Journey of a VCs Biohacking challenge to optimise Mind, Body & Time for 100 days
Day 1 of Journal Biohacking challenge
My name is Gokul Rangarajan. I run Pitchworks VC Studio and have been in the market for 14 years, navigating roles in Venture Capital, Design, UX, Product Management, and . I’ve always been a relentless pusher and a hard worker. But lately, books like Unstoppable by Ben Angel, The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss, The Power of Unwavering Focus by My Guru Dandapani, and Make Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky have inspired me to rethink my approach. There comes a time in life when you pause and wonder if there’s a way to truly optimize it. I believe this is that moment for me.
I am now slightly overweight, tipping the scales at around 100–103 kg — roughly 20 kg above my ideal BMI. I work over 10–12 hours a day, but not all of those hours are productive. Sometime iwonder the tiem goes m where th energy goes, all time with my 3 year old seems not enough, some tims spending YouTube rabbit holes or other distractions. I’ve previously experimented with productivity in small circles, but consistency has eluded me. Recently, I’ve been sharing my workout and walking updates, which has kept me motivated.
As part of my biohacking journey, I’m diving into a 100-day challenge to optimize everything — from productivity to family time and self-care. But this isn’t just about pure biohacking; it’s a larger umbrella I’m using to integrate all aspects of my life. The goal isn’t perfection, but steady progress, moving from Stage Zero to Stage 0.10 or 0.50 ot 1. It’s a slow grind of time, energy, diet, mindfulness, and workouts, all aimed at finding balance without becoming a self-care guru overnight. Think of it as testing a mix of hacks — squeezing in more sleep, improving family time, and tweaking my diet — to see if I can come out of this feeling more energized, focused, and a bit more in control without burning out.
The challenge I’m taking on is aimed to transforming my life into one of focused, intentional action. My goals are clear:
- Hack productivity: Eliminate wasted time and create structure for meaningful work.
- Claim more aware time: Balance work, family, and health with deliberate attention.
- Biohack responsibly: Use structured, non-risky methods to achieve focused work, family time, health, and self-care.
This isn’t a short sprint but a lifelong marathon. It’s about showing up daily, refining habits, and making intentional choices that lead to sustainable growth. The journey starts now.
For this journey, I’m keeping it simple and practical. I’ll be logging parameters like sleep, step count, calories burned, awareness time, mindfulness time, productivity time, energy levels, personal reflections, family time, and even moments of burnout.
Unlike other biohackers diving into complex metrics like nutrition, metabolism, HRV, gut health, cortisol, and neurotransmitters, I’m starting with what I can control and measure daily. Who knows — those deeper metrics might be part of the story later, but for now, my focus is on building consistency with the basics.
In addition to the basics, I’ll also be sharing the smaller moments that shape my journey:
- What am I listening to: The tunes and podcasts fueling my day.
- What am I reading: Books and articles that are sparking new ideas.
- Quotes and thoughts I’m reflecting on: Words of wisdom that resonate.
- What am I writing: Whether it’s for work or personal growth, I’ll share my writing process and insights.
This is a journey of awareness and incremental improvement, one step, one log, and one choice at a time.
Got up around by 53 0 dint have complete sleep so pushed the sleep againThe sleep was mixed 12:50 i got up since i heard a sound, it was my MIL moving Something. She did ask him dint i go t to sleep then I realised that i did have to go to pee, Drinking water is of problem on sleep.
I could have gone to sleep earlier if i did not watch YouTube video at last momment of my sleep
My professional sleeper need to know the rules of not not watching youtube. One thing i could do is bring back the off of browser mode in evenings hours. but my dophine seeking ooy is needing it.
Did my energy get low because of low food intake not sure?
Had a Morning Butter coffee , around 7 AM
During My raise up i do listen to affirmations and also write my Affirmations to what i waht to be
The feeling of fatigue is unlike anything I’ve experienced. My brain feels constantly overwhelmed, like it’s running on empty, yet my body still has the physical energy to move. It’s as if my mind is drained of fuel, leaving me to power through the day on sheer willpower. My physical energy remains present, but the mental fatigue feels far heavier.
I’ve turned to coffee as a quick fix, hoping it’ll offer some temporary relief. The caffeine provides an initial surge of alertness and energy, stimulating the central nervous system, which gives me that burst of clarity. However, this is short-lived. Within about 30 minutes of drinking coffee, the tiredness and mental fog return, often more intensely than before. This cyclical effect is typical of what’s known as the “crash” or “caffeine rebound,” where the stimulating effects wear off, and the body experiences a sudden drop in energy levels.
From a clinical standpoint, this kind of fatigue can stem from several factors, including cortisol imbalances, poor sleep quality, or even chronic stress, which leads to the body’s sympathetic nervous system being in overdrive. Although caffeine temporarily stimulates the release of dopamine and norepinephrine, over-reliance can disrupt the body’s natural energy regulation, further exacerbating the feeling of burnout.
REM Sleep came in at 31% — slightly above the typical range of 20–25%. At first glance, this seems like a good thing. It means my brain is getting plenty of time to process memories, regulate emotions, and engage in cognitive repair. However, there’s a caveat: too much REM sleep can sometimes indicate that I’m not getting enough deep sleep. If my sleep is fragmented or disturbed, my body might be compensating by spending more time in REM.
Now, about deep sleep — I logged 28%, which is actually quite good. This is above the average for adults, who typically get 13–23%. Deep sleep is where the real physical recovery happens, and having 28% suggests that I’m getting a significant amount of that vital restorative rest. Given my weight and long working hours, this is a promising sign that my body is managing to repair itself and recover, despite the challenges of a busy schedule.
Finally, light sleep made up 40% of my night. This is within the normal range, but if I’m honest, I feel that I could spend less time here and more time in deep sleep. While light sleep is necessary, I’ve noticed that my energy levels in the morning don’t always match up with the amount of time I’ve spent sleeping. This could be a sign that I need to make adjustments to optimize the balance between these sleep stages.
An alternative theory to my mental fatigue could also be related to my nutrition, gut health, or biochemical reasons. While sleep is a major factor in mental recovery, if my diet is lacking in essential nutrients or if my gut health is off balance, it could be contributing to feelings of mental fog and exhaustion. Additionally, biochemical imbalances — such as deficiencies in key neurotransmitters — might be playing a role in the fatigue I’m experiencing.
The day started with a strong sense of routine, packed with self-care rituals and health-focused activities. From 4:00 AM to around 8:30 AM, I maintained a structured schedule, with moments dedicated to sleep, self-time, mindfulness, and health routines. Energy and awareness were good during this period, but despite the effort to kickstart the day with focus and productivity, there was a noticeable dip in energy as the morning progressed. By 9:00 AM, brain fog and mental fatigue started to take over, significantly lowering my productivity levels, especially during work tasks and family time. At this point, I felt the strain of overloading my day with too many activities and rituals, leaving me drained and unable to be as engaged in the tasks I initially set out to complete.
By midday, the exhaustion took a toll on my work efficiency, and I found myself struggling with mental clarity. While I tried to push through with some productive tasks, my energy was low, and I couldn’t focus on work or family as deeply as I would’ve liked. However, as the afternoon came, I decided to pause and shift my focus entirely to family time. This decision allowed me to reconnect and truly be present with my child, which turned out to be the most meaningful part of the day. I realized that in trying to fit so many productivity hacks and self-care routines into my day, I neglected the need for balance and meaningful connection. The evening was a much-needed break, where I intentionally chose to focus on family, not only recharging my energy but also deepening the moments that truly mattered. This shift highlighted the importance of flexibility — knowing when to reset, slow down, and prioritize quality time over sticking strictly to a routine.
This has been the case with my past few days report also
What am I listening to
What am I reading
Hal Rosenbluth :Hal played a significant role in expanding the company’s footprint globally. His leadership in expanding Rosenbluth International helped the company grow its customer base and revenues, and it was eventually sold to American Express for $710 million in 2003. This sale marked a significant milestone in Hal’s career, and his experience in scaling businesses and operations helped shape his future ventures.
Hypochondria: What’s Behind the Hidden Costs of Healthcare is written by a medical professional or researcher who seeks to shed light on the largely overlooked consequences of health anxiety. The author explores not only the medical and psychological aspects of hypochondria but also its economic impact on healthcare systems. The book combines real-world case studies, research, and insights into the challenges of diagnosing and treating health anxiety, offering a comprehensive look at how this condition affects patients, doctors, and society as a whole. The author’s goal is to create greater awareness and understanding of hypochondria, ultimately seeking solutions to mitigate its hidden costs.
Quote and thoughts am I thinking about
What Am I writing
I am writing a thesis for Pitchworks VC Studio, combining research and entrepreneurial insights. This section explores the core aspects of our venture studio model, delving into the ways we invest in and co-build high-impact startups across various sectors such as health tech, med tech, gaming, and climate tech. Through this research, I’m looking at how Pitchworks not only drives financial returns but also contributes to enhancing wholesome living for humanity. This deeper investigation will also reflect on our approach to community building and how we foster innovation while prioritizing sustainability and human well-being.
- Change the Work Pattern:
Optimize your work schedule by tackling important tasks early when energy is highest. Prioritize work first to stay focused and productive, avoiding distractions. - Morning Focus on Family Time:
Start the day with quality family time. This strengthens relationships and sets a positive tone for the day, making it easier to handle work challenges. - Midday Health and Me Time:
Use midday for health and personal time — whether it’s a workout or mindfulness. This recharges you for the rest of the day and boosts both physical and mental well-being. - Deep Sleep Focus:
Prioritize deep sleep by maintaining a consistent bedtime and a calming routine before sleep. Quality rest is essential for energy, focus, and overall health.
