Why Collagen Supplementation Matters

Collagen has been accepted and thrown throughout the beauty industry, for it’s affect on skin. The reality, what it is sold as and how it is actually benefiting you are two separate things.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body — it holds together your skin, joints, bones, tendons, and muscles. But as we age, natural collagen production declines, leading to stiffer joints, wrinkles, and slower recovery. That’s where high-quality collagen supplements come in.

What it is:
Collagen supplements (often hydrolyzed collagen peptides) provide your body with the building blocks to support connective tissue health and repair.

💡 Why it matters (science-backed):

• Joint Health & Injury Recovery: Collagen peptides help improve joint function, reduce pain, and speed recovery from tendon and ligament injuries (Khatri et al., 2021).

• Muscle Recovery & Strength: When combined with resistance training, collagen improves muscle mass and performance more than training alone (Gołda et al., 2024).

• Skin Health: Hydrolyzed and marine collagen improve skin elasticity, hydration, and reduce visible aging (Siemiątkowski et al., 2024).

• Bone Density & Connective Tissue Support: Supplementation may help maintain bone strength and reduce risk of degenerative joint diseases (Kościołek et al., 2024).

Like Most Supplements- Timing Matters

Because of it’s influential benefit to the recovery process, joint health, tendon strength, injury repair, and long-term mobility with age or increase in training volume, we naturally produce less of it. You can think it as both a protection and new-build assister.

The best timing for supplementing is in the evening. Collagen synthesis primarily happens at night- especially with deep, high-quality sleep triggering the cascade of tissue repair, growth hormone release, and the production of new collagen.

Although, as I always like to remind people, if you’re body is in need of strong collagen sources (i.e. plant-based diets, aging, or high-training volume), taking it when you can is better than not at all.

As much as I believe in a food-first mindset, there are great benefits to supplementing with high quality resources. I like a variety of brands, but appreciate companies that source their collagen from the highest quality animal resources. Here are some key things to think about when shopping for your next bottle of collagen.

Smart Shopper: why sourcing matters

Hydrolyzed Collagen / Collagen Peptides

• This form is broken down for easier digestion and higher absorption.

• Sometimes labeled as “bioactive collagen peptides.”

Type of Collagen

• Type I → best for skin, hair, nails, bones.

• Type II → best for joint + cartilage support.

• Type III → supports skin elasticity and blood vessels.

• Blends can cover multiple needs.

Source Transparency

• Marine collagen (from fish) → smaller peptides, rapid absorption.

• Bovine collagen (from grass-fed cows) → rich in Type I & III.

• Chicken sternum collagen → often high in Type II.

• Look for sustainably sourced, grass-fed, wild-caught labeling.

Third-Party Testing & Certifications

• “NSF Certified,” “Informed Sport,” or “USP Verified” ensure safety and purity.

• Avoid hidden fillers, artificial flavors, or heavy metals.

• As I like to say- it ensures everything they say is in it and more importantly-no surprises.

Added Support Nutrients

• Vitamin C → crucial for collagen synthesis.

• Hyaluronic Acid → boosts skin + joint hydration.

• Zinc & Copper → support connective tissue formation.

Shauna’s Favorites:

Momentous Collagen Peptides

**Transparent ingredients with NSF and pair their collagen with Vitamin C to maximize absorption and collagen synthesis.

15% off discount code at checkout: unifyhealth 

CB Supplements: Multi Source Collagen

Welcome to Shauna’s Corner

This space is where science meets real life.

At Unify, we believe wellness isn't one-size-fits-all — and neither is this blog. This will provide a personal lens into the evolving world of human performance, recovery, and longevity- through the eyes of Unify founder, Shauna. I’ll break down emerging trends, share research-backed insights, and explore how different modalities—from cold exposure to mobility work—can actually fit into your real, messy, ever-changing life.

You’ll also hear from trusted guests—fellow coaches, clinicians, and thinkers—who bring their own perspectives to the table. Whether you're here to challenge your thinking, refine your approach, or just feel more connected to the “why” behind what we do, you’re in the right place.

This is not just about training. It’s about readiness—for life.

At Unify, we believe the best measure of fitness isn't what you can lift inside the gym—it's how you feel and function outside of it.

Beyond Fitness: A Smarter Path to Strength, Longevity & Resilience.

Part 1: The One-Size-Fits-All Problem

When Workouts Stop Working

It’s not lack of motivation—it’s a mismatch. Most well-intentioned adults don’t “fail” at fitness; their programs fail them—because the workout was never aligned with their unique physiology, lifestyle demands, or recovery capacity.

You might recognize this pattern:

• Always sore — never stronger

• Stuck on the Plateau — working hard but your fitness, weight, or health isn’t changing.

• Burnout from the “All-In” Approach — continuous start over or “need something new” cycle.

• Ignored Warning Signals— is your routine making you injured?

• Life Doesn’t Fit The Program — work, family, medical recovery, or just changing seasons of life don’t align with rigid, one-size-fits-all workouts—and you feel guilty when you can’t keep up.

The Myth of “More Is Better”

Industry myths push for:

• More sweat = More Results

• One-Size-Fits-All Programs Work for Everyone

• No Pain, No Gain

• Cardio is the Best Way (or only) To Lose Weight

• More is always better

• Machine/ Trackers Know Your Body Better Than You Do

• Youth = Invincibility

But piling it on often fast-tracks injury, overtraining, and burnout, especially in adults juggling work, family, and aging bodies.

What the science says:

• Overtraining syndrome—which impairs hormonal, immune, and nervous systems—results from excessive training without adequate rest onlinelibrary.wiley.com+7germanjournalsportsmedicine.com+7health.com+7eatingwell.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6sciencedirect.com+6healthychildren.orgpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

• HIIT is effective—but frequency matters. Experts recommend no more than 2–3 sessions/week with 24–48 hours rest to avoid fatigue, burnout, and hormonal disruption .

• Overuse injuries stem from unstructured volume increases, poor movement patterns, or repetitive demands without diversification en.wikipedia.org+8advances.massgeneral.org+8publications.aap.org+8.

Bottom line? You don’t need more—you need smarter.

Smarter = Smarter, Not Harder

The Unify Method

Progressive Overload with Purpose

• Principle: Gradual, structured increases in training load are essential for adaptation—but the rate and mode must match the individual.

• Evidence: Progressive overload remains one of the most consistent predictors of hypertrophy and strength gains when properly periodized (Kraemer & Ratamess, 2004; Rhea et al., 2002).

• Takeaway: More isn’t always better—smarter, incremental loading is what drives sustainable results.

Movement Quality Over Quantity

• Principle: Technique and motor control precede intensity. Without proper biomechanics, intensity compounds dysfunction.

• Evidence: Poor movement patterns increase the risk of overuse injuries, especially under load (Cook et al., 2010).

• Takeaway: The Unify Method emphasizes teaching movement literacy first—better movers become stronger, healthier, and more resilient athletes/clients.

Load Management & Injury Prevention

• Principle: Training stress must be dosed appropriately, especially when factoring in life stress, medical procedures, or injury history.

• Evidence: Both under- and over-exposure to training loads increase injury risk; optimal progression balances stress and recovery (Gabbett, 2016).

• Takeaway: Unify protects long-term performance by monitoring total stress, not just reps and sets.

Energy System Integration

• Principle: Conditioning isn’t just about “burning calories”—it’s about developing aerobic and anaerobic systems in balance.

• Evidence: Mixed-modal training that develops aerobic capacity enhances recovery between strength efforts, improves cardiovascular health, and supports longevity (Laursen & Jenkins, 2002).

• Takeaway: Conditioning is targeted—not random “sweat sessions.”

Strength as the Foundation of Longevity

• Principle: Strength is the most transferable physical quality—it protects bone density, metabolic health, balance, and resilience.

• Evidence: Strength training reduces all-cause mortality risk, lowers risk of chronic disease, and enhances quality of life across the lifespan (Westcott, 2012; Li et al., 2019).

• Takeaway: In the Unify Method, strength isn’t optional—it’s the cornerstone.

Data-Informed Feedback Loops

• Principle: Progress must be monitored objectively to avoid blind spots.

• Evidence: Use of force plates, body composition, and VO₂/RMR testing provide measurable insights to guide program adjustments and track recovery (Balsalobre-Fernández et al., 2016).

• Takeaway: Unify combines objective testing + subjective feedback for smarter programming.

The Psychology of Training: Adherence & Autonomy

• Principle: Programs must be psychologically sustainable—enjoyment, autonomy, and mastery predict adherence.

• Evidence: Self-determination theory shows that autonomy-supportive training environments lead to greater long-term adherence and motivation (Deci & Ryan, 2000).

• Takeaway: The Unify Method blends science with human behavior—if it doesn’t fit your life, it won’t last.

Mobility & Movement Variability (at the Right Time)

• Principle: Mobility is trained, not gifted. Strategic mobility and controlled variability prevent stagnation and improve joint health.

• Evidence: Functional range conditioning and controlled articular rotations improve joint capacity and resilience (Sharma & Maffulli, 2005).

• Takeaway: Unify integrates structured variability at the right time—not random daily variety.

Recovery Modalities as Multipliers

• Principle: Tools like cold immersion, sauna, red light, and compression are not gimmicks—they enhance recovery when applied strategically.

• Evidence: Contrast therapy, photobiomodulation, and intermittent hypothermia all demonstrate positive effects on recovery markers and performance (Peake et al., 2017; Hamblin, 2018).

• Takeaway: Modalities amplify the body’s adaptation—they’re layered into the plan, not bolted on as afterthoughts.

Fitness should build—not break—you. It’s not about punishing volume or pushing through pain. It’s about intelligent structure, respect for your physiology, and recovery-powered growth so you thrive—for life.

Blog Post Title Three

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.