Chad Stack
Software Engineer, Ex professional football player, Poker Player
Chad Stack is the founder of HighStakeHealth, where he merges his unique experience across three distinct domains to revolutionize poker performance. As a former professional offensive lineman, Chad learned firsthand how physical conditioning and mental preparation create competitive advantages in high-pressure situations. His transition to software engineering honed his analytical problem-solving skills and ability to build systems that generate measurable results. Now an accomplished poker player, Chad identified a critical gap in the poker community: while players obsess over game theory and strategy, they neglect the fundamental biological factors that determine decision quality. Drawing from his athletic background, he developed a systematic approach to optimizing physical and mental states specifically for the demands of tournament poker. Chad's methodology focuses on evidence-based techniques for maintaining peak cognitive performance during multi-day events, managing stress responses during downswings, and optimizing recovery between sessions. His practical, no-nonsense approach emphasizes small, implementable changes that create significant edges at the tables. Through HighStakeHealth, Chad provides poker players with the tools and systems to train like professional athletes while making decisions like analytical engineers – combining the best of his diverse expertise to help serious players unlock their full potential.
Published Content
Content for: psychology uncertainty
Learn how to transform poker uncertainty from a source of stress to a competitive advantage with science-backed strategies for tournament success.
Poker Solvers: Comprehensive Guide
Learn what a poker solver is, how these powerful tools work, and how they can dramatically improve your poker game. Compare top solvers and discover h
The Psychology of Poker: The Ultimate Mental Game Guide for Serious Players
Master poker psychology with proven strategies for emotional control, tilt management, and decision-making under pressure. Elevate your mental game fo
The Ultimate Sleep Guide for Tournament Poker Players: Optimize Performance & Endurance
Discover science-backed sleep strategies to optimize your performance during multi-day poker tournaments. Learn how to sleep better and gain a competi
Tournament-Ready Nutrition: The Ultimate Poker Player's Diet Guide for 2025
Discover science-backed nutritional strategies to enhance focus, decision-making, and stamina during poker tournaments. Your complete guide to perform
GTO vs. Exploitative Play: Comprehensive Guide
Discover when to use GTO or exploitative poker strategies to maximize your profits. Learn how to balance both approaches based on opponents and table
Tournament Analysis: Comprehensive Guide
Discover how to track, analyze, and leverage your poker tournament results to improve performance, increase ROI, and make data-driven decisions for po
GTO in Professional Play: Comprehensive Guide
Discover how top poker pros balance GTO and exploitative play. Learn when to use each approach and how Phil Hellmuth, Doug Polk, and other professiona
Finding the Best Tournaments: Comprehensive Guide
Discover the world's best live poker tournaments with our comprehensive guide covering buy-ins, prize pools, structures, and strategic preparation for
Tournament Schedules and Calendars: Comprehensive Guide
Plan your 2024 poker year with our comprehensive live poker tournament calendar featuring WSOP, WPT, EPT schedules and expert tips for tournament perf