HOW ONE MAN’S BATTLE WITH LOW TESTOSTERONE LED TO A REVOLUTIONARY MEN’S HEALTH BRAND

A frustrated fitness expert’s battle with testosterone deficiency has led to him creating a product with his nutritionist wife to help other men avoid the same issues.

Most men are completely unaware that testosterone levels peak at 19 and are at an all-time global low having decreased 50% in 50 years because of lifestyle and environmental factors. One in four men are deficient with many more displaying symptoms of low T that negatively impact health, mood and relationships.

Extreme sports enthusiast Sheldon Stringer, 43 and from Hertfordshire, felt “like someone had stolen half my soul” as he went from pushing his body to the limit to struggling physically and mentally with a startling loss of libido.

His search for answers led to him starting up London-based men’s hormonal health natural supplements brand Dynamic Nutrition Academy with wife Roberta. Sheldon has a background entrenched in fitness as an experienced performance coach and personal trainer with a business built on his dedication to helping clients smash their weight loss and training goals.

“Being active, motivated, driven and successful has always been the foundation of my personality and the pillars of my pride,” said the brand’s chief innovation officer Sheldon, who was born and bred in Cape Town, South Africa. “So when I started noticing a decline in all these areas, I knew something was wrong. Sadly, like many men (and women who seek GP menopause help) my symptoms were misunderstood and I was prescribed anti-depressants which I did not want to take.

“Following my wife’s advice, I then privately tested my own hormones level and was totally testosterone deficient and undergoing what I now know is Andropause – AKA Manopause – a term that refers to the age-related decline of T levels.

“What became clear was the symptoms of low testosterone, including constant fatigue, lack of motivation, decreased drive and ambition, loss of libido, unexplained anger and frustration, are so often misdiagnosed as depression or simply excuses as the ageing process.

“It was something I wasn’t willing to accept or take pharmaceutical interventions for as I knew there were nutrition and lifestyle interventions that could boost my levels naturally,” Sheldon said. “It felt like someone had stolen half my soul. Considering myself to be a real man’s man, it was hard for me to consolidate why I would wake up tired and then be pissed off because I was tired.

“My sex drive was non-existent which, as you can imagine, put a stupid amount of stress on my relationship as newly engaged. I just didn’t want to have sex which had nothing to do with my feelings for my partner. I just wanted to be left alone. My drive and ambition had gone from roaring inferno to a pissy ant campfire that couldn’t even heat a cup of water and I found myself both frustrated and angry at my lack of gumption.”

Alongside Roberta, a naturopathic nutritionist with clinical experience in hormonal balance, Sheldon set about finding his own natural health solutions. Having realised there was little support out there for men in his situation and knowing that he was not alone, he made it his mission to develop exceptional and pioneering natural products for men that understood their needs and offered practical solutions.

Fast forward two years and Sheldon and Roberta created Dynamic Nutrition Academy – a men’s hormonal health supplement in the form of power powders that offer men a daily functional shot of testosterone boosting natural nutrients.

“Having normal T levels has given me back my drive, supercharged my motivation, boosted my activity levels and given me my confidence back,” Sheldon said. “That is why I am so proud and excited for men about what’s to come. A range of products to support men like never before through every stage of their lives to help them liberate themselves from the symptoms and stigma of testosterone deficiency.”

Sheldon hopes that his passion for creating innovative, playful and engaging brands will resonate with the many men in similar positions to him facing hormonal challenges and combatting the symptoms of the andropause. He lives in Hertfordshire with Roberta, their children and two dogs.