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The Superhuman Framework: Creating a Healthier Work Culture for Your Teams

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The Superhuman Framework: Creating a Healthier Work Culture for Teams
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I'm back with another deep conversation no leader should miss, featuring one of my favorite humans, Chris Carolan, about The Superhuman Framework. This time, we're talking about health.

Yes, health is a business conversation.

When it comes to success, we often think of work ethic, passion, and grit. But here’s something we sometimes overlook: none of it matters without health. Think about it—you could be the most driven person in the world, overflowing with ambition, but if you’re constantly exhausted, burned out, or just plain unwell, you’re not operating at your best. Health is the foundation of everything else we do. It’s what allows us to bring our A-game to our teams, families, and personal goals.

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Now, when I say “health,” I’m not just talking about avoiding sickness or getting the occasional check-up. I’m talking about a full-spectrum approach—mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Because if you’re firing on all cylinders physically but struggling emotionally, it still impacts your work, your relationships, and your ability to grow. True health means you’re equipped to handle the demands of your day, your team, and your personal growth journey with resilience and energy.

☝️ Watch our entire conversation! ☝️

In this conversation, we talk what health means in the context of the Superhuman Framework. We’ll break down why health is a core component of sustainable success and cover practical strategies to build and maintain it. You’ll learn how taking care of your health can transform not only your productivity but also your overall fulfillment.

Here’s what we’ll explore:

  • The Dimensions of Health: Physical, mental, and emotional health each play a vital role in personal and professional effectiveness.

  • The Ripple Effect: How health influences team morale, collaboration, and your organization’s bottom line.

  • Practical Steps for Building Health: Easy, impactful changes you can make right now to cultivate a foundation of well-being in your life and team.

Let’s get into why health isn’t just important—it’s essential.

The Dimensions of Health: Physical, Mental, + Emotional

When we talk about health within the Superhuman Framework, it’s clear this isn’t just about physical fitness or checking off a wellness box. Health is multi-dimensional, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and each one is essential to creating the foundation we need to handle life’s demands, support our teams, and fulfill our own personal missions.

Physical Health

At the base level, physical health is our energy source. It’s what powers our ability to show up and give our best. Whether you’re leading a team, meeting deadlines, or balancing a busy family life, taking care of your physical health means you’re investing in the energy and stamina to sustain it all.

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That could mean moving your body regularly, fueling up with nutrition that keeps you strong, or simply getting enough rest. Physical health doesn’t have to mean an intense workout every day; it’s about consistency and finding a balance that keeps you at your best.

Mental Health

Mental health is our clarity and resilience. It’s the foundation that supports our ability to think, focus, and keep our minds steady, even when work gets overwhelming. A leader with strong mental health can make decisions confidently and handle challenges without losing sight of the big picture. Prioritizing mental well-being means setting boundaries, managing stress effectively, and staying connected to your sense of purpose, which acts as a guide through tough moments.

Emotional Health

Emotional health is all about connection, empathy, and understanding. It influences everything from the way you relate to your team to how you communicate and solve problems. An emotionally healthy leader creates a space where people feel valued and safe. Building emotional health means acknowledging emotions—both your own and others’. It’s about showing up with compassion and building genuine, respectful relationships that last.

This kind of honesty isn’t about beating yourself up—it’s about getting clear on where you’re headed and how you can get better along the way. The beauty of it is that when you’re honest with yourself, you unlock your true potential. You start operating from a place of authenticity, and that’s when real growth happens.

The Ripple Effect of Health: Strengthening Your Team from the Inside Out

When you prioritize health, the impact extends beyond personal well-being. It’s like tossing a stone into a pond—the effects ripple outward, influencing everyone around you. When a leader is visibly committed to health, it sets a powerful precedent. You’re not just telling your team to value well-being; you’re showing them what it looks like in action.

Imagine a team where people feel empowered to care for themselves without feeling guilty or pressured to constantly hustle. That energy is contagious, creating an environment where productivity, engagement, and morale naturally increase.

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Teams with leaders who model wellness-focused behaviors see lower stress levels, higher job satisfaction, and a greater willingness to collaborate. And beyond day-to-day morale, the bottom-line benefits are just as real. Companies that foster a health-centered culture report less absenteeism, lower turnover, and improved productivity.

So, when you take care of your own health, you’re setting up your team to thrive. It’s a subtle but impactful way to inspire resilience, build trust, and create a workplace where people feel valued for who they are, not just what they produce.

Put It Into Action

Here are some reflective questions to help you assess where you and your team currently stand with health:

  • How often are you able to fit movement into your day?

  • Do you encourage boundaries for work-life balance?

  • Are emotional needs openly acknowledged within your team?

  • Is there a system for flexible work hours or self-care time?

  • How do you support mental health for yourself and your team?

  • Do you model healthy behaviors for your team to emulate?

  • How can you create routines that promote well-being?

  • Do you regularly remind your team of the importance of health?

  • How can you encourage stress-relieving activities at work?

  • Are health conversations normal and positive within your team?

Building a healthy culture is about more than just individual well-being. By prioritizing health, you’re setting a foundation for a resilient, connected, and high-performing team ready to meet challenges head-on.

Practical Steps for Building Health in Your Daily Life and Work Culture

Look, talking about health in the workplace isn’t just some feel-good initiative. It’s about creating a sustainable environment where people can thrive, be productive, and bring their best selves to the table.

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When you start prioritizing health—your own and that of your team—it ripples out, impacting not just work output but also personal satisfaction, engagement, and, yes, even profitability. So how do we get there? Let’s break it down into practical, doable steps.

1. Start with Small, Sustainable Habits

When it comes to health, it’s easy to want to dive in and overhaul everything. But here’s the thing: drastic changes often lead to burnout. Instead, start small. Whether it’s a quick daily walk, setting up a reminder to stretch every hour, or simply drinking enough water—small habits build momentum. Over time, they turn into big wins. Remember, progress is about consistency, not perfection.

2. Make Movement a Priority

I can’t stress this enough: sitting all day is not natural for our bodies. Encourage yourself and your team to get up, move around, and break up the hours of sitting. Maybe it’s setting a timer every hour to stand up and stretch, or having walking meetings instead of the usual sit-downs. When you make movement a part of the culture, you’re actively investing in long-term health and vitality.

3. Foster Open Communication Around Mental Health

Mental health is as critical as physical health. Create a culture where it’s okay to talk about mental health without fear or stigma. Be open about resources, whether it’s access to counseling, mental health days, or mindfulness practices.

A simple step is letting your team know that taking a mental health break is as valid as any other time off. By normalizing these conversations, you’re telling your team that their well-being matters beyond just their output.

4. Integrate Health into Your Company’s Values

For real change to stick, health has to be a core value. This means integrating health goals into your company’s mission. Set aside budget for wellness programs or fitness incentives. Make health a part of performance reviews by asking about personal and professional wellness goals. When health is built into the foundation of your culture, it becomes a natural part of daily life at work.

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5. Lead by Example

Look, as a leader, your actions speak louder than any policy. If you’re sending emails at 2 a.m. or never taking a day off, your team notices that. Set boundaries, take your breaks, and make time for wellness activities. When your team sees you valuing your own health, they’ll feel empowered to do the same. Remember, building a culture of health starts from the top down.

6. Provide Access to Resources

Sometimes, health comes down to having the right tools and resources. That could mean providing ergonomic desks, offering healthy snacks in the break room, or setting up a quiet space for relaxation or meditation. It’s also about making sure people have access to the information and support they need—think about wellness seminars, mental health resources, or partnerships with local gyms.

7. Encourage Work-Life Balance

Finally, let’s talk about balance. Your team needs time to recharge outside of work to bring their best selves back into it. Respecting boundaries, encouraging breaks, and discouraging after-hours emails can go a long way in preventing burnout. A well-rested, balanced team is a productive team, and that benefits everyone.

Building a Culture of Health Starts with You

If you take one thing away from this, it’s this: health isn’t just about physical fitness or a checklist of wellness goals. It’s about creating an environment—both in your personal life and your work culture—where well-being is prioritized, supported, and integrated into the way you live and lead. When you make health a foundation of how you operate, everything else—productivity, engagement, creativity—has the room to flourish.

So go ahead—take that step toward a healthier, more balanced approach. Start small if you need to, but start somewhere. Encourage open conversations around mental and physical health in your workplace. Model the habits you want to see in your team. Invest in resources that make well-being accessible. 

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Your body, your mind, your team, and your business will thank you for it. If you need support bringing health into the forefront of your organization, then I’m here to help. Whether it’s through the Beyond Your Default community, the upcoming Superhuman Framework course, or just some good old-fashioned conversation, let’s make it happen.