Progress Over Perfection: When I first started, I believed everything needed to be flawless before I could take the next step. Whether it was branding, product development, or marketing, I spent too much time perfecting every detail instead of focusing on progress. I’ve learned that it’s better to launch, learn, and improve as you go. Perfection isn’t what connects with people — authenticity and effort do.
Today, more than ever, wellness is at the forefront of societal discussions. From mental health to physical well-being, women are making significant strides in bringing about change, introducing innovative solutions, and setting new standards. Despite facing unique challenges, they break barriers, inspire communities, and are reshaping the very definition of health and wellness. In this series called women in wellness we are talking to women doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness trainers, researchers, health experts, coaches, and other wellness professionals to share their stories and insights. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Heather Young.
Heather Young is the CEO & Co-Founder of Fasted Athlete, a wellness supplement brand that’s changing the “why” behind personal health. She created the company alongside her husband, Kevin Young, as a solution for their shared health issues: mental burnout, physical exhaustion, gut health struggles and more. They envisioned a line of supplements designed to support overall health and wellness without compromising on purity or performance. Heather has been a co-founder and investor of Fasted Athlete since its inception in 2022, and she now leads the company’s strategic direction as the new CEO and majority owner of the company. With her background in business strategy, she is working to make the wellness industry more inclusive and approachable for all.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?
Thank you for having me!
When I was younger, I didn’t have access to a healthy lifestyle or many wellness resources. But I always had a vision of how I wanted to look, and I was willing to do anything to achieve those body image goals. I worked out seven times a week, relied on highly caffeinated pre-workouts, and pushed through on very little sleep. My focus was purely on appearance, even if the things I was doing weren’t making me feel great.
It wasn’t until I met my health-conscious husband, Kevin, that I started to see wellness in a completely different way. He introduced me to the idea that health is about so much more than how you look — it’s about feeling good, having energy, and taking care of your body in a sustainable way for longevity. This shift in perspective changed everything for me.
Now, I approach health and wellness with moderation. I don’t work out seven times a week, count macros, or follow extreme diets. Instead, I focus on practices that make me feel balanced and energized. I became especially fascinated by gut health and its impact on so many aspects of well-being — mood, skin, energy levels, and overall health.
This passion eventually led me to take on a leadership role at Fasted Athlete, where I’m now the majority owner. I was drawn to the brand’s commitment to quality and innovation, particularly with products like colostrum that support foundational health. It’s incredible how little attention we often give to gut health, even though it plays such a central role in how our bodies function. If your gut isn’t in balance, you can’t properly absorb nutrients, which impacts everything else. My goal now is to help others understand and prioritize this often-overlooked piece of health through education and high-quality products that support real, sustainable wellness.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?
Early on in the company’s history, Kevin, the original founder, was at a crossroads. He needed to raise capital to take Fasted Athlete to the next level and was considering partnering with someone who had the financial resources to help. However, this potential partner didn’t share the same fundamental values as the company.
That’s when I stepped in. I told Kevin that I wanted to be more involved — not just as someone who could provide the capital, but also as a partner with strategic insight and values that aligned with the mission of Fasted Athlete. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
The lesson I learned from this experience is that the people you choose to join you on a mission can truly make or break a company. Having partners and team members who are aligned in vision and values creates the foundation for long-term success. That moment solidified my role in the company and reaffirmed how important it is to stay true to your principles, even when facing tough decisions.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
When I first became more involved with Fasted Athlete, we made a big mistake by focusing too much on perfecting complicated packaging rather than on what truly mattered — connecting with our customers and building brand awareness. We spent countless hours assembling, adjusting, and reworking the packaging, but this came at the expense of more meaningful efforts to grow the brand.
As a result, more than 1,500 units ended up expiring and had to be disposed of. It was a tough and costly lesson, but it taught us the importance of prioritizing the essentials and keeping things simple. Now, we focus on creating packaging that is practical, efficient, and aligned with the needs of our customers so we can dedicate more time and energy to sharing our mission and building connections.
Let’s jump to our main focus. When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?
At Fasted Athlete, our mission is to simplify wellness and make it more accessible to people in their everyday lives. The work we do focuses on addressing foundational health needs, starting with gut health, which is often overlooked but impacts everything from energy and mood to immunity and skin health.
One key aspect of our approach is advocating for occasional, moderate fasting as a sustainable practice. When done thoughtfully, fasting can help reset the body, support gut health, and boost longevity by giving the body a chance to repair and rejuvenate itself. We’re committed to helping people incorporate fasting in a way that feels achievable and balanced, rather than extreme or overwhelming.
Through products like colostrum, we’re helping people take control of their health in a sustainable way. What excites me most is the ripple effect — when someone feels better, they have more energy to show up for their family, their work, and their community. That’s the kind of impact that goes beyond the individual and starts to make a bigger difference in the world.
We also strive to educate people about health in a way that’s approachable and empowering. Wellness can feel overwhelming, but we focus on small, actionable steps that fit into anyone’s lifestyle. By prioritizing simplicity, moderate fasting, and long-term health, we’re creating solutions that help people thrive — not just in the short term, but for the long haul.
Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing? Please give an example or story for each.
1 . Prioritize Gut Health: Your gut is often called your “second brain” because it influences so much — mood, energy, immunity, and even skin health. One simple way to prioritize gut health is to include nutrient-dense foods and probiotics in your diet. For me, the biggest game-changer was incorporating colostrum into my daily routine. I noticed improved digestion and clearer skin within weeks. It’s a small tweak, but when your gut is in balance, everything else starts to feel better.
2 . Embrace Moderate Fasting: Occasional, moderate fasting can give your body time to reset, lower inflammation, promote recovery, and boost longevity. I used to think fasting meant starving myself, but I learned from my husband Kevin that it’s not about weight loss — it’s about supporting your body’s natural repair processes. For example, doing a 24-hour fast every now and then has helped me feel more energetic and balanced. It’s a practice I approach with intention, focusing on how it supports recovery and overall wellness without being extreme.
3 . Simplify Your Wellness Routine: When I first got into health, I was guilty of overdoing it — working out seven days a week and chasing complex diets. Now, I’ve learned that less is often more. I focus on a few core practices that I can sustain long-term, like moving my body daily (even if it’s just a walk), staying hydrated, and eating whole foods. Simplifying my routine has helped me stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed.
4 . Make Sleep Non-Negotiable: I used to sacrifice sleep to fit everything into my day, but I’ve come to realize that sleep is the foundation of wellness. For me, prioritizing a consistent bedtime and creating an evening wind-down routine — like putting my phone away and drinking a calming tea — has dramatically improved my energy and focus. Better sleep has made every other part of my wellness journey easier.
5 . Focus on Connection and Community: Wellness isn’t just physical; it’s emotional and social, too. I’ve found that being part of a community or having meaningful connections can significantly enhance your overall well-being. For example, building Fasted Athlete into a mission-driven brand has brought me closer to others who are passionate about health, and those connections have been so fulfilling. Whether it’s joining a fitness group, spending time with loved ones, or volunteering, prioritizing connection makes a huge difference.
These lifestyle tweaks aren’t about perfection — they’re about small, intentional changes that add up over time. Each one has transformed my approach to wellness, and I hope they inspire others to make tweaks that align with their own journey.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?
If I could start a movement, it would be a wellness program called “The 180 Reset.” This program is designed to provide a sustainable alternative to extreme challenges like 75 Hard, focusing on balance and long-term health. The goal is to help people make a 180-degree shift in their lifestyle by adopting achievable habits that promote well-being without the pressure of perfection.
The 180 Reset would include:
- Work out 3 times a week: A mix of strength, cardio, or yoga tailored to individual needs.
- 5,000 steps a day: A manageable way to stay active and encourage daily movement.
- Daily meditation: Just 5–10 minutes to reduce stress and improve mental clarity.
- 18-hour fast twice a week: To support recovery, lower inflammation, and boost longevity.
- A whole foods diet: Encouraging the consumption of unprocessed, nutrient-dense foods for overall health.
What sets The 180 Reset apart is its focus on sustainability and balance, not extremes. This program is about creating small, consistent changes that are realistic and fit into daily life. It’s designed to help people feel good, build better habits, and create lasting transformations in their health and wellness.
With The 180 Reset, the journey isn’t about achieving quick results — it’s about developing a lifestyle that supports long-term vitality and happiness.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
- Progress Over Perfection: When I first started, I believed everything needed to be flawless before I could take the next step. Whether it was branding, product development, or marketing, I spent too much time perfecting every detail instead of focusing on progress. I’ve learned that it’s better to launch, learn, and improve as you go. Perfection isn’t what connects with people — authenticity and effort do.
- Your Team Is Everything: I wish someone had told me how critical it is to surround yourself with people whose values align with yours. Early on, we almost partnered with someone who didn’t share the same vision, and it would have completely derailed the company. Now, I’m intentional about working with people who are not only skilled but also deeply committed to the mission. The right team can amplify your success.
- Know When to Say No: In the early days, I said yes to almost every opportunity because I thought more was always better. Whether it was partnerships, marketing ideas, or product features, I stretched myself and the team too thin trying to do everything. I’ve learned that saying no to the wrong things creates space for the right opportunities. Focus and alignment are far more valuable than quantity.
- Build a Community, Not Just a Brand: I wish someone had told me how important it is to cultivate a sense of community. It’s not just about selling products or services — it’s about creating a space where people feel heard, supported, and connected to a larger mission. Building that community takes time and effort, but it’s what turns customers into advocates and a business into a movement.
- Take Care of Yourself First: Building a business or pursuing a wellness journey can feel all-consuming, but I’ve learned that you can’t pour from an empty cup. There were times I sacrificed sleep, workouts, or even meals because I was so focused on the work. Now, I prioritize my own health — balanced eating, regular movement, and sleep — because when I feel good, I can show up better for the company and my team.
Sustainability, veganism, mental health, and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?
While all of these causes are important, mental health is the dearest to me because of my personal experiences growing up. My mom battled schizophrenia, and watching her struggle profoundly shaped my understanding of the importance of mental health. It taught me that mental wellness isn’t just about addressing symptoms — it’s about nurturing the whole person, including the connection between the mind and body.
One area I’ve become particularly passionate about is the connection between gut health and mental health. Research increasingly shows that the gut and brain are closely linked through what’s called the gut-brain axis. Studies have found that an imbalance in gut bacteria can impact the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which regulates mood. In fact, the gut produces about 90% of the body’s serotonin, making gut health essential for mental well-being.
I’ve personally experienced the impact of gut health on how you feel. When I began focusing on improving my digestion and incorporating supplements like colostrum, I noticed a difference — not just in my energy levels but in my overall mood and clarity. This has fueled my passion for helping others understand how taking care of their gut can have a ripple effect on their mental health.
I want to continue advocating for this connection because small, actionable changes — like improving diet, managing stress, or incorporating probiotics — can empower people to feel better both mentally and physically. Mental health has always been close to my heart, and this holistic approach is something I believe can make a profound difference in people’s lives.
What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?
You can follow Fasted Athlete on social media at @fastedathleteco and @puregoldcolostrum, or visit our website at fastedathlete.com.
Thank you for these fantastic insights! We wish you continued success and good health.
