What Is Health? The Science-Backed Definition You Haven’t Heard

This article kicks off our 3-part series on “What Is Health?” Over the next three weeks, we’ll explore what health really means, why perfection is impossible (and why that’s a good thing), and how you can build your own version of health right here in Los Angeles.

So let’s start at the beginning.

What comes to mind when you hear “healthy”?

Be honest—when someone says the word health, what pops into your head first?

• A perfectly balanced plate of salmon, kale, and quinoa?
  
• Closing all the rings on your smartwatch and proudly hitting 10,000 steps?
  
• That fitness-magazine body with the chiseled six-pack?
  

These are common answers—but they don’t tell the full story.

The official definition of health

The World Health Organization defines health as:

A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

This changes the whole picture. Health isn’t just about not being sick—it’s about feeling strong in your body, balanced in your mind, and connected in your community.

Breaking it down: physical, mental, and social

1. Physical health: the engine

This is what most people focus on: strength, endurance, mobility, smart nutrition, and sleep. It’s what lets you power through a bootcamp in Santa Monica, push your stroller up a hill in Marina del Rey, or tackle a long day of work without crashing.

2. Mental health: the dashboard

Your mind steers the whole machine. Stress, anxiety, or poor sleep can wreck even the best workout plan. A truly healthy life includes practices to manage stress and protect emotional well-being.

3. Social health: the fuel you didn’t know you needed

Here’s the piece many people overlook: connection. A huge body of research shows strong social ties are linked to longer life and better overall health. In fact, lacking social connection can be as harmful as smoking or obesity.

Why social health matters in Los Angeles

After you’ve covered the basics—food, water, shelter—the next thing your body craves is connection. Humans are wired for it.

That’s why Angelenos thrive in community-based fitness: outdoor bootcamps in Santa Monica, stroller fitness in Marina del Rey, or even walking meetings along Venice Beach. When you show up for others, it’s easier to show up for yourself.

Why this matters for you

So, what’s your definition of health?

• Are you only thinking about physical strength?
  
• Are you caring for your mental well-being?
  
• Are you giving enough attention to the relationships that fuel you?
  

True health is not perfection—it’s balance across all three.

Who we are at ME Life

We’re Max and Eva, co-founders of ME Life. Both originally from Denmark, we hold Master’s degrees in Sports Science, Nutrition, and Health, and we’ve published research on MMA athletes in the U.S.

• Max is a mom of two, a personal trainer, and a former world-ranked Japanese Ju Jutsu athlete (No. 3 in the world!). She still runs the beach six days a week and coaches clients on how to build strong, pain-free, energized bodies —while guiding them through sustainable weight-loss strategies that actually fit their lifestyle..
  
• Eva is a Health Coach, also a Realtor®, and an active member of local business groups including the LAX Chamber of Commerce, Westside Toastmasters, Culver City Biz, and the Polk Institute. She thrives on connecting people and helping busy professionals bring balance back into their lives.

Together, we don’t just talk about health—we live it. And we’re here to help you define it for yourself.

Your next step

Health is personal. For one person, it’s training for a marathon. For another, it’s lowering stress, having energy for kids, or feeling strong during a busy work week.

So—what does health mean to you?

👉 Curious about your own version of health? Pop over to http://bit.ly/3IKKgAj for a short, easy quiz and a no-strings 15-minute consult.

See you on the journey. 💪🌴