Document — privacy
Privacy policy.
How stimulus handles phone numbers, message content, training data, and consent. Plain language, no dark patterns. If something here is unclear, write to support@stimulus.com.
01
Who we are
stimulus is a science-based training coach delivered over text message. The service is operated by Mark Calip ("we," "us," "stimulus"). This policy describes what data we collect from people who use the service, how we use it, and the choices you have.
stimulus is a phone-number-first product. There is no app to install. When you text the number, you are interacting directly with our backend, which uses AI models to generate coaching responses.
02
What we collect
We collect only what is needed to deliver the coaching service:
- Your phone number, captured the first time you text the stimulus number.
- The content of messages you send and receive, including workout submissions, questions, and replies.
- Training profile data you provide during onboarding: experience level, training days per week, weight unit preference, and the time of day you want your morning slate.
- Workout data derived from your submissions: exercises, loads, reps, and a running record of how you have trained over time.
- Billing information, if you become a paying subscriber. Payment details are handled by Stripe; we never see or store full card numbers.
- Basic operational metadata: timestamps, message identifiers, and error logs needed to run the service.
We do not collect location data. We do not run analytics trackers on the stimulus website beyond what is needed to keep it online. We do not buy data about you from third parties.
03
How we use it
The data above is used to:
- Generate the morning slate, post-workout replies, weekly observations, and any other coaching messages you receive.
- Maintain a record of your training over time so the underlying algorithm can recommend appropriate loads for your next session.
- Process your subscription payments and respond to billing questions.
- Investigate and fix bugs, monitor service health, and protect the service from abuse.
- Respond when you contact support.
We do not use your data to train AI models. The AI models we call (Anthropic Claude, Voyage embeddings) are accessed through their respective APIs under terms that prohibit the providers from training their models on our API traffic.
04
SMS, consent, and opt-out
stimulus is a recurring SMS service. You consent to receive messages from us by texting the stimulus phone number from your own device. Texting the number is the explicit opt-in action. We do not add anyone to the service from a purchased list, a third-party integration, or any source other than the user's own outbound text.
After opt-in, you will receive coaching messages tied to your training schedule (typically once on training mornings and once after each workout you submit), a weekly observation, and replies to questions or requests you send. Message frequency depends on how often you train and how often you message us.
Reply STOP at any time to opt out. You will receive one final confirmation message and no further messages from the service. Reply HELP for help. Standard message and data rates may apply, depending on your carrier plan.
No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All other categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.
06
Retention and deletion
We retain your data for as long as your account is active. If you opt out via STOP and do not return, we keep the durable record of your training so that you can resume without losing your history; the phone number is retained on our suppression list so we do not message you again.
You can request full deletion of your data at any time by emailing support@stimulus.com from the phone number associated with the account. We will delete your profile, message history, and training data within thirty days, except where retention is required for legal, accounting, or fraud-prevention purposes.
07
Your rights
Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:
- Know what personal data we hold about you.
- Request a copy of your data in a portable format.
- Correct inaccurate data.
- Delete your data, subject to the limits in section 06.
- Opt out of any sale or sharing of personal data. We do not sell your data, and we do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising.
To exercise any of these rights, write to support@stimulus.com. We will respond within the timelines required by the law applicable to you.
08
Security
We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your data: encrypted transport (HTTPS), encrypted storage at rest through our database provider, scoped access keys, and routine monitoring for unauthorized access. No system is perfectly secure; if a breach affecting your data occurs, we will notify you in line with applicable law.
09
Children
stimulus is intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 16. If you believe a minor has signed up, write to support@stimulus.com and we will delete the account.
10
International users
stimulus is operated from the United States. If you use the service from outside the US, you understand that your data is processed in the US and in any region where our subprocessors operate. We rely on standard contractual clauses and the equivalent protections offered by our subprocessors for any cross-border transfers.
11
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The effective date at the top of this page reflects the most recent update. Material changes will be communicated to active users via SMS before they take effect.
12
Contact
Questions, requests, or concerns: support@stimulus.com.