Dr. Francois Duforez

Twenty years. That's how long ago François Duforez became Dr François Duforez.

In 1984, only a few years into his young medical career, François received a Special Study Certificate in Biology and Sports Medicine. The following year, in 1985, he joined the French Army as a Captain at CERMA (Centre of Research of Aerospatial Army) where he was charged with creating a programme that would balance fitness, sleep, nutrition and stress management to improve the overall performance of fighter pilots.

And so it all began. In the French army. The foundation for what would eventually become vielife and eventually too his life's work.

Within 12 months, and while still serving his country, François was appointed Consultant in Sports Medicine at the Hospital of Maisons-Laffitte. This period, between 1986 and 1988, proved to be a challenging but immensely rewarding time in his life. He received a Doctor of Medicine (including 1st prize from the Faculty of Medicine Paris), a PhD in Metabolic Regulation and also published a scientific paper on the influence of slow carbohydrate on metabolic and hormonal regulation during extended physical exercise.

With his army career behind him, François founded vielife in 1989. Here he shifted his attention from air force pilots to another group of high performance individuals. Formula One drivers in particular, as well as elite athletes from other sporting codes. During this time, he managed numerous biomedical research projects incorporating codes as diverse as motor sport and athletics to mountain biking, speed skiing and yachting.

While Francois has an intense love for sports medicine in general, he is absolutely passionate about Formula One. This passion has seen him work with almost every major formula one team. Ferrari in 1990 1991. Williams in 1993. Jordan Grand Prix from 1991 to 1996. Prost Grand Prix from 1997 to 2001. Jordan Grand Prix again since 2002. In 2000, he accepted a new post as Consultant at the prestigious Hôtel-Dieu Hospital of Paris (Physiology & Sleep Centre).

Today, François is deservedly a recognised as the founder of vielife and global expert on helping people maximize individual performance at home and at work. He is a regular speaker at conferences and a much invited guest on both radio and television. He is also a consultant to several large multinational companies including Philips (Business School ESSEC) and Thales Senior Management Programme. In addition, he also provides a service to the next generation of executives through the Canal Plus Junior Management Programme and the BMW Junior Management Programme.