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Perhaps you feel you’ve been dealt a tough hand so far as genetics? Maybe you’re in a cycle of detrimental health choices that feel beyond your control?

It’s easy to make excuses. To believe, “that won’t happen to me!” Or, to delude yourself that transforming your lifestyle habits is something that can wait.

Dr Akil Taher was in his own words, “a sedentary slob, an opinionated physician” “and a pampered consumer who feasted over the best foods without worrying about unhealthy consequences,” before open-heart surgery at age 61.

This surgery would force a lifestyle change on him, though as we discuss, stents and a cardiac arrest years prior, weren’t quite enough of a wake up call.

Now, at 74 Akil is still practicing medicine, yet with a vastly different approach to life – that makes space for adventure and testing your vulnerabilities and capabilities.

He has climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, run marathons and cycled 100-mile rides. He is also a passionate advocate for the heart-healthy, life-saving benefits of a whole food, plant-based lifestyle.

Akil is here to share with you his remarkable journey from doctor to bypass patient to athlete and vegan advocate whose powerful change in diet, body, mind, and spirit might just be the fuel that helps you take the next step in conquering your own challenges.

• Akil, even as a doctor, was complacent in the belief that: “Heart disease won’t happen to me.”
• Akil’s type A, career focused unhealthy lifestyle habits pre open-heart surgery.
• Serious warning signals were not enough to make Akil change his lifestyle. Why were stents and a cardiac arrest not enough to force change?
• In August 2009, at the age of 61, Akil open-heart surgery.
• Akil’s new life and purpose after bypass surgery.
• Lessons learned in impressive athletic pursuits, including marathons and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
• Why diet is more important than exercise.
• Advice to someone who struggles to find hope or purpose after a major health setback.
• Akil’s book, Open Heart. What we can learn from his mistakes?
• Akil is passionate about spreading the message of a heart-healthy lifestyle – why is there still disagreement / confusion among medical professionals so far as the role animals products do or do not play in this lifestyle?
• The importance of pushing ourselves in areas that test our vulnerabilities and capabilities.
• The vital role of family and social circle in supporting transformation.

This is the conversation to act on if it’s ringing true personally. Or, to share with the person you love who is ignoring the warnings of heart disease and other chronic illnesses.

In Open Heart, Akil, share his story – his mistakes – and the dark depths of despair he suffered, to help others prevent and reverse heart disease.

He shares them with passion, vulnerability and, you know I’m going there, an open heart.

Beyond chronic disease, this is a timely reminder that irrespective of your age, your health, and potentially your excuses – you can make changes, embrace more adventure and cultivate more optimism despite or better, in response to the setbacks you face.

I am now focused on spreading the message of a heart-healthy lifestyle driven by personal experience as a recovered heart disease patient and resurgent physician. @AkilTaher2. Share on X My adventures were possible because I changed my lifestyle to incorporate healthy eating habits, an exercise regimen, and regular practice of yoga and meditation. @AkilTaher2. Share on X Adventure may hurt you, but monotony will kill you. @AkilTaher2. Share on X

Connect with Dr Akil Taher via his website: https://www.akiltaher.com/

Purchase, Open Heart: The Transformational Journey of a Doctor Who, After Bypass Surgery at 61, Ran Marathons and Climbed Mountain.

Connect with Dr Akil Taher across the socials: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube

That’s it for this week in Healthification.

Plant Positive Journal Version 2 (printed and fillable PDF)

This journal and daily planner follows a twelve month format however is not dated so it is perfect to use at ANY time of the year.

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With love and gratitude plant friends.

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