Thrive Global and The Quaker Oats Company present The Fuel List—20 people changing the way we fuel our minds and bodies every day. These are the leaders making an impact in the worlds of sleep, nutrition, movement and mindfulness right now.

If you want to know how being sleep deprived affects your health, ask Dr. Michael Grandner. As the director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona, Grandner’s goal is to demystify sleep’s relationship with a long list of health concerns, from obesity and diabetes to longevity, brain functioning and mental health—then use what he’s found to convince people that sleep is an essential element in our well-being. Grandner, who’s certified in behavioral sleep medicine, has consulted for the Major League Baseball, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and more, and his work has been recognized by the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the American Heart Association, among other organizations.

“Michael Grandner has dedicated his career to understanding sleep’s role in our livesand then helping competitive sports organizations improve their performance through better sleep. As someone at the leading edge of the sports world, he’s showing some of the world’s most results-driven athletes that sleep is the ultimate performance-enhancing drug—one that comes with only positive side effects.” — Arianna Huffington, Thrive Global Founder and CEO

Editor’s Note: Michael Grandner was interviewed as a sleep expert for Thrive’s corporate content offerings.