The room was quiet as I waited for her to return. The examining table was comfortable, but I was not. I really dislike being at the doctor’s. The only sounds in that small room were my shallow breathing, and the crackling noise of the thin white paper covering the table whenever I moved.
I was glad to be getting a prescription for my seasonal allergies. I really suffer with them but even so, I absolutely love the bright, bursting forth of spring. Besides, I figure am single-handedly improving the global economy with the amount of tissue I buy, and that is a good feeling.
When my healthcare practitioner returns, she is holding two prescriptions. Curious, I ask about the second script. Immediately upon hearing her answer my curiosity turns to dread, and I feel the room start to spin. Everything in me is screaming, “NO” and yet I weakly reply, “But I don’t want that.” She then launches into a speech, the likes of which I have never heard from her. Intellectually, I realize it comes from a place of care and concern, but I still don’t like how adamant she sounds. The room is now really spinning and I want it to stop; I want the explanation and the implications of her diagnosis to stop, and I definitely don’t want to believe that I am well into Stage 2 Hypertension. The dosage she has written is quite high; and in that moment I know that if I begin taking it, along with all the side-effects, I will be on this medication for the rest of my life – just like my mom was for the remainder of hers.
I told her I wanted to try and reverse this naturally; and to control it with diet and exercise. She was very clear that she thought this was unrealistic and undoable. She reminded me that I already ate a fairly healthy diet, I am not overweight and I exercise regularly. She reminded me that hypertensive heart disease runs in my family – and I should accept the fact that this was “the hand I was dealt.” Denial and resistance are powerful forces, and mine were raging at this point. I said, let me try making significant changes for two weeks and see what kind of results I can achieve.
Having been to the recent Wealth Master’s International m2 conference, I was mindful of the many expert speakers we had seen. Amid the array of financial, investment, wealth management and asset protection speakers, we also heard from personal development and health and wellness leaders.
Gwen Olsen spoke about the pharmaceutical industry, and her compelling comments brought back memories of when I was in middle management for a wholly-owned subsidiary of a multi-national pharmaceutical company. While Gwen’s story is primarily a cautionary tale, focused on the darker side of this industry, I knew everything she said – and warned about – was valid.
Sitting in my doctor’s office, I knew I didn’t want to take that Rx and be dependent on it forever, side-effects and all. After 15 years in the pharmaceutical industry, Gwen urges that we become pro-active and increasingly knowledgeable, incrementally, about our health. She believes that “health is the foundation of prosperity.” And while not an “anti-drug person” she explains that one is always “…predisposed to adverse reactions when you are putting chemicals into your body – because your body identifies them as toxins and will try to eliminate those toxins or to overcome them.” Gwen compassionately recognizes that some pharmaceuticals are beneficial and that some people do require those pharmaceuticals. Given this, she advocates education and caution. Especially since the average American is on 4-5 prescription medications and 2-3 over the counter drugs or remedies.
The other speaker who immediately came to mind was Deanna Latson. While I have known and believed for years that diet is extremely important, I was surprised about how significant diet actually is for all of us. Deanna told the story of her father who was on so many prescriptions that he was in terrible shape. Eventually, through diet and lifestyle changes she was able to help him completely transform his life and become vital once again.
Deanna’s presentation is part of the m1 Masters Program (through Wealth Master’s International). During this presentation she emphasizes that, “70% of what ails us is directly related to what we eat.” Seventy percent – did you realize that? I would never have guessed the percentage was that great.
She also states, “Heart disease is the #1 killer, and the interesting thing is it is also the #1 preventable disease.” What does this say about our choices and our self-care? I was stunned by these sad and sobering statistics. Deanna eases us into important changes by explaining that we don’t have to give up all of our favorite foods. Instead, she encourages us to simply replace them with cleaner, healthier versions; and to make better choices. Whole grain breads, pastas and crackers instead of those made with enriched and bleached flours, devoid of nutrients. To choose more fresh fruits and vegetables, and to avoid heavy, processed foods. Deanna explains that it is important to be aware of what is actually in our food; and of what we are really putting in our bodies. As she says, “We die of the diet of kings.”
Fore-armed with this new information in the face my surprise diagnosis, I was determined to prevail. I began making significant changes the morning after that office visit. And the changes were – for me – fairly radical. I began studying in earnest. I reviewed my notes from the conference and listened again to Gwen’s and Deanna’s presentations (CD #12 of the m1 Master’s program). Those who know me would agree that when I put my mind to something, I am exceedingly disciplined. This commitment was no exception. I became zealous, because I was determined not to start a life-long medication with serious side-effects.
It is interesting to note, that when I think back on that day sitting on the exam table, I wasn’t concerned about the possibility of developing serious heart disease, the damage I was causing to my kidneys, or the very real likelihood of a stroke. My biggest concern was being told I had to be on the medication (to prevent those things).
I shudder to think about this – but the truth is, had I not heard Gwen and Deanna speak (prior to this surprise diagnosis) I would have had no awareness or hope of a different path. Instead, I would likely be on a heavy dose of that prescription medication today, literally disheartened and suffering the side-effects. The implications are staggering. I would be on a heavy dose of a daily medication that I do not even need now, and no doubt creating other health problems, as well. Yikes!
It has been four weeks and four days since I sat on that exam table. This morning my BP was 119/74. My weight has gone from 146 lbs. to 137.5 lbs. Now I don’t have headaches, and I have a lot more energy. I have given up caffeine, half & half in my tea, red meat, butter; and have significantly reduced the amount of cheese I eat. Perhaps one day I’ll enjoy fish as much as I enjoyed filet mignon. Perhaps not. It was hard at first, I’ll admit. But the results are worth it; and I am completely willing to make the necessary “trade-offs.” I also realize that for many, what may be required is not as clear-cut or relatively easy to achieve. We are all different; yet we each can make significant improvements by treating ourselves to a healthier diet and lifestyle.
When I joined CarbonCopy Pro and Wealth Master’s International (WMI), like many people I was looking for time and money freedom, and more control over my future. When I learned that WMI was not only committed to helping people eliminate debt, build their wealth, and protect their assets – but also to truly enhance their health and increase their wisdom, I thought to myself “Well, that’s nice.” But secretly, I was channeling Jerry Maguire and really just wanted them to “Show me the money.” And that has indeed happened. Helping others re-claim their financial health is deeply gratifying; and what I have learned from Kip’s investment education has completely transformed my experience (and personal results) in the stock market. So the health and wellness aspects have turned out to be a completely unexpected (and potentially life-saving) bonus.
Today, I have a renewed and heightened appreciation for the holistic approach and comprehensive curriculum that WMI offers. As co-founder Karl Bessey has aptly observed, the personal growth one experiences as a member of this remarkable community really is the very best part. Indeed! Which is why I’d love to see everybody take advantage of these amazing benefits, and commit themselves to embracing this dream lifestyle.