From Olympic Athlete to Health Tech Entrepreneur: The Journey of Stride's Founder, Andrew Steele

The story behind every great brand is often as compelling as the products or services it offers. For Stride, a company focused on personalised health and wellness, that story begins with its founder, Andrew Steele. From competing at the highest levels in athletics to navigating the challenges of transitioning to a new career, Andrew’s journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and a passion for health that goes beyond the track.

An Olympic Beginning

Andrew Steele’s career started on the track, running the 400 meters and the 4x400 meter relay for Great Britain. His journey as an athlete was filled with both triumphs and setbacks. One of his most notable achievements came during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, where he and his teammates finished fourth. However, nearly a decade later, in 2017, Andrew learned that he was an Olympic medalist. The Russian team that finished ahead of them was retrospectively disqualified for anti-doping violations, upgrading Andrew and his team’s fourth place to a bronze medal.

This unexpected medal, awarded long after his athletic career had ended, encapsulates the unpredictable and often challenging nature of an athlete’s life. Andrew’s career was not just about the medals, though—it was about the pursuit of excellence, understanding the body, and pushing beyond perceived limits.

A New Challenge: Transitioning from Sport to Business

As Andrew’s athletic career was winding down, he faced a new challenge—what to do next. Like many athletes, his professional career left him with little work experience outside of sport, no formal education in other fields, and even some financial burdens. He knew he needed to be open to new opportunities, and one such opportunity came unexpectedly.

He was approached by a genetic scientist looking for feedback on how genetic insights could be used to enhance athletic performance. As a ‘guinea pig’ for a genetic test, Andrew provided feedback on how the product could be relevant not just for elite athletes but for anyone looking to understand their unique health needs better. This experience sparked an idea that would lead to the co-founding of DNAfit in 2013.

The DNAfit Journey: Disrupting Consumer Health

DNAfit was born out of the idea that genetic insights could help individuals make more informed decisions about their health, nutrition, and fitness. The company quickly gained traction, growing to around 75 people and becoming a disruptive force in the consumer and digital health space. Under Andrew’s leadership, DNAfit developed innovative products that brought genetic science closer to everyday consumers.

By 2018, the company was acquired by a larger health tech company, Prenetics, marking a significant milestone. This acquisition positioned Andrew to lead the European arm of Prenetics, driving growth and innovation in the digital health sector.

A New Milestone: IPO and Beyond

Andrew’s journey from athlete to entrepreneur reached another high point in 2022 when Prenetics went public on the NASDAQ. The IPO was a significant achievement, reflecting years of dedication to bringing personalised health solutions to a broader audience. After the IPO, Andrew decided to move on from Prenetics, but his passion for personalised health did not end there.

Founding Stride: A Vision for the Future of Health

With Stride, Andrew is on a mission to redefine how we approach healthcare and wellness. Inspired by his experiences as both an athlete and a health tech entrepreneur, Stride focuses on personalised health strategies that integrate genetics, lifestyle, nutrition, and medical care. The vision is clear: to create a more proactive, preventative approach to health that empowers individuals to take control of their well-being.

Andrew’s journey—from the Olympic track to leading a successful IPO—reflects the core philosophy behind Stride: that understanding and optimising our health is a lifelong journey. His story is one of resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to helping others achieve their health potential.

Conclusion: The Future of Personalised Health with Stride

Andrew Steele’s story is about more than just medals and IPOs; it’s about embracing change, pushing boundaries, and seeking continuous improvement in every aspect of life. At Stride, this philosophy underpins everything we do. We believe in empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed, personalised health decisions.

Join us on this journey to a new way of thinking about health and wellness. Learn more about Stride’s personalised approach at www.getstride.com.