The Well Panel

About

James Okafor has been in weight rooms and on competition floors for 11 years, coaching athletes from Division I college programs to professional leagues. He holds the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) credential from the NSCA and the Certified Sports Nutritionist (CISSN) credential from the International Society of Sports Nutrition — two of the most rigorous certifications available in his field.

His approach to supplement evaluation is unapologetically practical. He doesn't just read the label and check the literature — he tests every product with at least two training clients in addition to himself, tracking performance metrics across a minimum 30-day period. He has tested over 200 pre-workout formulas in the past decade and has developed a finely calibrated sense for what a clinical dose of caffeine, beta-alanine, and citrulline actually feels like versus what a proprietary blend of stimulants masquerading as a performance product feels like.

He is the most likely panelist to give a Pass verdict — his 68% pass rate reflects a deep skepticism of the performance supplement industry, which he describes as "90% marketing and 10% science." He is also the most likely to recommend a product that costs less than $30, because he believes the best supplements are boring: creatine, protein, caffeine, and a few well-studied micronutrients.

Outside of coaching and reviewing, he competes in powerlifting at the masters level and runs a strength training program for youth athletes in Brooklyn.

Testing Philosophy

"I test everything with clients, not just on myself. One person's response to a supplement is anecdote. Three people's responses over 30 days with tracked metrics is data. I also don't tell clients what I'm testing — I want to see if they notice a difference before I ask. The ones who don't notice anything usually tell you everything you need to know about the product."

Education

2013

BS, Kinesiology

University of Michigan

2015

MS, Exercise Science

Springfield College

Certifications

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), NSCA

Certified Sports Nutritionist (CISSN), ISSN

Precision Nutrition Level 2 Coach

USA Powerlifting Certified Coach