My Story: From Crisis to Clarity

 

In 2007, I was diagnosed with malignant cancer. After surgery and chemotherapy, I was fortunate enough to make a full recovery. I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and relief. But as a professional chef, it hit me hard: while I was creating nutritious and delicious food for others, I was neglecting my own health.

 

My lifestyle was far from healthy. I drank far too much alcohol, often skipped meals for days, and when I did eat, it was usually something quick and processed—whatever I could grab between long shifts. I almost lost my life. That experience gave me a new perspective, especially with a young family depending on me. It was a wake-up call. With all my knowledge about food and nutrition, how had I let things get so bad?

 

I realized my poor diet and high stress levels were major contributors to my illness. If that combination could break me, surely the opposite—nutrient-rich foods and better lifestyle choices—could help me heal.

 

Although I was physically active, I had a false sense of fitness. Inside, my body was struggling. The connection between physical and mental health became undeniable to me: one cannot thrive without the other.

 

So I changed. I cleaned up my diet, cut down drastically on alcohol, and began focusing on foods that support gut health—particularly those rich in prebiotics and anti-inflammatory properties.

 

About a year later, I started experiencing persistent aches in my left side, elbows, shoulders, and back. Fearing the worst, I avoided the doctor. I wasn’t ready to hear the “C” word again. Instead, I went all-in on my diet. I designed a strict plan, cut out alcohol entirely, and committed fully.

 

Amazingly, within about four months, the aches disappeared. I felt more energetic, and my chronic sore throats—which I had lived with for years—stopped altogether. Was it the placebo effect? Maybe. But I believe the food I was eating played a major role in my healing—both physically and mentally.

 

Since then, I’ve shared my experience with close friends, fellow chefs, and family members. I’ve helped a handful of people make similar changes and watched their lives improve too.

 

Reducing inflammation is not difficult. Creating a diet plan is not difficult. But none of it matters without commitment and discipline. It’s not just what you eat, but how, when, and why. Real change takes detail, consistency, and willpower.

 

But trust me—it’s worth it.

 

Nathan Higgins