Why I’m betting money to achieve my fitness goals (and so should you)

I was processing my last relationship with my Brick Lane therapist, “I’m not sure I’ll find love again” I said sadly. “But it happened once didn’t it?”, she said with a naughty smirk. Damn, it hit me. I gotta keep moving and get over this sorry bullshit. So I signed up for an Ironman in 3 months knowing that I can’t complete the swim…

The 2 Problems

Real change is hard, of course it is. The only reason I showed up at the pool everyday was because I had paid £400 for the ticket and that I told all my friends that I was locking in. I couldn’t afford to not deliver. It would be social and financial suicide.

I had to improve my swim (I could barely do 200m) but I also loved playing basketball, doing the HYROX class on Friday, going for a long ride on the weekends and going to the gym twice a week.

I didn't want to stop doing those activities however I didn’t know to plan everything well. Balancing work, recovery and other commitments.

I also don’t enjoy going out and drinking. I had to develop new ways of meeting people.

The 3 Solutions

Personally, I would pay money to have real accountability for my fitness goals, be able to meet people through my love of fitness and reduce the effort that goes into planning so I can focus on training.

I couldn't find anything I was happy with so I decided to build Lafe.

1.

Lafe has a unique financial model. You pay £69 pounds for a 6 week challenge and you get back £55 pounds if you complete the challenge. Everyone’s goal is public creating a space like the gym or the library. Everyone is working on improving themselves, on their unique journey. It's powerful and contagious.

2.

Lafe is built from scratch and embedded with AI. It has a different technological philosophy. The app is built around an AI coach that updates your plan as your week changes.

This allows the app to be hyperpersonalised and proactive. For instance "Luv planning to do an Ironman but is terrible at swimming right now (will probably drown), is stubborn about also doing HYROX and basketball once a week, loves bagels as pre race fuel and is travelling in a week" is more in depth than Luv is age: 24, sex: male which is what traditionally apps do.

Lafe connects to your Garmin, Strava and Apple Health / Health Connect. Understands your current fitness level and your unique context. Your schedule, blockers, injuries and preferences, it learns over time. So that you can focus more on the working out part and not the planning part.

3.

Lafe is also an attempt to build a IRL and digital community. Starting off with a 5 km run club and coffee once in 2 weeks!

The app helps to build relationships long term by reducing the friction in exchanging contacts (you simply don't have to!), maintains your privacy and also gives you a touching point to reach out after a while.

eg: WOW JIM I can’t believe you actually did that marathon with your busted up knee.

Some of my photos, would love to see yours! Ciao