The Importance of Your Baseline with Arin Cahee

Hey there, FitBody fam!

Welcome back to another powerful episode of Fit Body Lifestyle! In this Fusion Hack mini-episode, Jami and Greg are joined by the incredible Arin Cahee—an IFBB Pro and powerhouse athlete whose journey is a shining example of why understanding your baseline is critical before diving headfirst into any fitness goal, especially one as intense as competition prep.

On the surface, Arin looked like the picture of health—strong, fit, and ready to take on the stage. But looks can be deceiving, and what she learned from doing deep-dive blood work shifted not only her training strategy but her entire lifestyle.

What unfolds in this conversation is a heartfelt, real-world lesson about listening to your body, embracing preventative care, and why investing in your health before you hit a wall is one of the most empowering things you can do.

Arin opens up about finding out she was borderline pre-diabetic, had elevated cortisol, high cholesterol, and TPO levels—all hidden under a strong physique. This episode reminds us: if you’re not looking at the inside, you’re missing half the story. Because our bodies don’t lie—even when our aesthetics try to.

Let’s dive into the gold nuggets this episode delivered.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Your Outside Doesn’t Always Reflect Your Inside
   Arin looked fantastic, but bloodwork revealed serious internal issues: high cortisol, cholesterol, and even borderline pre-diabetes. Don’t wait until there’s a problem—preventative health is power.

2. Get Your Baseline – It’s a Game-Changer
   Establishing a health baseline through lab work revealed critical markers affecting Arin’s performance, recovery, and energy. Without it, she would have been “fighting blind.” Every serious fitness journey should start here.

3. Stress and Sleep Matter More Than You Think
   Arin’s high cortisol and poor sleep patterns were taking a toll—causing mid-day crashes and anxiety. Mandatory yoga, foam rolling, and self-care became non-negotiable tools in her success, proving recovery is just as important as training.

4. Your Genetics Aren’t Your Destiny—But They Are a Clue
   Some of Arin’s markers were genetically influenced, like high cholesterol. Knowing this helped her adapt her diet and lifestyle instead of blindly pushing through with ineffective methods.

5. Coaching Is More Than Macros and Workouts
   The level of care and attention Arin received—from in-depth check-ins to functional health assessments—was a huge differentiator. A great coach sees you, not just your body. That relationship can transform not only your physique but your entire life.

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