3 Oct 2025
Recording a new music video proved physically demanding, leading to a renewed focus on personal health and physical strength. This journey inspired an exploration of various health challenges, wellness strategies, and the importance of preventive care, shared through personal experiences and insights from recent readings.
The speaker recently completed a difficult three-day music video recording, which involved challenging conditions and resulted in minor injuries like bruises and a small hand wound, highlighting the significant physical effort required.
The demanding nature of the music video production, which required extensive physical strength and improved breathing for live performances, pushed the speaker into a proactive cycle of physical health, contrasting with previous sedentary winter habits.
A long-held desire to build muscle, inspired by admiring muscular women, was finally pursued as a direct result of the music video's physical requirements, marking the first conscious effort towards this goal.
The speaker is currently reading 'Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity,' a scientifically rigorous book that discusses not only increasing lifespan but also extending 'healthspan'—the duration of a healthy life—through preventive methods.
The book advocates for a preventive health model, termed 'treatment number 3,' which shifts from reactive treatment (addressing problems only when they occur, like with antibiotics) to proactive health maintenance through five categories: exercise, nutrition, sleep, mental health, and medication/hormones/supplements.
Insights from 'Outlive' highlighted that prolonged sitting is a significant health risk, prompting the speaker to reduce sitting hours and increase physical activity, especially given past habits of extensive sitting for work.
The book challenges the conventional focus on weight, suggesting that being slightly overweight with good health can be better than being underweight with underlying issues like high cholesterol, which the speaker personally experienced despite a healthy diet and exercise.
The speaker has entered a new phase prioritizing physical health, incorporating self-care practices such as eating chia seeds, drinking ginger and cinnamon tea, and engaging in more exercise.
Personal struggles with eating disorders included phases of extreme undereating (leading to illness) and later overeating (triggered by post-immigration food scarcity), a sensitive topic the speaker approaches cautiously.
A key solution found for managing overeating and binge eating was to consume very large, satisfying meals and to snack on healthy items like nuts or fruit juice throughout the day, preventing extreme hunger.
The speaker has struggled for years with endometriosis, a condition where uterine tissue grows outside the uterus, causing severe period pain, heavy bleeding, cysts, and specific lower body discomfort.
There is a notable lack of adequate research and societal attention on women's health issues like endometriosis, with research funding sometimes diverted to superficial topics instead of effective treatments.
While severe pain often necessitates painkillers, yoga (outside of the period) and calming teas like chamomile have provided some relief, suggesting a potential benefit for strengthening the body or relaxing nerves.
Migraines, a significant cause of disability, are managed by preventing triggers rather than using prescribed medications, as past use led to hormonal imbalance and adverse effects.
Preventative measures include identifying and avoiding triggers (e.g., a specific stomach acid pill), taking magnesium supplements (addressing common deficiency), managing stress, and protecting against sensory overload like loud noises or flashing lights.
An MRI revealed a vascular lesion in the head, which currently remains stable and requires regular monitoring every 6-12 months.
The speaker experienced severe restless leg syndrome, a distinct condition causing sleeplessness, which was not fully resolved by magnesium or iron supplements. The most effective treatment found was physiotherapy using a 'leg pump' device, which applies pressure to the legs and provides immediate relief.
Severe GERD, characterized by excessive stomach acid refluxing into the breathing tube, caused intense shortness of breath and other issues, leading to significant dietary changes.
Effective strategies for GERD include completely quitting coffee, never consuming caffeine on an empty stomach (always pairing it with food), and breaking meals into smaller portions.
To prevent acid reflux and aid digestion, it is advised to avoid sleeping, exercising, or immediately going to the bathroom after eating, instead recommending a short walk or sitting upright.
Reflecting on neglecting health in earlier decades, the speaker now prioritizes well-being in their 30s to ensure an active and capable future, emphasizing conscious health decisions for longevity and future travel plans.
Nervous stress significantly lowers the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to illnesses, underscoring the critical role of mental well-being in overall health.
The speaker's partner, Cyrus, also faces several health problems, including thalassemia, severe stomach sensitivity, high cholesterol, and an overactive thyroid, which collectively impact his immune system.
A diet focusing on whole, unprocessed foods, careful label reading to avoid preservatives and chemicals, and the use of natural remedies like ginger, turmeric, peppermint, and chamomile teas for various ailments are strongly recommended.
Adequate hydration is crucial, and individuals must cultivate self-awareness to understand their unique body's needs and how to best maintain their health.
Both the physical and mindfulness aspects of yoga, especially meditation and deep breathing, have profoundly changed the speaker's life, helping manage pain, calm nerves, and foster self-healing through positive affirmations and visualizations.
Listeners are encouraged to prioritize health early in life, practice meditation, consume healthy herbal teas, and crucially, avoid drinking caffeine on an empty stomach to prevent issues like GERD.
Everyone's priority in life should be health, enabling them to lead fulfilling lives and plan for a vibrant future.
| Area | Key Insight |
|---|---|
| Preventive Health | Shift from reactive treatment to proactive health maintenance through consistent exercise, nutrition, sleep, mental health, and mindful supplementation, as advocated by 'Outlive'. |
| Physical Activity & Sedentary Habits | Recognize prolonged sitting as a significant health risk; prioritize regular physical activity and exercise, regardless of body weight, to improve overall well-being. |
| Mindful Eating & Digestion | Combat overeating with large, satisfying meals and healthy snacks. Avoid immediately sleeping, exercising, or using the bathroom after eating; opt for a short walk or maintain an upright posture to aid digestion and prevent reflux. |
| Dietary Choices & Natural Remedies | Prioritize whole, unprocessed foods; carefully read food labels to avoid chemicals and preservatives. Leverage natural ingredients like ginger, turmeric, and herbal teas for their beneficial properties and hydration. |
| Mind-Body Connection & Stress Management | Embrace practices like yoga and meditation, including affirmations and visualization, to manage stress, alleviate pain, strengthen the body, and foster internal healing. |
