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Hi,
This week I hit the gym hard for winter strength building. Fast forward through too many lunges, and I'm so sore I can barely walk. I forgot how badly DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) can lay you up for a few days.
After a day of limping around like an 85-year-old man, I raided our warehouse to put together a recovery routine. Figured it would make an interesting topic for today's email.
Remember recovery isn't just a way to get out of pain, the faster your recovery, the more you can train again and go through the cycle of getting stronger and finer. Personally I'm a wreck for 4 days of missed training at this point, if I only I had been on top of my recovery sooner.
My theme? To recover better, think RED.
Morning Routine: Start with Synthesis
I've been going between the new Foundation powder (has Synthesis + Creatine + Collagen all in one) and the Synthesis capsules. Here's my system: I take the Foundation powder when I'm making a protein shake—at least 3 times a week. On other days, I just take the Synthesis capsules.
In hindsight, I wasn't being consistent enough. I'm back on it every single day now.
If there is one product with solid data to support recovery, it's Synthesis. The peptide from fava beans makes your body build muscle 4x faster than whey protein alone. I also credit it for my body composition changes—way more lean muscle mass at 50 than I had at 45.
If I had to pick just two supplements per day? Synthesis and Nitric Oxide Pro. No question.
Red Light: The Setup I Actually Use Now
My knee was killing me after those lunges. I used to take a big red light panel, stack books on both sides, and make the panel like a bridge over my knee. This works, but it's a bit of a production every time.
Now there's a better option: the Fringe Red Light Knee Wrap (save 15% today)
These are medical-grade LEDs built into a wrap you strap right onto your knee. They aren't as powerful as the big panel, but here's the thing—they don't need to be. Effectiveness is a function of power versus distance. Distance really matters. Just an inch away from the big panel makes a huge difference in effectiveness.
The wrap sits directly on your skin, making it just as effective (maybe more) than the panel. Plus it's so easy to use and portable. I usually rest while doing it, but you can easily get up and move around.
Here's how to decide: If your primary usage is your knee, get the wrap. If you want to use it all over—back, knee, shoulders—consider getting the full panel. I use the panel on my low back and it works great. Fringe also has a longer wrap that's perfect for your back if you want the portability of the wrap format.
All Fringe products are already discounted for you today.
While I'm doing my red light session, I've been drinking Amacx Cherry Juice (keeping the red theme alive here). It's what Team Visma-Lease a Bike drinks post-race for recovery. Pure tart cherry concentrate with 100mg of anthocyanins per bottle.
Want a great "dry January" cocktail? Try Amacx Cherry Juice, tonic water, and ice. I'm a big fan and it scratches that itch when you want a drink but don't want alcohol.
The Ultimate Recovery Protocol Before Bed
For acute recovery—or anytime you're switching up training or getting back into the gym—SwissRX Soft Tissue Complex is a dream for helping next-day recovery and DOMS. I'm also making it this weeks' deal and you earn 20% Feed Cash to try it out).
It comes in a pouch with 7 pills. The ideal time is before bed, at least an hour after your last meal. It combines 95% Curcumin Turmeric to reduce inflammation, Flavonoids for tissue repair, Gabanol and Glycine to relax hard-worked muscles, and the secret ingredient: Vascuzyme—a cocktail of enzymes that help break down the protein "cap" around injured tissues.
Here's the thing: Soft Tissue Complex is how I fixed my chronic knee pain. For immediate recovery from DOMS, you might feel better overnight. For injuries, you need to give this 2 to 4 weeks to really work.
It won't work on all injuries—some need surgery. But so many athletes swear by this protocol that I suggest you try it if you're dealing with something nagging.
My full pre-bedtime recovery stack:
More Stuff You Missed This Week
LMNT Try-Out Pack
The salty hydration (one of the top 3 hydrations now at The Feed) has a crazy deal to try out 3 servings for only $3. You get Citrus, Raspberry, and Watermelon—3 of my favorite flavors. Limited availability. Just add it to your order.
Styrkr SLT+
Speaking of salty hydration, we just launched Styrkr SLT+. Like LMNT, it's just over 1000mg of sodium and is designed to match the electrolytes in human sweat. Zero sugar, zero calories. Not as salty tasting as LMNT even though it's slightly more sodium. I created a variety pack so you can try all the flavors for $8.95.
Ketone-IQ Grape
New Grape flavor just dropped. Hands down the best flavor yet and by far the best tasting ketone on the market currently. They finally got the flavors right—you can't even taste the bitterness of the ketones anymore. Grape is fantastic.
David Bar
The protein bar of 2025 is now here. David Bar is designed to maximize your protein-to-calorie ratio. Perfect on-the-go protein when you don't have time for a shake.
KAEX
Last week I shared how I was using KAEX and Dreamshot before bed to reduce cortisol levels. I didn't expect such a huge response and apologies that we sold out of the ready to drink bottles. We still have the KAEX powder version, which is just as effective and more portable. I've worked with KAEX to extend the buy 1, get 1 free through this weekend. Get a 6 pack for only $9.99.
Recover smart this week. Your body will thank you.
- Matt
Founder
The Feed.
P.S. If you're dealing with chronic pain or a nagging injury, give Soft Tissue Complex a real shot for 2-4 weeks. I've had too many athletes tell me it saved their season. Read here how I fixed my knee years ago with it.
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