From Burnout to Biohacker
How a depressed medical student worked her way to health, happiness, and a brand that teaches others to do the same.
When Sofia walks into a room, she exudes the energy of someone who has seen both extremes of modern student life: the crushing weight of burnout and the clarity of purpose that comes from reclaiming your own health. Born and raised in Seattle, Sofia was an independent, high-achieving kid her friends nicknamed “Queen Sofia” for her bold, do-it-myself attitude. She once dreamed of becoming a pilot or a surgeon, but never imagined she’d end up here: a TEDx speaker, a med-tech startup founder, and a medical student with a personal health brand.
A Dark Chapter
A few years ago, Sofia hit a wall. While studying medicine in the Netherlands, she found herself spiraling into depression. “I just sat in my room all day, unable to care for myself, unable to feel joy. Even brushing my teeth felt impossible,” she shared.
Help was slow to arrive. The wait for psychological support in the Netherlands stretched to six months. But rather than surrender to the wait, Sofia decided to put her medical knowledge to good use: she took matters into her own hands.
She began digging into scientific papers, drawing on her medical background to decode her symptoms. What began as a personal survival strategy slowly evolved into a life philosophy. She stumbled upon the concept of biohacking, making targeted lifestyle changes to optimize mental and physical performance and began experimenting.
Within weeks, she started to notice a shift in her mood, “and by the time I actually got to the psychologist, I had more or less cured myself,” she said.
Redefining Biohacking
To Sofia, biohacking isn’t about expensive tech or miracle pills. Her definition is clear: “It means altering your lifestyle to improve your cognitive and physical performance as well as longevity.”
“It’s all about getting down the basics,” she says. One of the first things she implemented was a consistent sleep schedule. Pairing regular sleep with early morning sunlight exposure helped reset her circadian rhythm, regulate her hormones, and restore mental clarity. Today, she follows a robust routine: no phone in the morning, a glass of water, a short run or workout, protein-rich meals, red-lensed melatonin glasses at night, and a firm 10 p.m. bedtime. “There’s lots of other things I do, but you just implement these protocols, you will notice a world of difference in 2 weeks.”
Sofia makes this lifestyle not just effective, but easy for others. “There’s so much misinformation out there. I work as the translator, the person who takes the latest science and makes it actionable, simple, and safe.” Which she does by creating content and coaching others.
From Medicine to Mission
Sofia’s medical studies deeply informed her approach, but they’ve also made her question the system. “I realized how outdated and symptom-focused modern medicine is,” she said. “We’re being taught to treat patients with harmful pills instead of prevention. It made me want to leave the field altogether.”
Sofia’s finishing her bachelor’s in medicine but plans to pursue a master’s in business to bridge science with entrepreneurship. For her, lifestyle interventions are the future of public health. “If we can make prevention mainstream, we not only reduce the future burden on healthcare systems, but enhance the population’s vitality and longevity,” she insists.
Stepping into the Spotlight
Couple weeks ago, Sofia took the TEDx stage to share her story, not just as a student, but as someone who has hacked her way from burnout to clarity. “Getting the invitation was surreal. I literally screamed in the middle of a museum,” she laughs. On stage, she breaks down the science of lifestyle change with clarity and impact. The audience response affirms something powerful: people are ready to listen, and even more ready to act.
Beyond the Buzz: Building a Brand
What started as a personal transformation has grown into a personal brand. Sofia has built a platform to make biohacking accessible for everyone, especially students and young professionals facing burnout, fatigue, and brain fog. Its called SofiaBiohacks. Through content, coaching, community and public speaking, she has started to demystify health optimization.
“The people who need help the most often don’t know where to start,” she says. “I am removing the friction to make health simple, sustainable, and science-based.”
Sofia revealed to me that the hardest part was putting herself out there. “Posting that first video was terrifying, but I learned that the only people who criticize you are those behind you, and those behind you commend your effort.” Since then, she’s adopted a new mindset: stoicism, grit, and total accountability. “There is a thought that, as scary as it sounds, is also incredibly empowering. No one is coming to save you.” As soon as she internalized this notion it gave her the agency to pursue her ambitions.
Big Vision, Small Steps
Her long-term goal is ambitious: create a “one-stop-shop” for biohacking. A place where people can access curated, evidence-based tools to take charge of their health. In the meantime, she’s sharing her journey online and working as the CEO and co-founder of LevenLilly, a med-tech startup building an AI-powered wearable for the elderly.
I asked her if she had advice for anyone stuck in a rut? “Move your body. Go for a run in the morning. Stressing your body helps relax your mind, she said, “it’s simple, but it works.”
To me, Sofia is not just biohacking her body, she’s rewriting the rules for what a modern student entrepreneur can be. And it seems she’s only getting started.
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