Conversations Unplugged
with Fairfax Hackley
For nearly 15 years, the International Sports Hall of Fame has recognized athletes whose impact extends beyond records and championships. As Senior Vice President, Fairfax Hackley helps decide who joins a list that includes Arnold Schwarzenegger, Evander Holyfield, UFC champions, WWE champions, and Heisman Trophy winners. But athletic achievement alone is not enough. In this conversation with STEMREGEN Founder and Chief Science Officer Christian Drapeau, Fairfax explains why character, community service, and the legacy an athlete creates after competition are just as important as performance.
Fairfax Hackley
With only five or six people inducted each year, Fairfax describes himself as the “gatekeeper” responsible for vetting potential honorees. The Hall of Fame looks for people who have reached the highest levels of their sport while also using their position to contribute to others. This year’s class reflects that range, with athletes from bodybuilding, freediving, chess, and other disciplines, along with the Harlem Globetrotters organization as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. STEMREGEN sponsored the event last year and, Fairfax says, will return as the Hall of Fame continues its relationship with the company.
Fairfax and Christian also connect over another part of their wellness routines: Shilajit. Fairfax works with Purblack, a company whose product Christian says he has used for years. Their conversation focuses heavily on quality, sourcing, mineral content, and third-party testing, with both emphasizing that products should complement rather than replace the fundamentals. Fairfax points to sleep, hydration, movement, and stress management as the foundation, arguing that even elite athletes cannot expect to perform at their best when those basics are neglected.
The conversation ends with a moment Christian did not expect. Speaking on behalf of himself and the International Sports Hall of Fame, Fairfax asks Christian to join its Global Advisory Board, recognizing the years of research and work he has contributed to the health and performance community. For Fairfax, the invitation reflects the same standard he applies when evaluating athletes: achievement matters, but so does what someone chooses to do with it. It is a fitting conclusion to a conversation centered on performance, longevity, and the kind of legacy that continues long after the records are set.
