Tommy's Take by Tommy Pomatico 3/2

I Just Got My Genetics Tested And It’s Changing How I Train and Eat Forever

For years, I’ve programmed based on principles.

Progressive overload.

Volume landmarks.

Energy systems development.

Macro manipulation.

Recovery management.

And it works.

But recently, I decided to go one layer deeper.

I got my genetics tested.

Not because I think DNA replaces discipline.

Not because I think it’s an excuse.

But because if you’re serious about performance, physique, and longevity  data matters.

And this is real data.

What Genetic Testing Actually Tells You

Most people think genetic testing is just ancestry.

It’s not.

The right performance-based panel can tell you:

  • How sensitive you are to carbohydrates and insulin

  • How efficiently you metabolize fats

  • Your natural muscle fiber distribution (fast-twitch vs slow-twitch bias)

  • Caffeine metabolism

  • Recovery and inflammation tendencies

  • Vitamin and micronutrient processing

  • Predisposition to overtraining

  • Stress response patterns

That’s not fluff. That’s leverage.

What I Learned About Myself

Without getting too deep into every gene marker, here’s the reality:

  • I’m highly carb sensitive.

  • I respond better metabolically to lower carb approaches.

  • My fast-twitch expression isn’t as dominant as I assumed.

  • I’m naturally better suited for endurance adaptation than explosive power.

Now here’s the key:

None of that means I can’t build muscle.

None of that means I shouldn’t lift heavy.

It means I need to program smarter.

How This Changes My Training

1. More Intelligent Hypertrophy Work

If I’m not genetically biased toward explosive power, that means:

  • More tempo control

  • More time under tension

  • Higher-quality volume

  • Strategic metabolic stress work

Instead of just chasing max load, I bias stimulus quality.

Mechanical tension still rules  but delivery matters.

2. Smarter Conditioning Structure

If I have a stronger endurance bias, then aerobic development isn’t optional  it’s leverage.

So that means:

  • Structured Zone 2 work

  • Lactate threshold progression

  • Mixed modal conditioning done strategically (not randomly)

  • Less ego-based redline sessions

Aerobic capacity improves recovery between sets, between sessions, and between life stressors.

That matters.

3. Nutritional Adjustments

If I get lean easily when carbs drop, but feel flat without tension-driven stimulus, that tells me:

  • Carbs must be targeted around training

  • I likely benefit from cyclical carb strategies

  • High-fat phases may work better metabolically

  • Insulin sensitivity becomes a programming variable not just a health metric

Nutrition stops being emotional and becomes mechanical.

Why I Recommend This To Clients

I coach high performers.

Executives. Athletes. Busy professionals.

They don’t need more generic advice.

They need precision.

Genetics doesn’t replace:

Calorie balance

  • Protein intake

  • Steps

  • Sleep

  • Progressive overload

But it does answer:

  • Why one person thrives on high carbs and another bloats

  • Why one person responds instantly to volume and another burns out

  • Why some people can tolerate high intensity daily and others crash

It removes guessing.

And guessing is expensive.

The Biggest Mistake People Make

They look for a “magic gene.”

That’s not how this works.

Genetics is a blueprint not a prison.

You still build the house.

But if you know where the load-bearing walls are?

You build smarter.

Final Thought

I’ve built my physique and performance through discipline, structure, and relentless refinement.

Genetic testing just gave me sharper tools.

If you’re serious about optimizing:

  • Body composition

  • Strength

  • Endurance

  • Longevity

  • Recovery

Then understanding your internal wiring is worth it.

Not because it’s trendy.

Because it’s intelligent.

And if you’re going to spend years training…

brian mazzaComment