
01
The Struggle
Noah Greene had lived above 8,000 feet for twenty years. He knew thin air like most know traffic. But lately, the air felt different, thicker somehow. Hikes that once felt effortless left him winded; clients out-paced him. His pulse oximeter read 91% after climbs that used to keep him at 97%.
He blamed age. Then his winter physical revealed Hemoglobin 11.8 g/dL, Hematocrit 35%, Ferritin 23 ng/mL, Iron 45 µg/dL, VO₂ max 32 mL/kg/min. His doctor mentioned 'functional anemia.' Noah heard only: I’m losing altitude inside my own body.

02
The Breaking Point
It struck during a rescue drill. Halfway up the ridge, his vision blurred, breath ragged. He radioed for backup, something he’d never done. Back at base, shame hit harder than hypoxia.
Scrolling that night, he found Vitals Vault: “Optimize the chemistry behind endurance, Oxygen & Circulation testing.” It felt written for him. He ordered the panel before dawn.

03
The Discovery








