My health journey began with an unsettling tale passed down by a one of my parents, warning my brother and me about the purported "Herman curse." Allegedly, all male members of our lineage met an early demise. The grim backdrop was my grandfather's passing at 48, followed by my father at 51, and eventually my brother at 60. Bob, my sibling, seemingly internalized this ominous curse.

Rather than succumbing to fatalism, I gleaned valuable insights from their life choices. It was a conscious decision to diverge from the detrimental habits they embraced. The trio indulged in copious amounts of sugar, processed foods, were heavy smokers, experienced high stress levels, consumed alcohol or drugs, neglected exercise, and displayed a lack of proactive self-defense in health matters.

Now, at the age of 70, I navigate my own minor health issues with clarity, thanks to the alternative protocols I've adopted. Considering the average age of death among the three was 53, I've surpassed this by almost 20 years, all without medical intervention. Surprisingly, I've never undergone surgery, had a physical examination other than from my naturopath, or had my blood drawn in decades – a testament to my commitment to self-care.

The alarming statistic that doctoring ranks as the third leading cause of death in America, with over 250,000 deaths annually due to medical errors, has fueled my skepticism toward mainstream medical interventions. The odds of not leaving the medical system, once embarked upon for conditions like cancer or heart disease, are unsettlingly high at 20%.

While acknowledging the efficacy of conventional medicine in emergencies, it's crucial to highlight its limitations in disease prevention. My extra 20 years stand as a testament to my self-directed health journey. Although content with surpassing my immediate family's life expectancy, a hint of greed drives me to seek more, fueled by a determination to continue thriving on my own terms.