My story (Part 1): When the system breaks down
How learning from my own mistakes, ignoring warning signs and blindly trusting "generic advice" led me to realise we're doing something seriously wrong.
Denis Čurčić
AI-generated imageNo one creates something new out of pure comfort. HUMAX wasn't born as a theory at a desk — it came from my own collision with a wall.
If I'm honest, for years I operated on the classic pattern: "I'm strong, I can handle it." As a former police academy trainee, I was used to discipline, managing stress and pushing through effort. Later, when I dove into entrepreneurship, IT projects and working from home, I carried that same pattern into my everyday life.
I thought I was in control. In reality, I was making every mistake I now see in most people.
Mistake #1: Relying on "gut feeling" instead of data
My first big mistake was believing I knew exactly what my body needed. If I was tired, I drank more coffee. If I couldn't sleep, I worked longer. If I felt an energy dip, I blamed "momentary stress." I ignored the micro-signals my body was sending because I had no tools to measure and understand them.
Mistake #2: The trap of "one-size-fits-all" solutions
Once I realised my energy and recovery were no longer at their peak, I did what most people do: I started buying "generic solutions." I tried popular supplements, generic workout programs and universal advice from the internet.
The result? Minimal. Some things worked for a few days, then I was right back where I started. Why? Because I was buying universal solutions for a specific, unique system — my own body.
Mistake #3: Ignoring my living environment and technology
As an IT professional, I was surrounded by technology 24/7, yet I didn't know how to use it in my own favour. My living and working environment was set up for productivity, not for human biology. Blue light late into the night, poor sleep hygiene, overlooked EMF exposure and a complete lack of understanding of circadian rhythm were quietly eroding my energy and cognitive focus.
The performance crash
The body always sends the bill. When inadequate rest, hidden un-optimised processes, poor recovery and chronic stress pile up, the system loses its power. For me it didn't happen overnight — it was gradual: losing that sharp edge, slower recovery after exercise, and the feeling of operating on only a fraction of my actual capacity.
That's when I realised a key truth: if you want to optimise a system, you first have to precisely measure where the weak points are.
That was the turning point. I decided to approach my own body the same way I approach the most demanding IT systems: no assumptions, precise measurements, and the help of independent, top-tier experts.
(Continued in Part 2: how I built my first personal program, and why focused collaboration with specialists changed everything.)
Frequently asked questions
- Why do generic programs often fail?
- Because they're built for the average, and your body isn't average. Without baseline measurements, there's no way to know which variable is actually limiting you.
- Where should I start if I recognise myself in this story?
- With baseline measurements and sleep. An initial consultation with triage determines which measurements make sense in your case — and which don't.
Guides cover general principles. Translating them to your own data starts with an introductory consultation and triage (€150, 45 minutes) — it results in a written proposal for the measurement scope, with no obligation.