A day in the life: Victoria Health founder Shabir Daya

I am usually up a few minutes before my alarm which is always set at 7am. Some days, if I have gone to bed late, or I feel lethargic, I will hit snooze.

I wake up every morning and give thanks for yet another day of my ongoing health — a few minutes of meditation really helps my day.

Before I freshen up, I check my emails to see what needs to be done for our website and any editorials that I have lined up. At Victoria Health, we take pride in our customer care, so emails that concern health specifically are often answered by me.

After showering, I use my own-formulated DoSe anti-ageing serum which I follow with a non-comedogenic moisturiser from the same range. After a few minutes, I apply a lightweight SPF50 from the Coola range.

For breakfast, I have one of three wholegrain wheat-based cereals chosen for their fibre content and the steady energy they provide, followed by fruit. For lunch, I have a small salad and two eggs on seeded bread.

After breakfast, I take a turmeric curcumin supplement containing three of the most important compounds found in turmeric root, an omega-3, a probiotic and a supplement containing fulvic acid which provides multiple benefits for hair, skin and nails, as well as for digestion, detoxification and supporting the immune system.

In the afternoon, I make an organic whey protein drink. This helps to prevent strength loss and to stabilise my blood sugar levels, while the amino acids help build neurotransmitters in the brain that maintain focus.

A couple of times weekly I swim continuously for 30 minutes for cardiovascular health, and I always take a short walk during the day, as well as in the evening after dinner to keep my joints mobile.

Shabir Daya

Shabir Daya

In terms of cognitive enhancers or biohacks I have been known to take nootropic supplements such as Limitless Plus when I have a heavy workload and deadlines to meet. It contains two extracts from tomatoes and spearmint which provide both short-term mental energy and longer-term benefits for the brain.

I am on my laptop on and off throughout the day, taking a five-minute break after about an hour of screen time. Our house rule is that no one uses their phone or any gadget during mealtimes. After a break of a couple of hours in the evening, I will check work matters, but finish an hour before bedtime.

To help me stay ahead in my field I follow many health sites, companies and people including Life Extension, Andrew Huberman, Dr Andrew Weil, as well as cosmetic and nutraceutical news about new technologies and ingredients.

Before sleep, I take what I consider to be the best collagen supplement available containing collagen tripeptides. These small units of collagen are highly absorbable in comparison to most collagen supplements. To wind down, after dinner, which can be anywhere between 7pm and 8pm, I take a walk of about half an hour, watch TV and have a shower using Weleda’s relaxing shower gel. I am usually in bed before midnight.

Getting sufficient sleep is problematic for many, so I understand why people use sleep trackers, supplements and other aids, but I am lucky to fall asleep as soon as my head touches the pillow. For me, I believe that it is the consistency of the timing that trains the circadian rhythm.

My personal philosophy is to listen, understand and help people find the right way to support their health and wellbeing.