told Dana White he had 10.4 years to live based on his health metrics, which was the catalyst for his change.

  • Ketogenic Diet: White adopted a strict, clean ketogenic diet, eliminating processed foods and sugars to lower his dangerously high triglycerides and manage his blood pressure.

  • Biohacking Protocols: His regimen included a daily sequence of advanced therapies like PEMF therapy, cold plunging, Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT), and red light therapy.

  • Medication-Free: Within months of following the protocol, White was able to get off all seven of his prescription medications for conditions like high blood pressure.

  • Significant Weight Loss: Through dietary changes and an updated workout routine, White lost over 40 pounds and dramatically improved his body composition.

  • Improved Health Markers: His overall health improved dramatically, normalizing his blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels, and resolving his severe sleep apnea.

  • Personalized Approach: The success of the program emphasizes the importance of a personalized approach to wellness, tailoring a plan to an individual's unique biological data.

In This Article

The Grim Diagnosis: A Wake-Up Call for White

For years, Dana White's health had been deteriorating under the pressures of leading a global sports organization. In 2022, he received a devastating diagnosis from human biologist and 'biohacker' Gary Brecka after a thorough analysis of his bloodwork and medical history. Brecka determined White had dangerously high levels of triglycerides, dangerously high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, and sleep apnea. Based on these metrics and his overall lifestyle, Brecka gave him a prognosis of just 10.4 years left to live if no changes were made. This shocking news was the catalyst for White's complete lifestyle overhaul.

White's symptoms before his transformation paint a picture of a man struggling with declining health. He weighed over 300 pounds, experienced significant fatigue, and suffered from severe sleep apnea that required a CPAP machine. His cholesterol levels were skyrocketing, and he was taking multiple medications to manage his blood pressure alone. He felt tired, experienced pain when performing simple tasks like bending over, and employees reported his memory was failing. This was a stark contrast to his public image as a powerful and unstoppable figure in the sports world. His old approach to fitness, which centered on heavy lifting with little regard for recovery, had also led to injuries.

The Multifaceted 10x Health Protocol

Dana White's recovery was guided by Gary Brecka's '10x Health System' or 'Superhuman Protocol,' a comprehensive approach that combines targeted diet, exercise, and cutting-edge biohacking technologies. Brecka's method is not a one-size-fits-all solution but a personalized plan tailored to an individual's unique genetic and metabolic profile.

The Dietary Overhaul

Brecka prescribed a strict ketogenic diet to reverse White's pre-diabetic state and reduce his dangerously high triglycerides. This clean keto approach focused on whole, nutrient-dense foods, eliminating processed items and sugary drinks. The diet included:

  • High-quality proteins like grass-fed beef, chicken, and fish.
  • Healthy fats from sources like avocado and olive oil.
  • Low-carb vegetables and berries.
  • A specific amino acid supplement, trimethylglycine, to help metabolize homocysteine and lower blood pressure.

Additionally, White incorporated periods of fasting, including an 86-hour water fast, to support internal health and detoxification.

The Superhuman Biohacking Techniques

The protocol included a specific sequence of daily biohacking therapies to optimize cellular function and recovery. The core components include:

  • Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy: White sleeps on a PEMF mat to help his body's cells regenerate and eliminate waste.
  • Cold Plunging: A three-minute cold plunge every morning is used to reduce inflammation, boost energy, and enhance metabolism.
  • Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT): White performs cardio on a treadmill while wearing a mask that delivers 93-95% pure oxygen. This is designed to flood the body with oxygen, boost endurance, and speed up recovery.
  • Red Light Therapy: A 20-minute session of red light therapy promotes cellular regeneration, muscle recovery, and skin health.

A Smarter Workout Routine

White's previous 'meathead' lifting routine was replaced with a more strategic workout split focused on building lean muscle and improving endurance. His weekly routine includes workouts for the upper body, legs, and a full-body session on Saturdays, prioritizing reps and form over maximum weight.

Dramatic Improvements and Lasting Results

Just 10 weeks into the program, White lost over 30 pounds and began to experience significant changes. Within months, he was off all seven of his prescription medications and his key health markers normalized. He no longer needed a CPAP machine, his blood pressure and triglyceride levels returned to a healthy range, and he was no longer pre-diabetic. He reported feeling like he was 35 again and that his productivity and cognitive function had drastically improved. Brecka later upgraded his life expectancy prediction significantly.

Comparison: Before vs. After the Protocol

Health Metric Before Gary Brecka's Protocol After Gary Brecka's Protocol (10-12 Weeks)
Triglyceride Levels Almost 800 (dangerously high) Normal
Blood Pressure Critically high Normal
Medication Usage On seven prescription medications Off all medications
Energy & Fatigue Crushing fatigue and brain fog Feels like a much younger man with high energy
Weight Over 300 lbs Lost over 40 lbs
Sleep Sleep apnea with CPAP, waking up ill nightly Sleeps 7-8 hours soundly without CPAP

The Power of Lifestyle Change

Dana White's health story is a powerful testament to the impact of prioritizing one's health and well-being. While his specific protocol involves costly biohacking equipment, the core principles of his success are accessible to all:

  • Listen to your body: He acted immediately upon receiving a severe warning about his health.
  • Prioritize nutrition: Adopting a clean, whole-foods diet was foundational to his recovery.
  • Embrace new fitness goals: He shifted from a damaging lifting routine to a smarter, more sustainable approach.
  • Focus on recovery: He recognized the importance of rest and cellular rejuvenation through new therapies.

For those inspired by White's story, accessible versions of his protocol exist, such as cold showers instead of plunges or basic breathing exercises instead of EWOT. The most important lesson is that taking control of your health with dedication and consistency can lead to remarkable and life-altering results.

Conclusion

Dana White's journey from a severe health crisis to peak physical condition is a powerful example of how comprehensive and personalized wellness strategies can reverse years of neglect. With the guidance of Gary Brecka, White fundamentally changed his diet, exercise routine, and embraced modern biohacking therapies. The results speak for themselves: significant weight loss, the elimination of medication, and a massive improvement in his overall quality of life. His story demonstrates that a proactive and disciplined approach can yield extraordinary health outcomes, regardless of one's starting point. As White himself often shares, this approach changed his life forever.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before his health transformation, Dana White was diagnosed with severely high triglyceride levels (almost 800), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and pre-diabetes. He also suffered from debilitating sleep apnea.

Dana White was helped by human biologist Gary Brecka, who developed a personalized health plan called the '10x Health System' or 'Superhuman Protocol' after analyzing White's bloodwork and medical history.

Dana White followed a strict, clean ketogenic diet that focused on whole foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats while eliminating sugar and processed foods. He also practiced intermittent fasting.

White's protocol included daily cold plunges, using a PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) pad, Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT), and red light therapy to enhance cellular function and recovery.

According to Gary Brecka, White's improved health markers and lifestyle changes led to a significantly extended life expectancy prediction, moving from the initial 10.4 years to over 37 years.

White took a specific amino acid supplement called trimethylglycine, which Gary Brecka prescribed to help lower his blood pressure and metabolize homocysteine.

Through the combination of a strict ketogenic diet, supplementation, and biohacking, Dana White's underlying health conditions resolved, allowing him to be taken off all his prescription medications under medical supervision.

References

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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.