Lawrence Welk (1903-1992) was an American bandleader and television personality known for his “champagne music” and the long-running television show, The Lawrence Welk Show, which aired from 1951 to 1982.
Lawrence Welk was born to German-Russian immigrant parents in Strasburg, North Dakota, where he developed a strong work ethic and love for music growing up on the family farmstead. Strasburg is a historically German-speaking city in Emmons County, North Dakota, United States. The population was 379 at the 2020 census. Strasburg was founded in 1902.
After touring the Midwest in his 20s, he was scouted by ABC in 1955 to create the now-iconic “The Lawrence Welk Show,” which still runs on public television stations today. In this biographical documentary, explore the life and legacy of North Dakota’s music man, Lawrence Welk: A North Dakota Farm Boy | PBS
Lawrence Welk’s life story is a testament to his dedication to music and family-friendly entertainment. From humble beginnings to becoming a television icon, his journey reflects the American dream and the enduring appeal of wholesome entertainment.
Lawrence Welk was a self-made music icon whose journey from a humble farm in North Dakota to national television stardom is a classic American success story.
Early Life
Born March 11, 1903, in Strasburg, North Dakota, to German-Russian immigrant parents.
Grew up speaking German and didn’t learn English until age 21.
Left school in fourth grade to work on the family farm, later persuading his father to buy him an accordion for $400—a huge sum at the time.
Promised to work on the farm until age 21 to repay the cost of the accordion.
Musical Beginnings
Started performing at local dances and events as a teenager.
Formed bands like The Hotsy-Totsy Boys and The Honolulu Fruit Gum Orchestra.
Gained regional fame through radio performances in the Midwest, especially on WNAX in South Dakota.
Rise to Fame
Moved to Los Angeles in 1951 and launched The Lawrence Welk Show on KTLA.
The show went national on ABC in 1955, featuring his signature “champagne music”—light, melodic, and danceable tunes.
Known for his catchphrases like “Wunnerful, wunnerful!” and “Ah-one, ah-two!”, and for the iconic bubble machine on set.
Show Legacy
The show ran for 27 years, ending in 1982, and was syndicated across hundreds of stations.
Welk was a strict producer, maintaining a wholesome image and refusing sponsorships from alcohol or tobacco companies.
Featured a “musical family” of performers including the Lennon Sisters, Myron Floren, and the “Champagne Lady”.
Business Ventures & Later Life
Built a real estate empire including the Welk Resort in California.
Acquired rights to over 20,000 songs, including the works of Jerome Kern.
Authored two autobiographies: Wunnerful, Wunnerful! and Ah-One, Ah-Two!.
Passed away on May 17, 1992, in Santa Monica, California, at age 89.
Lawrence Welk’s legacy lives on through reruns of his show, his music catalog, and the resort community he founded. He turned a modest accordion into a cultural phenomenon—and kept a song in his heart the whole way. Want to hear more about his musical style or famous guests from the show?
How did The Lawrence Welk Show influence American culture?
The Lawrence Welk Show had a surprisingly deep impact on American culture, especially in how it reflected and shaped values for a particular generation.
Preserving Traditional Entertainment
Welk’s show championed big band and easy-listening music during a time when rock and roll and counterculture were rising.
It offered a safe, wholesome alternative to edgier programming, appealing to older viewers and families who felt alienated by modern trends.
His “champagne music” became synonymous with nostalgia and comfort, reinforcing a sense of continuity in a rapidly changing world.
Promoting Family Values
Welk curated a “Musical Family” of performers, emphasizing teamwork, respect, and moral decency.
The show’s tone and content reflected Midwestern ideals—clean fun, modesty, and patriotism—which resonated with millions across the country.
Cultural Counterbalance
During the 1960s and ’70s, when TV was embracing youth culture, Welk’s show stood as a cultural counterweight, preserving older traditions.
It was one of the few programs that targeted mature audiences, proving that entertainment didn’t have to chase trends to be successful.
Syndication & Longevity
After being dropped by ABC in 1971, Welk launched his own production company and thrived in syndication, often outperforming network shows.
Reruns continue to air on PBS, keeping his legacy alive and introducing new generations to his style of entertainment.
Academic & Cultural Legacy
Scholars have studied Welk’s show as a cultural artifact, representing the values, anxieties, and aspirations of mid-20th-century America.
His influence is still referenced in parodies, documentaries, and retrospectives, showing how deeply embedded he is in American pop culture.
Lawrence Welk didn’t just host a show—he built a cultural sanctuary for millions who wanted music, manners, and memories. Want to explore how his musical style evolved over the decades?
What is the legacy of The Lawrence Welk Show today?
The Lawrence Welk Show continues to ripple through American culture like a gentle waltz—its legacy is both enduring and surprisingly vibrant.
Ongoing Broadcasts
Reruns of the show still air on PBS stations across the U.S., especially on weekends, drawing loyal viewers who cherish its nostalgic charm2.
These broadcasts introduce Welk’s “champagne music” to new generations, keeping his signature style alive.
Living Cast Members
Several original cast members are still alive and occasionally participate in reunion specials or fan events, such as Mary Lou Metzger, Bob Ralston, Ralna English, and Bobby Burgess.
Their continued presence helps maintain a personal connection to the show’s golden era.
Cultural & Academic Interest
Scholars and fans alike view the show as a cultural time capsule, reflecting mid-20th-century values like modesty, patriotism, and family unity.
It’s often referenced in documentaries, retrospectives, and even parodied in pop culture—proof of its lasting imprint.
Welk Homestead & Museum
Welk’s childhood home in Strasburg, North Dakota has been preserved as a museum, thanks to fan donations after Congress declined funding.
It serves as a tribute to his humble beginnings and the American dream he embodied.
Influence on Music & Media
Welk’s emphasis on wholesome entertainment paved the way for other family-friendly programming.
His production model—syndicating the show after network cancellation—became a blueprint for independent media success.
In short, The Lawrence Welk Show isn’t just a relic—it’s a living legacy of music, manners, and mid-century Americana. Want to explore how his influence shows up in modern entertainment or music trends?
What are the current activities of the original cast members?
Many original cast members of The Lawrence Welk Show have gracefully transitioned into retirement, but a number of them remain active in ways that keep the spirit of the show alive.
Still Active in Entertainment
Kathie Sullivan continues to perform at retirement communities and senior centers, sharing music and memories with longtime fans.
Bobby Burgess, the beloved dancer, occasionally appears at reunion events and special performances.
Gail Farrell also participates in fan gatherings and musical retrospectives.
Ralna English lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, and has been involved in gospel and country music performances.
Living Quiet Lives
Bob Havens (trombone) and Bob Ralston (piano) are retired but still celebrated for their contributions. Ralston occasionally hosts concerts at his residence.
Richard Maloof (bass/tuba) and Mary Lou Metzger (singer/dancer) are living privately but have appeared in reunion specials.
Anacani, The Aldridge Sisters, and Ava Barber are alive and living in various parts of the U.S., occasionally engaging with fans.
Occasional Appearances
Many cast members reunited for the 2001 PBS special Lawrence Welk: Milestones & Memories, and some have participated in similar events since.
Jo Ann Castle, Guy Hovis, Cissy King, and Johnny Zell are among those who’ve made public appearances or shared updates through fan channels.
The Welk cast may no longer be on weekly television, but their music, charm, and legacy continue to sparkle through fan events, PBS reruns, and heartfelt performances. Want to dive into one of their solo careers or see how fans celebrate them today?
How is *The Lawrence Welk Show* celebrated by fans today?
Fans of The Lawrence Welk Show continue to celebrate its legacy with enthusiasm, nostalgia, and community spirit—even decades after its final broadcast.
Weekly PBS Broadcasts
The show still airs on over 200 PBS stations nationwide, often on Saturday evenings.
It draws over 3 million viewers weekly, outperforming some cable networks on weekends.
Episodes are often themed and hosted by surviving cast members who share behind-the-scenes stories.
Welk Homestead Celebrations
The Welk Homestead in Strasburg, North Dakota hosts annual events honoring Welk’s life and heritage.
In 2025, fans gathered for the 10th anniversary of the site’s state ownership, featuring:
A statue dedication
Live musical tributes
A PBS documentary premiere
Activities like rope-making and antique printing demos
Fan Reunions & Guest Appearances
Cast members like Bobby Burgess, Gail Farrell, and Mary Lou Metzger still appear at reunion specials and fan events.
These gatherings often include performances, meet-and-greets, and tributes to departed cast members.
Books & Documentaries
New biographies, such as Lawrence Welk: A North Dakota Legacy, continue to be published.
Documentaries and retrospectives air on public television, keeping Welk’s story fresh for new audiences.
Online Communities
Fans connect through Facebook groups, fan forums, and local PBS station websites, sharing memories, trivia, and favorite performances.
Some even organize viewing parties or themed events around classic episodes.
Lawrence Welk’s fans aren’t just reminiscing—they’re actively preserving a slice of Americana.
Want to explore how his influence shows up in today’s music or variety shows?
The accident was rated seven (the maximum severity) on the International Nuclear Event Scale by Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, following a report by the JNES (Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization).[9][10] It is regarded as the worst nuclear accident since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986,[11] which was also rated a seven on the International Nuclear Event Scale.[12]
Growing up in Japan, I fell in love with food at a young age. One of my favorite things to do is to cook for friends and family. Japanese people are very intentional about their diet — and it shows: Japan is home to some of the world’s longest-living people. My mom, a cancer survivor, is 86 years old, and my aunt is still going strong at 98.
When I moved to the U.S., I tried a variety of popular American diets and food trends. But my body didn’t respond well to a lot of it. Now, as a nutritionist, my approach centers mostly around Japanese eating habits,
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I recommend foods that have medicinal properties & promote longevity.
Growing up in Nara, Japan…, it’s a New YearI always loved eating “wagashi,” or traditional Japanese sweets. My favorite was pudding and cakes made with “anko,” which is sweet red bean paste.
But when I moved to the U.S. and became a nutritionist, I couldn’t believe the dessert selections at the grocery stores. They were too rich and sugary for me. So I started making recipes inspired by my childhood.
In Japan, there is a popular concept called “ikigai,” which translates to your reason for getting out of bed each morning.
Ever since my mom was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, her ikigai has been to preserve her health and wake up feeling a little happier and more grateful than the day before.
As a nutritionist, I’ve always been inspired by my mom’s intentional diet and positive outlook on life. Today, at 85 years old, she’s a cancer survivor.
Michiko Tomioka’s mother, Mikiyo Kakutani, was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, but the specific cause of her cancer hasn’t been publicly disclosed. What we do know is that after her diagnosis, she embraced a deeply intentional lifestyle focused on healing and longevity. Her daughter, Michiko—a nutritionist and longevity expert—shared that her mother prioritized an anti-inflammatory diet, spiritual practices, and community connection during her recovery
How did Michiko Tomioka mother get cancer
Michiko Tomioka’s mother, Mikiyo Kakutani, was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, but the specific cause of her cancer hasn’t been publicly disclosed. What we do know is that after her diagnosis, she embraced a deeply intentional lifestyle focused on healing and longevity. Her daughter, Michiko—a nutritionist and longevity expert—shared that her mother prioritized anti-inflammatory foods, spiritual practices, and community connection throughout her recovery1.
Rather than dwelling on the “why,” Mikiyo focused on the “how” of living well. She adopted traditional Japanese foods like miso, seaweed, and omega-3-rich seafood, eliminated processed items, and leaned into laughter, gratitude, and spiritual rituals to support her healing.
It’s a powerful reminder that while we can’t always control what happens to us, we can shape how we respond. Would you like to explore the kinds of foods or habits that support cancer recovery or prevention?
What holistic practices can help in cancer recovery?
Holistic practices can play a powerful role in supporting cancer recovery—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. While they don’t replace conventional treatments, they can complement them beautifully and improve overall well-being.
Mind-Body Therapies
Meditation & Mindfulness: Reduces stress, anxiety, and improves sleep quality.
Yoga & Tai Chi: Enhances flexibility, balance, and emotional resilience.
Would you like help building a personalized recovery plan or exploring specific therapies in more depth?
How can I create a holistic recovery plan for myself?
Creating a holistic recovery plan is like designing a blueprint for your healing—one that honors your body, mind, and spirit. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you build a personalized and empowering path forward:
Step 1: Define Your Goals
Clarify your vision: What does recovery mean to you—physical strength, emotional peace, spiritual growth?
Set SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
Visualize success: Use affirmations or vision boards to stay inspired.
Step 2: Mind-Body Practices
Daily meditation or breathwork: Reduces stress and enhances clarity.
Gentle movement: Yoga, tai chi, or walking to support circulation and mood.
Sleep hygiene: Create a calming bedtime routine to improve rest and recovery.
Step 3: Nourish with Purpose
Anti-inflammatory diet: Focus on leafy greens, berries, turmeric, and omega-3s.
Hydration: Drink mineral-rich or alkaline water to support detoxification.
Fasting protocols: Consider intermittent fasting or supervised short-term fasts to promote cellular renewal.
Step 4: Integrative Therapies
Acupuncture & massage: Ease pain and improve energy flow.
IV nutrient therapy: Boosts immunity and cellular repair (consult a practitioner).
Infrared sauna & cold plunge: Enhances detox and resilience.
Step 5: Natural Remedies & Supplements
Medicinal mushrooms: Support immune function.
Herbs like ginger & turmeric: Reduce inflammation and nausea.
Supplements: Vitamin D, probiotics, glutathione, and antioxidants—always under medical guidance.
Step 6: Emotional & Social Support
Therapy or counseling: Process emotions and build coping strategies.
Support groups: Connect with others on similar journeys.
Creative outlets: Art, music, journaling to express and release.
Step 7: Track Progress & Adapt
Keep a recovery journal: Note physical changes, emotional shifts, and insights.
Celebrate small wins: Every step forward matters.
Stay flexible: Adjust your plan as your needs evolve.
Would you like help building a weekly schedule or choosing specific foods and therapies that match your lifestyle? I’d love to help you personalize it even further.
She’s now a cancer survivor at age 85, and her story is often cited as a powerful example of resilience and holistic healing. If you’re curious, I can share the five rules she lives by that helped her through treatment. They’re pretty inspiring.
Michiko Tomioka’s mother, Mikiyo Kakutani, followed five deeply intentional rules during her cancer recovery that helped her heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually:
Here are her five rules for a long, happy life filled with joy and purpose:
She embraced traditional Japanese ingredients like seaweed, ginger, kudzu, and matcha.
Her diet included omega-3-rich seafood (salmon, mackerel), fermented foods (miso, nukazuke, umeboshi), and natural sweeteners like goji berries and cinnamon.
She eliminated processed meats, fried foods, sugary snacks, dairy, and alcohol.
Philosophy behind it: Chronic inflammation has been linked to cancer and other diseases. Her approach was about creating an internal environment that discourages disease from thriving.
What it looked like daily: Meals were packed with antioxidants, minerals, and fiber. She used miso as a base for soups, topped rice with fermented pickles, and added seaweed to stews.
Why it matters: These foods nourish gut health, regulate blood sugar, and support immune resilience—all key to post-treatment recovery.
Example: Swap processed snacks for homemade miso soup with wakame and tofu.
Simple Tip: Add turmeric, ginger, or garlic to stir-fries—these have natural anti-inflammatory properties.
Small Shift: Choose brown rice over white, or toss flax seeds into morning oatmeal for added omega-3s.
2. Find reasons to laugh
She believed that “complaining only leads to more complaints,” while laughter and gratitude bring happiness.
Watching comedy shows and reading cartoons helped lift her spirits during treatment.
Philosophy behind it: Emotional wellness plays a huge role in physical healing. Laughter boosts serotonin, improves circulation, and lightens stress.
What it looked like daily: She watched comedy reruns, listened to funny radio segments, and even followed an Instagram account that posted dog memes. Sometimes her daughter would just tell a goofy story to make her laugh.
Why it matters: Maintaining a sense of humor helped her find joy and gratitude in the small moments, which gave her strength during tough times.
Example: Watch a favorite comedians stand-up special once a week.
Simple Tip: Schedule a 5-minute “silly break” during your workday—scroll memes, call a funny friend, or read humorous short stories.
Small Shift: Keep a “laughter log”—jot down one thing that made you giggle each day.
3. Have a dependable community
She learned to ask for help and leaned on small interactions with neighbors and friends.
Being part of a community gave her strength and a sense of belonging.
Philosophy behind it: Illness can feel isolating—but community brings back connection, routine, and normalcy.
What it looked like daily: A neighbor dropped off groceries. Friends stopped by for tea. Her local temple group checked in on her weekly.
Why it matters: Feeling supported, seen, and cared for helps counteract fear and loneliness—which are heavy emotions during recovery.
Example: Join a local yoga class or book club where you regularly connect with others.
Simple Tip: Send a “thinking of you” message to someone once a week—it builds connection, even if you haven’t talked in ages.
Small Shift: Let a friend know you’re available to listen, not solve. That kind of support often means the most.
4. Plan things to look forward to
Whether it was grocery shopping or attending worship services, she always had something on the calendar.
Looking forward to her grandson’s visit gave her a sense of purpose and joy.
Philosophy behind it: Anticipation activates parts of the brain that lift mood and energy. Having something to look forward to can spark motivation to keep healing.
What it looked like daily: She’d get dressed to go for short walks, schedule phone calls, and plan mini celebrations like “tea party Tuesday.”
Why it matters: These moments weren’t grand, but they gave her life rhythm and purpose beyond treatment.
Example: Schedule a mini outing like trying a new café, going to a farmer’s market, or a scenic drive every Sunday.
Simple Tip: Hang a calendar and mark fun future plans—can be as simple as “movie night” or “garden walk.”
Small Shift: Plan an end-of-week treat. Doesn’t need to be expensive—maybe just your favorite pastry from the bakery.
5. Connect with something bigger than yourself
Her spiritual practices included lighting incense, chanting Buddhist scripture, and visiting a Shinto shrine three times a month.
These rituals grounded her and gave her peace.
Philosophy behind it: Whether religious or spiritual, finding meaning beyond oneself can offer peace and acceptance.
What it looked like daily: Lighting incense became a form of meditation. Reading scripture gave her hope. Shinto shrine visits helped her feel connected to her ancestors.
Why it matters: These practices brought her calm in uncertainty and made her feel part of something timeless.
Example: Set aside time weekly to meditate, pray, or read from a spiritual or philosophical text that grounds you.
Simple Tip: Practice “forest bathing”—go into nature with no agenda but to feel connected.
Small Shift: Light a candle each evening and set an intention or express gratitude for something that day.
Her story is a beautiful reminder that healing isn’t just about medicine—it’s about mindset, connection, and meaning. Want help building your own version of these five rules? I’d love to help you craft something personal.
Her approach is a beautiful reminder that healing is holistic. If you’d like, I could help you turn these into your own set of personal wellness principles. Something truly tailored to your life and values.
Each one starts with awareness—but the real magic is when these small actions become habits. Would you like help designing a personalized daily ritual from these principles? I’d love to collaborate with you on that.
What studies support these healing rules?
Absolutely—there’s a growing body of research that supports each of Michiko’s mother’s healing principles. Here’s a breakdown of the science behind them:
1. Eat foods that reduce inflammation
Scientific Support: Numerous studies link anti-inflammatory diets to reduced cancer risk and improved recovery outcomes.
Key Findings:
Diets rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and omega-3s are associated with lower levels of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress2.
The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) shows that each unit increase in inflammatory foods correlates with an 8.3% increase in overall cancer risk.
Anti-inflammatory diets may also support gut health, regulate blood sugar, and reduce recurrence risk3.
2. Find reasons to laugh
Scientific Support: Laughter therapy has been shown to improve emotional resilience, reduce anxiety, and even enhance immune function.
Key Findings:
Laughter activates dopamine and serotonin pathways, improving mood and reducing stress hormones.
A 2025 meta-analysis found that laughter therapy significantly reduced anxiety and increased life satisfaction in adults.
Laughter also improves cardiovascular health and pain tolerance, and may boost recovery in cancer patients.
Scientific Support: Social support is a well-established factor in recovery from illness, especially mental health conditions.
Key Findings:
Community and cultural engagement improves coping, reduces isolation, and enhances emotional well-being
Peer support and social connection are linked to better outcomes in chronic illness and mental health recovery
Studies show that social support reduces inflammation, improves resilience, and promotes healing.
4. Plan things to look forward to
Scientific Support: Anticipation of positive events activates reward centers in the brain and boosts emotional health.
Key Findings:
Anticipating future joy releases dopamine, which enhances motivation and reduces anxiety
MRI studies show that anticipation of positive events correlates with higher well-being scores and improved brain function.
Even small daily anticipations—like a treat or a walk—can improve mood and help people cope with stress.
5. Connect with something bigger than yourself
Scientific Support: Spirituality and meaning-making are linked to better health outcomes, especially in serious illness.
Key Findings:
A 2022 Harvard-led study found that spirituality improves quality of life and medical decision-making in patients with serious illness.
Spiritual practices like prayer, meditation, and nature connection reduce stress and promote healing18.
The NIH developed a tool (NIH-HEALS) to measure psycho-social-spiritual healing, showing that trust, acceptance, and reflection are key healing factors.
If you’d like, I can help you explore one of these areas more deeply—like designing a laughter ritual or building a personalized anti-inflammatory meal plan. Just say the word.
When my mom was going through her cancer treatment, she emphasized traditional Japanese foods in her diet. This meant plenty of inflammation-fighting and immune system-boosting options in her kitchen:
Goji berries and cinnamon as sweeteners
Seaweed, ginger, kudzu and green teas like matcha
Seafood high in omega-3 like salmon and mackerel
Miso (fermented soybeans), nukazuke (vegetables in fermented in rice bran) and umeboshi (Japanese pickled plum)
She eliminated most processed and packaged foods, including meats and animal fats, oily and fried foods, sugary snacks, dairy and alcohol.
She still maintains this mindful diet today.
2. Find reasons to laugh.
My mom always says, “Complaining only leads to more complaints, but gratitude and laughter lead to happiness.”
Studies show the benefits of laughter therapy during cancer treatments, such as improving mental health and immune function.
Even something as simple as watching a comedy show or reading a funny cartoon lifted my mom’s spirits and helped her get through tough times.
3. Have a dependable community.
During her rehabilitation period, being a contributing member of her community was crucial to my mom’s healing process.
She’s always been the independent type who likes doing things on her own. But as she’s gotten older, she has learned the importance of asking for help, even if it’s something as simple as slicing a watermelon.
The smallest interactions can be the foundation of an enduring connection.
4. Plan things to look forward to, and include your loved ones.
This can be anything from going to the grocery store to attending worship services to going to a concert with friends and family.
This year, my mom is most excited about visiting her grandson after he graduates in December.
When you have something to look forward to or work towards, then you have an ikigai and purpose to keep you happy and motivated each day.
5. Connect with something bigger than yourself.
My mom takes a lot of comfort and joy in her spiritual life and traditions. Her day starts with lighting incense and chanting Buddhist scripture.
Three times a month, she goes to her local Shinto shrine for a ritual worship that has been maintained by the temple for over 1,300 years.
She prays for her family’s health and safety, sees the priests, and has lunch with friends and members of the community. This relationship with something that’s larger than herself is incredibly healing, and she never takes it for granted.
This Cheap, Delicious Food Could Help You Live Longer by Adam Eckert Benzinga Editor
Michiko Tomioka grew up in Nara, Japan, eating countless tofu-based dishes throughout her childhood. Studies have shown tofu can help reduce risks of heart disease, bone loss, and cancer.
Tofu — a staple of Japanese cuisine — is versatile, inexpensive, tasty and may even lead to a longer life.
What To Know: CNBC contributor Michiko Tomioka grew up in Nara, Japan, eating countless tofu-based dishes throughout her childhood. She carried on the culinary tradition with her own children when she moved to the U.S.
Instead of giving her kids ultra-processed baby foods, Tomioka opted for tofu recipes that helped save time and money
“I often call tofu my best friend for happy living,” Tomioka said. Tofu is widely believed to have significant health benefits. It’s consumed by people of all ages across Japan, which has one of the highest life expectancy rates in the world.
Tomioka’s in-laws are 95 and 88 years of age and eat tofu, along with natto and miso soup every day. According to CNBC, Tomioka’s in-laws attribute much of their longevity and immunity to their diet.
Why Tofu: Tofu is traditionally made using soybeans and nigari, the solution that remains after removing salt from ocean water. Tofu is often made in the U.S. with calcium sulfate. Regardless of how it’s made, tofu contains all of the essential amino acids one normally gets from meat, poultry, eggs, fish and dairy, but without cholesterol.
The report cites studies that claim tofu can help reduce risks of heart disease, bone loss, and cancer.
Tofu is also economically and environmentally friendly. Tomioka noted that it takes more than 70 kilograms of greenhouse emissions to produce one kilogram of beef, but it takes only 3.2 kilograms of emissions to produce one kilogram of tofu.
“To me, it is simple math. In the course of the week, if you were to swap out one or two beef burgers for tofu burgers, you would feel better, pay less for groceries and do something small to help the environment,” Tomioka said.
You don’t have to sacrifice taste for health and cost benefits. Tofu actually has a subtle, natural taste that can be paired with just about any dish. Tomioka serves tofu pan-fried, in soups and salads, dumplings, burgers, cabbage rolls, ice cream and more.
Japanese native and nutritionist, Michiko Tomioka will guide us through Yakuzen cooking to build skills in preparation and presentation of this food as a medicine art form. She will also honor guests by sharing Chanoyu (the way of tea) traditional matcha tea ceremony to welcome the New Year. This authentic Japanese experience filled with Michiko’s joy and passion for mindful eating and health is not to be missed.
Michiko is a Japanese native nutritionist from Nara, Japan.
She has been cooking and caring for family and friends since the age of three. Since she grew up in Nara, Japan and fully embraces all the traditional foods and mindful practices. After years of corporate life, she decided to pursue a career in nutrition. She is a registered dietitian, certified and licensed dietitian, and integrative functional nutrition certified practitioner ( IFNCP).
As a IFNCP, she is focusing on total long-term lifestyle health with science based individualized whole body approach to find out the root cause and individualized care plan. She especially optimises the authentic Japanese whole plant based cooking, meal planning, and mindfulness. She loves sharing and cooking her original Yakuzen (薬膳ー medicine meals) in simple cooking methods which everyone can incorporate into daily meals.
She has since built a career in nutrition consultation, authentic cooking, and mindful eating in the underserved school system in NY/NJ, WIC ( special supplemental program for women, Infact, and Child), numerous clinical care facilities, and substance recovery center, as well as community service.
She is a founder of Michi Nutrition, LLC. Michi. “Michi “ represents meaning of 道(way)未知(limitless ) 満(fulfillment )、美智( beautiful wisdom), in Japanese…, the way of limitless unknown powder of nutrition with beautiful authentic wisdom. She is currently offering in divisional and group nutrition and consultation, education, authentic plant-based Japanese cooking, mindful eating and tea ceremony ( 茶道ー the way of tea and live)
Michiko Tomioka, MBA, RDN is a certified nutritionist and longevity expert. Born and raised in Nara, Japan, her approach focuses on a plant-based diet. She has worked in nutritional roles at substance recovery centers, charter schools and food banks. Her passion lies in delivering and educating her messages, Cook Well, Eat Well, Love Yourself to love your loved one.
You can find her articles and interviews in CNBC, NPR, MBG, and Substuck.
Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world and have been the subject of fascination since ancient times.
Hummingbird Symbolism and Meaning
(1) The hummingbird’s interesting characteristics have always attracted people’s attention and have earned this bird its position as a powerful symbol.
(2) To understand what a hummingbird symbolizes, we first must learn about the hummingbird’s traits.
Hummingbirds are the only birds with the ability to fly upside down and backwards. Their wings can beat up to 80 times per second, and create a distinctive insect-like sound. This buzzing is a familiar sound wherever flowers are near, and can act as a reminder of the beauty and importance of appreciating the small things in life.
Hummingbirds are potent reminders to stop and smell the flowers, and that the greatest gifts in life are usually the ones freely given to us by nature.
Like the tiny hummingbird which darts from flower to flower in search of nectar, we should spend our energy looking for the beauty in life. The hummingbird is capable of flying long distances to reach its destination, so it can also remind us to persevere.
According to the hummingbird’s wisdom, the journey is just as important as the destination.
This is why the hummingbird symbol is associated with endurance and grit.
The flight of the hummingbird reminds us to be resilient, and adaptable, and to take changes into stride.
The symbolism of the hummingbird is also linked to the idea of eternity and infinity. The hummingbird’s unique ability to hover, fly backwards, and even fly upside down, is due to the unusual anatomy of the hummingbird’s wings. Hummingbird wings rotate both forwards and backwards in a “figure eight” pattern which is unique among birds and gives the hummingbird incredible agility in the air.
So what is the overall meaning of the hummingbird?
Symbolically, the hummingbird is a beacon of positivity.
Hummingbirds instruct us to expect love, joy, and good luck.
Country singer Carly Pearce has been diagnosed with pericarditis:
A heart condition involving inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart. She first shared the news in May 2024, explaining that she’d been experiencing debilitating chest pain and shortness of breath, which led to the diagnosis
Pearce revealed that her condition is recurrent, meaning she’s had multiple flare-ups since 2020. Despite being young, active, and health-conscious, she emphasized how important it is to listen to your body and take symptoms seriously
While she continues to tour—including her “Hummingbird” album release and performances with Tim McGraw—she’s made adjustments to her shows to keep her heart rate under control during recovery
She’s asked fans for a little grace as she navigates this new normal.
If you want to know more about pericarditis or how it affects performers like Pearce, I can break it down further. Or we can explore how other artists have handled health challenges on tour.
The suffix “-itis” is used in medical terminology to indicate inflammation of a specific organ or tissue.
The suffix “-itis” is used in hundreds of medical terms to indicate inflammation of a specific organ, tissue, or body part.
Here’s a broader sampling across different systems to give you a sense of the variety:
Nervous System
Encephalitis – brain inflammation
Meningitis – inflammation of brain/spinal cord membranes
Neuritis – nerve inflammation
Myelitis – spinal cord inflammation
Eyes & Ears
Conjunctivitis – inflammation of the eye’s conjunctiva
Uveitis – inflammation of the uvea
Otitis media – middle ear inflammation
Labyrinthitis – inner ear inflammation
Cardiovascular System
Myocarditis – heart muscle inflammation
Pericarditis – inflammation of the heart’s outer lining
Vasculitis – inflammation of blood vessels
Respiratory System
Rhinitis – nasal inflammation
Laryngitis – voice box inflammation
Pleuritis – inflammation of the lung’s lining
Bronchiolitis – small airway inflammation
Digestive System
Gastritis – stomach lining inflammation
Colitis – colon inflammation
Pancreatitis – pancreas inflammation
Appendicitis – appendix inflammation
Skin & Musculoskeletal
Dermatitis – skin inflammation
Bursitis – inflammation of fluid-filled sacs near joints
Tendinitis – tendon inflammation
Arthritis – joint inflammation
Urogenital & Reproductive
Cystitis – bladder inflammation
Urethritis – urethra inflammation
Endometritis – uterine lining inflammation
Orchitis – testicle inflammation
Rare or Unusual “-itis” Terms
Choroidal Iritis – inflammation of the choroid and iris
Sialadenitis – salivary gland inflammation
Pulpitis – dental pulp inflammation
Thyroiditis – thyroid gland inflammation
If you’re up for it, I can pull from a database of over 750 “-itis” terms—or we can explore the quirkiest ones like “arachnoiditis” (spinal membrane inflammation) or “dacryoadenitis” (tear gland inflammation). Want to go deeper into a specific system or the weirdest ones?
Great question! Most “-itis” conditions stem from inflammation, which is the body’s natural response to injury, infection, or irritation. But the underlying causes can vary widely depending on the organ or tissue affected.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common triggers:
Infections
Bacterial: e.g. strep throat → pharyngitis, tonsillitis
Viral: e.g. hepatitis viruses → hepatitis, flu virus → bronchitis
Fungal or parasitic: less common, but can cause dermatitis, meningitis, etc.
Injury or Trauma
Physical damage to tissues can trigger inflammation:
Tendonitis from repetitive strain
Arthritis from joint wear or injury
Myositis from muscle overuse
Autoimmune Reactions
The immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Thyroiditis
Uveitis
Irritants & Allergens
Exposure to chemicals, allergens, or pollutants:
Dermatitis from contact with irritants
Rhinitis from pollen or dust
Gastritis from alcohol or spicy foods
Lifestyle Factors
Poor diet, smoking, or lack of exercise can contribute to chronic inflammation:
Pancreatitis from alcohol abuse
Colitis linked to processed foods or stress
Endometritis from infections or hormonal imbalance
Chronic Diseases
Conditions like obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome can lead to low-grade, persistent inflammation:
Sinusitis, bronchitis, vasculitis may flare repeatedly
If you want, I can dive into specific “-itis” conditions and explain what causes each one—or explore how inflammation affects different body systems.
Can you explain what pericarditis is and its symptoms?
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, the thin, two-layered sac that surrounds and protects your heart. This sac normally contains a small amount of fluid to reduce friction as the heart beats. When inflamed, the layers can rub against each other, causing pain and other symptoms.
Common Symptoms of Pericarditis
Sharp, stabbing chest pain—usually behind the breastbone or on the left side of the chest
May spread to the shoulders, neck, or back
Often worsens when lying down, coughing, or taking deep breaths
Typically improves when sitting up or leaning forward
Shortness of breath, especially when reclining
Heart palpitations—a racing or pounding heartbeat
Low-grade fever
Fatigue or general weakness
Swelling in the legs, feet, or abdomen in more severe cases
Dry cough
Types of Pericarditis
Acute: Sudden onset, lasting less than 4 weeks
Recurrent: Returns after a symptom-free period
Incessant: Lasts 4–6 weeks continuously
Chronic constrictive: Long-term inflammation that can lead to scarring and impaired heart function
If untreated, complications like pericardial effusion (fluid buildup) or cardiac tamponade (pressure on the heart) can occur, which may be life-threatening.
Would you like to explore what causes pericarditis or how it’s treated?
Treating pericarditis without medication is possible in mild cases, but it’s important to proceed cautiously and under medical supervision—especially since pericarditis can sometimes lead to serious complications like cardiac tamponade. That said, here are some natural and lifestyle-based approaches that may help ease symptoms and support recovery
Lifestyle & Home Remedies
Rest and reduce stress: Physical exertion can worsen inflammation. Prioritize sleep, avoid strenuous activity, and incorporate calming practices like meditation or gentle yoga.
Adjust your posture: Sitting upright or leaning forward may relieve chest pain caused by the inflamed pericardium.
Stay hydrated: Proper hydration supports overall heart health and helps reduce fluid retention.
Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods: Include leafy greens, berries, fatty fish (like salmon), nuts, and seeds.
Avoid processed foods, sugar, seed oils, and anything high in preservatives or additives.
Consider adding anti-inflammatory herbs like turmeric, ginger, and garlic.
Natural Healing Boosters
Sunlight exposure: Helps boost vitamin D levels, which may reduce inflammation.
Quality sleep: Poor sleep is linked to increased inflammatory markers. Aim for 7–9 hours nightly.
Supplements (with doctor’s approval)
Vitamin C and N-acetylcysteine (NAC): Both support immune function and reduce oxidative stress.
Curcumin (from turmeric): A powerful anti-inflammatory compound.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Found in fish oil, they help modulate inflammation.
Important Note
Even if symptoms seem manageable, you should still consult a healthcare provider to rule out complications and monitor progress. Pericarditis can sometimes be triggered by infections, autoimmune conditions, or other underlying issues that require targeted treatment.
Would you like help building a sample anti-inflammatory meal plan or exploring calming routines to support recovery?
What lifestyle adjustments can help someone with pericarditis?
Managing pericarditis—whether acute or chronic—requires thoughtful lifestyle changes to reduce inflammation, support heart health, and prevent flare-ups. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help someone live better with this condition:
Physical Activity
Avoid strenuous exercise during active inflammation; it can worsen symptoms or lead to complications like myocarditis.
Opt for gentle movement like walking or restorative yoga once cleared by a doctor.
Gradually return to activity after inflammation subsides, with close monitoring of heart rate and symptoms.
Limit saturated fats (red meat, full-fat dairy) and processed foods.
Reduce sodium intake to prevent fluid retention—avoid canned soups, salty snacks, and fast food.
Cut back on sugar, caffeine, and alcohol, which can trigger inflammation or stress the heart.
Stress Management
Practice mindfulness, meditation, or breathing exercises to reduce emotional stress, which can exacerbate symptoms.
Avoid overworking or high-stress environments when possible.
Other Lifestyle Tips
Quit smoking—it increases inflammation and cardiovascular risk.
Stay hydrated with water and herbal teas.
Avoid extreme temperatures and high-altitude activities until cleared by a physician.
Schedule regular follow-ups with a cardiologist to monitor progress and adjust treatment.
These changes aren’t just about symptom relief—they’re about protecting your heart long-term. Want help building a personalized daily routine around these tips?
What other holistic methods can support my healing?
You’re already thinking in the right direction—healing pericarditis holistically means supporting your body’s natural ability to reduce inflammation, restore balance, and protect the heart. Here are some additional holistic methods that can complement your recovery:
Mind-Body Practices
Meditation & Breathwork: Helps regulate the nervous system and reduce stress-induced inflammation.
Gentle yoga or tai chi: Promotes circulation and relaxation without straining the heart.
Biofeedback or HeartMath techniques: Can improve heart rate variability and emotional regulation.
Herbal & Natural Therapies
Oregano oil & black walnut: Known for antiviral properties that may help if infection is a trigger.
Wormwood & garlic: Support immune function and reduce inflammation.
Rhodiola: An adaptogen that helps the body cope with physical and emotional stress.
Detox & Environmental Support
Bentonite clay or activated charcoal: May help bind toxins and reduce systemic inflammation.
Air purification: Reduce exposure to indoor pollutants that can trigger inflammatory responses.
Avoid synthetic fragrances & harsh chemicals: These can contribute to immune dysregulation.
Energetic & Traditional Healing
Acupuncture: May regulate immune responses and reduce inflammation via the brain-gut axis and HPA axis.
Ayurveda: Focuses on balancing doshas—especially calming excess pitta (fire)—through diet, herbs, and lifestyle.
Traditional Chinese Medicine: Emphasizes emotional balance and heart-mind harmony to support healing.
Fasting & Nutritional Reset
Intermittent fasting: Some people report reduced inflammation and improved symptoms through controlled fasting.
Gut healing protocols: Bone broth, fermented foods, and probiotics may help regulate immune responses via the gut-heart axis.
Emotional & Spiritual Healing
Journaling or expressive writing: Helps process emotional stress that may manifest physically.
Counseling or somatic therapy: Especially helpful if trauma or chronic stress is a factor.
Spiritual practices: Prayer, mindfulness, or connecting with nature can foster peace and resilience.
Would you like help designing a personalized healing routine that blends these approaches? I can tailor it to your lifestyle and preferences.
How can I create a personalized holistic healing routine?
Creating a personalized holistic healing routine is all about designing a rhythm that nourishes your body, mind, and spirit—uniquely attuned to your lifestyle, needs, and beliefs. Here’s how to shape one that genuinely supports your pericarditis recovery and long-term well-being:
Step 1: Set Your Intentions
Define your healing goals: Is it symptom relief, reducing inflammation, emotional balance, or spiritual alignment?
Decide how much time and energy you can commit daily or weekly—consistency is more powerful than intensity.
Step 2: Build Core Pillars of Wellness
Pick one or two actions from each category to begin:
Physical Healing
Gentle movement: Like restorative yoga or walking.
Nutrition: Anti-inflammatory diet rich in greens, wild fish, and healthy fats.
Hydration: Infuse water with lemon, ginger, or cucumber.
Emotional & Mental Support
Journaling or expressive writing: Explore worries and gratitude.
Meditation or breathwork: 10 minutes a day can calm the nervous system.
Therapy or counseling: Explore somatic or trauma-informed modalities.
Energetic & Spiritual Alignment
Prayer, nature walks, or spiritual reading.
Sound healing or breath-focused visualization.
Connection rituals: Lighting a candle at night, giving thanks, reading affirmations.
What are the benefits of sound healing or meditation?
Sound healing and meditation are like tuning forks for your body and mind—each helps restore harmony, but in slightly different ways. Let’s break down their benefits so you can see how they complement each other beautifully:
Benefits of Sound Healing
Sound healing uses vibrations from instruments like singing bowls, gongs, or tuning forks to influence your physical and emotional state.
Physical & Emotional Benefits
Reduces stress and anxiety by calming the nervous system
Improves sleep quality and helps with insomnia
Relieves chronic pain through vibrational stimulation
Boosts immune function by promoting relaxation and reducing cortisol
Enhances heart rate variability (HRV), supporting cardiovascular health
Improves focus and mental clarity by slowing brain waves
Supports emotional healing and trauma release
Encourages spiritual growth and self-awareness
Benefits of Meditation
Meditation is the practice of focused awareness, often involving breathwork, visualization, or mantra repetition.
Meditation is like a gym for your mind — and the benefits go far beyond just feeling relaxed. Here’s a breakdown of what regular practice can do for you:
Mental & Emotional Benefits
Reduces stress by lowering cortisol levels and calming the nervous system
Improves focus and attention span, even with just 13 minutes a day
Boosts emotional health, helping with anxiety, depression, and mood regulation2
Enhances self-awareness, allowing you to better understand your thoughts and behaviors
Promotes kindness and compassion, especially through loving-kindness meditation
Cognitive & Brain Health
Strengthens memory and may slow age-related cognitive decline2
Increases gray matter in areas of the brain responsible for learning and emotional regulation
Improves problem-solving and decision-making skills through better mental clarity
Physical Health Benefits
Improves sleep quality and helps manage insomnia2
Lowers blood pressure, reducing strain on the heart2
Helps manage chronic pain by altering pain perception and increasing pain tolerance2
Supports immune function by reducing stress-related inflammation
Everyday Perks
Accessible anywhere — no equipment needed, just a quiet moment
Helps break bad habits by increasing self-control and awareness of triggers
Improves relationships by fostering empathy and emotional resilience
If you’re just starting out, try a few minutes of mindfulness or guided meditation each day. Want help picking a style or building a routine? I’ve got you covered.
Reduces stress and anxiety, lowering cortisol and heart rate
Improves attention span and memory through regular practice
Supports emotional regulation and resilience
Enhances self-awareness and introspection
Physical Health Benefits
Improves sleep by calming racing thoughts and relaxing the body
Lowers blood pressure and supports heart health
Helps manage chronic pain by altering pain perception
Spiritual & Relational Benefits
Promotes compassion and kindness through practices like loving-kindness meditation
Improves relationships by fostering empathy and emotional balance
Supports addiction recovery by increasing self-control and awareness
Why They Work Well Together
Sound healing can be a gateway into meditation—especially for those who struggle with sitting still. The vibrations help quiet the mind, making it easier to enter a meditative state. Together, they offer a full-spectrum approach to healing: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.
Would you like help designing a combined sound-meditation routine or exploring specific instruments or techniques?
How soon will I see improvements from these changes?
The timeline for seeing improvements from lifestyle changes with pericarditis can vary depending on whether the condition is acute or chronic, and how consistently the changes are followed.
General Recovery Timeline
Acute pericarditis: Symptoms often improve within a few days to a few weeks with rest and anti-inflammatory treatment.
Chronic or recurrent pericarditis: Improvements may take several weeks to months, and flare-ups can still occur intermittently2.
When Lifestyle Changes Start Helping
Dietary adjustments: Anti-inflammatory foods and reduced sodium may begin easing symptoms in 1–2 weeks, especially if paired with medication.
Stress reduction: Techniques like meditation or breathing exercises can offer immediate relief from anxiety and chest discomfort.
Physical activity: Gentle movement can help circulation and mood, but avoid strenuous exercise until cleared by a doctor.
Sleep and hydration: Better sleep and hydration can improve energy and reduce fatigue within days to a week.
Important Notes
Consistency is key—sporadic changes won’t yield lasting results.
Track symptoms and share updates with your cardiologist to adjust your care plan.
Avoid triggers like caffeine, alcohol, and high-stress environments to prevent setbacks
If you’re making these changes now, you’re already on the path to healing. Want help building a daily routine that supports recovery?
What tips can help me stick to these lifestyle changes?
Sticking to lifestyle changes—especially for heart health—can be tough, but totally doable with the right mindset and strategies. Here’s a toolkit to help you stay on track:
Mindset & Motivation
Set realistic goals: Start small—like walking 10 minutes a day or swapping soda for water.
Know your “why”: Whether it’s avoiding flare-ups, staying active for your kids, or feeling more energized, keep your reason front and center.
Celebrate progress: Track wins (even tiny ones!) and reward yourself with something healthy or fun.
Routine & Planning
Create a schedule: Block time for meals, movement, and rest like you would for meetings.
Meal prep: Plan heart-friendly meals ahead to avoid last-minute unhealthy choices.
Use reminders: Set phone alerts or sticky notes to stay consistent with hydration, meds, or mindfulness.
Support & Accountability
Tell someone: Share your goals with a friend or family member—they can cheer you on or join you.
Join a community: Online forums or local support groups can offer encouragement and tips.
Work with a pro: A dietitian, therapist, or trainer can personalize your plan and keep you motivated.
Tools & Tricks
Track your habits: Use apps or journals to log food, exercise, sleep, and symptoms.
Make it fun: Try new recipes, playlists for walks, or relaxing hobbies like gardening or painting.
Visual cues: Keep healthy snacks visible, leave walking shoes by the door, or post affirmations on your mirror.
Consistency beats perfection. If you slip up, don’t beat yourself up—just reset and keep going. Want help building a personalized habit tracker or daily routine?
How can I stay motivated throughout my lifestyle changes?
Staying motivated during lifestyle changes—especially ones tied to health—can feel like a rollercoaster. But with the right mindset and tools, you can turn that uphill climb into a steady stride. Here’s how to keep your fire lit:
Shift Your Mindset
Focus on progress, not perfection: Small wins matter. Celebrate every step forward.
Reframe setbacks: Instead of “I failed,” try “I learned something.”
Visualize success: Picture how you’ll feel once your changes become second nature.
Build a Routine That Works for You
Start small: Tiny habits (like a 5-minute walk or swapping one snack) build momentum.
Be flexible: Life happens—adjust your plan without guilt.
Track your wins: Keep a “done” list to remind yourself how far you’ve come.
Lean on Support
Find an accountability buddy: Someone who checks in and cheers you on.
Join a community: Online forums, local groups, or even a supportive social media circle.
Talk about your goals: Sharing them makes them feel more real—and harder to abandon.
Stay Connected to Your “Why”
Write down your reasons for change and keep them visible.
Use affirmations like “I’m building a stronger, healthier me.”
Reflect weekly on how your changes are improving your life.
Make It Enjoyable
Gamify your goals: Turn tasks into challenges or reward systems.
Try new things: Rotate recipes, workouts, or mindfulness techniques to keep it fresh.
Celebrate milestones: Treat yourself when you hit a goal—just make it a healthy reward!
Motivation isn’t a constant—it’s something you cultivate.
Want help creating a personalized motivation board or daily affirmation list? I’ve got ideas!
“I would love to be the person I was before I was a travel writer,” Steves said on the Dec. 14 episode of ‘The Interview’, Rick Steves got deeply personal on the December 14, 2024, episode of The Interview podcast from The New York Times, reflecting on his life, career, and recent prostate cancer diagnosis.
That quote you mentioned came during a moment of vulnerability, where he shared regrets about the toll his travel-focused career has taken on his personal life. He spoke about longing for a simpler existence—perhaps as a piano teacher with a steady home life—rather than the whirlwind of global exploration and public life he chose1.
Despite the challenges, Steves emphasized that his path has been a mission, helping people travel thoughtfully and meaningfully. He’s approaching his cancer journey with what he calls a “traveler’s mindset,” embracing the unknown with curiosity rather than fear.
It’s a powerful conversation about purpose, sacrifice, and staying open-hearted in the face of adversity.
Travel guru Rick Steves is getting candid about his experience with prostate cancer. Rick Steves was diagnosed with prostate cancer in August 2024. He shared the news publicly and spoke candidly about his experience, describing it as a journey he approached with a traveler’s mindset.
Steves, 69, reflected on the disease, sharing that it has imbued him with “an awareness of what you might regret when you’re wrapping up your life,” during the Dec. 14 episode of The New York Times’ podcastThe Interview, hosted by David Marchese and Lulu Garcia-Navarro.
“[A career in travel] has not been good for my family. I got divorced. It’s not been great for relationships with loved ones.”
“I would love to be the person I was before I was a travel writer,” he continued. “I would have had a very, very beautiful life being a piano teacher, coming home every night for dinner and mowing the lawn, and joining clubs, and, you know, being regular and reliable. But I’ve chosen a different path, and this is a path that is — it’s a mission for me.”
“I’ve calculated it,” he explained. “And I’ve got an opportunity to be what I consider extremely productive … helping people travel in a constructive way. And I choose that knowing it’s not gonna be without a cost. Yeah, I’m aware of that. And I’m in a way sad about it. But, again, you have to make a choice.”
Rick Steves in October 2024. Derek Davis/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty
He’s since settled into his image as one of the“lovable nerds on public television,” he jokes. “Like Mr. Rogers, Bob Ross and the Muppets.” He’s also written 110 books and built a travel empire with 100 employees who work on the show, tours and his weekly radio program, which began in 2005 and airs on about 500 stations.
But in August, all of that was put on pause. On his doctor’s urging, Steves had taken a prostate-specific antigen blood test (PSA) for the first time ever. “That probably saved my life,” he says. “Now I’m a crusader for people to get tested.” He’d been showing symptoms, like frequent urination, but didn’t think much of it. His doctor told him his PSA number was “through the roof.”
I look at things with a traveler’s mindset—with curiosity, joy and positivity
— RICK STEVES
Learning he had cancer was a shock. “When you’ve found your niche and you love what you do, it’s like oxygen. You can’t imagine living without it,” says Steves, who spends more than 100 days traveling each year filming and researching. “But when you get that news, you realize work is not primary. I’ve got to be healthy. I’ve got loved ones I want to be with.”
Those include his children from his previous marriage, Andy, 37, also a travel writer, and Jackie, 34, a teacher, and his girlfriend of five years, Shelley Bryan Wee, a Lutheran bishop. Steves, who is active in the Lutheran Church himself, says Wee, a breast cancer survivor, has been by his side throughout. “She’s an inspiration and is wise and comforting.”
Rick Steves and girlfriend Shelley Bryan Wee in the Swiss Alps in 2022. Courtesy Rick Steves
Because of his high PSA numbers, Steves opted to have his prostate removed. The surgery was successful, he says, and doctors don’t think the cancer has spread, but he’s still coping with after-effects, including incontinence. “I didn’t know what the word was and now it’s a big part of my life,” he says with a laugh.
He is determined to be open about his journey, even the potentially embarrassing parts. “When I was a teenager, my mother had depression and it was a secret in the family,” he says. “That bothered me. I don’t like needless secrets. We need each other. We need to share. We need support. We need to learn from each other’s experiences.”
The outpouring of good wishes he’s received from fans and friends since his diagnosis has “filled my sails with a loving wind,” he says. “It’s good medicine.”
Later this month, Steves is expecting lab results to learn if he is cancer free. In the meantime, he’s back to work, and the people he loves.
“I’m on the road to recovery and it’s a beautiful feeling,” he says. “You can’t control where the road takes you in life. Sometimes there’s a bend and you gotta take it. You can be positive or negative about it. I’m very positive about my prognosis.”
Steves also admitted that while his diagnosis is “scary” at times, he’s attempting to approach it with a “traveler’s mindset.”
“You know, a month ago, I said goodbye to my prostate, and I see it as a journey. I don’t speak the language. I don’t know exactly where it’s going. I’m not in control of the itinerary,” he said.
“And it’s interesting to me. It hasn’t gotten me down. I’m kind of having — not fun — but I’m having a learning experience,” he added. “I didn’t really wanna be an expert on incontinence, but I’m gonna get through it.”
The travel writer shared that he strives to stay open and honest about what he’s going through, revealing that his August social media post in which he revealed his diagnoses was the “most commented on and shared posts I’ve ever had on Facebook.”
“And it was a very, very positive thing,” he added.
“I’ve always thought it’s important not to keep these things secret, to be embarrassed about anything.” Steves also revealed that growing up with a mother who had depression motivated him to share personal health updates with fans.
“When I was … a teenager — that was a long time ago — my mom had some kind of depression, and [the doctors] were fiddling around trying to find the right kind of antidepressant medicine for her and so on. And I know that there’s a lot of depression in our society, and even as a teenager, I felt like I can’t keep this a secret. We’ve gotta share it with people so that when they have depression in their family, they will be more open about it … and not be alone and afraid, but be in community.”
He also noted that the outpouring of support he has received since announcing his diagnosis has “almost has a tangible value. It fills the sails that motor me through this journey, and I’m really thankful for it.” In terms of a prognosis, Steves said he’s optimistic and is “doing as well as you can be,” adding, “My my prognosis is very good. If you’re gonna get cancer, prostate is a good kind of cancer to get.”
It was supposed to be a routine doctor’s appointment.
Well-known travel writer and TV host Rick Steves, 69, was sitting across from his new primary care doctor at UW Medicine, who suggested a wellness checkup, a few dietary tweaks, maybe tai chi? And how about a blood test?
Steves agreed and didn’t think more about it. He went back to work planning a TV shoot about barge trips in Burgundy.
“A few days later, my doctor called me and asked if there is a quiet place to sit down,” Steves remembered. “He then told me my PSAs were off the charts.”
Cells in the prostate gland make a protein called prostate-specific antigen, or PSA. A blood test can measure the PSA circulating in the blood, with a high count sometimes indicating prostate cancer.
The normal PSA for someone Steves’ age is less than 4 nanograms per milliliter, according to his urologic oncologist and surgeon, Daniel W. Lin, MD, a Fred Hutch Cancer Center physician and chief of UW Medicine’s urologic oncology program and holder of the Pritt Family Endowed Chair in Prostate Cancer Research.
Steves’ PSA level was 55.
“It was like I’d been thrown into a new land fraught with mystery and uncertainty,” he wrote in an Oct. 8 post on Facebook. “Suddenly swept away from my general practitioner and into the world of oncology, I needed to make important decisions about things I knew nothing of, and I barely spoke the language.”What insights did Rick Steves share during his recovery ?
Rick Steves approached his recovery from prostate cancer with the same spirit he brings to travel—curious, candid, and deeply reflective. Here are some of the most meaningful insights he shared:
Framing Cancer as a Journey
He described cancer as “the latest adventure in a lifetime of travels,” likening his diagnosis to entering a foreign land without a map or language skills.
His mindset turned the experience into a kind of “trip report,” helping others see illness not just as a setback, but as a transformative passage.
Advocating for Open Conversations
Rick emphasized that cancer is “nothing to be ashamed of or to hide,” encouraging people to speak openly about their diagnoses and treatments.
He reflected on how cancer used to be whispered about, and how transparency can empower others to seek help and feel less alone.
Importance of Early Detection
His diagnosis came after a routine PSA test revealed a score of 55, far above the normal threshold of 4 for his age.
He urged older men to be proactive about screenings, especially if there’s a family history of prostate cancer.
Gratitude and Perspective
Rick expressed deep appreciation for access to quality healthcare, supportive loved ones, and the privilege of living in a peaceful part of the world4.
He made a point to celebrate “everything that works well in my body” and the communities that make healing possible.
Embracing Recovery with Intention
Post-surgery, he tackled recovery with gusto: physical therapy, Kegel exercises, walking, and even training for a hiking trip in Italy’s Dolomites.
He acknowledged challenges like incontinence and sexual dysfunction, but remained optimistic and proactive.
Looking Ahead
Rick declared himself “essentially cancer-free” in early 2025 and returned to travel planning, writing, and filming with renewed energy.
He’s now more committed than ever to living vibrantly and sharing meaningful experiences with others.
His reflections are a masterclass in turning adversity into wisdom. Want to hear how he’s weaving these insights into his travel work now?
How is Rick incorporating these insights into his travel work?
Rick Steves has been weaving his cancer recovery insights into his travel work with remarkable depth and authenticity. Here’s how his recent projects reflect that transformation:
Embracing Nature and Wellness
His latest travel specials spotlight alpine adventures across Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and France—celebrating physical vitality and the healing power of nature.
He’s been promoting active travel: hiking, scenic train rides, and rustic cultural experiences that encourage movement and mindfulness.
Speaking with Purpose
Rick’s upcoming talk, Travel as a Political Act, emphasizes how thoughtful travel can foster empathy, global understanding, and personal growth.
He’s using his platform to encourage travelers to engage with the world intentionally, not just as tourists but as learners and bridge-builders.
Prioritizing Meaningful Experiences
His blog and interviews reflect a shift toward slower, more reflective travel, urging people to savor moments and connect deeply with local cultures
He’s championing travel that’s not just about sights, but about insight—especially into health, resilience, and gratitude.
He’s highlighting how travel can be a tool for social awareness, especially in places where rights and freedoms are still evolving.
Rick’s post-recovery work feels more personal, more intentional, and more urgent—in the best way. Want to hear about his upcoming book or how he’s mentoring the next generation of travel storytellers?
How does travel contribute to personal wellness and health?
Travel isn’t just about snapping photos and checking off bucket lists—it’s a full-body, mind-expanding wellness experience.
Here’s how it contributes to personal health:
Mental & Emotional Well-Being
Reduces stress by breaking routine and offering a mental reset.
Boosts happiness and mood—even the anticipation of a trip can lift spirits.
Encourages mindfulness and presence, especially in nature-rich or culturally immersive destinations.
Helps combat depression and anxiety, with studies showing lower rates among frequent travelers.
Physical Health Benefits
Promotes movement and exercise—walking tours, hiking, swimming, and exploring cities all get you moving.
Can lower risk of heart disease: people who vacation regularly have significantly reduced cardiac risks.
Supports better sleep and blood pressure, especially after wellness-focused trips like spa retreats or yoga getaways.
Immune & Cognitive Boosts
Exposure to new environments may strengthen immunity by introducing your body to diverse microbes.
Enhances brain health and creativity—navigating unfamiliar places stimulates cognitive flexibility.
Encourages lifelong learning, which supports mental sharpness and emotional resilience.
Nature & Wellness Tourism
Activities like forest bathing, hot springs, and guided hikes can reduce cortisol and improve mood.
Wellness travel often includes healthy eating, meditation, and digital detoxes that support holistic health.
Travel is like a multivitamin for your soul—with side effects that include joy, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose. Want help planning a wellness-focused getaway or exploring destinations that specialize in healing experiences?
Can you recommend some wellness retreats or programs?
Absolutely! Whether you’re looking to recharge your body, clear your mind, or just escape the daily grind, here are some standout wellness retreats across the U.S. that offer transformative experiences:
Castle Hot Springs – Arizona
Nestled in the Bradshaw Mountains, this historic resort features geothermal hot springs, farm-to-table dining, and sound bath sessions.
Activities include e-bike tours, yoga, and slot canyon hikes.
Ideal for couples or solo travelers seeking serenity and adventure.
Golden Door – California
A Japanese-inspired sanctuary with 80+ weekly classes, bamboo forests, and private hiking trails.
Includes daily massages, skin treatments, and personalized wellness plans.
Focuses on mindfulness, movement, and nutrition.
Carillon Miami Wellness Resort – Florida
Located on North Beach, this resort boasts one of the largest spas on the East Coast.
Offers cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, sensory deprivation tanks, and fitness classes.
Perfect for those who want luxury with a cutting-edge wellness twist.
YO1 Longevity & Health Resorts – New York
Set on 1,300 acres in the Catskills, this retreat blends Ayurveda, naturopathy, and yoga.
Programs address stress, insomnia, infertility, and more.
Features personalized health plans and expansive therapy areas.
The Ranch Malibu – California
A weeklong immersive retreat with plant-based meals, daily hikes, and low-impact fitness.
Limited to 25 guests for a more intimate experience.
Great for detoxing and jumpstarting a healthier lifestyle.
Sensei Lanai – Hawaii
A Four Seasons adults-only retreat offering Thai aqua therapy, infrared saunas, and guided hikes.
Includes structured programs with personalized fitness and nutrition assessments.
Tranquil, luxurious, and ideal for solo reflection or romantic escapes.
Would you like recommendations tailored to a specific goal—like stress relief, fitness, or spiritual growth? Or maybe something closer to Ohio? I can help narrow it down!
Update: On Feb. 22, 2025, Steves posted on Facebook that he is “cancer free” according to his surgeon
In a groundbreaking discovery, Dutch researchers believe they’ve uncovered the elusive “ceiling” of the human lifespan. As modern life expectancy continues to rise due to advances in nutrition, improved living conditions, and progressive medical care, there’s been heightened interest in understanding just how old humans can potentially grow.
The new study offers a startling perspective.
Utilizing a comprehensive dataset that tracked the exact age at death for approximately 75,000 Dutch individuals, expert statisticians from Tilburg and Erasmus universities in Rotterdam have posited a maximum age limit for women at an astonishing 115.7 years.
The male counterpart, interestingly, nudges slightly below at 114.1 years. This invaluable data stretches over a remarkable three decades, providing a solid foundation for the researchers’ claims.
Professor John Einmahl, one of the leading scientists behind the study, shared some insight into the findings. “On average, people live longer, but the very oldest among us have not gotten older over the last thirty years,” he remarked.
These findings further highlight that the number of individuals in The Netherlands celebrating their 95th birthday has almost tripled in recent times. “Nevertheless, the maximum ceiling itself hasn’t changed,” Einmahl emphatically noted.
For clarity, it’s essential to differentiate between ‘lifespan’ and ‘life expectancy’. The former relates to the duration of life for an individual, while the latter represents the average expected life duration for individuals within a specific age group. Life expectancy typically serves as a metric indicating societal wellbeing.
This recent Dutch exploration resonates with findings from US-based researchers last year. While they too identified a similar age ceiling, they posited that those exceptionally aged weren’t living quite as long as their predecessors.
However, Einmahl and his team challenge this notion. Employing a unique statistical approach known as the “Extreme Value Theory“, they concluded that the maximum lifespan has exhibited almost negligible fluctuations.
For those unfamiliar, the Extreme Value Theory is a sophisticated statistical methodology primarily utilized to interpret data and address questions related to extreme events – think lifespans, natural disasters, and other outliers.
Still, like every rule, there are exceptions. Einmahl cites the case of Jeanne Calment, the French supercentenarian, who defied all odds by living to the remarkable age of 122 years and 164 days. To date, she remains the oldest verified woman.
As the scientific community awaits further validation, Einmahl announced that their pioneering findings are enroute for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. He anticipates its publication “within the next month or so”.
As we look to the future, studies such as these are more than mere statistics. They prompt profound questions about the human condition, the nature of our existence, and the interplay of biology and environment. The “ceiling” might be set, but the conversation about human potential is limitless.
Chromosome 2 artificially fused in the ancient past!!! A human cell can divide roughly 50 times before it dies out. It’s called the Hayflick limit, and it’s become a real headache for anti-aging science. As long as the limit holds, it suggests a maximum human lifespan of 120 years
He has a PHD in Biology and does give that process some credit, but with peer review in the state it’s in progress is painfully slow. That matches the information I received in college in biology classes.
Cells can only divide so many times, and there is no way to change that mechanism unless we start messing with cellular DNA, and we all know how well genetically engineered things have worked thus far.
Fairly well, I mean we’ve been using cold resistant potatoes for decades. Hell, if you count breeding as genetic engineering we’ve been eating genetically engineered grass since the stone age.
Once grown to an adult a lot of that dividing is due to damage triggering a healing response. This includes UV radiation, organ damage, or even a simple cut. Depending on how much of any of these occur for someone it can shorten or lengthen your potential life span. I wonder if this life span prediction is for an average amount of damage that may occur in someone’s life.
You can also expand telomeres using hyperbaric treatment.
Just about everything I was told in college turned out to be wrong or obsolete. Undergraduate universities are obsolete.
Thanks for the nice explanation. I apologize that my autism is forcing me to respond to this. I am VERY happy you wrote as you did. The Hayflick limit is treated as accepted fact, but as we all know, fact is only loosely applicable in this context. Scientifically, it’s a theory at best. Invitro appears to substantiate it, but we cannot prove it. For the moment, it seems more likely it’s just a fairly reliable guess.
For the rest of this, we’ll make the assumption that Hayflick is accurate since it seems to make the math work. Why I’m nitpicking is that you didn’t say “approximately 120 years” rather you said “120 years”.
It’s a pretty important qualifier.
I believe the Hayflick limit will disappear pretty quickly in modern science. Unlike in 1961, we should be able better understand telomerase and possibly replicate its effects on non-cancerous cells.
Alternatively, simply knowing it’s possible should allow us to synthesize an alternative to improve reliability of replicating telomeres. Limits like this are probably only the tip of the iceberg though. We would also need to accelerate cellular reproduction and even filter malignant or flawed cells.
Astragalus root extract may help in telomere repair and re-lengthening.
Another instance where scientists have “discovered” the truth of what God stated in the Bible thousands of years ago: “So the LORD said, ‘My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years.’” Genesis 6:3.
So many contradictions and inconsistencies in the “good book” that it is hard to keep track. But there was some supposed “generation” that lived longer than 120 years, wasn’t there? I remember that being the “explanation” for how the “math” is supposed to work out…
Yes, the generations before the flood lived several hundreds of years. Methuselah lived to 969, Adam 930, Jared 962, etc. After the flood life expectancies started to decline due to the environmental changes caused by the flood.
The lifespans of humans changed after the flood not due to “environmental changes caused by the flood,” but due to genetic changes caused by God. God altered the genes responsible for the durability of telomeres and telomerase caps on human chromosomes. He caused them to become less robust, weaker, and shorter. As a result, cells do not replicate properly for as long as they did before the flood.
When cells do not replicate properly, they produce inferior copies, and the inferiority of such continues to worsen as those inferior copies replicate and produce even worse copies. The result is that the human experiences cellular degeneration at a more rapid rate than before the flood.
That cellular degeneration is what is colloquially referred to as “aging” and “getting older.” It is a result of tweaking the DNA genes responsible for telomeres and telomerase caps, so that humans age faster and do not live as long.
Importantly, scientists are working out how to genetically alter DNA genes in ways that improve telomeres and telomerase caps. If successful, the result of such could be humans living much longer and even for several hundreds of years, as before the flood.
However, God will not allow such to be brought to fruition or used in the world because of the disgraceful state of humanity and the violence, immorality, perversity, and evil that abounds in the world. People cannot even live righteously for 120 years, and virtually no decent person wants to extend the lifespans of criminals, perverts, and those who indulge in and practice evil. The 120 years God mentions in this verse specifically references the time it takes Noah to build the Ark.
It has nothing to do with mankind’s lifespan after the flood.
Although the Bible clearly states that Adam lived 930 years, and his son Seth 912 years. God reduced the human lifespan a few generations after Adam and Seth. Specifically, God reduced the human lifespan for people who lived after Noah and the flood. Noah lived several generations after Adam and Seth. God decided to reduce human lifespans because people were so evil and practiced evil (the specific things occurring were rape, abduction, theft, and murder, and these were very common). Because of the abundant evil being practiced by humanity, God shortened the human lifespan. It was good that God did so: just think how worse all of humanity would be if murderers, rapists, and other criminals lived several hundred years.
Jeanne Calment was a devout Christian all of her life.
God graced her with living longer than 120 years as a reward for her faith and as proof that humans can live much longer, to inspire others to be obedient to God. Again, she was a devout Christian all of her life and usually prayed every morning and read the Bible some every day. She is the only person in modern history millennia who has had a verified life of over 120 years. That she was a devout Christian is basically God saying that the only people who will live beyond the 120-year limit set for humanity will be Christians.
And since the Bible states the Israelites lived in Egypt for 430 years “to the very day.” Saul reigned as king of Israel for 42 years. The death of Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar in the Second Book of Kings used Ptolemy’s history of Babylonian kings, combined with Greek historical events of known dates, to pinpoint the death of Nebuchadnezzar in 562 B.C.
Adding together the generations of Old Testament begetting and the reigns of kings, it can be surmised that 3,442 years passed between the creation and Nebuchadnezzar’s death making the estimate for the Earth’s creation: 4,004 B.C. Or in the opinion of one widely accepted bible mythology interpreter: 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, 4004 B.C.
The genealogy in the Bible omits several generations from Adam to Jesus. It cites only the most important figures. There were others. Human life on earth began over 500,000 years ago. Anyone in the Christian, Jewish, or any other community suggesting the earth and humans were made in the last roughly 6,000 years is mistaken and merely asserting such because they do not know or understand biblical history or ancient Hebrew accurately. The “days” referenced in the creation story are not literal days (especially since the sun and solar system, which establish the 24 hour day as we know it, were not formed until the third “day”).
Rather, the Hebrew word “yom” is used there and translated as “day,” and such means an undefined period, a period of time, some segment of time (such as an epoch). It can be used in reference to a 24-hour day, and also used in reference to a 1-hour soccer game, or a 2-billion year period.
When one reads the biblical creation story knowing this, it is clear that the earth and all life being created in six days does not refer to literal 24 hour days, but to undefined periods of creation which involved forming the universe and stars in the first 3 days/periods, then forming the solar system, and then giving rise to life on earth during the last 3 days/periods.
There are many creation mythologies going back to beginnings of what has become known as conscious thought. Most all built one upon the other with refinements to address the present societal requirements necessary for subjugation of the many by the few as for as long as more than a couple family groups gathered together creating a society. All those governing lores are likely based on kernels of events that occurred, and with some literary license, made for good parables.
OMG, I’ve got another 50 years of arthritis. I’ve often wondered what changed and how men could live to be hundreds of years old before the flood. Something physically changed in the world. I find it very strange that the change occurred at the time of the flood.
There are things known as telomeres and telomerase caps on chromosomes in each human chromosome. Such are responsible for what humans perceive as “aging” and “getting older.” In essence, they effectuate cellular replication, but in replicating cells they make the copies of lower and lower quality over time, so that people age and die usually within 120 years.
However, genetically tweaking human DNA in the right way can result in better and stronger telomeres and telomerase caps, and the result of such is that humans will live much longer because their cells are replicating perfectly or with better quality over time. When humans were first created, God made them with strong and very good telomeres and telomerase caps, so that such would result in perpetual perfect cellular replication and infinite life.
After Adam and Eve sinned, God changed their DNA so their telomeres and telomerase caps were weakened and such resulted in Adam and Eve and a few generations of their descendants only living for usually less than 1,000 years. During Noah’s time, God decided to further alter telomeres and telomerase caps so humans would typically not live beyond 120 years due to their sinfulness and wickedness.
In recent decades of genetic science, scientists have begun experimenting on how to tweak human DNA to get it back to how it was before God altered such, so that humans can live much longer again. The technology and ability to do this already exists, but for sociological, ethical, and other reasons such is not brought to market because the world would be much worse than it already is if all the corrupt and evil-doing people could live for hundreds or thousands of years.
It is not that everybody is committing sins every day, it is that some people commit very serious sins (murder, rape, robbery, etc.) and they have no problem committing such multiple times, and if they are allowed to live very long lifespans than it would result in them committing more and more crimes. Imagine a person who lives only 70-120 years getting a 50-year sentence for murder. That is roughly half of his life.
But a person who lives for 1,000 years getting the same 50-year sentence is punished for only 1/20 of his life. He could murder 10 other people, get the same 50-year sentence for each, and be released by the time he is 600 years old, then do more crime. It is not good to allow people to live for hundreds or thousands of years when they have no problem committing severe sins that are very harmful to others.
Read the whole Bible and you will find it explained. I cannot remember the exact passage numbers, but it is addressed and explained. Read the Bible there are no “inconsistencies” when the entire Bible is read.
Yes but , this was for us that came AFTER THE FLOOD.
Noah was before and The Lord acknowledged him and counted Noah as worthy.
The first paragraph is no longer true! Human lifespan, at least in America, is DEcreasing! And it’s due entirely to our food system and the toxins our government ALLOWS to be put in our food, water and environment generally.
FDA is not on the list. But it would be nice if the FDA started doing its job better.
The list includes:
1) Department of Education. It too has failed us. He wants to get rid of it.
The rest of these he wants to modify in various ways:
2) Department of Veterans Affairs 3) Internal Revenue Service 4) Department of Health and Human Services 5) State Department 6) Environmental Protection Agency 7) Department of Justice 8) Department of the Interior.
Special note: the federal government owns 28% of US lands. It should hardly own any. Federal parks in states should be owned and operated by the states if they so choose. The federal government should only own land under federal bases and buildings. The rest should be public land.
As far as decimating the departments, yes, Trump wants to trim the pork. A family member of mine works in procurement and another works in fraud and waste. The one in procurement told me stories like “One guy came into the office each day and read the newspaper for 2 hours.”. There are employees that get lousy reviews, but the government still cannot get rid of them.
If people think that the government is not filled with hundreds of thousands of people who mostly just slide at work, then they are naïve. There is deadwood in all industries, but the federal government has a higher percentage than most which can use accountability.
In a highly competitive market companies are unlikely to do anything that will impact their bottom line. They are short sighted, but business is often based on dollars.
I think this all depends on where you live.
Clean air, good unprocessed food, and exercise would lead to a longer life. We mostly live in cities with polluted air and eat fast food. This study was done in the Netherlands, and I would like to know how these people lived.
Even if a method to extend human life by two to three times its current length our governments would never allow this to happen. As it is they currently want a reduction in the human population, not a 300% increase. They state this reason as being because of a lack of resources which is bunk and there are billions of acres upon which it can be grown.
Not to mention that only the wealthiest among us would get any such treatment and just because you can live past 115 years doesn’t mean it’s going to be enjoyable. I’m 65 and my body is already rapidly declining and I certainly don’t want to live another 50 years if that continues now. If they could discover how to reverse the aging process that would be an altogether different matter.
Anyway, back to what you were saying. You’re completely right about the consequences of wealth inequality, but the solution to that is to develop cheap treatments and reduce inequality, not ban treatments altogether. You’re also right about the need to improve the human “healthspan”, not just the lifespan. Negligible Senescence is definitely the goal. The best determinant of an age ceiling in the USA currently is your income level and ability to purchase good health care and nutrition. If you are lower income your average life expectancy in the USA has been dropping for some time as the average life expectancy for higher income earners steadily rises to the 90’s and into 100+.
100 verified oldest women
The list includes supercentenarians validated by organisations specialising in extreme age verification such as the Gerontology Research Group (GRG),[5][7][8] with, in some cases, press coverage as a supplementary source.
The list includes supercentenarians validated by an organisation specialising in extreme age verification such as the Gerontology Research Group (GRG),[5][7][8] with, in some cases, press coverage as a supplementary source.
Sadly, it is believed that Jeanne Calment actually died in 1939 from pneumonia and complicated influenza and her daughter assumed her identity to avoid paying inheritance taxes. Since it was the middle of the war and much greater concerns were front & center this was never thoroughly investigated. Though an adjuster for a company paying her had suspicions, their investigations were hindered by the fact she had achieved “celebrity” status by that time.
Global Life Expectancy | Watching Living long is not all that you may think, everything, and everyone passes you by. I am not pleased with how you Humans are managing this planet, but it is interesting seeing how you scurry around like everything you do is important. Well it isn’t. Well in a little over four of your years everything will be changing, and no it has nothing to do with the creature that you Americans elected for your leader.
Groundbreaking discovery?
Leonard Hayflick “discovered the limit of human cell division and estimated the limit of human lifespan to be 120 years. He published this finding back in 1961. It wasn’t new information then. The ancient book of Genesis reports a limit of 120 years as well. It’s been known for thousands of years and “scientific” research repeatedly confirms it.
No groundbreaking discovery here. read a little about the Hayflick limit.
It’s the average maximum number from research measuring telomeres 💀
The genetics angle states humans can no longer replicate their DNA after 120 years, but perhaps the rare person like Jeanne Calment could cost a couple extra years. They’ve done it in mice already.
Mice aren’t people and people aren’t mice, but the road from mice to people is a lot shorter than the road from worms to people (which is what they increased the longevity of before they managed it with mice).
How is the max 115 when we’ve had people live 120+?
I know it’s extremely rare to live to 120, but the “max” would and should be higher than that considering it’s happened multiple times. “Maximum age limit for women at an astonishing 115.7 years” has been surpassed a number of times, so… yeah. Well people didn’t get birth certificates, and the first real registries didn’t start until the 1900s. All these extra old people never have proof, they were born in 1800 it’s just say say, probably exaggerated and incorrect. It is also just a handful of people around the world out of the billions walking this planet.
Also read about the Kings List. – Search The Sumerian King List, also known as the Chronicle of the One Monarchy, is a pivotal ancient literary document that meticulously catalogs the kings of various Sumerian city-states, the durations of their reigns, and the succession of power among these urban centers. Composed and refined during the late third and early second millennium BC, the SKL was primarily designed to legitimize the authority of different rulers by presenting a structured lineage of kingship. This document not only provides insights into the political dynamics of ancient Mesopotamia but also reflects the intertwining of mythological and historical narratives in early human civilizations. The Sumerian King List remains a fascinating and complex document that offers valuable insights into the political, religious, and cultural dynamics of ancient Mesopotamia. These kings in the past lived for thousands of years. If true, what did they know we don’t know? Very interesting reading. People were living to be 900 in the Bible, so this study isn’t that accurate. Just more clueless “scientists” trying to get their name in the papers. Providing there are no external causes of death, getting run over, stabbed in the back, X’s nagging you to death, poor diet, cancer, you get the picture.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful* in its time.+ He has even put eternity in their heart; yet mankind will never find out the work that the true God has made from start to finish. ******* How long can man live? Forever! Not in this system but coming so very soon in the New System of things! Imagine, living forever in a paradise earth, just as God had already planned! Our thoughts and actions should be such that we have that chance of surviving the Great Tribulation and Armageddon so that we can live as God had originally proposed, FOREVER! Revelation 7:9-17 After this I saw, and look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues,* standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes; and there were palm branches in their hands. 10 And they keep shouting with a loud voice, saying: “Salvation we owe to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell facedown before the throne and worshipped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Let the praise and the glory and the wisdom and the thanksgiving and the honor and the power and the strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” 13 In response one of the elders said to me: “These who are dressed in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from?” 14 So right away I said to him: “My lord, you are the one who knows.” And he said to me: “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 That is why they are before the throne of God, and they are rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple; and the One seated on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 They will hunger no more nor thirst anymore, neither will the sun beat down on them nor any scorching heat, 17 because the Lamb, who is in the midst* of the throne, will shepherd them and will guide them to springs* of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.”
I don’t want to live to such an old age.
Living in the rat race with financial woes, no thank you. This is science not including ALL the information. Science CANNOT determine that accurately. Just like they can’t get space things right. To be safe, take 1/4 of what science says, then believe 1/4 of that… People with a lot of money would pay plenty to find out how a person that is 120 years old can still run a mile.
Billionaires have money but not time.
Billions would be spent to find out how to buy a little more time. At 76 I have 44 years to go before I collect my billions of dollars. If you are going to heaven, your lifespan increases to infinity… You can keep your old earthly bodies. Who in their right mind would want to live to be 120?
Who wants to live forever? I’m hoping that’s a reference to YouTube Music from the highlander soundtrack… If so, BRAVO!Americans will never come near that ceiling with our healthcare system as it is. Every atom, every cell in your body is replaced every seven years.
But by being a copy of me, I’m still who I am.
Modern Stem Cell Therapy is going to change these numbers. Then why did Jeanne Calment live to 122 years old. – Search the bigger question is why is my loaf of bread lasting for months and not molding?..Aliens..we are not alone I just love these people they call scientists. Just who determines who a scientist is anyway? Snoring….
The bible says the general age limit is 120. But God initially blessed people with longer life spans even after imposing this limit. Who lived past 120 after God said that. I know Moses didn’t have many signs of aging despite being over 80, but I don’t recall him ever making it past 120. So Can a human egg be fertilized without a male donor?
It’s because men only have 1 X chromosome while women have a spare copy in case the first one is damaged.
“So the LORD said, ‘My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years.’” Genesis 6:3.
According to Social Security it could be 150- 300 years. Depends on your party affiliation! 🙈🙊🙉🐵
It’s meaningless for 99.99% of people. We should aim for a meaningful and interesting life, not worrying too much about the length. Once people reach retirement age, they should really just live in the present.
Income is a potent predictor of the time a person devotes to physical exercise. People on lower incomes can face greater challenges when trying to exercise consistently because adequate public spaces may not be available, gym membership and workout equipment are expensive, and they may have less flexible work schedules.
A 2018 research paper found that among adolescents and young adults, people in families with higher incomes, as well as men and white people, were more likely than others to engage in physical activity.
The Peter G. Peterson Foundation reported that, in 2021, households in Northeastern and Western states earned, on average, $7,000 to $15,000 more a year than households in the Midwest and South, respectively. People who live in those regions are more likely to report higher rates of physical activity.
In the United States as a whole, several county-clusters of relatively low life expectancy stand out. The most prominent is in eastern Kentucky, southern West Virginia, and southern Ohio, an area mostly inhabited by Euro-Americans.
Several areas demographically dominated by African Americans also post low longevity figures, including the southern Mississippi Valley and a few of the large cities that are visible on this county-level map, such as Baltimore and Saint Louis.
Almost all counties with large Native American populations also have relatively low figures. Counties with Hispanic majorities, in contrast, generally have average or high levels of longevity, as is clearly visible in southern Texas.
Although life expectancy tends to correlate with income, the correlation collapses in many of these areas. Hidalgo County, Texas is over 91 percent Hispanic and has a per capita income of only $12,130, making it “one of the poorest counties in the United States,” but it ranks in the highest longevity category on this map. In Camp County, in northeast Texas, the average life expectancy of white residents is only 74 years, whereas that of Hispanics is 92 years. In most Texas countries, Hispanics outlive whites. Presumably, diet and activity levels are major factors.
Life expectancy varies significantly across Montana, with some counties falling in the highest category and others in the lowest. In Montana, low figures are found in counties with large Native American populations and in the former mining and smelting counties of Silver Bow and Deer Lodge. The relatively wealthier counties of south-central Montana post high longevity figures.
The map of heart-disease deaths in the United States shows some stark geographically patterns.
Rates are highest in the south-central part of the country but are also elevated across most of the eastern Midwest. Heart disease death rates tend to be lower in major metropolitan counties as well as in rural countries across much of the West and western Midwest.
Many of the patterns seen on this map are difficult to interpret. Why, for example, would heart-disease death rates be much lower in western North Carolina than in eastern Tennessee? (Perhaps the obesity map, posted below, offers a partial explanation, although only by begging the question.)
And why would some counties that are demographically dominated by Native Americans have very high rates whereas others, especially those in New Mexico and Arizona, have very low rates? In Montana heart disease tends to be elevated in Native American counties – and in Silver Bow (Butte). South-central Montana has low rates.
Map Shows States With Higher Cancer Rates – Newsweek On the U.S. cancer death-rate map of 2020, high rates are clearly evident in areas demographically dominated by poor white people (central Appalachia) and poor Black people (the inland delta of the Mississippi in western Mississippi and eastern Arkansas).
Low rates tend to be found in the Rocky Mountains, south Florida, and parts of the northern Great Plains. No clear patterns are evident in Montana. Gallatin and Liberty counties fall in the lowest category found in the state yet have almost nothing in common. The small population of Liberty County, however, makes comparison difficult.
Finally, the patterns seen on the U.S. obesity map are similar to those seen on the preceding maps.
The low rates found in the Rocky Mountains, extending from northern New Mexico to northwest Montana, are notable. The northern Great Plains have a higher obesity rate than might be expected based on other health indicators.
Some odd juxtapositions are found on this map, with several neighboring counties of similar demographic characteristics posting very different figures. Why, for example, would Pecos County in West Texas have such higher rates than its neighbors? In Montana, it is not surprising that Gallatin County, with its youthful, outdoor focused population, has the lowest obesity rate.
📊 As of 2022, about 26.8% of adult New Yorkers were classified as obese, based on self-reported height and weight.
But that citywide average hides some striking neighborhood differences:
🏙️ Obesity Rates by Borough
Borough
Obesity Rate (%)
Bronx
37.4
Staten Island
33.0
Brooklyn
26.3
Queens
25.2
Manhattan
20.2
📍 Notable Neighborhoods
South Bronx: 39.4%
East New York (Brooklyn): 44.2%
East Harlem (Manhattan): 39.2%
Upper East Side (Manhattan): Just 9.0%
People also ask What does Filth mean? Staten Island Has A landfill in their backyard offensive or disgusting dirt or refuse; foul matter. the filth dumped into our rivers. foul condition. to live in filth. moral impurity, corruption, or obscenity. vulgar or obscene language or thought.
The Staten Island Advance/SILive.com analyzed data from the New York State Cancer Registry to see how the borough’s cancer rates stack up against the rest of New York City and the state at large. To account for varying population levels between the boroughs, the Advance/SILive.com used a rate per 100,000 population as opposed to average number of annual cases.
The cancer rate per 100,000 population on Staten Island is 517.4 cases, which is approximately 18.6% higher than the next closest borough, Manhattan. This rate includes all invasive malignant tumors, covering all types of cancer. Staten Island has the highest rate of any borough for 15 of the 25 cancers tracked by the state, with female breast cancer having the highest rate at 139.1 per 100,000 population.
Other cancers with high rates include prostate cancer, lung and bronchus cancers, and thyroid cancer. The borough’s high cancer rates are particularly perplexing when considering that the other four boroughs boast some of the lowest rates of all 62 counties in the state.
The borough’s rate of 517.4 cases per 100,000 population for all cancers was roughly 18.6% higher than the next closest borough, Manhattan, which had a rate of 436.2 cases per 100,000 population. Queens, the Bronx and Brooklyn had per 100,000 population rates of 415.5, 422.9 and 430.7, respectively.
Staten Island’s high cancer rates are particularly perplexing when considering that the other four boroughs boast some of the lowest rates of all 62 counties in the state. Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan have the first, third, fourth and fifth lowest cancer rates of any county in New York, while Staten Island has the 17th-highest.
Here’s what the state found in a study of Staten Island cancer rates The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) conducted a study on Staten Island cancer rates, revealing that the borough had the highest rate of all cancers combined in New York City based on 2011-2015 data. The study found that the rate of all cancers combined on Staten Island was 16% higher than for New York City, as a whole, and 3% higher than New York State, excluding the rest of New York City.
However, when evaluating each type of cancer individually, thyroid cancer was the only cancer that stood out as unusually high compared to other areas of New York State. The study aimed to identify reasons for the cancer patterns present on Staten Island and to offer recommendations and policy proposals to enhance prevention and community screening efforts.
Here’s what the state found in a study of Staten Island cancer rates — Two years after Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office announced a study to evaluate high cancer rates on Staten Island, the NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH) is returning to the borough to… https://www.silive.com › news › heres-what-the-state-found-in-study-of-staten-island-cancer-rates.html
These disparities often reflect differences in access to healthy food, safe spaces for physical activity, and socioeconomic conditions. Want to explore how NYC is tackling these challenges or dive into youth obesity trends? I’ve got more data where that came from.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, sits within an 85-mile stretch known as “Cancer Alley”, which has some of the highest cancer risks from toxic air pollution in the United States. Here’s a snapshot of the cancer statistics for the area:
📊 East Baton Rouge Parish Cancer Rate
Age-adjusted incidence rate: 475.3 cases per 100,000 people (2017–2021 average)
Trend: Stable over the past five years
Average annual cancer cases: ~2,354
This rate is slightly below the Louisiana state average of 483.6 per 100,000, but still above the national average of 444.4.
🏭 Environmental Factors
Baton Rouge is part of Cancer Alley, home to over 200 petrochemical facilities
Air pollution-related cancer risk in the region is estimated to be up to 7 times higher than the national average
Studies show poverty and race play a role in cancer risk, with Black and low-income communities disproportionately affected4
Anneke Adams is a remarkable Belgian-American author, motivational speaker, and health coach who has survived cancer seven times—a testament to her resilience and unwavering spirit. Her journey spans over two decades, beginning with a diagnosis of Stage-3 breast cancer and later including Stage-2 melanoma. Despite facing immense physical and emotional challenges—including cancer, sexual assault, and the loss of loved ones—she’s become a beacon of hope for others.
She founded the nonprofit How to Cancer 101, which supports patients, survivors, and caregivers through storytelling, support groups, and her book of the same name The book isn’t just about cancer—it’s a guide to overcoming life’s toughest obstacles with positivity, faith, and determination.
Anneke credits her healing to a combination of mindset, meditation, and a plant-based diet rooted in her European upbringing. Her story is not just inspiring—it’s empowering. She wants to be remembered as a fighter, a warrior, and a source of light for those navigating darkness.
Absolutely. Anneke Adams’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary—a story of grit, grace, and purpose forged through unimaginable adversity.
Her cancer battles began at age 26, when she was diagnosed with Stage-3 breast cancer. Over the next 22 years, she faced cancer seven times, including a Stage-2 melanoma on her foot. Doctors once gave her five years to live—six years ago. But Anneke refused to accept that prognosis. Her mindset became her medicine.
Alongside her health struggles, she endured sexual assault and the loss of loved ones, yet she never lost her smile or her drive to uplift others. She describes a moment of spiritual awakening during her sixth diagnosis, realizing her calling was to help others navigate trauma and illness.
That calling led her to create the nonprofit How to Cancer 101, which offers:
Support groups for patients, survivors, and caregivers
Live storytelling events
Her best-selling book How to Cancer 101, which blends personal stories, plant-based recipes, and motivational guidance
Her healing philosophy centers on:
A plant-based diet inspired by her European upbringing
Daily meditation to align mind, body, and spirit
A refusal to dwell on “why” something happened—focusing instead on “what’s next”
Anneke’s message to others: “Magic is believing in yourself. If you can make that happen, anything is possible.” She wants to be remembered not just as a survivor, but as a warrior, a light, and a source of hope.
Anneke G.J. Adams is a remarkable Belgian-American author, motivational speaker, and health coach who has survived cancer not just once—but seven times. Her journey spans over two decades of battling various forms of cancer, including Stage-3 breast cancer and Stage-2 melanoma.
Despite enduring immense physical and emotional pain, Anneke transformed her experience into a mission to uplift others. She founded the nonprofit How to Cancer 101, which offers support groups, live storytelling events, and resources for patients, survivors, and caregivers,
Her book, How to Cancer 101, is a guide not only for those facing cancer but for anyone navigating life’s toughest challenges. It blends personal stories, plant-based recipes, and spiritual insights to promote healing and hope.
Anneke credits her positive mindset, daily meditation, and refusal to dwell on “why” something happened as key to her resilience. She’s known for saying that her sixth diagnosis felt like a spiritual awakening—a moment when she realized her true calling was to help others.
Anneke Adams was driven by a powerful blend of purpose, positivity, and spiritual awakening. After her sixth cancer diagnosis, she described feeling as though she had finally discovered her calling—to help others navigate pain, illness, and loss.
Here’s what fueled her resilience:
A sense of mission: Anneke founded How to Cancer 101 to support patients, survivors, and caregivers. She saw her journey not as a burden, but as a platform to uplift others.
Spiritual clarity: She called her sixth diagnosis a “spiritual awakening,” realizing her life’s purpose was to guide those facing cancer, sexual assault, or grief.
Unshakable mindset: Anneke never asked “why me?”—instead, she focused on “what’s next?” Her refusal to dwell on the past helped her stay mentally strong.
Daily meditation and gratitude: She began and ended each day with meditation, keeping her mind clear and her spirit grounded.
Stubborn optimism: Even her father joked that her stubbornness was her secret weapon. She believed in celebrating small wins and never giving up.
Anneke’s story is a reminder that sometimes the darkest moments reveal the brightest purpose. Want to explore her book or hear her speak? I can point you to some highlights.
What challenges did Anneke face while fighting cancer?
Anneke Adams faced a staggering array of challenges—both physical and emotional—through her seven battles with cancer. Her story is one of grit, grace, and growth in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Major challenges she endured:
Multiple aggressive diagnoses: Anneke was diagnosed with Stage-3 breast cancer and Stage-2 melanoma, among other forms. Each diagnosis came with its own treatment hurdles and recovery demands
Physical pain and exhaustion: Chemotherapy, surgeries, and radiation took a toll on her body. She described the experience as “the most painful of her life”.
Emotional trauma: Beyond cancer, Anneke also survived rape and the loss of loved ones, compounding her emotional burden
Mental health struggles: She was given just five years to live—six years ago. Yet she refused to accept that prognosis, choosing hope over despair.
Isolation and fear: Like many cancer patients, Anneke faced moments of loneliness and uncertainty. But she leaned into meditation and spiritual connection to stay grounded.
Lifestyle overhaul: She adopted a plant-based diet and holistic wellness practices, which required discipline and consistency.
Despite all this, Anneke never lost her smile. She turned her pain into purpose, founding How to Cancer 101 and writing a book that’s become a beacon of hope for others.
How did Anneke cope with her challenges?
Anneke Adams coped with her extraordinary challenges through a powerful mix of mindset, spirituality, and lifestyle transformation. Her approach wasn’t just about surviving—it was about thriving with purpose.
Daily meditation Anneke began and ended each day with meditation to clear her mind, boost energy, and stay spiritually grounded. She believed this ritual aligned her mind, body, and soul.
Plant-based nutrition She embraced a clean, natural diet inspired by her European upbringing—free of preservatives and steroids. Her book includes recipes that are both healing and surprisingly delicious.
Helping others Anneke found strength in service. She offered one-on-one coaching, founded How to Cancer 101, and used storytelling to connect with others facing illness, grief, or trauma
Positive mindset She refused to ask “why me?” and instead focused on “what’s next?” Her father joked that her stubbornness was her secret weapon—and she embraced it.
Creative expression Writing her book How to Cancer 101 was therapeutic. It allowed her to channel pain into purpose and offer hope to others navigating life’s darkest moments.
Spiritual awakening Her sixth diagnosis sparked what she called a “spiritual awakening,” helping her realize her true calling: to guide others through adversity with compassion and courage
How can I start a plant-based diet like Anneke’s?
Starting a plant-based diet like Anneke Adams’—rooted in healing, simplicity, and purpose—can be both empowering and delicious. Here’s how to ease into it without feeling overwhelmed:
Begin with small swaps
Replace meat with legumes like lentils, chickpeas, or black beans in familiar dishes (think tacos, stews, or pasta).
Try plant-based milks (almond, oat, soy) instead of dairy.
Following a simple meal structure Anneke’s meals often focus on whole, unprocessed foods. A typical day might look like:
Meal
Example Dish
Breakfast
Oatmeal with berries, flaxseed & almond milk
Lunch
Quinoa bowl with roasted veggies & hummus
Snack
Apple slices with almond butter
Dinner
Stir-fried tofu with greens & brown rice
Stock your kitchen with essentials
Whole grains: quinoa, brown rice, oats
Protein sources: tofu, tempeh, beans, lentils
Healthy fats: nuts, seeds, avocado
Flavor boosters: herbs, spices, garlic, lemon
Adopt Anneke’s mindset She didn’t just change her diet—she embraced a lifestyle. Meditation, gratitude, and a refusal to dwell on “why me?” were key to her transformation. Let your food choices reflect self-care and intention.
What are the health benefits of a plant-based diet?
A plant-based diet isn’t just a trend—it’s a powerhouse of health benefits backed by science and loved by nutritionists. Here’s what it can do for you:
Heart health
Lowers blood pressure and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol
Reduces risk of heart disease and stroke by up to 31%2
Promotes anti-inflammatory effects through nutrient-rich foods like leafy greens and whole grains
Diabetes prevention & management
Improves insulin sensitivity and stabilizes blood sugar levels
Reduces risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 34%
High fiber intake helps regulate glucose and cholesterol
Brain & cognitive support
May lower risk of dementia and cognitive decline
Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in plants protect brain cells
Weight management
Helps maintain a healthy weight without calorie counting
Plant eaters tend to have lower BMI and body fat
Fiber-rich foods keep you full longer and reduce overeating
Cancer risk reduction
Fiber, phytochemicals, and antioxidants in plants help protect cells from mutations
Associated with lower risk of colorectal, breast, and pancreatic cancers
Gut health & digestion
High fiber improves bowel regularity and gut microbiome diversity
Supports nutrient absorption and immune function
Longevity & overall wellness
Linked to lower all-cause mortality by 25%
Reduces inflammation, boosts immunity, and supports healthy aging
Felix Baumgartner, in 2012, became the first human to break the sound barrier with only his body, reaching 843.6 mph in his pressurized suit during a 9-mile descent from a capsule hoisted more than 24 miles above the Earth by a helium balloon. FILE/Jay Nemeth/Red Bull Content Pool
MILAN — Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner, the first skydiver to fall faster than the speed of sound during a 24-mile leap through the stratosphere more than a decade ago, died in a crash Thursday along the eastern coast of Italy, according to an official. He was 56. Italian firefighters who responded said a paraglider crashed into the side of a swimming pool in the city of Porto Sant’Elpidio.
Baumgartner, known as “Fearless Felix,” stunned the world in 2012 when he became the first human to break the sound barrier with only his body. He wore a pressurized suit and jumped from a capsule hoisted more than 24 miles (39 kilometers) above Earth by a giant helium balloon over New Mexico. The Austrian, who was part of the Red Bull Stratos team, topped out at 843.6 mph — the equivalent of 1.25 times the speed of sound — during a nine-minute descent.
“When I was standing there on top of the world, you become so humble, you do not think about breaking records anymore, you do not think about gaining scientific data. The only thing you want is to come back alive,” he said after landing in the eastern New Mexico desert. The altitude he jumped from also marked the highest ever for a skydiver, shattering the previous record set in 1960 by Joe Kittinger, who served as an adviser to Baumgartner during his feat.
Baumgartner’s altitude record stood for two years until Google executive Alan Eustace set new marks for the highest free-fall jump and greatest free-fall distance. In 2012, millions watched YouTube’s live stream as Baumgartner coolly flashed a thumbs-up when he came out of the capsule high above Earth and then activated his parachute as he neared the ground, lifting his arms in victory after he landed.
Baumgartner, a former Austrian military parachutist, made thousands of jumps from planes, bridges, skyscrapers and famed landmarks around the world, including the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil. In 2003, he flew across the English Channel in a carbon fiber wing after being dropped from a plane.
In recent years, he performed with The Flying Bulls as a helicopter stunt pilot in shows across Europe. Baumgartner said after his record-breaking jump in 2012 that traveling faster than sound is “hard to describe because you don’t feel it.”
“Sometimes we have to get really high to see how small we are,” he said.
Felix Baumgartner glides through the air past the Dois Irmãos peaks in Rio de Janeiro in 2001. – Reuters Story by Mitchell McCluskey and Sharon Braithwaite, CNN
Felix Baumgartner, an Austrian base jumper and skydiver renowned for his record-breaking jump from the stratosphere, died while paragliding in Italy on Thursday, local media reported. Baumgartner, 56, lost control of his paraglider and crashed into a hotel swimming pool in the coastal town of Porto Sant’Elpidio, CNN affiliate SkyTG24 reported. The apparatus struck a woman who was not seriously injured, according to SkyTG24.
Italy’s national broadcaster RAI reported that authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the crash.
CNN has reached out to Baumgartner’s representatives.
The mayor of Porto Sant’Elpidio, Massimiliano Ciarpella, said on his official Facebook page that his community was “deeply affected” by the death of Baumgartner, who he called a “symbol of courage.” Baumgartner, who had base jumped from landmarks like the Petronas Towers in Malaysia and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, achieved international recognition in 2012 when he broke a world record by skydiving from a pressurized pod about 24 miles above the ground.
Red Bull, which sponsored Baumgartner’s record-breaking feat, issued a statement Thursday stating in part, “We are shocked and overwhelmed with sadness to hear the devastating news of our longtime friend Felix Baumgartner. “Felix was “born to fly” and was determined to push the limits. He was also smart, professional, thorough, and meticulous, never leaving anything to chance. He was generous, giving much of his time to help and inspiring so many people.”
A decade after his famed leap, he described to CNN how he felt at that moment.
“I’m standing there on top of the world outside of a capsule in space and in the stratosphere. I looked around and the sky above me was completely black,” Baumgartner told CNN Sport’s Patrick Snell. “I was really trying to inhale that moment,” he added. As he fell to Earth, his speed reached more than 840 mph, breaking the sound barrier.
The so-called Red Bull Stratos freefall took six years to plan as the team worked out every detail of the jump. “We thought, we’re going to build the capsule, build the pressure suit, practice for a while, and then we go all the way up to the stratosphere and come back to Earth at supersonic speed,” said Baumgartner. “Sometimes we’d go into a meeting with three problems and then leave that meeting eight hours later with another five … and no solution for the previous problems.”
To get Baumgartner up to the stratosphere, his team had to construct a helium balloon the size of 33 football pitches, weighing 3,708lbs. It took as many as 20 people to move without damaging the balloon’s material, which was 10 times thinner than a sandwich bag. But the biggest threat to the project was perhaps the most unforeseen – Baumgartner’s mental fortitude. The suit had to be both pressurized and able to handle temperatures of minus 72° Celsius (minus 97.6° Fahrenheit).
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, pictured right, presented an award to Felix Baumgartner during Spike TV’s Guys Choice 2013. – Jason Kempin/Getty Images
“It’s very uncomfortable,” said Baumgartner. “You have a total lack of mobility. It always feels like you’re breathing through a pillow. You’re completely separated from the outside world. So once the visor is down, all you can hear is yourself breathing.” Soon after landing, Baumgartner said he struggled to process his emotions as he approached the Earth.
“I had tears in my eyes when I was coming back a couple of times because you’re sitting there and you thought about that moment so many times, you know, how it would feel and how it would look like.” “And this is way bigger than I had anticipated,” he said.
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Serious bummer, dude. I actually looked him up on Wiki a couple weeks ago after seeing the film of his progenitor (who planned the Red Bull jump) do the same skydive from a lower altitude back in the sixties. It was the video from Boards of Canada – Dayvan Cowboy I’ve always admired people who push the limits like Felix did…but always mourn their passing when they sometimes find them. RIP.
As people say he died while doing something he loved, think about the rescuers who had to deal with the aftermath. As a long time SAR team member, I have been in the unfortunate position of having to call the loved ones of people who have died doing something like this (and other sports). Believe me, it can take a toll on us. If you have never had to place someone in a body bag, or call relatives, or deal with witnesses, or assist law enforcement in a scene analysis, believe me, you don’t want to do any of that. Such things become far more than simply “the guy died while doing something he loved.”
I can/ Of old age. I do what I enjoy, but I don’t do things that will kill me. Yes, it will happen anyway, but he will not see what happens to his family for the next 20 years. To do things like this, is to take a risk that is not called for. I hike. I play sports. I treasure hunting. I take risks. But this was beyond boundaries. So, while people can say ““We are shocked and overwhelmed with sadness “I say you can be overwhelmed, but not shocked.
Stephanie Stolba BOOK – Overcoming Cancer: My Journey To Restored Health and Things I Wish I’d Known
It is a heartfelt and empowering memoir that chronicles her experience navigating a cancer diagnosis and recovery. Published on December 8, 2024, this 59-page paperback offers both personal reflection and practical advice for others facing similar challenges.
This book is one I never thought I would write, one that sprang from a terrible cancer diagnosis. In the darkness of those days, I learned so much that I now feel compelled to share. At so many junctions in my journey, I found myself thinking “I wish someone would have told me that.”
This book is not just about the mystery of overcoming, it is also full of all the things I wish I‘d known, tips that would have been helpful to have before I was in the depths of certain situations or treatments.
My prayer as you read this book is that you will find the courage to be your best advocate, that you would know you have options and can pursue a journey back to health in your way—however that looks for you.
What makes this book stand out:
Stolba shares candid insights into the emotional and physical toll of cancer.
The book includes tips and lessons she wishes she’d known earlier—making it a valuable resource for patients, caregivers, and advocates.
Her message encourages readers to become their own best advocates and explore healing in a way that feels right for them.
If you’re interested, you can find it on Amazon.com: Books where it’s available in both paperback and Kindle formats. It’s a short but powerful read that’s resonated with early reviewers for its honesty and hope.
Stephanie Stolba’s Overcoming Cancer: My Journey To Restored Health and Things I Wish I’d Known offers a deeply personal roadmap for navigating cancer with courage and clarity. While the full list of lessons is woven throughout her story, several standout themes emerge from her reflections:
Be Your Own Advocate Stephanie emphasizes the importance of speaking up for yourself—whether it’s with doctors, during treatment decisions, or when navigating emotional challenges. She encourages readers to trust their instincts and ask questions.
Healing Is Personal There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. Stolba urges readers to explore healing in a way that feels authentic, whether that includes conventional medicine, holistic practices, or emotional support systems.
“I Wish Someone Had Told Me…” Moments The book is filled with practical tips she wishes she’d known earlier—like how to prepare for treatment side effects, manage fatigue, and also handle unexpected emotional shifts. These insights meant to help others feel less alone and more prepared.
Hope and Resilience Above all, Stolba’s journey is a testament to the power of hope. She shares how even in the darkest moments, small acts of self-care and connection helped her move forward.
If you’re curious to explore more, you can check out her book’s Amazon.com: Books which includes a sample preview. Would you like help summarizing a specific chapter or theme next?
Can you elaborate on the healing approach she discusses?
Absolutely. Stephanie Stolba’s healing philosophy in Overcoming Cancer: My Journey to Restored Health and Things I Wish I’d Known is deeply rooted in empowerment and individualized care.
Here’s a closer look at the approach she advocates:
Personalized Healing Journey Stolba encourages readers to pursue recovery in a way that feels right for them. She stresses that healing isn’t linear or one-size-fits-all—it’s about listening to your body, exploring options, and making choices that align with your values and needs.
Self-Advocacy as a Cornerstone One of her strongest messages is to be your own best advocate. That means asking questions, seeking second opinions, and not being afraid to challenge conventional wisdom if it doesn’t feel right for you.
Holistic and Integrative Practices While the book doesn’t prescribe a specific regimen, Stolba’s tone suggests openness to holistic methods—such as nutrition, emotional wellness, and spiritual support—as complements to traditional treatment. She believes in honoring the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.
Lessons Learned Through Experience Her reflections are filled with “I wish I’d known…” moments—practical tips about managing side effects, preparing for treatment, and navigating emotional ups and downs. These are shared not as medical advice, but as lived wisdom meant to empower others.
Her approach is less about rigid protocols and more about restoring agency to those facing cancer. If you’d like, I can help you explore similar healing philosophies or guide you to resources that align with her mindset.
How can I apply Stolba’s approach to my own healing?
Applying Stephanie Stolba’s healing approach to your own journey starts with reconnecting to your inner compass. Her message isn’t about rigid rules—it’s about reclaiming your voice and building a healing path that reflects you.
Here’s how you might translate her perspective into action:
1. Listen to Yourself First Stolba’s philosophy begins with self-trust. Take time to notice what your body, emotions, and intuition are telling you. Journal your experiences, track how you feel after different treatments or foods, and explore what brings you comfort or stress. Healing begins with awareness.
2. Speak Up Without Apology If something doesn’t feel right—say so. If a medical decision confuses you—ask for clarification. Stolba encourages radical self-advocacy: requesting second opinions, bringing a support person to appointments, or choosing doctors who respect your questions.
3. Explore Holistic Support Healing isn’t only physical. Nutrition, movement, meditation, and emotional support can all play roles. You might try:
Gentle yoga or breathwork
Nutritional consultations for energy and immunity
Support groups or therapy for emotional processing
Even small additions can make you feel more in control
4. Learn From Others—but Adapt Her book offers “I wish I’d known” insights—but she’s clear: everyone’s journey is different. Use her tips as inspiration, not doctrine. You might find her experiences echo your own, or spark ideas to research further.
5. Make Space for Joy and Meaning Even in struggle, Stolba seeks joy. Music, nature, creativity—whatever reminds you of life’s beauty, lean into it. It’s not a distraction—it’s part of recovery.
If you’d like, I can help you design a personalized healing journal inspired by Stolba’s style—or even draft affirmations you can return to on hard days. Just say the word.
What are more specific examples of applying Stolba’s approach?
Stephanie Stolba’s healing philosophy is all about personal empowerment, and there are many ways her approach can be applied in real life. Here are some specific examples inspired by her book:
Medical Advocacy in Action Instead of passively accepting a treatment plan, a patient might:
Request a second opinion before starting chemotherapy.
Bring a trusted friend to appointments to help ask questions and take notes.
Keep a binder of medical records, test results, and questions to stay organized and informed.
Guided meditation or breathwork to reduce anxiety.
Anti-inflammatory foods and hydration routines to support recovery.
Creating a Healing Journal Inspired by Stolba’s reflections, a person could:
Track daily symptoms, moods, and energy levels.
Write affirmations like “I am more than my diagnosis.”
Reflect on what brings joy or peace—even during tough days.
Sharing the Journey Applying Stolba’s approach might mean:
Joining a cancer support group to exchange stories and tips.
Starting a blog or social media account to document the healing process.
Speaking at local events to raise awareness and offer encouragement.
Finding Joy in Creativity Even small acts of self-expression can be healing:
Painting, music, or photography as emotional outlets.
Gardening or walking in nature to reconnect with the body and spirit.
Creating a “hope board” with images and words that inspire resilience.
These examples show how Stolba’s philosophy isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving with intention. If you’d like, I can help you design a personalized healing plan or journal template based on these ideas.
Here are some key points: Self-Reflection: Writing down your thoughts helps you find meaning and aligns your actions with your goals.
Clarity and Manifestation: By setting clear intentions and exploring them through journaling, you can better understand yourself and make positive changes in your life.
Practical Tips: Implementing strategies grounded in mindset and neuroscience can enhance your goal-setting process.
Prompts: Utilize journaling prompts to inspire self-reflection and help you live with purpose and self-awareness.
These practices can significantly enhance your journey towards achieving your goals.
What benefits have people experienced using this approach?
Stephanie Stolba’s healing approach—centered on self-advocacy, holistic care, and emotional resilience—has resonated with many readers and patients who’ve embraced similar philosophies. While her book shares personal reflections rather than clinical data, the broader benefits of this kind of integrative healing are well-documented. Here’s what people often experience when applying her mindset:
Improved Emotional Well-being By prioritizing self-awareness and emotional support, individuals report feeling more grounded, less anxious, and better equipped to handle the ups and downs of treatment.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety Holistic practices like meditation, breathwork, and gentle movement can calm the nervous system, helping people feel more in control during uncertain times.
Enhanced Physical Recovery When people combine conventional treatment with nutrition, rest, and complementary therapies (like acupuncture or massage), they often experience fewer side effects and faster recovery.
Greater Self-Awareness and Empowerment Stolba’s emphasis on journaling and reflection helps individuals tune into their needs, make informed decisions, and feel more confident in their healing journey.
Stronger Sense of Purpose and Connection Many find that embracing joy, creativity, and spirituality—key themes in Stolba’s story—leads to deeper meaning and more fulfilling relationships.
Resilience Through Lifestyle Changes People who adopt healthier habits (like sleep routines, anti-inflammatory diets, and mindfulness) often report long-term improvements in both physical and emotional health.
Recovering from cancer is a journey that involves healing both body and mind. Here are some practical, research-backed tips to support your recovery and help you thrive:
Nutrition & Hydration
Eat a plant-forward diet: Fill two-thirds of your plate with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.
Choose lean proteins: Opt for fish, poultry, eggs, or beans over red or processed meats.
Limit alcohol: Women and older adults should stick to one drink per day; men under 65 can have up to two.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support healing and energy.
Physical Activity
Start slow: Begin with light activities like walking or gentle yoga for 10–15 minutes a day.
Build up gradually: Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, plus two days of strength training.
Make it enjoyable: Choose activities you love—gardening, dancing, or walking with a friend.
Emotional & Mental Health
Prioritize rest: Fatigue is common—listen to your body and allow time to recharge.
Seek support: Talk to a therapist, join a support group, or connect with other survivors3.
Practice mindfulness: Meditation, journaling, and breathing exercises can ease anxiety and improve mood.
Medical Follow-Up
Stick to your care plan: Attend regular check-ups and screenings to monitor your health.
Track symptoms: Keep a journal of physical and emotional changes to share with your care team.
Ask questions: Don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor about concerns or side effects.
Lifestyle & Wellness
Sleep well: Create a calming bedtime routine and aim for consistent sleep hours.
Avoid tobacco and excess alcohol: These can increase the risk of recurrence and slow recovery.
Stay connected: Lean on loved ones and ask for help when needed—community is key.
Would you like a printable checklist or a personalized recovery plan based on your needs?
Great question! Including the right foods in your diet during cancer recovery can make a big difference in how you feel and heal. Here’s a breakdown of specific foods that are especially beneficial:
Plant-Based Powerhouses
Leafy greens: Spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are rich in vitamins A, C, and K.
Cruciferous vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts contain compounds that may help fight cancer cells.
Colorful veggies: Carrots, bell peppers, and sweet potatoes offer antioxidants and fiber.
Fruits for Immunity & Healing
Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are loaded with antioxidants.
Citrus fruits: Oranges, lemons, and grapefruits provide vitamin C to support immune function.
Bananas & apples: Easy on the stomach and great for digestion.
Protein-Rich Foods
Lean meats: Chicken, turkey, and fish (especially salmon and mackerel for omega-3s).
Plant proteins: Lentils, beans, tofu, and chickpeas are excellent for muscle repair.
Nuts & seeds: Almonds, walnuts, chia, and flaxseeds offer healthy fats and protein.
Whole Grains & Fiber
Quinoa, brown rice, oats: Provide energy and support gut health.
Whole wheat bread & pasta: Better than refined grains for blood sugar stability.
Healthy Fats
Avocados: Rich in monounsaturated fats and easy to digest.
Olive oil & flaxseed oil: Anti-inflammatory and heart-healthy.
Fatty fish: Salmon and sardines for omega-3s.
Hydration Helpers
Water-rich foods: Cucumbers, watermelon, and celery.
Herbal teas: Ginger or chamomile to soothe nausea and aid digestion.
Broths & soups: Nourishing and hydrating, especially when appetite is low.
Would you like help building a sample meal plan or grocery list based on these foods?
What are the health benefits of including these foods in my diet?
Including nutrient-rich foods in your diet during cancer recovery isn’t just about eating well—it’s about fueling your body’s healing process. Here’s how the foods we discussed earlier can support your health:
Cell Repair & Immune Support
Lean proteins (like fish, chicken, tofu, and legumes) help rebuild tissues and maintain muscle mass.
Vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables (such as berries, citrus, and leafy greens) boost immunity and protect cells from damage.
Zinc and magnesium from seeds and whole grains aid in wound healing and reduce inflammation2.
Energy & Strength
Whole grains (like oats, quinoa, and brown rice) provide sustained energy and support digestive health.
Healthy fats (from avocados, nuts, and olive oil) reduce inflammation and help absorb fat-soluble vitamins.
Antioxidants in colorful produce (like carrots, sweet potatoes, and berries) help combat oxidative stress, which can affect mood and cognition2.
Hydrating foods (such as watermelon, cucumbers, and herbal teas) improve energy levels and reduce treatment-related side effects like nausea.
These foods don’t just nourish—they empower your body to recover, rebuild, and thrive. Would you like help creating a weekly meal plan that incorporates these benefits?
Absolutely! Here are some delicious, nutrient-packed recipes that feature cancer recovery–friendly ingredients like leafy greens, berries, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats:
These recipes are designed to be gentle on the digestive system while delivering powerful nutrients to support healing. Want me to help you build a weekly meal plan using these?
How do these ingredients support cancer recovery?
The safeguard ingredients we discussed—like leafy greens, berries, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats—aren’t just nutritious; they’re strategic allies in your body’s healing process. Here’s how they support cancer recovery:
Cellular Repair & Immune Boost
Lean proteins (chicken, fish, tofu, legumes) rebuild damaged tissues and support immune cells.
Vitamin-rich produce (berries, citrus, leafy greens) provides antioxidants that protect cells from oxidative stress caused by treatments.
Zinc and magnesium from seeds and whole grains help with wound healing and immune regulation2.
Energy & Strength Restoration
Whole grains (quinoa, oats, brown rice) offer sustained energy and support gut health.
Healthy fats (avocados, olive oil, nuts) reduce inflammation and help absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K.
Omega-3s from fatty fish (salmon, sardines) combat fatigue and support brain function.
Digestive & Gut Health
Fiber-rich foods (whole grains, legumes, fruits) promote regularity and help manage treatment-induced constipation.
Fermented foods (yogurt, kefir) introduce probiotics that balance gut bacteria and support immunity.
Reduced Risk of Recurrence
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) contain sulforaphane, which may help prevent cancer cell growth.
A diet rich in phytonutrients (found in cruciferous vegetables, in berries, legumes, and leafy greens) supports long-term cellular health, reduce inflammation may help prevent cancer recurrence.
Limiting processed meats, sugary foods, and alcohol is linked to lower risk of inflammation and chronic disease2.
Herbs, Vitamins & Supplements Discover medically validated uses for vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other substances used as nutritional supplements.
These ingredients work together like a well-orchestrated symphony—each playing a role in helping your body recover, rebuild, and thrive. Want help turning this into a weekly meal plan or a personalized grocery list?
Fully active athletes may experience cancer and health issues, but athletes generally have a lower incidence of cancer, and a longer lifespan compared to the general population. This is supported by research indicating that physical activity is linked to reduced cancer risk. However, individual health risks can vary based on factors such as sports classification and lifestyle choices, warranting further investigation into the specific health consequences of elite athletic careers.
Increase Oxidative Stress in Athletes Can Cause Cancer – Search The relationship between oxidative stress and cancer is complex. While high levels of oxidative stress can lead to the development of carcinogens, regular physical activity may help modify oxidative stress markers and antioxidants in cancer patients. However, the evidence is still uncertain, and further research is needed to fully understand the implications of increased oxidative stress in athletes and its potential link to cancer.
Why Exercise is Important in our Daily Life
Exercise is crucial for maintaining physical health, enhancing mental well-being, and improving overall quality of life.
Physical Health Benefits Weight Management: Regular exercise helps control weight by burning calories and increasing metabolism. It can prevent excess weight gain and assist in maintaining a healthy weight.
Disease Prevention: Engaging in physical activity reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. It improves cardiovascular health by boosting good cholesterol (HDL) and lowering unhealthy triglycerides.
Muscle and Bone Strength: Exercise, particularly strength training, helps build and maintain muscle mass and bone density, which is essential as we age to prevent injuries and conditions like osteoporosis.
Mental and Emotional Well-Being Mood Enhancement: Physical activity is known to improve mood and reduce feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress. Exercise increases the production of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters.
Cognitive Function: Regular exercise has been linked to improved brain health, including better memory and cognitive function. It may help delay the onset of dementia and cognitive decline.
Sleep Improvement: Engaging in regular physical activity can lead to better sleep quality, helping you feel more rested and energized throughout the day.
Overall Quality of Life Increased Longevity: Studies suggest that regular exercise can lead to a longer life, with healthier years. Active individuals tend to maintain their independence and quality of life as they age.
Social Interaction: Participating in group exercises or sports can foster social connections, which are important for emotional health and well-being.
Daily Functionality: Regular physical activity enhances overall physical fitness, making daily tasks easier and improving your ability to perform everyday activities.
Incorporating exercise into your daily routine, even in small amounts, can lead to significant health benefits and improve your overall quality of life. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, along with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week. 3 Sources 1- American Heart Association2- Healthline3 – Bing Search
Matt Mauser came on America’s Got Talent (AGT) to honor his late wife, Christina, who was tragically lost on January 26 2020 in the same helicopter crash with Kobe Bryant. His performance of Phil Collins’ “Against All Odds” was deeply emotional, reflecting his loss and the impact it has had on his life.
“Jesus, I Need You in Everything I Do” is a heartfelt prayer turned into — a song for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed, uncertain, or in need of divine guidance. 💛 Written and performed by Ella Scott, this gospel track is a personal cry for strength, wisdom, and grace in every part of life — as a leader, a friend, a woman walking by faith.
Robert O. Young had his adversaries: from him I learned about how our amazing bodies are constantly working to maintain a tight pH balance (no alkaline diet required). But Registered Dietitians Becca Harris & Sarah Muncaster who no longer have much of a following online. Hear them BASH Robert O Young about being a convicted medical fraudster who made tons of money selling fake medical “cures”, pseudoscientific diets, and unregulated supplements to terminally ill people. pH Miracle Living “Dr.” Robert O. Young is finally arrested, but will it stop him? | Science-Based Medicine @Bad Guy David Gorski
Introducing season 2 of Unsavory.
Join Registered Dietitians Becca Harris & Sarah Muncaster as they use their backgrounds in nutrition and criminology to discuss fascinating food-related scandals using an evidence-based lens. We’re talking about diet culture, nutrition misinformation, Grab a snack, put on your comfy pants, and get ready to dive into the weird and wonderful world of Unsavory.
There’s a sacred pause in the golden hour, when the world outside softens and the light invites you inward. This is where the deepest work happens—not in constant motion, but in stillness. Allowing myself to simply *be*, to feel the quiet hum of gratitude for this sanctuary and the journey I’m on.
Every breath is a reminder that nurturing our inner world is the most beautiful form of self-love, making us truly worthy of all the good that flows.
Transcript of the video which begins at 30:33
Sacha Stone Interviews Commissioner Dr Robert O Young of the ITNJ [PART 2]. Disease elimination it depends on are you managing and maintaining the alkaline design of your internal fluids let me give you an example if you take seeds and throw them in soil will they grow if you water them if you take seeds and throw them on concrete or asphalt will they grow well it’s highly unlikely so the terrain is everything the germ is nothing so the train is responsible for what then expresses itself if you have an acidic lifestyle and diet then you’ll express acidic and lifestyle diet symptomologies there are no specific diseases i want to say that again there are no specific diseases there’s only specific disease symptomologies.
For example: cancer is a disease not of the cells but of the fluids sars is not a disease of the cells, but of the fluids what is the acid the acid is an increase of lactic acid and all those that we have tested with a degenerative or infectious disease have high levels of citric and lactic acid in their body fluids and it’s not just vascular we’re talking about intracellular fluids when we eliminate those acids you know through mediating through an alkaline lifestyle and diet and alkalizing supplementations we reduce lactic acid or acid loads the symptoms go away,
So if you go even back to to this whole game well what was causing hiv hiv was associated with the use of some specific drugs one of those drugs in the homosexual environment was called poppers okay these poppers or relaxants they create an acidic environment that causes the release of exosomes wow so when we’re talking about polio what was causing polio was it a virus.
NO, it was not a virus it was DDT poisoning right what was calling causing Zika glyphosates – Search why are we seeing an increase in post-polio, because of glyphosate we’re talking about pesticides herbicides insecticides within our food.
These chemicals poison our environment which then causes the release of exosomes as a form of protection against ebola. Ebola is the same thing yeah so if we’re talking about ebola or hantavirus ,ovine flu swine flu, avian flu all of these all of these may include biologicals but have not gone through the gold standard to determine their valency does i mean have they isolated the virus the polio virus no have they isolated HIV no have they then injected it into an animal to produce the same symptoms that are shown in those symptomatic patients that are expressing the assembler it’s called monkey business in 1999.
When the government stopped funding monkey business because they couldn’t determine the connection between HIV and immune deficiency and so that that line was cut so they had to look for something else what is this okay so we have to come up with some theory well people have just stopped talking about HIV but the problem’s still the same if i’m dealing if i’m dealing with someone who’s been diagnosed with sars or diagnosed with hiv or has polio-like symptoms you know these symptoms are not what we treat we treat the environment because the symptom is an expression of the internal environment.
And what’s the internal environment it’s vascular it’s interstitial it’s intracellular and for those who have diseases within their body cavities where fluids not coming out through the elimination organs then we have peritoneal diseases where they’re actually retaining fluids in the body cavities and this is what causes the bloating but that’s
that’s all end stage stuff that leads to sepsis did you know sasha that the number one cause of disease or disease not disease but disease the symptom is sepsis and sepsis is the poisoning of the body fluids it’s then breaking down the cells and and we’re talking about hundreds of thousands of people every month dying from this over a hundred thousand a month
Nobody talks about it because they don’t know the pathology of it but it’s just another stage of symptomologies showing how the environment what is their environment the internal fluids which which is 60 percent of our our body is fluid that fluid has been compromised with chemicals acidic waste from what we eat what we drink what we breathe what we think what we feel and what we believe all of these chemicals have accumulated in compartments called the interstitial fluid interstitium compartments to be deposited into the fatty tissues
This is the answer to the question is why do people get fat people give me i want to bring it back to shotgun question is covert a virus or an exercise uh it’s identical to HIV which is an exosome right so Covid is actually a response to an acidic condition it’s not a disease it’s a symptom the symptoms of fever dry cough and fatigue and tiredness is a result of a polluted internal environment this is this is the terrain theory the germs the germs are born in us and from us and are not the cause of disease but the symptoms of disease so if you have increased amounts of strep or staph or E-coli here again anything from the outside world can only contribute to a state of imbalance but cannot cause any specific disease that means you can be exposed to someone who’s symptomatic with Sars or covid but not catch anything because you have an environment an internal environment and protection which is true immunity you are managing and maintaining the alkaline design of the internal fluids at a ph between
Here again we’re testing this by urine with a ph of the urine running between 7.8 to 8.4 but never less than 7.2 and you can get these little testing strips test your urine and if your urine ph is below 7.2 you’re at risk you’re acidic you have to be above that particular number for ultimate immunity okay protect your fluids very good um let’s talk about the covert testing because i was just raped in my skull last week it was a horrendous experience frankly having something stuck up my brain what’s what is with these swab tests up the nasal cavity can you explain a little bit about this well here again Ii mean the the respiratory system uh
Which includes our our nasal systems and and that is a point of congestion if you have congestion of the lung here again it’s going to build up and you’re going to have you’re going to have problems within the nasal cavities but here again they’re not testing the interstitial fluids so they’re not getting a chemistry or a ph of true alkalinity or true immunity by testing the vascular fluids and comparing them to the interstitial fluids which is 80 percent of what is called the extracellular fluids extracellular fluids are the fluids outside the cell 20 is vascular eighty percent yeah and if these cover tests uh swab tests they’re not they’re not testing the blood fluids right they’re not they’re not testing for uh disseminated intravascular coagulation they’re not testing what are they doing what what are the what they’re pulling their they’re pulling off uh fragments of rna or dna and testing those and they’re putting in what is called an rt pcr test which uh the inventor of that says this is not to be used for this process uh we’re talking about the nobel prize winner who actually made this this statement moles
Dr Mullis he said no it’s you can’t determine any disease so whatever they’re pulling could be associated with your argument that you had with your spouse last night i mean that’s a far stretch of it but there’s no specific direction they can call it whatever because nobody really knows so out of sight out of mind is there any danger to the test well the danger is is in the diagnosis because it’s it’s either false positive or false negative right because they have cut off points within that testing and the cdc is is suggested 10 different cutoff points in other words to stop the testing because if it goes too high guess what everybody’s positive right there you go there you go
[Music] and the virus what’s an antibody in an antigen well antibodies are are chemical compounds particularly uh what is called what i refer to as reactive oxygen species that are released by the lymphocytes okay they’re a protein or they’re a chemical that are released by lymphocytes to neutralize a particular antigen which is antagonistic or toxic to the body now here again we’re talking about biologicals and biological is not is not where the issue is all of these symptomologies from cancer to polio to hiv even the spanish flu epidemic ebola sars and now a foreign ovirus which is covid are are chemical poisoning is or caused by chemical poisoning either directly through vaccination or through chemical poisoning from the air or chemical poisoning from what we eat such as glyphosate
there has to be a poison in there because just testing rna fragments doesn’t get us to the diagnosis by swabbing your nose and getting rna or dna fragments doesn’t tell you anything about a specific dis-ease so it’s totally invalid but if you want to if you want to go in prior to testing what you do is you take a product called nasopure and i have i don’t i don’t sell it you can get it on the internet but they have a packet that you put with distilled or purified water that packet contains sodium bicarbonate you put it in there and then you inject sodium bicarbonate through this process so it goes in one nostril and out the other and cleanse and purify that environment i promise you we’ll test negative on the test well and what about um um uh mms or claudia as a sodium chlorine dioxide well uh chlorine dioxide is is a reduced form of a more stable form called sodium chlorite
C-h-l-o-r-i-t-e so when anybody’s talking about chlorine dioxide that’s a very unstable molecule so it’s stabilized with sodium i wrote one of the first papers in the 90s on sodium chloride and it’s and sodium chloride is naclo2 chlorine dioxide is clo2 okay and so what happens how do you go from sodium chloride to
Chlorine dioxide and then eventually what you really want is oxygen in the reduced form so the oxygen in the reduced form is not 02 but 01 right so ozone is 03 atmospheric oxygen is 02 and nasi and oxygen guess what is released by what i told you earlier the lymphocytes so the lymphocytes are releasing nasi and oxygen the reason why chlorine dioxide or sodium chloride is so effective and is not being used because number one you can’t copyright or patent it so it’s a general compound that anyone can use it’s just it’s been considered dangerous because you have to know what you’re doing it has to be in a diluted form no greater than five percent and you can put it then in another dilution so you take a five percent solution of chlorine dioxide or sodium chloride you put it into water one glass of water of distilled water preferably 10 drops that’s it and then you drink that glass of water and as soon as it hits the hydrochloric acid in or lactic acid in the body the sodium the bonds of this molecule break apart and release two because the oxygen is not attached
Like an o2 the the oxygen atoms are attached or attached but in in sodium chloride and chlorine dioxide they’re separate so you have a chlorine i ion and two atoms of oxygen so when it hits the hydrochloric acid or the citric acid the oxygen releases and it then goes to its opposite polarity because it’s negatively charged it’s a minus and it neutralizes that acid that’s causing you to be sick so you so what i’m trying to say to you very clearly you cannot have a sickness without a specific acid and specific acids like carbon dioxide that causes you know toxemia of the lungs and of the blood can cause lots of different hosts of symptomologies
But once you neutralize the chemistry that’s going on the biochemistry and you’re measuring it and checking it ideally with instruments that Dr Galena and i have used now over close to 10 years which is the methodology of our publication which was just released on how do i deal with these increased biochemicals from the outside world the inside world because when you metabolize you produce lactic acid when you over exercise you feel that acid well if that acid isn’t neutralized it’ll cause a sarcoma or carcinoma. So, cancer is a disease of the fluids it’s a chemistry that we need to understand here that’s affecting the cells so these are all things once we understand them, we can protect and prevent a disease by managing and maintaining the internal environment and by doing a simple test every morning
Take some ph paper test your urine if it’s below 7.2 you’re at risk if it’s between 7.8 to 8.4 which is ideal then you know you can rest assured if you’re if you’re low what do you do is you take an alkalizing dose of that water we just talked about of nasi and oxygen or you can take two compounds in a re research study that was released in 2016 by the University of Utah on the benefits of mortality of drinking sodium and potassium bicarbonate by reducing mortality by reducing the risk of disease or death by 25 and this was in an age group which has targeted the elderly between 70 to 80 years old so they found that those who were taking sodium and potassium bicarbonate lived an additional 25 percent longer. wow wow that’s huge someone might break it down again if you will if you were very unlikely
SO, if you were diagnosed with the stage two three or four cancer next tuesday what are the three protocols that you would instantly default to the simplest layman’s protocol well hyper means to to increase but i would hyper perfuse so i would start eating drinking soaking you know doing rectal infusions of sodium and potassium bicarbonate uh you know they’re i mean you want them aluminum oxide free that’s why i developed the four salts you know to help people so the the 4 electrolytes uh sodium potassium magnesium and calcium were all included within this process because those are being used up so if the body doesn’t have alkaline reserves it starts taking them from the bones and the muscles so it’ll take magnesium from the muscles it’ll take calcium from the bone
So we have the incredible shrinking human being who’s losing height and their bones are becoming brittle. Because they’re not ingesting so number one i would hyper perfuse the the fluids of the body through the orifices of the body with alkalinity using sodium potassium magnesium and calcium okay that’s number one two i would start building healthy blood
okay and how do i do that i’d have to change my diet if you’re unwilling to change your diet then don’t listen to what i’m saying or do and because there’s no cure out there unless you’re willing to change your diet and that means i’m going to do implement what is called an acronym called the cows program so i’m going to i’m going to suggest to you c stands for chlorophyll o stands for oxygen and oils w stands for water alkaline water and s stands for sunshine, salt and or sex, Okay so … so if you’re not if you’re not if you’re not getting in daily love you know if you’re not getting in sunshine photons you’re not energizing your body and and if you’re not getting salt prepare to die you know because salt is the glue that holds you together
SO i want you to remember that acronym cows chlorophyll oil and oxygen water and salt and it’s very important that we define you know the source of chlorophyll we don’t want chlorophyll and we don’t want copper-based chlorophyll the greatest chlorophyll i’ve ever witnessed was dr galena i mean my god there’s some very special stuff there that she’s well she has she has uh two chlorophylls uh one is one is from spinach and uh it’s a 28 concentration of pure of chlorophyll okay and then she has one that’s a hundred percent and you have to you only take a little bit and put it in it yeah yeah and that comes that comes from the mulberry leaf The mulberry leaf chlorophyll – Search and and when you take this you feel like when you put this into your body and you only put a little bit into a glass of water and ideally distilled or purified water once you drink that you feel like somebody just turned the lights on in your inside your house right the cells wake up that’s right yeah it’s like all of a sudden wow oh i’ve been waiting for this you know i’ve been you know looking for more green in my life and it’s not that easy being green ask kermit the frog it’s it’s uh it’s it’s a challenge for those who have been eating you know an acidic diet because there’s an addiction to that just like you know some of the addicting foods some of the most addicting drugs are all acidic and the alkaline foods
Well this doesn’t taste very good what happens after about two weeks of doing this your taste buds change and it’s like oh you can stay taste the natural benefits of this you can feel the natural benefits of this and all of a sudden foods that were bland all sudden taste sweet to you in a different way right right beautiful well you know there was a third one let me tell you the third one the last one is you have to open up the channels of elimination so you have to improve circulation elimination uh you’ve got to defecate to circulate you know if you want to energize your body things need to be moving and that requires you know a little more understanding about you know in research
But we’ve done all that for you there’s three basic aminos that are just paramount in improving circulation first one is called l-arginine the second one is called l-citrulline and the third one is Called l-ornithine and this will this is a natural way as you’re taking these aminos with some anti-inflammatories uh like Resveratrol – Search and Pycnogenol – Searchand Magnesium Chloride – Search when you’re taking that in combination with Vitamin D3 at 50 000 international units per day and you’re getting Vitamin K1 in there when you’re taking this circulation improves you start feeling your toes again you start feeling they’re not cold or you’re not feeling that that tingling feeling or so circulation goes to the extremities and so you start building
Your micro circulation so opening up the channels of elimination improving circulation is probably the third and fourth thing so hyper perfusion your body with alkalinity with the four alkaline salts yeah start building blood using the cows program three improve your circulation using amino acids not anti-anticoagulants because they’re toxic to the membrane and will cause the release of exosomes and damage the we don’t want anything we don’t want to take anything that’s going to damage the lining of our body cells and then open up the channels of elimination you know and that may that may mean you may have to nebulize that means you may have to use nasal pure to flush your sinuses that may mean you may have to have some colon hydrotherapy infusions to infuse alkalinity rectally into the hemorrhoidal vein or
uh it may mean taking magnesium oxide to help you know break down some of the undigested proteins in the nine yards of the intestine all of this has been time tested now for four decades this is why we have such a high success because of these four principles that we implement in any symptomatology that medical science terms as disease. Yeah, once again there are no diseases there’s only dis-ease symptomologies very good that’s beautiful well thank you for that you’ve broken that down into three well with the cows of course you’ve got a whole host there of other pointers but i’ve actually i think i’m ahead of you i’ve broken it down to simply one protocol
If i was diagnosed with a stage two three or four i’d simply get on a plane and come to you dr robert young uh this has been fantastic and i just want you to for the last one comes the top of the hour what i’d like to do is just ask you for two minutes please to just give us some background on the paper the scientific paper you’ve just published which I’m really excited to read yes well I tried to use not just words and scientific terms but pictures that you can look at to relate to really what I’m talking about and what I’m talking about is oxygen deprivation that leads to pathological blood coagulation of the blood okay another medical term is dics that’s an acronym for disseminated
intravascular coagulation that then leads to sars that then leads to lung congestion because because the blood cannot relieve itself of its waste that’s then being held back and then pushed out into the interstitial fluids and i didn’t say this but i’ll say it now the interstitial fluids flow around every cell of your body every organ,
And every every system organ system is touched by the interstitial fluids and this is where the blood and the intracellular fluids eliminate their bathroom is the interstitial fluids it becomes the septic tank and then from there it’s supposed to be pushed out to the lymphatic system and that out through the pores of the skin or urination defecation
Respiration i talk about this in this study that sars or covid is nothing more than pathological blood coagulation that’s causing oxygen deprivation that leads to interstitial lung disease prior to that i did publish a paper at the end of last year that dealt specifically on interstitial lung disease and uh that was uh with a with another publishing house so these are these are all peer-reviewed journal articles that we can make available to you you can share this paper if you’d like and let people know yeah let people know that there is a pathology see currently sars is idiopathic
In other words there’s no pathology to it there’s all this well it must be this must be that oh it’s exosomes no it’s virus even though it hasn’t been identified you know blah blah blah but here in this paper i’ve tried to develop a cohesive logical and also scientific validated pathway to what causes these not diseases but symptomologies are a result of a decrease in in alkalinity in the interstitial fluids of the body and i make this very bold statement that the genesis of all sickness and disease begins in the interstitium organ in the interstitial fluid compartments and the only way that you can measure this is because the urine is a product of the interstitial fluids is to test the ph this is the test that should be done not swabbing your nose not wearing a mask not social distancing you know these are political questions these are not scientific questions because if you look at the scientists evidence about all of those requirements
which i believe are political not scientific you’ll take off your mass you won’t have a test which doesn’t prove anything other than what they want to prove and everything as it relates to sars is with it’s cancer with science it’s cancer with this with that you know here again we’re out of the so-called influenza flu we still have people dying from sepsis because medical science does not how to control true immunity which is found in managing and maintaining the alkaline design of the body and understanding that all bodily functions produce acidic waste if not properly eliminated through the four channels of elimination or five for women this is what then builds up that causes what the medical world says are diseases which are just nothing more than i eat drink breathe too much crap and elimination must be possible.
The channels of elimination in the body can be categorized into four main channels and five channels for women.
Maintaining these channels in optimal function is essential for overall health and detoxification.
Very good dr Robert Young commissioner dr Robert Young thank you very much indeed wonderful talking to you yeah nice talking to you Sasha it’s always a pleasure thank you always a pleasure for us too dr young lots of great feedback on the thread and the live this will be posted on the youtube channel and and then on our website which is reclaimyourlives.com where everyone can get the archive of all the conversations, as well the resources i’ll put that link in the comments but we’ll include that in our database resource library as well we’ll have you back on soon doctor young with Dr Helena yeah
i think this is going to be a pretty consistent i do too well you know you know there’s one thing that people will find out about me is is i like to share because for me sharing is caring and i don’t mean to be you know you know sentimental about this but i really do care i mean that’s why i got up early this morning not because i’m not awake at six in the morning but but i really enjoy sharing and and i hope people enjoy learning because if you just learn one thing every day just one new thing just think how intelligent you’re gonna be after one year after two years after three years you’ll know everything that you need to
know and you can become your own doctor and you can take care of your own body because this is the truth this is your body this this is my body this is my body this is my life and by god’s grace it is my choice he gave me the free agency i do not get that from the government what the government is saying this is your body yes this is your life yes but guess what this is our choice we’re going to mandate things and this is what this is when we lose when we lose our free agency we have not only lost our freedom but we’ve lost it to the even to the cellular to the minute level we’ve lost everything people need to understand that we need to protect that freedom remember Sasha it’s your body your life your choice you can use what i’ve said to help improve the quality and quantity of your life or you don’t have to.
I’m not going to force you to do anything other than you know educate research you know have faith we’re jumping off we’re going to go dead in about 30 seconds so thank you very much indeed um and that is the price ofreclaim HOME – Reclaim Your Lives – TruthSearchEngine.com Everything you’ve said is about consciousness about sovereignty and actually about navigating in full in full pure truth and right action thank you so much robert thank you so much all the best have a wonderful day yes you do we learned more than one thing today robert thank you great thank you very much thank you bye-bye
We must know O Young is just one of the most courageous men on the planet telling the truth he has a brand new book you’re going to uh we’re going to go through his book on truth versus deception and he is on the threshold of a new biology. Whose principle if proven could revolutionize that biology and Medicine worlds uh Neil Simon MD former head of research of John Hopkins university has said, “that about it over the past two and a half decades Robert O Young has been widely recognized as one of the top research and clinical scientists in the world.
We have him here today so let’s bring him on the screen. Thank you for waiting in the background Dr Young. We appreciate you giving us your time today
4:58 well thank you so much for having me onwell thank you so much for having me on your show again Laura and it’s always a a pleasure to hear from uh others uh the word of God especially uh the scriptures because you know you you hear the warning in those in the in Deuteronomy God to the people the children of Israel who were let out of bondage uh and where to go of course saw a miracle. The Parting of the Seas and saw a miracle and they uh you know and the sad part of that whole story is they did not hearken to God nor his Commandments and all of those.
Every soul except for two all of the souls that came out of Egypt and their posterity died wandering in the desert all of them a half a million people came out they grew to a million they all perished because of ignorance and that’s what Moses said uh my uh my people perish well it’s actually Hosea my people perish because of ignorance because of lack of knowledge and uh they would not heed Moses uh they didn’t understand that even with Mana that would preserve their life and extend the quality of their life they were not prepared and therefore were not allowed to go home to their promised land and for that they have some they suffered greatly,
That’s what a lot of people don’t realize that God’s promises are real and yet those consequences which are brought on by themselves the people when they don’t, they don’t live the simple Commandments. One of those is to love God with all your heart might mind and strength and the other one is to love your neighbor as yourself now would that solve a lot of problems if we loved our neighbor do you think that we would be crossing boundaries uh which have been crossed and you know for whatever reason but what unfortunately exists today is an example of what happened.
When Cain slew Abel and he was uh and and the son of the morning Lucifer whispered into his ears that you can have all of the hard work of Abel all you need to do is pick up that stone pick up and and and kill him and that is what is called the Great and abominable secret when you kill others injure others and take that which is not yours. You’ve created you have actually uh participated in the greatest of all sins and that is to take what’s not yours.
Thou shalt not steal Thou shalt not kill Thou shalt not covet and the penalty for that sooner or later is death and that’s not just physical death. It’s emotional, it’s mental and it’s also spiritual death and as an ordained minister at the young age of 19.
You know I have cherished the words of God it has been in my heart. I was a young boy at the age of five and I would sing songs at primary: do what is right and allow the consequences to follow. Do what is wrong let the consequences follows people are being injured people are dying prematurely we have sudden death or excess deaths Watch the video Here Bing Videos
Jenn Johnson of Bethel Music recently recounted the moment she claims to have seen an angel in her hospital room — an encounter that brought her great joy and peace. Johnson told CBN News the shocking moment took place when she was about to be taken in for a C-section to usher in her daughter’s birth.
“I’ve never before or since seen an angel, but an angel appeared in my room,” she said on the red carpet of the 2025 KLOVE Fan Awards. “He had a bald head and a gold earring, and he just looked at me and nodded and then turned back to his posture.” It was a moment that had a profound impact on the singer — so much so that she wrote a song based on the experience. “Peace went through my body,” Johnson said. “And I wrote the song ‘Mention of Your Name’ out of that moment.”
The worship leader said she assumed she would be scared during the encounter — but wasn’t. Johnson said she actually hopes to have more experiences like it in the future. The moment was especially encouraging as Johnson was facing a C-section and needed in those moments the peace the angelic meeting offered. “I was so peaceful and I was just like, ‘Oh, you’ve got this, Lord — you’ve got this,'” she said. “And it was amazing.
I wanna see more. I’ve never before or since, but I’m like, I’d love to see more.” And this wasn’t Johnson’s only supernatural encounter. She also recalled a miraculous healing from a leg injury. For a few years, a back problem left her leg essentially “dead,” but she recalled powerful prayers that changed everything. “My leg was dead for a couple years where I couldn’t really feel anything,” she said, noting that she was prayed over one day and her leg instantly healed.