How Chris Sharma Built a Foundation for Longevity

When Chris Sharma first met Dr. Tom Rosenberg and discovered Nutriex 20 years ago, he wasn't primarily thinking about climbing performance. At 24, traveling the world as a professional climber, Sharma was focused on something more fundamental: overall health.

"When I first met Tom and started taking Nutriex, I think more than climbing performance, I was actually interested in just overall health," Sharma recalls. "I'm traveling all over the world, you're not able to always eat the best food, and you're just kind of on the go. I wanted to have something to supplement my overall health with."

Two decades later, that decision has proven transformative, not just for his climbing career, but for his entire approach to aging, family life, and long-term wellness.

Beyond the Hype: Real-World Results

In a sport where supplement claims are often exaggerated, Sharma's experience with Nutriex tells a different story of consistent, long-term support rather than dramatic overnight changes. "It's interesting because I think it's a common thing where it can be hard for someone to really put their finger on whether supplements changed performance," he admits with characteristic honesty.

However, the evidence speaks through longevity. "All of my hardest climbs that I've done in the last 20 years, I've been taking Nutriex for," Sharma notes. More importantly, "the fact that I'm 44 and still pushing my limits - I feel like Nutriex has definitely played a role in my longevity as a climber."

The results aren't just about performance metrics. "One of the things I'm pleasantly surprised about is my joint health," he explains. "My fingers are just as strong, if not stronger, than they were when I was younger." For a climber whose career depends on finger strength and joint integrity, this represents remarkable preservation of function.

The Shift from Invincibility to Intention

Sharma's relationship with health and by extension, his supplement regimen has evolved dramatically as he's aged. "Back in the day, I didn't really think that much about it. You know, climbing came really easily to me," he reflects. "I could just go party and wake up and just go out and not warm up and go send my hardest climb."

Those days are behind him, and he's grateful for the change. "Now I have to work at it a little bit harder, but I still feel like I can actually progress. So it's really kind of exciting."

This shift has made him more intentional about every aspect of his health routine. "Being consistent in my climbing has become much more important. In the past, I could take a month-long break and no big deal. Now, if I take a month off, it's probably going to be a setback for me."

A Holistic Approach to Wellness

What sets Sharma apart from many athletes is his refusal to compartmentalize health. His approach to supplementation reflects this philosophy, it's not just about optimizing climbing performance, but about supporting his roles as a father, entrepreneur, and human being.

"I want to stay healthy so that I can lead a healthy, happy life and live a long, healthy life and be there for my kids and be active," he explains. This broader perspective influences how he views his partnership with Nutriex.

The joint support has been particularly valuable. "I had a knee injury when I was younger, so thinking about overall health with my joints" was always a priority. But now, watching his own children grow up, the stakes feel higher. "It's like such a trip to try to help guide them on a path of being healthy."

The Mirror of High Performance

Sharma has discovered that elite climbing serves as an exceptional health diagnostic tool. "I think having an activity that obligates you to function at a very high level physically will show you what's going on in your body," he observes.

This makes his supplement choices more critical and their effects more noticeable. "Climbing is a great mirror for that. You become more aware of recovery, maintaining muscle mass becomes more difficult and everything becomes more apparent."

Looking Forward: Innovation and Partnership

Now, two decades into his relationship with Nutriex, Sharma is excited about contributing to the company's evolution. "It's really cool at this point to be working together with Nutriex to develop this new protein product," he shares. "It's so applicable for me in my climbing and my longevity as a climber."

But his enthusiasm extends beyond personal benefit. "I think it's about helping other climbers become aware of how to take care of themselves and their own longevity in their careers—and just being overall fit and healthy humans."

The Compound Effect of Consistency

Perhaps the most profound lesson from Sharma's 20-year journey with Nutriex is the power of consistency over intensity. Rather than cycling through trendy supplements or chasing the latest performance hack, he's maintained a steady, thoughtful approach to nutritional support.

"The deeper I go in all of this and understanding more about health and longevity as an athlete, but just longevity in general, it makes me incredibly excited about working with Nutriex," he reflects.

As Sharma continues to redefine what's possible in his fifth decade of life, his partnership with Nutriex represents more than just supplementation, it's a testament to the value of taking the long view, building sustainable habits, and treating the body as the foundational tool for all of life's adventures.

"At 44, still pushing my limits," he muses, "that's something I never take for granted anymore."