In today’s fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, even the most ambitious leaders can underestimate a fundamental pillar of peak performance: sleep. For Dmitriy Makarov, a Kyiv-born entrepreneur now based in London, learning to manage rest has been just as critical as mastering marketing or scaling businesses.
“The hardest part of building healthy sleep habits is consistency,” Makarov said. “We live at a very dynamic pace, constantly switching time zones, dealing with heavy workloads, and being bombarded with information, all of which directly impacts sleep quality.” His approach highlights a common challenge for professionals juggling erratic schedules, yet he insists that sleep is more than a luxury, it is a strategic tool. “Sleep is not just ‘rest.’ It is a long-term performance technology. And in today’s world, it is definitely worth mastering,” he added.
Building a Sleep System
According to Dmitriy Makarov, biohacking sleep is about establishing simple, repeatable habits. Routine is the first principle. Despite frequent travel and shifting deadlines, he aims to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, including weekends. Preparation is equally important. “Sleep prep: minimizing blue light, mentally ‘winding down,’ keeping things quiet, sometimes using a mask or earplugs. These simple things really do work,” he said.
Tracking sleep cycles also forms part of his strategy. Using tools like Whoop, the businessman monitors how workouts, late meals, or stress affect restorative REM and deep sleep. He studies circadian rhythms and the restorative power of different sleep stages, recognising how these affect memory, immunity, and focus.
Recovery Beyond Sleep
Dmitriy Makarov also embraces broader recovery techniques to stay sharp. “In an ideal world, I would love to spend at least one day a week completely gadget-free, devoting that time to myself, my loved ones, nature, and silence,” he said. “Even 30 minutes of silence without screens can make a big difference.”
While full digital detoxes aren’t always feasible, short, deliberate breaks can prevent burnout. “My strategy is not perfection, it is awareness,” Makarov explained. “I do not ‘switch off’ by force, but I regularly check in with myself and give myself space to recover.”
GMG: Grind. Mastery. Growth.
A central philosophy for Dmitriy Makarov is GMG: Grind. Mastery. Growth. It represents relentless pursuit of goals, mastering vital skills, including biohacking, and using that mastery to drive long-term growth. “If you do not manage sleep, it is impossible to stay effective in the long run,” he said. By embedding rest into GMG, Makarov demonstrates that peak performance does not require sacrificing health for success.
From Kyiv to London
Dmitriy Makarov’s journey into entrepreneurship has been unconventional. Born in Kyiv in 2001, he started working earlier than his classmates, teaching himself marketing while working with IT startups, esports organisations, and local brands between 2015 and 2017. Without a traditional degree, he built his reputation through curiosity, experimentation, and self-directed learning. Today, he continues to apply the same spirit to biohacking and personal performance, showing that success is as much about smart habits as it is about ambition.
