1st Optimal and Chewjitsu have joined forces to give athletes, men, and performance‑minded people a new way to optimize health and performance through advanced functional testing, hormone balance, gut‑health transformation, and medically overseen protocols. This partnership bridges the world of elite grappling and real‑world health optimization in a way that’s never been done before.
Whether you’re chasing Peak Performance in training, deeper recovery after competitions like the Chewjitsu Open, or just trying to feel younger every day, this collaboration brings medical precision to athletic ambition.
Who Is Chewjitsu (Nick “Chewy” Albin)?
For anyone who hasn’t crossed paths with him yet, Nick “Chewy” Albin is the founder and face behind Chewjitsu. He’s a well‑known Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu coach, competitor, content creator, and podcast host with a massive community on IG, TikTok, and YouTube.
Here’s where you can follow him:
- Chewjitsu Instagram (technique, events, lifestyle): https://www.instagram.com/chewjitsu/ (Instagram)
- Chewjitsu Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/chewjitsupodcast/
- Chewjitsu YouTube (technique & philosophy): https://www.youtube.com/@Chewjitsu
- Chewjitsu Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChewjitsuPodcast
- Chewjitsu TikTok (digestible clips & training): https://www.tiktok.com/@chewjitsu1
Chewy’s mission with Chewjitsu isn’t just about teaching technique. It’s about building confidence, grit, resilience, and community through martial arts. His content resonates with both athletes and everyday adults who want to understand performance and growth at a deeper level.
What Is Chewjitsu Open?
The Chewjitsu Open is a competitive tournament series that stands out in the grappling world. It’s submission only and round‑robin formatted, which encourages active competition and lets athletes compete more authentically without worrying about scoring points.
Events take place year‑round across the U.S., with categories for both Gi and No‑Gi, kids through adult divisions, and cash prizes in absolute brackets.
2025/2026 Cheat Sheet:
- Chewjitsu Open events in Frankenmuth MI, Gatlinburg TN, and more.
- Emphasis on mat‑time, not scorecards.
- A culture that welcomes competitors and improves the sport’s accessibility.
Because performance isn’t just physical. It’s biological. That’s where 1st Optimal steps in.
Who Is 1st Optimal?
1st Optimal is a telehealth functional medicine clinic focused on comprehensive health optimization. Their model blends advanced lab testing, medical oversight, personalized hormone therapy, gut‑health evaluation, weight management, and root‑cause protocols that go beyond symptom management.
Core Areas:
- Hormone Testing & Optimization for men and women
- Functional Gut Health Testing including the GI‑MAP® gut microbiome analysis
- Advanced Blood Work & Biomarker Panels
- Telemedicine‑based, medically overseen protocols
- Weight Management with medical strategies + diet/lifestyle guidance
This approach targets the biology behind symptoms and provides data‑driven plans instead of guesswork.
Read more about the partnership and services here:
👉 https://1stoptimal.com/partners
Why Gut Health Matters for Athletes and High Performers
You’ve probably heard gut health is important. But for performance athletes, it’s central to recovery, energy, immune defense, and even hormone regulation.
1st Optimal’s gut health protocols rely on advanced functional testing like the GI‑MAP® with zonulin test, which profiles gut microbes, inflammation markers, and intestinal permeability.
Why this matters:
- Balanced gut bacteria help regulate inflammation.
- Inflammation affects recovery, joint pain, and sleep quality.
- The gut produces neurotransmitters that influence mood and focus.
- Gut health interacts with hormone balance, which determines energy and sex hormone function.
For someone training Jiu‑Jitsu multiple times per week or entering competitions like the Chewjitsu Open, every recovery advantage counts.
Hormone Testing and Men’s Health
Hormones are the invisible engine of performance. Testosterone, cortisol, thyroid hormones, and metabolic hormones dictate energy, muscle building, fatigue, libido, stress response, and body composition.
At its core, the 1st Optimal partnership gives athletes and everyday men a precise hormone overview, not guesswork:
- Baseline Hormone Panels to see current levels
- Comprehensive Hormone Panels to dig deeper into imbalances
- Personalized protocols that include nutrition, peptide therapies, and medical oversight when indicated
These are the same protocols elite athletes use to get better sleep, better recovery, and better performance.
Functional Testing: Bloodwork, Gut Panels, and Root‑Cause Diagnosis
Functional medicine excels because it maps the biology, rather than just managing symptoms.
1st Optimal uses:
- GI‑MAP stool analysis for gut health insights.
- Advanced blood panels to assess everything from micronutrients to metabolic health.
- Hormone metabolism panels (like DUTCH testing).
With this data, the medical team builds personalized protocols that often lead to improved:
- Energy levels
- Muscle recovery
- Sleep quality
- Metabolism and body composition
- Mental focus
Athletes who measure, don’t guess often see better long‑term results.
The Value of Medically Overseen Protocols
You don’t just get a lab result. You get a medical team that interprets it and tailors interventions.
That includes:
- Physician review of labs
- Safe, evidence‑based hormone or nutritional protocols
- Adjustments over time based on results
- Support through the entire process
This is critical because athletes often self‑dose supplements without feedback, which can mask problems or create imbalances. With medical oversight, optimization is controlled, effective, and safe.
Real Testimonials: Performance Meets Health
Here are a few from 1st Optimal’s client library that speak right to athletes and performance seekers:
Nick Albin (Chewjitsu)
“1st Optimal doesn’t just throw testosterone at the problem. They dig deep into blood work and tailor everything to real biology. I trust them with my performance and health.”
Watch Chewy’s testimonial here: Chewy Testimonial
Follow Chewy on Instagram: @chewjitsu
Jeff Alexander
“My hormones are balanced, I recover better, I sleep deeper, and I just feel better. The team’s responsiveness and professional approach are unmatched.”
Watch Jeff’s testimonial here: Jeff Alexander TestimonMarvin King Lefty Testimonial.mp4Video 2ial
Follow Jeff on Instagram: @gijeff85
Marvin G. (Submission Champion & Chewjitsu Open Winner)
“After two weeks I saw faster recovery, more energy, and a plan that actually supported my competitive lifestyle.”
Watch Marvin’s testimonial here: Marvin “King Lefty” Testimonial
Follow Marvin on Instagram: @kinglefty25
Chewjitsu Podcast Collaboration + Featured Episode
The synergy between Chewy’s content and 1st Optimal goes beyond testing. The 1st Optimal Podcast has featured deep conversations about performance, recovery, health psychology, and more.
🎙 Listen to the episode where Chewy from Chewjitsu Open joins 1st Optimal Podcast:
👉 https://youtu.be/y6w2XbjZuK0
These conversations unpack real health insights for athletes and non‑athletes alike.
How to Get Started
Athletes, grapplers, men chasing performance, and anyone serious about health optimization can begin with:
- A free health consult with 1st Optimal’s medical team
- Diagnostic lab testing tailored to performance and recovery
- Personalized protocols guided by data and medical review
The Future of Performance Health
The Chewjitsu x 1st Optimal partnership is more than a sponsorship. It’s a performance health bridge that blends elite sport culture with world‑class functional medicine. For people who train hard, compete harder, and refuse to settle for mediocrity, this is a game‑changing path toward real, measurable optimization.
Aspire to feel younger, recover faster, and perform better not by chance, but by design.
Interested in a Health Optimization Partnership?
Elevate your coaching business and transform client outcomes by joining the 1st Optimal Partnership Program, the industry-leading medical-backed collaboration that equips wellness and health coach professionals with advanced lab diagnostics, personalized treatment protocols, and expert clinical support to deliver measurable health results.
Health Coaches, Trainers, Gym Operators, Nutrition Coaches, Fitness Professionals, and performance-focused wellness leaders can now stand out in a crowded market by integrating data-driven health optimization, hormone testing, GI-MAP analysis, and ongoing medical oversight into their service offerings, boosting client retention, revenue, and credibility. Partner with 1st Optimal today for fitness business growth and medical-back coaching at https://1stoptimal.com/partnership-program/ to access turnkey onboarding, flexible partnership options, co-branded marketing support, and the competitive edge your business needs to help clients optimize longevity, performance, and wellness.
About Us
1st Optimal is a functional medicine and performance health clinic dedicated to helping high-achieving adults optimize hormone health, weight, energy, and longevity. Follow 1st Optimal on Instagram
Founders:
- Joe Miller – Expert in functional medicine, hormone optimization, and health coaching. Follow Joe on Instagram
- Amber Miller – Operational leader specializing in patient experience, clinic growth, and holistic health. Follow Amber on Instagram
At 1st Optimal, we combine advanced diagnostics, personalized protocols, and coaching partnerships to deliver sustainable health results for midlife adults.
