Instead of using her hands to push herself off the floor, Corey hit her head
(Image: Kennedy News/Nicole Guest)
Horror footage shows the moment a cheerleader snaps her neck in a “freak accident” while attempting a backflip at a football game.
Corey Martens, 29, had stepped in at the last minute to perform in the halftime show during the American football game for Morehead State University when the stomach-turning incident happened November 2, 2024. The video shows her teammate perfectly executing the ‘back handspring up’ seconds before she makes her own attempt.
But on her turn, instead of landing on her partner’s hands, Corey ‘blacked out’ – before her head sickeningly crunches into the floor, snaps back under her and breaks her neck. Corey, who lives in Kentucky, says that she ‘blacked out at the worst possible moment’ while performing the complex move due not having eaten enough food and low iron levels.
The back handspring is usually executed by the cheerleader thrusting their body back onto their hands and then jumping back onto their feet, landing on their partner’s hands. Instead of using her hands to push herself off the floor, Corey hit her head. She says she was ‘very lucky’ not to have been left paralysed after the horror fall broke one of her vertebrae.
Corey, who was cheerleading for her ‘dream team’ Morehead State against and University of St. Thomas at the time of the accident, said: “I was not actually originally in it [the performance]. But a bunch of people were missing – either because of injuries or because they were out of town, so I ended up jumping in to do it.
“When I went to throw the back handspring up, I ended up blacking out – which we brought down to not having eaten enough food and I had low iron levels. It [blacking out] only lasted for a second but it happened at the worst time. My feet didn’t leave the ground and I didn’t actually jump, I just landed straight on my head.”
A call was made to 911 and Corey, who has been cheerleading since she was 12 years old, was rushed to St Claire Hospital, Morehead, Kentucky, by ambulance. When she arrived at the hospital, doctors were ‘unsure’ just how serious the break in Corey’s neck was and she was rushed for a CAT scan and x-rays.
Corey in hospital after the freak accident
(Image: Kennedy News/Corey Martens)
Corey said: “After the x-rays they found out I had a non-displaced C5 [vertebrae] fracture. It was definitely worrying. They told me that because it was non-displaced, that basically meant that it wasn’t pushing on any of my nerves, and that’s why I wasn’t suffering from any neurological effects.”
Corey was lucky to have narrowly escaped being paralysed and after just six hours in the hospital, was allowed to return home the same evening. The cheerleader, who works as a barista at Starbucks, said: “I feel very lucky because fractures between C4 and C6 [vertebrae] very commonly cause paralysation and I was lucky that the break was far away from the nerves in that area.
“But they [the doctors] wanted to make sure that I didn’t move it because I’d also pulled all of the tendons and muscles around my neck and it was really sore. They told me not to do any of my normal activity for the most part.
“I could walk but I had to leave the neck brace on 24/7 for two and a half weeks. I was allowed to take it off for small periods of time – when I was showering, or changing – but I still wore it when I was sleeping and anywhere else I was going.
“It was scary at first, but after the first week they [the doctors] weren’t worried about any neurological effects because if it hadn’t shown up by then, it shouldn’t anymore. I felt a lot better about it after that.” The horrific accident was captured on camera by Corey’s assistant coach. She admits that it was ‘painful’ to watch the footage back for the first time – but she was brave enough to do so just a day later.
Corey said: “I was curious about what had happened. I didn’t know what it [the accident] looked like or where it went wrong. I knew that I had blacked out and I felt that happen, but I didn’t know why I landed on my head. The last thing I knew I was going for the back handspring – I thought I would at least make it over – but I didn’t. It was painful watching it back, but I’m the type of person that jokes around. Anything that happens, I make light of situations.
So, after that I kind of laughed about it.
“After watching it quite a few times, my husband and I were laying in bed and made the video for TikTok because it was a silly way to bring it up, but kind of make it a light-hearted situation and not something so detrimental.” The cheerleader is determined not to let the accident stop her in her tracks. Just a month after the fall, she has already returned to the sport, despite being ‘scared’ about attempting the move that injured her again.
Corey said: “This week has been my first week back. I’m still not allowed to tumble, or do pyramids, baskets, or dismounts, but I’m allowed to start doing stunting and seeing how I feel. I have since done a back handspring up this week – which is what I fell doing – and was able to do that pretty easily, which is good because that means that I don’t have a mental block.
“I’ve had a medical professional with me just in case anything happens. I’ve been checking in with them every other day or so. I was a little afraid. I think I was more afraid of it hurting while I was trying to do it than I was about it happening again. To me it was such an off thing, I thought it was a freak accident.
“I didn’t feel like it would ever happen again, but I wasn’t sure how I would feel going upside down. I did a couple [back handspring ups] just on the floor, without doing it in the stunt, and after that first few on the floor I felt fully comfortable doing it again and I was able to just jump in and try it.”
Corey, who also has a degree in athletic training, said: “I didn’t want it to cause a mental block. I used to be a coach and I’ve always had kids try again if they were hurt, or fell or got scared, so they didn’t go back into it with that same mindset. Obviously I wasn’t able to try it again straight after until I was cleared [by my doctors], but I tried to get back into it again as soon as possible so I wouldn’t have that block holding me back.
“I have a lot of goals that I want to reach and I don’t want this to be something that stops me from reaching those. I’ve said it a billion times already but I’m very, very lucky. Not many people come back from an accident like this quickly.”
After sharing the video of the accident on TikTok the clip went viral, racking up more than 737,000 likes, comments and views. One user commented: “I’m so sorry! My daughter was dropped from full extension and landed on her head. She has cervical strain and a major concussion but got SO LUCKY. You poor thing.” Another wrote: “This happening in front of that many people would have me transferring schools.”
I can’t believe this is happening in the USA where these soldiers fought so badly to protect the freedom the country has conquered. Syria is not our battle. Ukraine is not our battle.
This is our battle!
I couldn’t agree more!!
We need to house and help the homeless of America!!!
America first!!! It’s never made any sense to me why we send billions everywhere else and let our own vets live like this. We wouldn’t have a country without men like this. But This battle doesn’t have the payoff that the others do for our politicians. Truth. Pray for truth to prevail. May we take care of our own. Save this country and its people. America First is coming!!!
We owe our soldiers, they gave you the freedom to hate them if you want to (and are evil). We need to help them. They need us and if it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be where we are right now.
We spend 100s of billions of dollars around the world while Americans, especially veterans, are suffering. Veterans have been forgotten by the corrupt administration, but the cavalry’s coming. I just purchased warm gloves, hats, thermal shirts, thermal socks, raisins , nuts , beef jerky , string cheese and McDonald’s gift cards for the week. There are homeless vets at stop signs and I’ll be giving them out on my drive to work. Our city leaders like to give millions to worthless projects (photo op) but not a dime to those barely surviving on the streets.
What fascinates me the most is how the left was completely anti war wanting to fix problems at home first until Obama and Clinton activated the uniparty neocons plans and inverted the entire political spectrum.
War increases stock prices for the money grubbing Elite Deep States. At the moment, Congress is trying to block the efforts of installing the team to get the job done. In order to win that battle, we need to first win this battle.
Maui is our battle. West North Carolina And Helene victims that are living in tents is our battle. Homelessness is our battle. Mental illness in this country is our battle. Illegal drug import and usage is our battle. The list goes on… Our battle is against the Perpetual War Machine of the Deep State.The #WNC hurricane victims should be grateful to simply have survived, because they’re sure not getting any help from FEMA, not when there’s even one illegal person who lacks a luxury hotel room.
Somewhat, but the violent hatred being unleashed by liberals is not going to stop in them.
We have imported too many and allowed the educational funding by Qatar to put us in huge jeopardy. One way or another we will be involved. No Vet should ever have to find themselves in this situation unless he/she suffered great physical or mental damage they cannot self-repair. AFTER THE WARS END AND THE deaths COUNTED, these are also another type of casualty of any post-war period.
And we need to reverse the protected status of Syrians!!!
Stop them from coming!!
Syria is the tinder for the coming fire, but there’s nothing the west can add to or subtract from to make the situation better. What America needs to do is insulate itself as much as possible from coming events, but first and foremost get it’s house in order. The Lord is near.
Thirty years ago, on 5 December 1994, at a ceremony in Budapest, Ukraine joined Belarus and Kazakhstan in giving up their nuclear arsenals in return for security guarantees from the United States, the UK, France, China and Russia. The battle for your spiritual and physical well-being is real, and it starts with recognizing an unknown enemy.Yourself. Many men face internal struggles without realizing a war is being waged for their souls.
Ukraine is important, Syria is not. Ukraine supplies a lot of the world’s Grain. Take away the grain supply prices go through the roof and other nations Starve. We also need to repair ties with Saudi Arabia ( oil) Every middle east conflict can affect our country ( duh)
Even as I type this, in Syria, the Taliban and Islam are committing, horrific murders, and rapes of women..The world will look the other way..It is the reality of our species.. One day, it will come here and the world will look the other way.
This attack on Damascus was a planned event by the Biden Admin to cause chaos. DoD strike packages, which take weeks to plan, helped the Islamic terrorist cement his position there. Now DJT has to deal with yet another Biden/Austin screwup. But it’s Cheney Inc. Compounding selling weapons to both sides while hiding behind the US – they are cancerous.
I guarantee that the new leaders in Syria will be worse for this nation’s interests than the last one. We should make this world war stop.
And I’ve seen a video of Sen. Graham told Ukrainian principles in the past (before the war) that we (USA) would be with them and we are to the tune of many billions in weapons and money tree giveaways, kickbacks.
All while good men, women, children on both sides die in war.We are in all kinds of wars both internal and external. Time for everyone to stop only focusing on feathering our nests and fight, fight, fight the good fight with MAGA MAHA and finally put a halt with accountability to the internal/external atrocities and treason gangs. Not any unavoidable war of will and resolve should go unaddressed… economic, spiritual, moral, judicial, intel, law enforcement, borders, enemy infiltration, crimes… and so on and so forth…While international conflicts are debated, the real battle for many is right here, in our own communities.
This wouldn’t be our battle if we would just stop invading other countries and fomenting civil wars all over the world. Take care of our vets that need us and stop making more of them.
It’s heartbreaking to see our veterans in this situation. We need to prioritize and address the needs of those who’ve served our country before focusing on conflicts abroad.
We should be ashamed of ourselves – maybe not personally responsible but this should have been fixed as a Country after Vietnam…. and it wasn’t. Veterans like this one remind us of the silent sacrifices made by those who served. Perhaps our ‘battles’ should include securing the welfare of those who’ve fought for us.
Hurricane Helene may have destroyed homes, but it couldn’t destroy hope. Here’s how gratitude transforms even the toughest storms. Try this next time it’s hard to be grateful:
We need to remember what we have -Gratitude isn’t about ignoring pain; it’s about focusing on what remains. -Take time to meditate on blessings, even in difficult circumstances. -Practice giving thanks in all circumstances, as outlined in Philippians 4:8. Have you ever faced a challenge that taught you the power of gratitude?
Gratitude isn’t about avoiding the hard stuff, but finding strength in what’s left.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Four score and seven years from now, the mystic chords of memory may recall the way Donald Trump compared himself to Abraham Lincoln, lauded him one day and lambasted him the next. It is altogether fitting and proper that our descendants would examine why the 45th president, who hopes to be the 47th, keeps mentioning the 16th.
“This is Donald Trump, hopefully your favorite president of all time, better than Lincoln, better than Washington,” Trump said in a video introducing “Trump digital trading cards” in December 2022, shortly after announcing his third run for the presidency.
The Republican has often raised the Great Emancipator’s name and compared himself or others to him — he’s been treated worse than Lincoln, he’s done more for Blacks than anyone since Lincoln, and so on. It has become a recurring refrain in Trump’s unique brand of oratory, the meandering stream of random cultural references, dire warnings about the dangers of electing Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, personal grievances and self-promoting stories that he’s come to describe as “the weave.”
“What the hell is wrong with our country? Look, we used to have the greatest — Abraham Lincoln,” he said. “Now look at this stuff. Can you believe what we’re doing? She’s so bad.”
Later that same week, a Tennessee 10-year-old called into “Fox and Friends” to ask who Trump’s favorite president was when he was little. Trump mentioned GOP exemplar Ronald Reagan, even though he was in his 30s when Reagan was first inaugurated in 1981. He then pivoted to Lincoln, but tempered his praise with some belated second-guessing about the war that broke out six weeks after Lincoln’s first inauguration.
“Lincoln was probably a great president, although I’ve always said why wasn’t that settled?” said Trump, who has repeatedly claimed that had he remained at the helm, the wars in Ukraine and Israel would never have happened. “You know, I’m a guy that — it doesn’t make sense. We had a Civil War.”
Trump has more in common with Lincoln than you might think
This summer’s Republican National Convention was full of references to Abraham Lincoln, which is no surprise, given that Donald Trump likes to compare himself to the 16th president.
It’s a comparison that aggravates Trump’s critics, who don’t like to see the man they consider the nation’s worst chief executive linked with the man widely regarded as the best.
This may make those critics’ heads explode, but there are some fascinating parallels between the two presidents, as well as some contrasts.
For starters, they share the same political party. Lincoln was the first Republican president. Trump is the 19th.
Both men were long-shot candidates. In 1860, Lincoln, like Trump, defeated a field of better-connected rivals to capture the Republican nomination and win the general election.
Both men came to office with little or no government experience. Lincoln had served only four terms in the Illinois legislature and one term in Congress. Trump had spent zero time in government.
Trump, on the other hand, had far more executive experience. Before his presidency, Lincoln ran a two-man law firm with a reputation for disorganization. He often stored important papers in his hat, and in the corner of his Springfield, Ill., office sat a stack of documents labeled: “When you can’t find it anywhere else, look in this.”
Both men experienced harsh reactions to their elections. In 1860, secessionists wore ribbons with slogans such as “Resistance to Lincoln is Obedience to God.” Resistance — sound familiar?
Lincoln governed during the most divided era in our nation’s history. Trump is governing in perhaps the most acrimonious period since.
Both presidencies have been times of extreme media partisanship. In Lincoln’s day, newspapers were closely aligned with the Democratic or Republican parties, and it showed in their reporting.
In 1863, for example, after the Gettysburg Address, the Democratic Chicago Times proclaimed that “the cheek of every American must tingle with shame as he reads the silly, flat and dishwatery utterances” of Lincoln’s speech. The Springfield Republican, in Massachusetts, called it “a perfect gem, deep in feeling, compact in thought and expression.”
Lincoln, like Trump, was furiously attacked in the media. Newspapers called him a demon, a buffoon, a miserable failure, a disgrace to the nation. “The man who votes for Lincoln now is a traitor,” one Wisconsin paper asserted when he ran for reelection in 1864. You can imagine what Southern newspapers wrote.
Trump returns the media’s fire almost daily, but his assaults have been a war of words. Lincoln’s counterattacks could be more aggressive. His administration believed some opposition newspapers fueled treason.
During the Civil War, federal authorities sometimes harassed or closed antiwar newspapers, and even arrested editors. Lincoln did not order the suppressions, but he rarely objected.
Lincoln, like Trump, developed ingenious end runs around the press to communicate directly with the people. He managed to get letters and speeches widely published so voters would know his thoughts and words. Trump has done the same with rallies, 90-minute press conferences, and his tweets.
The Washington political establishment viewed Lincoln, like Trump, with wariness and outright hostility. He was considered a rube from the prairies, clearly out of his depth. Mary Lincoln, like Melania Trump, was snubbed by many in the nation’s capital.
Trump is somewhat of a street fighter. His instinct, when hit, is to hit back twice as hard. In his younger days, Lincoln also was a scrapper. He once defended a colleague from an unruly audience by threatening to break heads with a stone pitcher. On another occasion, he came close to dueling a political rival with broadswords.
With age, he became more conciliatory. As president, he sometimes cooled off by writing blistering letters and then filing them away without mailing them. No tweeting for Lincoln.
Lincoln, of course, was a wartime president. Trump and his allies consider themselves engaged in a kind of soft war on at least two fronts: first, against “the swamp,” an entrenched Washington elite, and second, against a hard-left insurgency that aims to radically transform the country.
In both cases, Trump’s supporters believe he is defending the nation’s founding principles. His opponents strenuously disagree.
That, perhaps, is the area of comparison with Lincoln that matters most.
Lincoln was fiercely dedicated to our founding principles, especially those in the Declaration of Independence, his favorite founding document — that we are all created equal, and we all have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He knew that as long as we stick to our founding principles, America can be a great nation.
In the end, history judge’s presidents largely on the defense of those principles. That is one reason we admire Lincoln so much. He defended them to the end.
If any president, from any party, wants to be compared to Lincoln, let it be for that.
John Cribb is an author who has written about subjects ranging from history to education. During the Reagan administration, he served at the Department of Justice, the Department of Education, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
A Lincoln scholar, his latest novel, “Old Abe,” was released in September.
Wrong title: it is not about “proteins”, it’s about the tau-protein, which gets dubbed as a “cause”. …while it is just a steppingstone in a causal chain. I was wanting to learn how proteins in the diet cause neurological problems. What if the body starts making tau and beta proteins to protect the brain against inflammation caused by junk foods, microbiome dysbiosis, and glycation by refined sugars?
Metabolic proteins to empower the study of Parkinsons is where the neural systems become embedded in traits of neural resting disintegration. Too much of not enough mental activity and Parkinsons is yours to battle.
Maybe it is not the intense exercise but the diversion of imbibed protein into the muscles following the intense exercise.
Interesting – she mentioned the football players head injuries but who typically supplement with lots of protein to build muscle mass. Could it be the increased protein rather than head injuries causing more brain disease?
But that’s only if you have the predisposition or genetic mutation that this can occur… Unfortunately, these amino acids always come together. Especially in a protein powder… So I guess avoid the processed protein powders and just eat the whole real food. So that it will be perfectly balanced by nature.
Some research reports lower intake of protein in diet is better overall for longevity especially when limiting it to under 50 to 60 yrs of age. But after 60 research indicating better to increase protein amount. Maybe limiting protein in younger years then have less materials for creating tau tangles? Also any thoughts on the protein ingested and how the protein was created (cooked etc.) prior to ingesting? Please could you comment?
I would only think that excessive consumption of non-essential amino acids along with a diet deficient in essential amino acids would lead to prolonged states where the body must convert and steal non—essential aminos to make essentials therefore robbing those necessary aminos from the process of making proline.
Getting “enough” essential amino acids and proline in highly bioavailable forms would seem to be key. Perhaps not too much but enough for certain. Starving the body of dietary proline and the necessary building block amino acids for proline would likely become a worse issue than slight excess.
So intriguing. It’s like you found a burned down house, then found blackened wood frames, then ran billions of scenarios, to find out which scenarios would produce blackened wood!
Too bad that the negative effects of free radicals on proline protein as an antioxidant was not mentioned. proline is an amino acid not a protein. Please let the people that make research for years work Apparently Proline is key. Although Proline is a non-essential amino acid, meaning the body can make it, perhaps that process is energetically expensive or perhaps becomes broken in people who starve themselves of dietary proline forcing the body to rob and convert other amino acids to make it.
Therefore, wouldn’t consuming enough bioavailable proline be the most likely solution?
A dietary chronology comes to mind here. We were diabolically told to stop eating red meat, cholesterol (eggs) and saturated animal fats which led to the influx of seed oils and animal replacement proteins. People started starving themselves of the best sources of proline, collagen and essential cholesterol like meat, chicken skin, eggs and bone broth which includes all of those proline rich, knuckles, joints, ligaments and tendons that humans once prized in their recipes.
There is a small amount of proline in some vegetable matter but meat, dairy and eggs are truly rich in the amino acids that are also in the biologically similar ratios to humans and in easily digestible and bioavailable forms. On the other hand, I would think that forcing the body to convert plant based amino acids that are in ratios not similar to human biology might create eventual proline conversion inefficiencies and deficiencies.
Proline is a protective agent; however, leucine takes away this protection. Even if leucine is good for muscle synthesis, it is bad for overall health. Proteins are recycled if not much protein is eaten. Mutation or formation of Tau Proteins cannot occur in low protein diets and sufficiently intense exercise. High protein is bad according to Dr. John Campbell,Dr. Dan Zatarski,Dr. Valter Longo,Dr. Ron Rosdale,Dr. Tim Spector and others)
Very interesting. Thank you. My first thought when I heard “seed” was that indeed the protein fibers seem Prionics. My second thought was that inflammation plays a big role which means the immune system is very much involved in various forms of dementia. It would not surprise me if later research was to reveal that individuals with early onstage dementia in addition to the substitution mutation of proline to leucine also have disrupted immunological response to infection/damage.
If you recall in use of ChAdOx1 as an adjuvant, it elicited an immunological response, forming clumps in a small subset of individuals. Since your computer simulations showed that at higher temperatures more space was created for misfolded strains, please pursue the possibility that brain inflammation following repeated infections over a lifetime may lead to the fibril/misfolded plaques and disrupt the hairpin formation.
Sensible, but my guess is that limiting your leucine intake with the hope of preventing aggregation of tau is unlikely to make a difference, because when your cells make tau they will use whatever leucine is available, not proline instead of leucine. Besides, your cells need leucine for innumerable other uses, so you probably don’t want your diet to be too leucine deprived.
APOE4 carriers are prone to HSV-1 outbreaks because their APOE contains more arginine which HSV-1 metabolizes. Plant based proteins (usually contain more arginine than lysine) make them more prone to HSV-1 outbreaks, just saying.
Higher protein diets from red meat were associated with cancer vs lower protein diets. The key is to eat plant-based protein. More and more research nowadays show that plant-based diets can be protective from Alzheimer’s. Good gut microbiome promotes proline synthesis in our bodies. Studies found that vegans as a whole have the best gut bacteria. Legumes, nuts, mushrooms and many other plants are good dietary sources of proline.
24:28 extra Prolines are added to the Spike mRNA encodings in the covid vaccine, so it does not change shape, as well. Proteins are large biomolecules that play critical roles in a host of cellular processes, from cell signaling to regulating the immune system.
However, these life-giving proteins can form toxic aggregate species that have been linked to several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. In this program, UC Santa Barbara professor Joan-Emma Shea discusses the tau protein as a model system to study neurodegeneration.
Joan-Emma Shea says this protein plays a functional role in stabilizing microtubules in brain cells, but it can also self-assemble to form amyloid fibrils (large “clumps” of Tau proteins). There are several neurodegenerative diseases linked to tau assembly, including Alzheimer’s Disease, Pick’s Disease, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and they are collectively known as tauopathies. Shea discusses new insights into tauopathies and targets for therapeutics. Recorded on 06/26/2024. [10/2024] [Show ID: 40083]
Yes, fluoride from drinking and bathing water can inhibit the synthesis and metabolism of proline, although this effect is indirect and related to its interference with certain enzymes. Fluoride has been shown to inhibit the activity of enzymes that are dependent on cofactors like magnesium or zinc, as well as those involved in the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), such as aconitase. Proline synthesis depends on intermediates from the citric acid cycle (e.g., glutamate), so disruption of this cycle can indirectly affect proline production.
In particular:
1. Enzyme Inhibition: Fluoride inhibits enzymes like aldolase and enolase, which can disrupt glycolysis and energy metabolism, leading to downstream effects on amino acid biosynthesis.
2. Collagen Synthesis: Fluoride can reduce the availability of proline, which is essential for collagen synthesis, potentially affecting connective tissue health. This interaction is one of the reasons fluoride toxicities is associated with skeletal and connective tissue disorders when exposure is excessive.
NOTE: A person I knew with neurodegeneration abused alcohol, sugar, soft drinks addiction
So it’s little wonder that any blips or blank spaces can send us spiraling into concern. Some recall issues here and there are normal, says neuroscientist and author Lisa Genova, and not every lapse means looming problems. (And don’t worry, forgetting names is a surprisingly tough thing for our brains to do!)
But, Genova says, there’s ways we can improve our memory, increase resilience and recall and be more comfortable with ourselves and our minds. From making lists and getting Google’s help to giving yourself a pop quiz, getting some meditation in, and just plain paying attention, these tips will have your steel trap gleaming. Read the video transcript ► 9 tactics to build a stronger memory and mind – Big Think
Sing a song to the joy of research. Cure? Theories?
Did you ever wonder how your gut health impacts your overall well-being? Join me today for an in-depth talk with functional medicine doctor Pete and discover how we improved my gut health using functional medicine. Learn about natural, effective strategies to maintain a healthy gut and enhance your overall health. To learn how I lowered my high cholesterol with Functional Medicine, watch my previous video with Pete: • What causes High Cholesterol? My Jour…
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TIMESTAMPS
Intro 0:22 Meet Pete and His Approach as a Functional Medicine Doctor 1:35 The Treatment: What we are about to do today and what you need to consider 3:17 The Bioresonance Test 3:33 Testing: Sensitivity towards Bacteria 3:43 What is the Preferential Mode in Functional Medicine? 3:50 What is Switching in Functional Medicine? 4:04 Testing: Foods, Metals, and Immune Challenges 4:22 What is Organ Testing in Functional Medicine? 4:38 Dosage Calculating in Functional Medicine 4:53 Testing: Vitamins 5:07 Testing: Food 5:23 What is Organ Manipulation in Functional Medicine? 6:21 Why I reached out to Pete and tried Functional Medicine – Arthritis & High Cholesterol 7:02 The Role of Functional Medicine in Gut Health 7:46 What is Epigenetics? 8:21 The Role of Frequencies in Functional Medicine
Have you ever become so excited or upset that it caused you to have to run to the bathroom? What about getting news so bad it made you feel nauseated? If you’ve ever experienced these symptoms, you’ve felt the brain-gut connection firsthand.
The connection between the brain and the gut is a real thing, and can affect both men and women, though in different ways. Gastrointestinal (GI) issues have an impact on the brain — and vice versa.
The Brain-Gut Connection
The brain-gut connection is evident when we experience butterflies in our stomachs, typically when we’re excited, in love or scared. Strong emotions can cause people to experience GI symptoms.
Science is beginning to understand the process behind this link, which ultimately relates to hormones released from different parts of our brain — yes, they are in your head, as well as other places — when we are particularly stressed or excited.
Chemicals circulating in the bloodstream affect the sensitivity and function of nerves in the wall of the gut, which can be collectively referred to as the enteric nervous system.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the Brain
Researchers are starting to understand the impact of activity within the gut on the brain. One example is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that affects up to 15% of people in the United States and women twice as often as men. If you have IBS, the nerves in your gut are extremely sensitive, and the brain processes these signals from your gut differently than it would if you did not have IBS. Even small amounts of gas can trigger pain, bloating, constipation or diarrhea.
Gut Issues and Mood
Doctors caring for people with gut issues have observed how GI problems can affect a person’s mood and sense of well-being.
For instance, some people with chronic constipation also report a depressed mood or even headaches. While many natural health practitioners focus on the negative effects of toxins in the body, that’s not what’s likely behind the brain-gut connection. Some experts believe being constipated actually causes the enteric nervous system to send certain signals to the brain, which then trigger a cascade of feelings.
Eating healthy not only makes you feel good, but it can also protect your brain from premature aging and diseases like dementia.
Think of your brain as a powerful engine.
To run at full throttle, it needs the right fuel. Just like a car needs high-quality gasoline, our brain needs specific nutrients to keep our minds clear and alert. While we usually focus on physical nutrition, it’s crucial to remember that our mental health also depends on what we eat. Some foods have the power to enhance our concentration, memory, and creativity. If you want to boost your focus, strengthen your memory, and keep your mind sharp, it’s essential to include foods in your diet that provide the necessary nutrients for optimal brain function.
The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and fish, has become a benchmark in preventing neurodegenerative diseases. Besides its benefits for the brain, this diet helps reduce blood pressure, a key risk factor for Alzheimer’s. Incorporate these 12 foods into your daily diet, and you’ll notice the difference in your mental health.
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens are true superfoods for our brains.
These greens are packed with essential nutrients like beta-carotene, folic acid, lutein, and vitamin K, which work together to keep our brains healthy and active. By incorporating a variety of these greens into our diet, we’re giving our brains the nutrients they need to function optimally.
Nuts
Nuts are known for their nutritional value, but walnuts stand out as a true brain superfood. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, essential for optimal brain function, and loaded with antioxidants that combat cellular damage, walnuts are an invaluable ally for maintaining a sharp and healthy mind. Scientific studies support the idea that regular consumption of walnuts can improve memory, concentration, and learning ability.
Coffee and Tea
Beyond being simple stimulants, coffee and green tea offer surprising benefits for our brain health. Caffeine, present in both beverages, acts as a powerful neurostimulant, enhancing our ability to concentrate, process information, and make decisions. Additionally, coffee is a rich source of antioxidants that protect our brains from damage caused by free radicals. On the other hand, green tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation and reduces stress, creating a perfect balance between alertness and calm. Recommended daily intake: up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day (about four cups of coffee or black tea) is generally considered safe for most adults.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the best foods for brain health
Imagine a ripe tomato, freshly picked from the garden. Its fleshy, juicy pulp hides a nutritional treasure: lycopene. This natural pigment, besides giving tomatoes their intense color, acts as a protective shield for our brains, helping to prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
A medium tomato contains about 3.2 mg of lycopene, but to get the maximum benefits, experts recommend consuming between 9 and 21 mg per day. So, don’t hesitate to include tomatoes and their derivatives in your daily diet! Your brain will thank you.
Whole Grains
Whole grains like whole wheat, oats, and brown rice are known for their role in cardiovascular health. However, few know that these foods are also an excellent source of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that protects our brains from damage caused by free radicals.
By including whole grains in our diet, we not only take care of our hearts but also strengthen our brain health in the long term. Recommended daily intake: Guidelines recommend at least three servings of whole grains per day, totaling at least 48 grams.
Broccoli
Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables are also important.
These vegetables contain high doses of glucosinolates. Not only are spinach and lettuce allies of our brains. Broccoli and its cruciferous relatives (like cauliflower and broccoli rabe) also play a fundamental role in brain health.
These vegetables are a rich source of glucosinolates, compounds that, when in contact with water, transform into isothiocyanates. These powerful antioxidants have the ability to protect our neurons and improve overall brain function.
Turmeric
Believe it or not, your spice rack can be a true ally for your brain’s health. Turmeric, the spice that gives curry its golden color, contains a compound called curcumin with amazing neuroprotective properties. Scientific studies suggest that curcumin could help prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and stimulate the growth of new brain cells. So, the next time you season your food, remember that you’re nourishing not just your palate, but also your mind.
According to research being reported in the Journal Cell Reports Medicine, in the animal study researchers found that the keto diet. Which is low in carbohydrates and high in fat, triggers a signaling pathway in the brain that enhances synapse function, leading to improved memory.
The best part? The Researchers say swapping to a keto diet triggered these brain benefits after just a week. and the effects grew stronger over time. Also, A small clinical trial led by Stanford Medicine found that the metabolic effects of a ketogenic diet may help stabilize the brain.
A study led by researchers at Stanford Medicine showed that diet can help those with serious mental illness. For people living with serious mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, standard treatment with antipsychotic medications can be a double-edged sword.
While these drugs help regulate brain chemistry, they often cause metabolic side effects such as insulin resistance and obesity, which are distressing enough that many patients stop taking the medications.
Now, a pilot study led by Stanford Medicine researchers has found that a ketogenic diet not only restores metabolic health in these patients as they continue their medications, but it further improves their psychiatric conditions.
The results, published March 27 in Psychiatry Research, suggest that a dietary intervention can be a powerful aid in treating mental illness.
Making the connection
“It’s very promising and very encouraging that you can take back control of your illness in some way, aside from the usual standard of care,” said Shebani Sethi, MD, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and the first author of the new paper.Sethi, who is board certified in obesity and psychiatry, remembers when she first noticed the connection. As a medical student working in an obesity clinic, she saw a patient with treatment-resistant schizophrenia whose auditory hallucinations quieted on a ketogenic diet.
That prompted her to dig into the medical literature. There were only a few, decades-old case reports on using the ketogenic diet to treat schizophrenia, but there was a long track record of success in using ketogenic diets to treat epileptic seizures.
“The ketogenic diet has been proven to be effective for treatment-resistant epileptic seizures by reducing the excitability of neurons in the brain,” Sethi said. “We thought it would be worth exploring this treatment in psychiatric conditions.”
A few years later, Sethi coined the term metabolic psychiatry, a new field that approaches mental health from an energy conversion perspective.
Shebani Sethi
April 1, 2024 – By Nina Bai
In the four-month pilot trial, Sethi’s team followed 21 adult participants who were diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, taking antipsychotic medications, and had a metabolic abnormality — such as weight gain, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, dyslipidemia or impaired glucose tolerance. The participants were instructed to follow a ketogenic diet, with approximately 10% of the calories from carbohydrates, 30% from protein and 60% from fat. They were not told to count calories.
“The focus of eating is on whole unprocessed foods including protein and non-starchy vegetables, and not restricting fats,” said Sethi, who shared keto-friendly meal ideas with the participants. They were also given keto cookbooks and access to a health coach.
The research team tracked how well the participants followed the diet through weekly measures of blood ketone levels. (Ketones are acids produced when the body breaks down fat — instead of glucose — for energy.) By the end of the trial, 14 patients had been fully adherent, six were semi-adherent and only one was non-adherent.
The participants underwent a variety of psychiatric and metabolic assessments throughout the trial.
Before the trial, 29% of the participants met the criteria for metabolic syndrome, defined as having at least three of five conditions: abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, elevated blood pressure and elevated fasting glucose levels. After four months on a ketogenic diet, none of the participants had metabolic syndrome.
On average, the participants lost 10% of their body weight; reduced their waist circumference by 11% percent; and had lower blood pressure, body mass index, triglycerides, blood sugar levels and insulin resistance.
“We’re seeing huge changes,” Sethi said. “Even if you’re on antipsychotic drugs, we can still reverse obesity, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance. I think that’s very encouraging for patients.”
The participants reported improvements in their energy, sleep, mood and quality of life.
The psychiatric benefits were also striking. On average, the participants improved 31% on a psychiatrist rating of mental illness known as the clinical global impressions scale, with three-quarters of the group showing clinically meaningful improvement. Overall, the participants also reported better sleep and greater life satisfaction.
“The participants reported improvements in their energy, sleep, mood and quality of life,” Sethi said. “They feel healthier and more hopeful.”
The researchers were impressed that most of the participants stuck with the diet. “We saw more benefit with the adherent group compared with the semi-adherent group, indicating a potential dose-response relationship,” Sethi said.
Alternative fuel for the brain
There is increasing evidence that psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder stem from metabolic deficits in the brain, which affect the excitability of neurons, Sethi said.
The researchers hypothesize that just as a ketogenic diet improves the rest of the body’s metabolism, it also improves the brain’s metabolism.
“Anything that improves metabolic health in general is probably going to improve brain health anyway,” Sethi said. “But the ketogenic diet can provide ketones as an alternative fuel to glucose for a brain with energy dysfunction.”
Likely there are multiple mechanisms at work, she added, and the main purpose of the small pilot trial is to help researchers detect signals that will guide the design of larger, more robust studies.
As a physician, Sethi cares for many patients with both serious mental illness and obesity or metabolic syndrome, but few studies have focused on this undertreated population.
“Many of my patients suffer from both illnesses, so my desire was to see if metabolic interventions could help them,” she said. “They are seeking more help. They are looking to just feel better.”
Researchers from the University of Michigan; the University of California, San Francisco; and Duke University contributed to the study.
The study was supported by Baszucki Group Research Fund, the Kuen Lau Fund and the Obesity Treatment Foundation.
Stanford Medicine is an integrated academic health system comprising the Stanford School of Medicine and adult and pediatric health care delivery systems. Together, they harness the full potential of biomedicine through collaborative research, education and clinical care for patients. For more information, please visit med.stanford.edu.
In 2012 Kate was diagnosed with Acute Lobular Invasive Grade 3 Breast Cancer with a high pleomorphic presentation. After undergoing a mastectomy, Kate refused chemotherapy and instead turned to the Gerson Therapy and other integrative treatments to heal herself.
Prepare to be inspired and entertained by Kate’s candid interview!
Kate was not always health conscious
53 years old, mom of four, type A personality
Busy raising her kids and building a business
In an abusive relationship
Drank gallons of tea and coffee a day
Lived off her kids leftovers and chocolate
The diagnosis
Started experiencing problems with her breast augmentation. Symptoms included ectopic heartbeat, arthritis, decline in vision, menstrual cycle changes, migraines, breast pain
Couldn’t lose weight even with extreme exercise
Tired and fatigued
Changes in personality
Her cat continually patted her right breast at night. Found a gritty lump around where the cat kept patting
Mammogram came back negative. Sought a second opinion. Ultrasound revealed many tumors
Biopsy confirmed breast cancer. Was advised to have a mastectomy and possible chemo
A conventional start
Private medical insurance
MRI and full bone scan
Surgery removed right breast
Her husband believed in cause and effect. He started researching and found Dr Patrick Vickers
Kate took two books into hospital – The China Study and Max Gerson’s Results of 50 Cases. She started reading and felt like she’d made a huge mistake
Wounds weren’t healing. Complications with surgery
Kate’s alternative approach to healing
Overnight Kate went from doing nothing to drinking 30 juices a day plus coffee enemas
Wounds healed beautifully
Added mistletoe injections to the Gerson Therapy
Referred to practitioner Katherine Alexander. Kate found she was deficient in ferotine and T4 was low
Added the B17 tablet protocol and lypo spheric Vitamin C
Takes Freeing the Sun (Chinese herb) to clear methylation pathway in liver and metabolize estrogen
A journey of discovery
Breasts need iodine, and that fluoride, chlorine and bromine promote iodine deficiency
Alcohol switches on the breast cancer gene
Makeup and perfume, air fresheners elevate estrogen
IVF increases your breast cancer risk
Refined, white sugar impacts eyesight
Diets high in animal protein, reduce T-lympocytes that kill tumors, viruses and fungus
The results of Kate’s protocol
Eyesight improved
No more joint pain, pimples, sinusitis or atopic heartbeat
During detox, Kate’s abdomen became swollen with gas. She experienced toxic headaches, chills and fevers as her body dealt with toxic overload
Came off mistletoe injections to enable body to naturally produce an immune response
High temperatures and flea bites were signs Kate’s immune response was improving
No pain killers when her breast implants were changed. Juices and coffee enemas helped pain subside
Nipple reconstruction surgery done under local not general. Procedure relies on scar tissue to make the new nipple but Kate’s body broke it down
Oncologist recommended Kate remove her ovaries. She decided to keep them and bring her estrogen down naturally Asked her Healing Code to put her ovaries to sleep. Instant menopause without a single hot flush
The ‘Gold Standard’ of care in the UK
The UK public health system does the mastectomy differently to reduce theatre time and costs. Higher risk for the patient and all nodes in arm are removed even if they are not cancerous
Can’t customize treatment in public system
Recommended treatment protocols often based on opinion not evidence
Cancer charities work with drug companies creating a conflict of interest
Public are desensitized to cancer treatment. Advertisements make people believe they need to be bald and sick before they can heal
Trained in the Beckers Health Belief Model – a patient must deem the risk so great that they accept the treatment
The UK’s cancer act of 1939 – anyone who advises a patient on alternative ‘cures’ for cancer will go to prison for 3 months
Ignorance is no excuse – medical practitioners and dietitians have a duty of care to educate themselves
Dee Mani is an award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling author, cancer survivor, and advocate for natural healing. She founded My Way CBD, an innovative business that provides high-quality CBD products to support health and wellness. Dee’s unique journey from the pharmaceutical industry to natural medicine is deeply personal.
After overcoming an aggressive breast cancer using alternative methods, including cannabis oil, she has become a leader in the wellness industry, offering guidance, education, and products to help others achieve optimal health.
I was born in Birmingham, UK, and raised in a family where my mother always emphasised natural healing. Initially, I trained as a pharmacist but left the industry after realising how corporate ties influenced patient care. My experience with cancer shifted my perspective completely, and I became deeply committed to holistic healing, leading me to establish My Way CBD. I’m passionate about empowering others to take control of their health, and my journey reflects my mission to inspire people to seek natural alternatives.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today?
The most pivotal moment was my Triple Negative Grade 3 breast cancer diagnosis in 2017. After my sister passed away due to chemotherapy side effects, I refused conventional treatment and turned to natural methods, including full-extract cannabis oil. My oncologist, at the time, quite casually informed me that I would not survive the year for refusing treatment. However, within five months, I healed completely, which changed my life and ignited my passion for spreading awareness about natural healing methods. It was the beginning of my journey to finding My Way CBD.
What is your most outstanding career achievement so far?
I would say publishing my best-selling book, My Way: Following the CancerBrick Road, and being nominated as Best Health Influencer in 2022 by the Cannavist Awards. These achievements allowed me to reach a wider audience and advocate for the healing potential of natural therapies.
Tell us a bit about your career journey.
How did you build your career to this point?
I began my career in the pharmaceutical industry, but after becoming disillusioned with its corporate culture, I transitioned into sales. My personal battle with cancer was a huge turning point, and it redirected my entire career path. After healing naturally, I knew I wanted to share this experience and help others, so I founded My Way CBD. From there, I’ve focused on expanding the business, writing, speaking at events, and educating others about alternative healing methods. I’m also thankful to have been invited to many incredible podcasters’ shows.
What’s your next goal or project?
I’m expanding My Way CBD’s reach and continuing to educate the public through My Way University, which offers cannabis courses for people wanting to learn more about the plant and its myriad of benefits. I’m also working on new product lines to further support health.
Tell us more about your businesses.
What are the names, and how do they help?
I run three entities rooted in my passion for natural healing and education:
Book overview “My Way: Following the Cancer Brick Road, from Diagnosis to All Clear in 5 Months” is a compelling and inspiring memoir by Dee Mani, detailing her extraordinary journey
My Way CBD offers high-quality CBD products that support overall health and wellness. We focus on creating natural, non-toxic solutions that empower people to take control of their well-being. Our range of products are designed to help with issues like pain management, anxiety, sleep disorders, and inflammation, providing a natural alternative to pharmaceuticals.
My Way University is an educational platform offering courses on cannabis science and holistic health. We aim to empower individuals with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their health, whether new to the plant or looking to deepen their understanding.
Finally, My Way Cancer Support is a service I created to offer guidance and resources to individuals going through cancer. After my personal experience overcoming breast cancer with natural therapies, I wanted to create a space for others seeking alternative treatments. I provide emotional support, holistic treatment options, and educational resources to help patients and their families navigate their healing journey through such a fragile time.
My goal across all three is to empower people with the tools and knowledge to heal naturally and live their best lives.
What inspired you to create My Way CBD?
My personal experience with healing naturally from cancer was the main inspiration. I realised how effective cannabis and hemp were and how little most people knew about it. I wanted to create a brand that offered high-quality products and educated people on how to take control of their health naturally.
What are your specific goals or vision for the company?
My goal is to make My Way CBD a trusted global name in natural healing, empowering people with knowledge and tools to live healthier lives. I also aim to expand My Way University, providing accessible cannabis education to more people worldwide.
Who is your target audience?
Our target audience includes individuals seeking natural solutions for their health, particularly those who want to manage chronic conditions without using pharmaceuticals. We place a strong emphasis on women’s health, as many women face hormonal imbalances and other health issues that can benefit from CBD’s natural healing properties.
In addition, we are seeing a growing number of children diagnosed with autism and ADHD, and we believe that CBD can offer a natural way to support their health and well-being. With cancer rates continuing to rise, CBD is also a promising preventative measure that can help support overall health and reduce the risk of illness.
Our mission is to provide safe, natural alternatives that promote balance and well-being for many people, from children to adults, focusing on holistic, long-term solutions.
What products or services do you offer, and how do they address the needs of your audience?
We offer a wide range of CBD products, including oils and topicals. We also provide educational resources through My Way University to help customers make informed decisions about their health. Our products are designed to reduce stress, alleviate pain, and improve sleep–common issues for many clients.
One of our best-sellers is our CBD Hair Oil, specifically developed for cancer patients who suffer hair loss from chemotherapy. Our Frankincense and CBD Healing Balm won Best Topical by Cannavist in 2021 and remained a favourite amongst our clients. In addition to Full-Spectrum and Broad-Spectrum oils, we have a Black Seed CBD, which is a firm winner amongst our male customers as it helps to balance testosterone.
—Should Be Used to say that a person should not say he or she will never do something!
CANTON — The Hillsdale High School football team and Maria Stein Marion Local will kick off Day 2 of the 2024 OHSAA football state championships this morning with the Division VII title game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Follow along here throughout the day for live updates on the game.
How did Hillsdale reach the OHSAA Division VII state championship game
Hillsdale advanced to Canton with a 25-22 win over Danville in the state semifinals.
What to know about Hillsdale Falcons football
Hillsdale is making its first appearance in a state championship game.
The Falcons had not advanced past the regional championship game prior to this season. Hillsdale is no stranger to the playoffs, though. The Falcons have reached the postseason nine consecutive season under head coach Trevor Cline. Hillsdale has an overall record of 15-12 in the playoffs.
Hillsdale High School football players to watch
WR Hayden McFadden: The first 1,000 yard receiver in program history. McFadden has 60 catches for 1,363 yards this season with 18 touchdowns.
WR Holland Young: On the verge of being the second 1,000 yard receiver in program history. The senior has 915 yards and nine touchdowns this season.
RB Owen Sloan: A 1,500 yard rusher that can chew up yards. Sloan has 226 carries for 1,644 yards and 31 touchdowns.
QB Kael Lewis: A sophomore that has thrown for 2,981 yards with 35 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season.
What to know about Marion Local Flyers football
The team from small town Maria Stein (population is just over 1,000 people) are not just a juggernaut, they’re pretty much the closest thing you will see to a high school football dynasty.
The No. 1 ranked team in Division VII came into Friday’s state championship game having won 63 straight games − the longest winning streak in Ohio high school football history − and three consecutive state titles. As a program, Marion Local have won 14 state titles (most in Ohio high school football history) and 22 regional titles. For the 2024 season, the Flyers have outscored their opponents 709-49, a 660-plus point differential, and have nine shutouts to their name, including a stretch where they had six in a row.
The Flyers have won a state record 63 straight games and will look to make it 64 — four full 16-game seasons. Marion Local has allowed 49 points all season, shutting out eight opponents. The Flyers have committed 26 turnovers, including 16 interceptions, and made 29 sacks. The Flyers give up 136.6 total yards per game. Offensively, Marion has scored 40 or more points in 12 of 15 games. Head coach Tim Goodwin is 324-48 in his 26th season, winning 14 state titles since 2000.
Hillsdale discussed the task at hand, highlighting especially how fundamentally sound their opponent is. “You’ve heard about Marion Local for many years now. I know us as a program, it’s always been a goal of ours to make a state championship and if you made it there, the chances are you will have to play Marin Local,” said Hillsdale head coach Trevor Cline. “It’s a great opportunity for our program to go up against a program like that.”
“They’ve been perfect in every aspect of the game. They don’t really beat themselves,” said Bower, on what he’s seen on tape of the Flyers. “If you wanna beat them, you’re going to have to beat them fair and square. They don’t have many breakdowns.”
“They are fundamentally sound,” Cline added. “All the little things they do right. They’re not a team that’s going to beat themselves.” “We obviously respect them a lot,” said Heller. “They’re a very disciplined team. They know their assignments and they do them well. We’re looking at that.”
For Marion Local as a whole, they bring plenty to the table. They have multiple backs in Drew Lause, Ethan Heitkamp and 1,000-yard rusher Parker Hess that do damage. Add quarterback Justin Knouff to the list of formidable runners, and the Flyers find themselves with a profusion of running options. The QB-WR combination of Knouff and wideout Victor Hoelscher will be one to watch for too.
However, if there’s one area that’s evident to Hillsdale where Marion Local excels at, it’s the basic principles of blocking from their offensive line.
“They’re blocking. They get to the second level and they get off the ball real well,” explained Heller. “Offensively, there’s not just one guy to key on,” said Cline.
“They have multiple guys who can make plays for them. Also, their offensive line blocks extremely well. They’re not going to overwhelm you with size but they are built athletically. When you watch their offensive line block, it’s like a clinic tape on how well they block.”
How Marion Local reach the OHSAA Division VII state championship game:
Marion Local advanced by routing Columbus Grove 41-6 in the state semifinals.
“It was an awesome game,” said Parker Hess. Above, he follows the block of teammate Drew Lause in the Columbus Grove Game.
Marion Local possesses a strong linebacking core as well, and the defensive side is what caught Bower’s attention. “I think they communicate exceptionally well, especially on defense,” he said. “You can tell they’re talking on film. Pointing and they’re always looking around. They have awareness. They know their jobs.”
Going into Friday, the Falcons know they will be a heavy underdog, but Hillsdale has answered test after test throughout the program’s best season in school history, and against mighty Marion Local, they’re ready to embrace the confrontation before them.
Call it a “Me Against the World” mindset.
“Yeah it does feel that way,” said Bower. “There’s not many people besides the people in that room that believe we can win that game. I don’t see the point of relying on other people outside that room. We believe we should win that game.”
“Nobody but the people in the locker room believe we have a chance at winning this game,” said Heller. “We trust each other. We’ve done it for 15 weeks in a row and why not one more.”
Marion Local Flyers
Anyone who knows football in Ohio knows Marion Local. There hasn’t been a more successful program at any level in the state since the turn of the millennia. The Flyers have made the postseason 27 times, 25 of which coming from 1999 on — 2004 was the only year they didn’t suit up in Week 11.
Marion Local hasn’t lost a game in more than four years, the last coming on Nov. 6, 2020 against New Bremen in the regional championship. Over their current stretch of postseason dominance, the Flyers have made it to state 20 times and won a state-record 14 championships and finished as runner-up three times. It’s a program that was featured in the New York Times for its ability to thrive even in a time when participation across the country has steadily dropped.
Justin Knouff, Marion Local, QB
You don’t get this far without a quality quarterback under center. Knouff has completed 71.7% of his passes (119-of-166) for 2,067 yards, 26 touchdowns, and five interceptions — keep in mind most starters sat in the second half of games for a majority of the season. He’s also capable of making plays with his legs having rushed for 603 yards and six touchdowns.
The Flyers have outscored opponents 2,526-310 with 33 shutouts over the last 63 games with an average score of 40.1 — 4.9 this season they haven’t allowed a single point in the first quarter. Entering Friday’s state championship, Marion Local is 107-12 all-time in the postseason averaging 3.96 wins … and to put that into perspective, prior to 2021’s expansion to 16 teams, four wins would’ve been good enough to compete for a state title.
NOTE: TIM GOODWIN COACHED ALL 15 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP since 2000.
Marion Local Class of 2025 football seniors:
(64) wins (0) losses (4) State Championships (4) MAC Championships (34) shutouts (2,098) points scored (32.8 ppg) (271) points allowed (4.3 ppg) (1) time allowing 30+ pts (4) times allowing 20+ pts (9) times allowing 10+ pts Flyers are now Top 20 All-Time in longest HSFB Win Streaks in US History.
Did you know…
The Flyers last loss was in 2020, the COVID season, to New Bremen 24-17 on November 6th during the playoffs. The Cardinals would go on to win the Ohio Div. VII State title.
“Science doesn’t tell us why the Big Bang happened, how the singularity occurred in the first place, or why it exploded when it did. It tells us there is objective scientific evidence that it occurred.
Ah, the famous number 42! This answer comes from Douglas Adams’ science fiction series, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. In the story, a supercomputer named Deep Thought is asked to find the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything. After much calculation, Deep Thought concludes that the answer is simply “42.”
However, the actual question to which 42 is the answer remains unknown, leaving a humorous and philosophical mystery. Fans of the series often use “42” as a playful reference to the absurdity and complexity of life.
It’s a fun reminder that sometimes, the most profound questions don’t always have straightforward answers—or maybe the answers are simpler than we think!
Ah, the famous number 42! This answer comes from Douglas Adams’ science fiction series, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. In the story, a supercomputer named Deep Thought is asked to find the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything. After much calculation, Deep Thought concludes that the answer is simply “42.”
However, the actual question to which 42 is the answer remains unknown, leaving a humorous and philosophical mystery. Fans of the series often use “42” as a playful reference to the absurdity and complexity of life.
It’s a fun reminder that sometimes, the most profound questions don’t always have straightforward answers—or maybe the answers are simpler than we think!
Fortunately for us, there are a number of possible candidate questions — in hindsight — that we can exploit for their potential to truly be the ultimate question, given the fact that we know the solution is truly 42. Could any of these possibilities have truly been what the supercomputer was asked about when it came to uncovering the answer to the ultimate question about life, the Universe, and everything? Although no one can be sure, even in Douglas Adams’ fictional world, here are five possible questions that rank among the most fascinating. The answer to each of them truly is 42, and perhaps you might find one of them to be truly compelling.
As photographed from an airplane, direct sunlight shining on a “wall of water droplets” produced by rain clouds can not only produce a full-circle primary rainbow, but a full-circle secondary as well, creating a circular double rainbow. A primary rainbow, created when a light source shines on water droplets, always creates a 42-degree arc, offset with respect to the light source that creates it. A secondary rainbow can be seen above it as well with a larger-angle offset. The 42 degree angle is universal to rainbows created in air by fresh water droplets.
1.) At how many degrees, offset from the Sun (or any light source), is a rainbow produced?
There are many ways to create a rainbow: from raindrops to waterfalls to garden hoses to mist to the spray from bodies of water. Yet all of them have a few things in common. They all arise from light reflecting off of water droplets. They all originate in a direction that opposes the direction of a light source. And they all — so long as they’re created from droplets of fresh water — have a peak intensity spread out in an arc-like shape, a shape that’s actually a fraction of a full circle, which is offset 42° from the direction of the light source.
Every primary rainbow you’ve ever seen displays the same angle-of-arc. If there’s a rainbow that the Sun is creating, looking exactly opposite to the direction of the Sun and look for a circle (or portion of a circle) that’s offset from that direction by 42° will enable you to see it. The reason is simple physics: light behaves as a ray, the speed of light in water is different than the speed of light in air, and when light enters or leaves that medium, it always bends in a predictable way determined by the angle-of-incidence at the interface between the water and the air.
When light transitions from vacuum (or air) into a water droplet, it first refracts, then reflects off of the back, and at last refracts back into vacuum (or air). The angle that the incoming light makes with the outgoing light always peaks at an angle of 42 degrees, explaining why rainbows always make the same angle in the sky.
When light moves from air into water, different wavelengths bend at slightly different angles, causing the colors to disperse. When light strikes the back of the water droplet (and it’s a very good assumption that all droplets are perfectly spherical), it reflects at a known, predictable angle. And when it re-emerges back into the air, each wavelength moves off at a specific angle-of-offset from the original: from just under 41° to a little under 43° over the visible light spectrum, with the peak intensity occurring at 42°.
Any planet that possesses:
a thin atmosphere,
that’s transparent to visible light,
where light travels at close to the speed of light in a vacuum,
and where pure water droplets exist in the atmosphere,
will see that same 42° rainbow phenomenon. However, it’s not truly universal: if the atmosphere has a non-negligible index of refraction, if droplets are elliptical instead of spherical, if they’re made of saltwater instead of freshwater, if they’re made of a different substance entirely, or if the species viewing the rainbow doesn’t see the same wavelengths of light that we do, then the rainbow can occur at an entirely different angle.
Perhaps these limitations imply that we should consider a different candidate question instead.
These diagrams, known as young diagrams, show how to partition various numbers mathematically. (This shows the partitions for numbers 1 through 8.) For the number 1, there is 1 way to partition it (1); for 2, there are 2 (2, 1+1); for 3, there are 3 (1+1+1, 1+2, 3), but for 4 there are 5, for 5 there are 7, etc. Going farther up the ladder, there are exactly 42 unique ways to partition the number 10.
2.) What is the number of ways that you can partition the number 10?
It’s easy to think of different ways to divide up any number. If you have three oranges, and two people, for example, you can give all three to person 1, all three to person 2, one to person 1 and two to person 2, or 1.5 to each of the two people. In mathematics, however, partitioning has a very special meaning: how many unique ways can you add up positive integers to create a certain number? Positive integers means that no one can get zero or a fractional number; unique means that splitting things up into “2 and 1” is the same as splitting them into “1 and 2.”
For an example of partitioning, there are 7 ways to partition the number 5:
1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1,
1 + 1 + 1 + 2,
1 + 1 + 3,
1 + 2 + 2,
1 + 4,
2 + 3,
5.
For the number 10, with all the different ways to do it, there are a total of 42 unique ways to do it. Fascinatingly, this isn’t the only relationship between 10 and 42, as 10 can be written as 2¹ + 2³, while 42 can be written as 2¹ + 2³ + 2⁵. If we were to write these numbers in binary, “10” would become 1010, while “42” would become 101010. These numbers and these relationships play important roles in both mathematics and physics (particularly through group theory), with 42 having some fascinating properties completely independent of any measured physical phenomena.
The equation 1 = 1/a + 1/b + 1/c + 1/d only has a few unique solutions if a, b, c, and d are all different, positive integers. The largest number for which there exists a solution to this equation, perhaps surprisingly, is the number 42.
3.) What is the largest integer whose reciprocal, along with three other unique integer reciprocals, adds up to 1?
Perhaps the Universe, as some have conjectured, really is driven by mathematical relationships at a core level, with those relationships underpinning the physical laws of reality. For those of you who think that might be the case, here’s a math puzzle for you to consider:
Can you find 4 positive integers, like a, b, c, and d, where (1/a) + (1/b) + (1/c) + (1/d) = 1?
It’s easy to do if you make certain choices. For example, if a, b, c, and d all equal 4, this is very simple, as ¼ + ¼ + ¼ + ¼ = 1. If you even allow just some of the numbers (a, b, c, d) to be equal, there are many possible solutions:
a=2, b=4, and c=d=8;
a=b=3, c=4, d=12;
a=2, b=c=d=6;
and so on.
But if you insist that all four of these numbers must be different from one another, there are very few unique solutions. In fact, you can work out the math to find the absolute the largest number that you can use to try and satisfy this equation that will still give you a solution.
The answer? 42.
If you let a=2, b=3, and c=7, then d=42 and the equation works. Interestingly enough, that’s not the only relationship between those four numbers, as 2, 3, and 7 are the prime factors of 42: 42 = 2 × 3 × 7. In even a purely mathematical sense, 42 has some truly fascinating properties.
A 15-year study conducted by the European Southern Observatory tracked the positions and orbital parameters of 14,000 stars near the Sun, reconstructing how they would have orbited, along with the Sun, over the past 250,000,000 years: the amount of time to complete approximately 1 galactic year. The position of the galactic center does not change relative to the motion of stars around it, and our Sun’s orbit is notably elliptical, rather than perfectly circular.
4.) How many times will the Sun orbit the Milky Way before catastrophically transforming into a red giant?
This is one of the most fun facts about our Solar System, where the planets revolve around the Sun and the Sun, like all stars, orbits around center of the Milky Way. Like all stars, there’s only a finite amount of time that the Sun will live, with various milestones marking its critical transitions. It takes tens of millions of years for the proto-stellar nebula that gives rise to our Solar System to form our Sun, which officially becomes a star once nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium ignites in its core.
After that, the Sun will chug along for billions of years until the core runs out of hydrogen fuel, at which point it will begin to swell into a red giant, burning hydrogen in a shell until the helium core ignites. During this phase, Mercury and Venus will certainly be engulfed, and it’s likely (but not certain) that the Earth will be swallowed as well. Icy worlds, like Triton, Pluto, and most of the Kuiper belt objects, will sublimate away almost entirely. This red giant phase will last for hundreds of millions of years while helium burns to completion. At that point, the Sun will blow off its outer layers, dying in a planetary nebula/white dwarf combination.
As the Sun becomes a true red giant, expanding to over 100 times its current size as its interior contracts and heats up to fuse helium, the Earth itself may be swallowed or engulfed, but will definitely be roasted as never before. The Sun’s outer layers will swell, but the exact details of its evolution, and how those changes will affect the orbits of the planets, still have large uncertainties in them. Mercury and Venus will definitely be swallowed by the Sun, but Earth will be very close to the border of survival/engulfment.
Yet, throughout all of these changes, the Sun and our Solar System will continue to orbit around the Milky Way’s center, completing a full orbit every ~250 million years or so. The time to return to our starting point is known as a galactic year, and has about a ~10% uncertainty on how long it actually takes. Meanwhile, in term of stellar evolution, we are quite confident that the Sun will last roughly 10–12 billion years from the moment nuclear fusion first ignites in its core until the red giant phase begins, a track that we’re just a hair over 4.5 billion years into, at present.
So, how many galactic years will the Sun (and Earth) experience before the Sun swells into a red giant and planet Earth is (likely) completely destroyed?
The Answer: 42.
Although justifiable estimates typically range from about 40 to 45 — driven largely by an approximately ~10% uncertainty in how fast the Sun is orbiting around the Milky Way’s center — 42 is an answer that’s extremely consistent with the best data we have. It may yet turn out to be the exact answer to this question, although superior data will be required to know for certain.
However, that’s an Earth-centric perspective, and perhaps we’d want to look to the greater Universe for an even grander question to consider.
The European Space Agency’s space-based Gaia mission has mapped out the three-dimensional positions and locations of more than one billion stars in our Milky Way galaxy: the most of all-time. Looking toward the center of the Milky Way, Gaia reveals both light-blocking and luminous features that are scientifically and visually fascinating.
5.) How fast is the Universe expanding today?
Right now, we exist in the Universe precisely 13.8 billion years after the earliest stages of the hot Big Bang occurred. For all of cosmic time, the Universe has been expanding and cooling, and that means it’s been getting less dense. In the expanding Universe, the thing that determines your expansion rate is the density of all the different forms of energy combined, so an expanding Universe filled with matter and radiation will have the expansion inevitably slow down over time.
The expansion rate, today, is slower than it’s ever been at any time in the past, and continues to gradually slow down. If we wait for a long enough time, the matter and radiation density will drop to zero, with only dark energy — the energy inherent to space itself — remaining. By convention (and for no other reason), we typically report the expansion rate as a speed (how fast something appears to be moving) per unit distance (based on how far away it is from us): in units of kilometers-per-second, per megaparsec.
In those units, we have two classes of measurements that point to inconsistent values: measurements that are based on relics imprinted from early times, like fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background or galaxy clustering in the large-scale structure, and measurements that come from individual sources at late cosmic times, like supernovae or gravitational lenses. The first set of measurements yields a value of 67–68 km/s/Mpc, while the second yields a value of 73–74 km/s/Mpc. Figuring out what the resolution to this puzzle is — i.e., which group is correct, and why — is one of modern cosmology’s biggest challenges.
But if the first group is right, then perhaps the answer to the question of how fast the Universe is expanding really is 42.
That’s because we have to remember this fact: Douglas Adams was writing in 20th century England, where distances are measured in miles, not kilometers! If we perform that conversion, from kilometers into miles, then that first value of the expansion rate, which was 67-68 km/s/Mpc, becomes 42 mi/s/Mpc, which could easily be construed as the answer to the biggest question in entire cosmos: how fast is the Universe expanding right now? Although more science will be required to truly resolve this cosmic conundrum, “42” is well within the realm of possible — and may even be the most probable of — answers.
A series of different groups seeking to measure the expansion rate of the Universe, along with their color-coded results. Note how there’s a large discrepancy between early-time (top two) and late-time (other) results, with the error bars being much larger on each of the late-time options. Although these two classes of measurements give incompatible results, no one knows the resolution to why the Universe appears to expand differently depending on the method used to measure the expansion.
All told, there are many questions that 42 is clearly the answer to, but only a few of those questions have fundamental, universal, or cosmic implications. If it truly is the answer to the ultimate question about life, the Universe, and everything, we owe it to ourselves to try and reconstruct just what that question might be. From mathematics to physics, five vital questions emerge that legitimately have 42 as their answer.
Rainbows always emerge offset at an angle of 42° relative to the light source that creates them.
The number 10 can be mathematically partitioned exactly 42 different ways.
42 is the largest number whose reciprocal, added with three other unique positive integers, sums to exactly 1.
42 is the number of galactic years that the Sun-Earth system will survive before it’s destroyed.
And 42 is the expansion rate of the entire Universe, in miles-per-second-per-megaparsec.
As it turns out, “42” really could be the answer to the vaunted ultimate question about life, the Universe, and everything.
Now, it’s up to us to figure out what that pesky, ultimate question actually is!
The U.S. govt brings in about $5 trillion per year in revenue from taxes, fees and tariffs.
How TF do you spend > $4T in one year? We need receipts. Stat. The US govt is on pace to spend about $1.4 trillion for interest payments on the $36 trillion in debt during 2025.
That will be about 28% of all govt revenue going to interest payments.With consumers in debt for another $17 Trillion that’s a nuclear submarine load of money (not a boat load anymore )
The answer is that the debtor (who purchases tangible goods/real estate with debt) is rewarded while the savers are punished due to holding dollars that diminish in value over time. This doesn’t end well!
“Free Fallin” is one of those elegiac tracks that Petty would occasionally drop amidst all the peppy rockers to prove just how versatile his songwriting gifts could be. Only this one somehow cut a little deeper, the fact that the singer was now more of a gritty veteran than a fierce upstart adding the weight of painful experience to the lyrics. The narrator surveys the sights of Southern California while painting a quick portrait of an American girl not unlike ones Petty had detailed in many other classics. But this is not a devotional love song, as the punchline to the second verse reveals: “I’m a bad boy ‘cause I don’t even miss her/ I’m a bad boy for breaking her heart.”
Lynne’s backing vocals provide a dreamy touch to the proceedings, while Jones occasionally snaps us out of the reverie with his snare. That’s how you take a three-chord song and turn it into something dynamic and affecting. And the title is a double-edged sword. There is a sense of freedom in it, but there’s also the notion that the narrator has reached a point in his life where there’s nowhere to go but down.
I remember back in the ’70s the John Birch Societyhad a billboard along a local highway asking for, “No Trillion Dollar National Debt.” It seems quaint now.
Put this chart alongside population growth Historical Population Change Data (1910-2020) in the same period. —– the only reason governments are used by powerful people is to make them rich!!! That’s why a constitutionalist demands we follow that document to the letter and NO more!!
US Debt in 2028: 51.1 Trillion
Total US Debt is going to be 120.1 Trillion
ThereforeBankruptcy is already here.
How sustainable is this tho? Like yeah you have USD which allows you to make more debt than any other countries. But when is it too much? When it reaches 100% of GDP or twice or more? It doesn’t seem good. The Government should take care of it before it gets bad for everyone.
The first question is whether the bank owners’ share capital is invested in long-term loans so that the banks become a form of mortgage company? If the answer is yes, it means that growth is limited, innovations are limited, companies’ expansion is limited and work is limited, which among other things results in lower taxes.
Question two then becomes how do you change growth, jobs and welfare – most likely the answer will be that a change in the nation depends on the banks’ shareholders and possible expansion.
Question three becomes – what has been the benefit of over 30 years of speculative economy, for the nation and for the individual citizen?
Not only can you see the increase in debt, but the increase in extra-governmental power, mainly military contractors.
US Total Assets is way more than the debt, so why worry?
We can sell some of our assets. Also ask billionaires to chip in as they sent all the jobs out and hollowed out the tax base. Ask them to bring jobs back or chip in to pay off the debt. I remember My Greatest teacher My father always told me this type of living ….. Combine that with a Cultural Shift he witnessed in his lifetime. The Interstate Highway System is one advancement he marveled at mostly with the extra expense of buying at convenience stores would be the ruination of God’s Green Creation until his death April 3, 2006.
Cultural shifts occurring nationwide
Also bolstered the move toward 24-hour retailing in a way that the activity on the coasts could not sustain on its own. President Eisenhower signed the Federal Highway Act in 1956, authorizing the interstate highway system and 41,000 miles of new roads, all of which required round-the-clock fuel for both cars and their drivers. The Tonight Show with Steve Allen premiered in 1954, encouraging viewers to stay up past midnight.
Americans were working later hours, too; Lenard says that early 24-hour stores tended to open by places like factories and hospitals, where shift work was becoming more common. And the same Time magazine article noted: “Speeding the trend is the fact that the defense program, drawing more & more wives into the labor force, makes it harder for women to shop during the day.”
Store owners said they get a cross section—people while avoiding the late-afternoon jam in the store and on the highways, families with a car available only for shopping at night; women whose husbands are home from work taking care of their children; someone who needs milk or aspirin in an emergency; partygoers buying snacks sometimes several times during the night; men coming off late work shifts; families that want their whole day free for recreation; and even some insomniacs. Barring, obviously, the dated gender dynamics, that list would look pretty much the same in 2016.
The Evolution of Convenience Stores:
From Mom-and-pop Shops to Modern Chains. When you’re walking down the aisle of your local convenience store, you may not think twice about its surprisingly rich history. Packed with decades of quick and iconic snacks, drinks, and other essentials, C-stores are the epitome of American culture.
But convenience stores have come a long way from their humble beginnings as 20th-century mom-and-pop shops. Instead of going to a butcher for your meat, a greengrocer for fruits and vegetables, a fishmonger for fish, or a dry goods store for clothing and toiletries, we have the luxury of getting it all in one place.
Today, modern chains and family-owned convenience stores are scattered across the world, offering a wider variety of goods and services we have never seen before. Let’s go back to where it all started.
The Mom-and-Pop Era
The dawn of supermarkets began in 1915, when Vincent Astor, a descendant of the wealthy Astor family, invested $750,000 into creating the open-air Astor Market on 95th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Selling just meats, flowers, and produce, it wasn’t well-received by the public and eventually closed down in 1917.
Though unsuccessful, other states were experimenting with longer store hours and expanding their inventory in 1915-1920. Instead of just selling one niche category of items, the typical milkman or butcher would extend to other products beyond their territory and enter into competition with each other.
One said instance is the famous Piggly Wiggly, which originated in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1916. It introduced many modern features we take for granted, like self-checkout, aisles, shopping carts, and service lanes. The founder, Clarence Sanders, received a patent and expanded to 1,267 Piggly Wiggly stores by 1923.
7-Eleven Emerges
Though early mom-and-pop shops were somewhat a semblance of modern supermarkets, they were not truly convenience stores yet. They were small and cramped but affordable. In 1927, Tote’m Stores, otherwise modernly known as 7-Eleven, was founded in Dallas, Texas. Thanks to the establishment’s popularity, it rapidly grew in the 1950s, when convenience stores really started to shine—as well as Slurpees and Big Gulps. By the 1970s, there were over 5,00 7-Eleven stores across the United States.
The name change to 7-Eleven in 1946 is due to their newfound extended hours of operation: 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., seven days a week. In 1963, some even stayed open 24 hours a day. They’ve been growing their Big Gulp sizes ever since.
Product Lines Turn Conventional
In the 1970s and 1980s, store owners hatched the genius idea of selling more than groceries. We saw the first coupons appearing in newspapers and the first Spectra-Physics model A barcode scanner was invented in a supermarket in Troy, Ohio, in 1974. Using a Universal Product Code (UPC), the scanners read each product’s unique information and instantly add it to the customer’s bill. A quick and simple staple of the customer experience, the first item ever scanned was a pack of Wrigley’s chewing gum.
With quicker checkouts and more products like cigarettes, lottery tickets, snacks, sodas, and other high-demand convenience items, convenience stores ultimately became more popular and practical. And in 1986, the first touchscreen POS system and its software were presented at that year’s Las Vegas computer show by Comdex. With efficiency even more streamlined, they have become the one-stop-shop for everything from coffee to snacks to drinks to everything in between in the 1990s.
Chains Become Status-Quo
The 1990s were a time of big corporations arising and humble stores turning into conglomerate chains to compete. During the prime time of capitalism, companies like Circle K, Sheetz, and Wawa kicked production into high gear and quickly opened shops at rest stops, residential areas, and busy main roads. Stores became bigger, products better, and prices at an all-time low.
This was, by no surprise, extremely attractive to the public. Economically, the 1990s were in a recession, and people cared more about saving money than spending high prices on everyday items. The chains took advantage of that, running small stores out of business and capitalizing on the current market. That’s why in 2009, four chains were selling 50% of all groceries: Costco, Walmart, Kroger, and SuperValu. These supermarket whales innovated customer incentives to keep their profit always in the green, like loyalty cards and discounts.
The Digital Age
And that brings us to today, the Digital Age. This is the era of instant gratification through our smartphones. Many stores now sport mobile apps which allow customers to order and pay for items online and in advance and participate in rewards programs. Some stores even offer delivery services like Amazon Fresh, which delivers your groceries and convenience store goods right to your front door.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic
Shaped digitalization further, spouting a 220% increase in Amazon sales and similar success on other e-commerce platforms. Now, everyone wants to make purchasing quick and easy, and in advance, whether or not they are physically in the store. It’s not unconventional to see a C-store giving you the option to order your coffee, bakery items, or other products on your phone before picking them up in the store. Beyond that, wholesale convenience store suppliers always keep C-stores inventory-stocked, and many partner with delivery services like Uber Eats to allow for seamless delivery.
The Future of Convenience Stores
So, what’s next for convenience stores? One possibility is that they will continue to expand their product lines to a healthier selection involving fresh produce and organic foods. Another scenario would be that they become hyper-focused on digital technology as we move towards an AI-generated world. No matter what the future holds, convenience store owners must be ready to adapt.
1. Of all the deceptive sales techniques the U.S. government has used on the American people, one of them—the Social Security Act—gets far too little attention. Buckle up because this is a wild ride.
2. In 1935, the American people were sold a bill of goods. They were told, “Pay into this system, and it’ll be YOUR money for retirement.” Sounds great, right?
3. But here’s where it gets juicy, in a really ugly way. Two years later, when the Supreme Court was considering the constitutionality of the Social Security Act, the government did a complete 180.
4. The government—through Assistant Attorney General Robert Jackson—argued in essence, “Oh no, this isn’t YOUR money at all. This is a TAX, and we can do whatever we want with it.” Classic bait and switch.
5. Let’s not forget the ruling in Helvering v. Davis, where the Supreme Court upheld the Social Security Act by embracing the government’s argument / admission that what people pay into Social Security is tax revenue—available to be used as Congress may direct—and not at all money belonging to those who paid it.
6. So, to summarize: the proponents of the Social Security Act told American workers that what they paid into the system would remain *their* money, not the government’s—to get Congress to pass it—and then told the courts the exact opposite when defending the Act’s constitutionality. The Supreme Court accepted the government’s argument, to the great detriment of the American people.
7. Now, let’s talk about what happens to “your money” once it’s in the government’s hands. Spoiler alert: it’s not managed like your IRA or 401(k).
8. First of all, this money doesn’t sit in a nice, individual account with your name on it. No, it goes into a huge account called the “Social Security Trust Fund.”
9. But here’s the kicker—the government routinely raids this fund. Yes, you heard that right. They take “your money” and use it for whatever the current Congress deems “necessary.”
10. Every few years, there’s talk in Congress about “saving Social Security.” I’ve introduced and cosponsored a number of measures over the years that would fix it. But most in Congress show little desire to fix it, and are instead constantly looking for ways to “borrow” from it—with no plan to put it back.
11. And the returns? Forget about compound interest or stock market gains. Your “investment” in Social Security can give you a return lower than inflation.
12. If you had put the same amount into literally ANYTHING else—a mutual fund, real estate, even a savings account—you’d be better off by the time you reached retirement age, even if the government kept some of it!
13. Do the math: with Social Security, you’re looking at a return that’s pathetic compared to market averages. It’s not even an investment; it’s a tax.
14. And let’s talk about how this system is set up to fail. The demographic shift? More retirees, fewer workers. It’s almost fair to compare it to a Ponzi scheme that’s running out of new investors.
15. Every dollar you pay into Social Security, only to see it gobbled up by the government itself, is a dollar you can’t invest in your own future. It’s government dependency at its worst.
16. Remember, this isn’t just about retirement. It’s about independence, about controlling your own destiny. With Social Security, you control nothing.
17. The government promises you security but gives you dependency. It promises ownership but gives you a tax receipt.
18. And don’t get me started on the management. The Social Security Administration is a bureaucratic behemoth, not exactly known for its efficiency or innovation.
19. If you think your money is safe there, you’re in for a rude awakening. The mismanagement, the waste, the deception—it’s all on display.
20. So, what’s the solution? We need real, genuine reform. Within the Social Security system, Americans should be able to invest in their own future, and not be shackled by the worst parts of this outdated, mismanaged system
21. It’s time we acknowledge the truth: Social Security as it now exists isn’t a retirement plan; it’s a tax plan with retirement benefits as an afterthought.
22. We were sold a dream, but received a nightmare. It’s time for a wake-up call. We need real reform.
23. It’s time for Americans to know the true history of the Social Security Act. The more people learn the truth, the more they’ll start demanding answers, options, and real reform from Congress. Please help spread the word.
24. The history of the Social Security Act—which sadly must include the deceptive manner in which it was sold to the American people—is yet another reason why America’s century-long era of progressive government must be brought to a close.
Start with not giving and using it for people who don’t deserve it.
Social Security is, and always has been, a welfare tax for old people. The main problem with it is the larger societal problem that our fertility rate is falling while old people are living longer, so we won’t have enough young people to take care of the elderly.
Don’t forget that prior to 1984, Social Security wasn’t taxed. So, if it was sold as a tax and is now being taxed, we are being double taxed on it. It’s definitely a ponzi scheme. I would rather invest in what I want than trust the government with my hard earned money.
Social Security, Medicare, and entitlements make up 2/3 of the federal budget. They can never be cut. Annual interest on the federal debt is higher than both Defense and Medicare. Trump has his work cut out for him.
Yet bureaucrats will keep screaming “they want to take away your Social Security”, but it’s actually socialist security that grew the Federal government by taxing us in a way we would want (well, some of us). We can do much better with OUR money. Namaste, you can read it here:
But the individual who borrowed has to pay back the student loan. Even though the increase in paychecks represented by investing in a higher education would mean More Tax Taken Out of that income.
I genuinely am interested in hearing your thoughts on how we’re going to save it because I’m 48 and my generation isn’t getting it because of these “raids”. It’s going to be insolvent in like eight years. Shouldn’t we be preparing to get it solvent, like, yesterday?
Problem is, what about all the people that are already collecting Social Security and have no other income than that?
Not to mention the implied threat behind arguments for increased in migration all boil down to populating the ever widening base of the social security pyramid scheme. Maybe create a system for every American that runs in the same way as the government’s tsp, or better yet, just allow individuals to join the tsp regardless of their work affiliation, make it portable and allow private employers to also contribute with that as their pension system. Better returns than social security or any 401k / IRA, lower costs, and no one can argue the government is forcing Americans to line the pockets of Wall Street since it will be managed by a trust instead of finance bro parasites. The government can put effective guardrails that prevent people with less financial literacy from blowing up their life savings, or never building it at all, well at the same time providing them more freedom than trash social security would. However I feel the lobbyists and Wall Street that own significant numbers of congress people’s votes, would never allow a positive reform like that to be made. The problem is whatever you do, it will get hijacked from a bad system that doesn’t really help the way it should, to a worse one that becomes a compelled welfare program for the poor, hungry, unloved hedge fund classes.
As a person who, after 45 years of working, is nearing the age deemed as “full” retirement, I know I’ll never be able to live on the pittence allotted to me. Despite maxing out on contributions nearly my whole career, after facing some devastating financial happenings, I’ll be forced to continue working into my 70s just to survive. They have stolen and mismanaged EVERYTHING.
If you give every American child a trust fund with 10k invested in a mutual fund when they are born, with the condition that they can not withdraw until 65, they will have 1.5M at 8% and almost 5M at 10% . Make provisions for death, etc. But that makes so much more sense to me.
My concern about SS privatization plans—having lived through the stripping of pensions and the stuttering implementation of 401ks—is that they will ignore the needs of people a decade or less from retirement, who don’t have lobbies, in favor of the fully retired & 30-somethings.
I am halfway through my working years and would gladly give up my social security retirement if it meant I got to keep the 12% of my income taken between myself and my employer every year. The Gov can keep the first 20 years of my SS tax.
Well, I demand that the Government return all the money it stole all these years. We’ll take it in installments if necessary. Put a freeze on all pork spending to start with.
1000% agree. That said, if not required to participate you look across the country with a nasty homeless rate because millions wont save. A safety net is required.
I started Hedgeye in 2008. Back then, the U.S. economy was suffering its biggest downturn since the Great Depression and we were bearish. The stock market fell over 50% from October 2007 to March 2009. Bullish pundits on , walked A LOT of investors off a cliff. American retirement plans lost ~$2 trillion in the 15 months between October 2007 and December 2008, approximately a 20% decline.
The bursting of the housing bubble caused home prices to fall 30% on average from their peak in 2006 to their bottom in 2009. It wiped out trillions of dollars in household wealth. U.S. unemployment doubled from about 5% in December 2007 to 10% in October 2009. The Financial Crisis exposed the worst of Wall Street—rampant conflicts of interest, lack of accountability and opaqueness. Millions of unsuspecting Americans were caught in the carnage. Back then… Hedgeye didn’t have the reach it has today. I’m proud to say we have real impact today. In addition to the $10 trillion in assets our institutional clients manage, we’re helping over 100,000 individual investors preserve, protect and grow their hard-earned capital. If you want to develop a proven process, sharpen your skills and elevate your investing game, we’re here to help. I’ve spent half my life perfecting my investing process for family and clients. I’m sharing that blueprint—for FREE.
It’s called, “Master the Market: A Hedge Fund Manager’s Guide to Process and Profit.” Download it for free today. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
One hell of a sales pitch by Keith McCullough. Bravo to you. Great communication skills. But J P Morgan and Morgan Stanley and Lloyds of London my investment firms have done better than you. Jump in sometime with the big fish.
My farmer and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary just before harvest last year. Today I wanted to share my best advice about how to be a good farm wife for all of the new or soon to be farm wives out there.
How to Be a Farm Wife :
What to Expect when you Marry a Farmer.
Welcome! I ‘m Lindsey a farm wife and mom of three. I’m learning how to make my home a sanctuary for my busy family, cook like my mom, and enjoy life to the fullest on our farm. I’m sharing what I’ve learned as I go and I hope you’ll join me!
When I met my husband in college, we went on two dinner dates and I was already falling hard. And it was a good thing, because our third date was in the lambing barn. From that point on our dates looked like pizza in a hay field, checking lambs at midnight, or riding the buddy seat in the combine. This was a good preview of what life as a farm wife would look like.
We of course had occasional nights out for a concert or to celebrate a wedding with friends, but much of our time together was dictated by the farm. I learned that farming is a lifestyle and not just a job. And I learned, rather slowly, to keep my boots in my car.
What does a farmer’s wife do?
The work of a farmer’s wife is really crucial to every farm operation, but it looks different for every farming family. Many farm wives work a job off of the farm to provide insurance and additional income for the family.
In many cases farm wives are responsible for managing the home by cooking and cleaning and caring for children in their husband’s absence. They support the farm by picking up parts, shuffling equipment from field to field, admin and bookkeeping tasks, and feeding the farm crew during busy seasons.
Some farm wives contribute directly to the daily operation of the farm. Working alongside their spouse, these women manage and care for livestock, market and sell crops, and operate equipment. No matter what mix of tasks a farm wife takes on, it is safe to say that they play an important role in the success of the farm.
Is it hard being a farmer’s wife?
When I was a newlywed I looked forward to making and eating dinner with my husband at the end of the day. I didn’t realize his day didn’t end until 10 pm. Like seven days a week nine months a year. I got a similarly shocking reality check when our first daughter was born in early October. My husband was back in the combine the day after we brought her home.
Farming is definitely a more demanding job than most and because of that being a farmer’s wife comes with plenty of unique challenges. Solo-parenting, holidays on your own, birthdays in a corn field, constant mud and unknown stains; all my farm wives will know these struggles well. The key is managing expectations and knowing how to be flexible. Prioritize communication with your spouse and keep your priorities aligned. Remember to keep a sense of humor when things feel overwhelming or stressful.
The good news is there are numerous benefits to farming and it is important to take time to remember how lucky we are to be able to live this rural life with our spouse.
Benefits of Marrying a Farmer
My favorite thing about being married to a farmer is seeing my husband do the job he loves so much everyday. I love celebrating his successes and watching him chase his dream. I also love the history and legacy of living and working on a generational farm.
Our kids are exposed to fresh air and nature and have a living example of entrepreneurship. I love that living on the farm allows us to be so close to our families. Farming has benefited our family in so many ways and I hope the same is true for yours!
How can I be a good Farm wife?
As the years have passed I’ve learned some really valuable farm wife lessons and I am definitely living up to decent farm wife at this point! I’ve listed out some actionable tips for being a good farm wife for all of the newly minted (or soon to be) farm wives out there.
Develop a good record and filing system for all of the farm receipts.
Get comfortable flying solo and saying no when you’re too busy. This gets harder when you have kids, but is even more important!
Make time for your own hobbies.
Create good systems for managing your home. There will be more laundry than you can imagine!
Get to know where all of the farms, fields and barns are located.
Go visit your farmer and participate when you can, and bring the kids!
Be your farmer’s cheerleader. He has to make a lot of difficult decisions and it can be stressful in a job with little certainty. Let him know that you believe in him and have his back.
Give yourself grace, no one is doing it all and you don’t have to either!
I’m so glad you joined me today and I just want to say if you’re newly married to a farmer or about to be, welcome to the club! We’re so glad to have you! I sincerely hope this was helpful or encouraging to you and would love to hear from you in the comments!
Being a farmer’s wife is “a full-time, seven-day-a-week deal,” one participant said. (Photo by StockMediaSeller on Shutterstock)
Why America’s farm women are reaching their breaking point
Story by StudyFinds Staff
ATHENS, Ga. — Alarming new research paints a heart wrenching picture of what it’s really like to be the ‘farmer’s wife’. Behind the picturesque scenes of American family farms lies a complex reality for the women married to male farmers, one filled with overwhelming responsibilities, emotional labor, and a unique form of isolation that researchers are only beginning to understand.
An eye-opening new study from the University of Georgia pulls back the curtain on the mental health challenges faced by these women, revealing that their roles extend far beyond traditional expectations.
The study’s title, “A Great Life, if You Can Stand It,” captures the bittersweet nature of farm life for these women. While they deeply value their rural lifestyle and take pride in their contributions to family farming, they also shoulder tremendous burdens that often go unrecognized by the broader society.
Consider this: Most Americans know farming is stressful, and farmers face one of the highest suicide rates of any occupation. But what about the women who stand beside them? These women aren’t just supporting players—they’re juggling multiple demanding roles while serving as the emotional backbone of their families and farms.
‘Matter of national security that farmers survive’
Led by Anna Scheyett, a professor at the University of Georgia’s School of Social Work, the research team conducted six focus groups with 29 women married to farmers across rural Georgia. These participants, ranging in age from 25 to 72 years old, painted a vivid picture of their daily lives through candid discussions about their roles, stresses, and coping strategies.
What emerged was a portrait of women wearing multiple hats – and sometimes drowning under their weight. The researchers identified five major themes in these women’s experiences: everything-but-farming, farming work, managing emotions, being misunderstood and lonely, and coping strategies.
“If we don’t control our food sources, we don’t control our health and safety,” warns Scheyett. “It’s a matter of national security that farmers survive in the United States. And one of the big factors in helping farms survive is women.”
The everything-but-farming role encompasses all activities that enable farmers to focus solely on crop production. These women manage households, care for children and elderly parents, maintain yards, and often work full-time jobs off the farm. As one participant starkly put it: “If it has to do with our kids or my household… that is 100% on me.”
‘He doesn’t look at the bank account’
Because farming is inherently uncertain—one bad frost can spell disaster for the season’s crops—two-thirds of the women in the study work full-time outside the home. This provides crucial financial stability and health insurance for their families, but it also significantly increases their mental load.
Yet despite this designation, these women are actually deeply involved in farm work too. Many drive tractors, help with harvests and manage the farm’s finances. More than half reported being responsible for the farm’s bookkeeping, a task many found particularly stressful as they were often self-taught and carried the heavy burden of knowing the farm’s complete financial picture.
“He doesn’t look at the bank account … as far as looking at it on paper, what we have coming in and what we have going out, I carry that burden,” one woman said.
More than half of women married to farmers admit they wind up overseeing the bookkeeping for the (Photo by StockMediaSeller on Shutterstock)
Perhaps most striking is these women’s role as emotional managers for their entire families. The study found they feel responsible for maintaining positive atmospheres while absorbing their husbands’ stress and negative emotions, supporting them through difficulties, and mediating tensions between fathers and children during stressful farming periods.
The study revealed a particularly poignant form of stress these women face: role isolation. “What a lot of people don’t realize is as a farmer’s wife… you can’t get off at 5 o’clock and go and hang out with your friends like ‘normal’… because it’s a full-time, seven day a week deal,” one participant explained. As another simply stated, “It is really easy to get sad.”
The study revealed a particularly poignant form of stress these women face: role isolation. Unlike their urban or suburban counterparts, women married to farmers often feel fundamentally misunderstood by others who don’t grasp their lifestyle. Missing birthday parties, having disrupted holidays during planting or harvest seasons, and being unable to maintain regular social connections creates a unique form of loneliness.
While it might seem like being the “woman of the farm” is an idyllic lifestyle, new research shows it’s a stressful, burdensome position. (Photo by StockMediaSeller on Shutterstock)
To cope with these challenges, these women have developed various strategies.
Many turn to faith for support, with over half specifically mentioning the importance of their Christian faith. They also find joy and pride in their lifestyle, particularly in raising children on the farm. One wife noted how lucky she felt because “we live right here in the midst of it all, so there’s no life like it.”
“They are passionate about farming and farm life, proud of what their families are doing, proud of their kids, proud of how hard their husbands are working and how hard they’re all working.” Interestingly, one common coping mechanism identified was the tendency to minimize their own contributions and challenges.
One participant described herself as just the “gopher” despite managing bookkeeping and making all town-based purchases for the farm. Women frequently rationalized their husbands’ stress-induced negative behaviors by attributing them to exhaustion or external pressures.
Mental health is a major issue for American farmers, as the industry holds one of the highest suicide rates in the country. (Photo by SKT Studio on Shutterstock)
‘If we don’t support these families, we’re in big trouble’
The study’s findings, published in the journal Rural Mental Health, have important implications for rural mental health practitioners and policymakers. Scheyett suggests several potential solutions, including using Extension services to connect women and reduce isolation. Another crucial need is addressing the scarcity of rural childcare, which is both hard to find and extremely expensive.
According to Scheyett, policies increasing access to quality and affordable care “would give the women a little bit of breathing space.” At its heart, this research reveals a group of women who are vital to American agriculture yet often invisible in discussions about farming stress and mental health.
“I ultimately would hope that people can move beyond whatever stereotypes they have about farming and families who farm,” Scheyett says. “If we don’t support these families, we’re in big trouble as a country because we won’t be able to generate our food.”
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