Navigating Healthcare VIII: Holistic Health

One of the most common frustrations I hear from patients is that they don’t feel heard. It’s not unusual for someone to bring a concern to their primary care provider, get referred to a specialist, and then be told, “This isn’t my area.” They’re often referred back to primary care without a diagnosis or a clear plan. This ping-pong effect—being passed around without resolution—leaves people feeling frustrated, dismissed, and in many cases, questioning their own sanity.

It’s not rare for patients to become anxious, depressed, or even feel “crazy” when no diagnosis explains what they are feeling. A lack of objective findings can invalidate a very real, lived experience.

Listen to the Full Story

Recently, Dr. Mark Hyman discussed functional medicine on Andrew Huberman’s podcast. One of his key points deeply resonated with me: listen to the patient’s whole story. Only by understanding how symptoms fit together can we determine whether a person has multiple, unrelated issues—or if their overall health is deteriorating, manifesting in several ways.

Often, the most powerful path to healing isn’t in chasing a single symptom—it’s in making the whole person healthier. As someone’s overall health improves, many of the small aches, pains, and chronic symptoms start to resolve naturally.

Of course, being healthy doesn’t make you immune to trauma. Catastrophic events—physical or emotional—can happen to anyone. But when you’re in a strong baseline state, you’re often more resilient, able to rebound faster and suffer less long-term damage. There’s no downside to pursuing better health and well-being.

The Mind-Body-Spirit Framework

I believe deeply in the mind-body-spirit framework—the trinity of holistic health. Much like the concept of the Christian Trinity, this model views an individual as three interrelated dimensions that must be nurtured together.

Mind

Mental health is foundational. For many men, their sense of worth is tied to their ability to provide—whether professionally or financially. For many women, relational harmony often carries more weight. While these patterns reflect traditional gender roles, cultural evolution is shifting these dynamics. Today, both men and women increasingly tie their mental well-being to both relationships and career fulfillment.

Body

Good health is usually associated with better body composition, reduced visceral fat, and improved physical function. While it’s tempting to get hyper-focused on biomarkers and lab tests, we often miss the forest for the trees. There’s a growing obsession with hyper-personalized biohacking, yet we frequently overlook basic, proven principles:

• Sleep well

• Move often

• Eat real food

No supplement will outperform consistent exercise, high-quality sleep, and a whole-foods diet. Simpler interventions with pleiotropic effects often yield the greatest return.

Spirit

Spirit is the part of us that asks the bigger questions. Many people today are disillusioned with rigid religious traditions, but are still hungry for meaning, purpose, and connection. Interestingly, some are now returning to their religious roots—not out of dogma, but in search of grounding.

I support all forms of spiritual exploration. Whether it’s prayer, meditation, community, reflection, awe, or service—what matters is intentionality. A rich spiritual life isn’t about blindly accepting inherited beliefs. It’s about testing, questioning, experiencing, and seeking the deeper truths of who you are and what you’re here to do.

I believe idling through life is the dullest path imaginable. Drive the car. Experience the world. Look ahead, check your mirrors, and don’t get distracted.

Life as a Road Trip

Ben Franklin once said the goal is to be healthy, wealthy, and wise. I’d add: do it with others. Share the journey.

Pushing your mind, your body, your spirit—and your relationships—will be uncomfortable. You’ll get bumps and bruises along the way. But that’s the cost of becoming the most authentic version of yourself.

Eventually, every car breaks down. Whether you idle through life or redline your engine, the end is the same. So make the ride count.

Take the highway if you want to move fast. Take the back roads if you want good stories. Don’t stare too much at the other drivers, or you’ll miss your own journey. Don’t get so lost in digital distraction that you miss the real beauty in front of you. Wear your seatbelt. Heed the signs. Bring people you love.

Sometimes, detours lead to magic. Other times, they damage the vehicle. That’s life.

Final Thoughts

Seek love. Share your wealth. Strengthen your body. Search for wisdom. Yes, you’ll hit potholes and face setbacks. But along the way, you’ll find something even more powerful: health in the fullest sense of the word.

RIP Grandpa - we love you