I'm rooting for you, Gabriel! My first introduction to politics was in 2009 when I volunteered to be on a school Wellness Committee to try to help stop the childhood obesity epidemic, which is especially bad in my rural area. I discovered the school lunch program was designed to benefit industrial agriculture and to get children to eat the most unhealthy food possible. I started questioning all regulations and now I am deeply involved in different aspects of politics. It was a difficult thing to realize that many "experts" were actually harming kids, who don't stand a chance against all the propaganda and marketing. I hope the whole country can go on a journey similar to yours.
It's something I've slowly began to understand throughout the Covid Crisis.
I never really looked at health too closely, but seeing the dark side of it during this time was an eye-opener for sure. I can't ignore the malicious indifference (at best) and the scale of what's been done to people.
I hope I can be some small part of helping people recognize that we're not powerless.
You are very gracious to say malicious indifference - it's active intent- to keep people without agency, lonely, obese, sick and on drugs. The whole system is design for this.
I stole that first meme that was so wickedly funny in its simplicity. I loved your phrase, "escape velocity"--so apt for so many situations! And the first video embed made me cry, as the second made me think.
I also appreciate the reminder that the Breggins are beautiful, wise people. We may disagree about scripture and the role of the Jews in the world wars, or Trump as savior and everyone opposing him as global predators, but we're both on the side of people. It's too easy to see everyone who doesn't agree with you as controlled opposition. Unlike Malone, they have decades of brave and selfless work, and you're not the first to tell me their profound effect on your life.
We've talked before about my 'Boodysattva' daughter Cassandra ;-) She's made it her mission (among many) to counter that shame, both by modeling her own confidence and being outspoken about fat issues (her words). I admire her for it. She also talks about the difficulty in trying to eat healthy and work out with a full-time job, volunteering, parking hassles, and some semblance of a social life. She's figuring it out but these are real constraints, along with money for good food and gym memberships.
As I've said, I think you would like Cassandra. You both have an integrity and clarity of thought. But what she makes me realize is that there are no little tweaks to the system, like better school lunches, that will enable us to have healthy lives. We really need to change the whole thing, so that the system's purpose is to enable us to have healthy lives. Not one without all.
Proud to know you, Gabe, blazing this trail and writing about it. I can't think of anyone better for the job of bringing passion and compassion, as MAA says.
I'm glad you found the videos as meaningful as they did to me!
What attracted me to Dr Breggin's book was his commentary on psychiatric drugs. I think there's a lot to be learned from what you point out about there being "no simple fixes" that actually address the root of the issue. In your book, you point out the role caffeine and sugar (both dependencies I've struggled against) has played in systematic abuse. As I've talked about recently in my discussion with Liam & Michael Kane, I'm concerned about "quick fixes" being rolled out not in the name of health, but in service of fulfilling empire needs. Which I realize, has the added effect of creating the pretext for people to "blame the victim".
While I've had no personal interactions with Dr Breggin, I am always thankful for his decades of work and the role the book has played in my life. I definitely feel like I can take you for your word on speaking well of their character. I absolutely wish Cassandra well when it comes to her activism and other pursuits. Real time constraints are a very difficult part of the picture. I'm concerned that this very problem is going to be used as a pretext to push people (maybe even mandate?) people onto more pharma products like Ozembic. I'd be curious to listen to her thoughts on that angle to this.
"We really need to change the whole thing, so that the system's purpose is to enable us to have healthy lives. Not one without all."
Speaking of medical freedom voices, your great point here reminds me of Denis Rancourt putting this into perspective in this tweet (https://x.com/denisrancourt/status/1827155338132381910) A lot of his commentary have been fundamental to my understanding of the broader scope of these issues.
I also hope that more medical freedom leaders take a look at the bigger picture without narrowly focusing on a single issue. While the WHO and it's "One health" project is undoubtedly nefarious, there's definitely a grain of truth to the idea that health is interconnected in ways people vastly underestimate. I think understanding this is a fundamental part of helping unshackle people from some of the blame & shame that often leads people trapped, and is pointlessly cruel regardless.
Others who were part of the raw milk unmasked underground that distributed from my driveway said Peter Breggin had saved their lives with his writing about psychiatric drugs. And extreme weight gain had been part of being put on those drugs for one woman as a teen, which she reversed with raw milk among other things.
You've gotten to that part of my book! Yes, when you talked about prioritizing productivity over your health, I thought about those factory workers. From listening to Doc Malik, MAA and my middle daughter, I'm pretty convinced that a hearty midday meal, around 3 pm, is how we're designed, not evening. But for two of my daughters, who don't get home until 6, that's not feasible.
One of Ahmad's guests talked about her alcohol addiction. She'd resolve not to drink--which wasn't excessive, just consistent--but would get home from her stressful job and think, I deserve this. Food seems the same way. We're being required to deprive ourselves, on top of them depriving us of our time, community, security, leisure, meaning.
Denis Rancourt's points are well made and I frankly find RFK's sacrifice of the medical freedom movement for the 'war on obesity' to be disgusting. Mr. 6-pack is just touting his own superiority bias and not addressing the systemic issues.
Denis hits the nail on the head with "Most importantly, the factors being targeted are SECONDARY or ancillary determinants of health. The first determinant is stress from changing and low social status (life-changing or destabilizing events affecting those living in poverty in low social status), known as dominance-hierarchy biological stress. In other words, healthy children in sick families, in a sick society, is an absurdity." Although I wouldn't say it's just low social status. We're all precariots.
You're making me think I should pause my anti-Jesus deep dive and finish The Sociology of Fat. May I link your new stack in that?
"RFK's sacrifice of the medical freedom movement for the 'war on obesity' to be disgusting. Mr. 6-pack is just touting his own superiority bias and not addressing the systemic issues."
I've been chewing on this one for a while. The root of my frustration with the "high level" discussion within MAHA is that only a small minority are actively emphasizing the medical ethics concerns. I believe the top-down decision to change the public's weight (either up or down) has serious ethical concerns that need to be considered. It's clear, that whenever we are seriously interested in a person's well-being, we are ensuring to maintain their agency in the process.
I am very troubled that once political forces get involved, medical ethics will be one of the first corners cut. You're absolutely correct that there is a problem with the focus being on discovering the best solutions to push on people to solve "urgent problems". Is that not the entire basis for the Covid Crisis? My hope is that despite disappointments in the Trump administration, that we really rally behind the idea of strong medical ethics and patient-led care.
I spent some time with the podcast you linked and Aubrey's work (such as her recent documentary). I absolutely have my disagreements, but I can certainly see many points where we align. I have concerns that like much of the well-intentioned MAHA activism, there can also be a dark side to the fat positivist perspective. I'm hoping to dig in more and reflect on this because I'm still trying to decide where I would put that line.
One of the lower-stakes differences is that I specifically choose to describe myself as obese rather than fat because I specifically want to differentiate my condition from more moderate levels. I think a big part of the shaming going on is that people often rarely differentiate the difference between someone having more body fat from the perceived normal, vs being in the situation where extra weight drastically limits physical capabilities. This is not to say that those with less body fat have less concerns, no matter where you are on the spectrum there are always things people can contend with. While I agree with many of the criticisms of BMI, the "classes of obesity" (1-5) metrics have mapped fairly well to various troubles I've experienced while gaining weight.
"We're being required to deprive ourselves, on top of them depriving us of our time, community, security, leisure, meaning."
Have you heard of "Revenge Bedtime Procrastination"?
This describes many of my sleep troubles very well. The basic idea is that people who are often highly stressed during the day will often "re-claim" some leisure time by cutting into sleep time. This is one of those concepts that I find useful, but also has a dark side of pathologizing normal responses to troubling situations. Which I think strikes at the root of the problem here. In all these different scenarios where "blaming the victim" becomes fashionable, it's because people don't want to face the situations people are often placed into.
That's just a scattered set of thoughts as I take this in more.
As always, Gabe, you cut to the chase: "whenever we are seriously interested in a person's well-being, we are ensuring to maintain their agency in the process." I've written that instead of the Medical Freedom Movement, it should be the Medical Responsibility Movement. What we are saying is that people are responsible for their own health. I should choose my advisors, treatments and do my own research. I'm not responsible for your health, by getting vaccinated or wearing a mask. If those are important to you, you can choose them and choose to only be around like-minded people. It's not about freedom but about taking responsibility for ourselves.
I'm glad you found Aubrey worth spending some time with. I haven't listened to this one but I agree that I found place where I disagreed with her. For instance, she's inconsistent in her views regarding bodily autonomy in weight vs. the vaccine. Her view on weight is that it isn't anyone else's business, where she feels your vax status is.
On fat positivity my daughter Veronica puts it as: "When is it ever helpful to make someone feel bad about themselves?" But she also says regarding her sister, "I don't know what my role should be." So I agree that it is a nuanced thing to figure out where that line is.
Cassandra has said that she wouldn't go to a doctor unless they agreed to not weigh her. That's concerning for a couple of reasons. One, she had an uncle who was probably a five on the obesity index, whose thyroid never developed but who didn't know that until he had thyroid cancer. And two, if there's a reason for the rapid weight gain, it would be good to know. But she's a fierce one and I have to trust she'll figure it out.
The approach I wish doctors took was "Tell me what's bothering you" and "How would you like me to help?"
I haven't heard of Revenge Sleep Deprivation but it makes so much sense! Thanks for your scattered thoughts, which always cohere with mine.
I am hugely grateful that you're sharing your journey, Gabe, and congrats on the new publication to do this on a larger scale. As I've shared privately, you are an inspiration to me in my own life. Your progress has been incredible and I can't wait to see how much you accomplish in 2025!
This is inspiring not just for people trying to lose weight, but for anybody trying to improve themselves in any way (e.g., learning a new skill). Well done!
Hey Gabriel! If you have time check out this amazing book by Rami Shapiro on the 12 steps as spiritual practice. The author himself has an eating addiction, but the book is about how our addiction to control is behind all other addictions. It's such a wise and helpful book! Maybe it can support you on your path? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6905887-recovery--the-sacred-art
Saw Tereza’s note and followed. This is inspiring to me for many personal goals I need to write down and follow through on. Wishing you success with your mission! ✨
Athough I do not know you personally, I think that your personality comes across quite clearly in your writings. And what I have found is a person who is extremely intelligent both logically and emotionally, which I find is such a rare combination, and unfortunately so lacking on both counts in the ruling elite that control our lives nowadays. You have a very rare ability to explain bewildering technology to ordinary people.
Sharing your personal struggle with your readers has only increased my (already very high) esteem for you. You are an inspiration to to me personally and I await your further writings with much interest.
Congratulations for tackling the shame issue and being open and realistic about it. Try not to internalize all the BS launched at you from the 'fatphobic' haters (and there's a lot of them out there). That's something I have to tell myself every damn day, so I do know how it feels. Keep on going. You're doing great. Try to get it off now while you're young. It's a much tougher row to hoe when you're older, as I am.
Great results, Gabriel; stay with it! I hope you can get back in the pool when the physiology makes it worthwhile -- but only you know what provides the most benefit. Your consistency is admirable, and clearly paying off. All the best!
Merry Post-Christmas, Gabriel. What a fantastic journey. Keep up the good work and continue to inspire people! Thank you so much for sharing your inspirational story!
Hey Gabriel…check this out….specifically after about the halfway point this dude tells us about the effect of blue light on weight. It’s fascinating. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6gYuFpZSKw
That's extremely inspiring. Every day as small steps. Wishing you the best with your journey. :-)
Thank you Amy! Wishing you the best!
I'm rooting for you, Gabriel! My first introduction to politics was in 2009 when I volunteered to be on a school Wellness Committee to try to help stop the childhood obesity epidemic, which is especially bad in my rural area. I discovered the school lunch program was designed to benefit industrial agriculture and to get children to eat the most unhealthy food possible. I started questioning all regulations and now I am deeply involved in different aspects of politics. It was a difficult thing to realize that many "experts" were actually harming kids, who don't stand a chance against all the propaganda and marketing. I hope the whole country can go on a journey similar to yours.
Thank you!
It's something I've slowly began to understand throughout the Covid Crisis.
I never really looked at health too closely, but seeing the dark side of it during this time was an eye-opener for sure. I can't ignore the malicious indifference (at best) and the scale of what's been done to people.
I hope I can be some small part of helping people recognize that we're not powerless.
You are very gracious to say malicious indifference - it's active intent- to keep people without agency, lonely, obese, sick and on drugs. The whole system is design for this.
I, like you, are lucky to have seen through it x
I stole that first meme that was so wickedly funny in its simplicity. I loved your phrase, "escape velocity"--so apt for so many situations! And the first video embed made me cry, as the second made me think.
I also appreciate the reminder that the Breggins are beautiful, wise people. We may disagree about scripture and the role of the Jews in the world wars, or Trump as savior and everyone opposing him as global predators, but we're both on the side of people. It's too easy to see everyone who doesn't agree with you as controlled opposition. Unlike Malone, they have decades of brave and selfless work, and you're not the first to tell me their profound effect on your life.
We've talked before about my 'Boodysattva' daughter Cassandra ;-) She's made it her mission (among many) to counter that shame, both by modeling her own confidence and being outspoken about fat issues (her words). I admire her for it. She also talks about the difficulty in trying to eat healthy and work out with a full-time job, volunteering, parking hassles, and some semblance of a social life. She's figuring it out but these are real constraints, along with money for good food and gym memberships.
As I've said, I think you would like Cassandra. You both have an integrity and clarity of thought. But what she makes me realize is that there are no little tweaks to the system, like better school lunches, that will enable us to have healthy lives. We really need to change the whole thing, so that the system's purpose is to enable us to have healthy lives. Not one without all.
Proud to know you, Gabe, blazing this trail and writing about it. I can't think of anyone better for the job of bringing passion and compassion, as MAA says.
I'm glad you found the videos as meaningful as they did to me!
What attracted me to Dr Breggin's book was his commentary on psychiatric drugs. I think there's a lot to be learned from what you point out about there being "no simple fixes" that actually address the root of the issue. In your book, you point out the role caffeine and sugar (both dependencies I've struggled against) has played in systematic abuse. As I've talked about recently in my discussion with Liam & Michael Kane, I'm concerned about "quick fixes" being rolled out not in the name of health, but in service of fulfilling empire needs. Which I realize, has the added effect of creating the pretext for people to "blame the victim".
While I've had no personal interactions with Dr Breggin, I am always thankful for his decades of work and the role the book has played in my life. I definitely feel like I can take you for your word on speaking well of their character. I absolutely wish Cassandra well when it comes to her activism and other pursuits. Real time constraints are a very difficult part of the picture. I'm concerned that this very problem is going to be used as a pretext to push people (maybe even mandate?) people onto more pharma products like Ozembic. I'd be curious to listen to her thoughts on that angle to this.
"We really need to change the whole thing, so that the system's purpose is to enable us to have healthy lives. Not one without all."
Speaking of medical freedom voices, your great point here reminds me of Denis Rancourt putting this into perspective in this tweet (https://x.com/denisrancourt/status/1827155338132381910) A lot of his commentary have been fundamental to my understanding of the broader scope of these issues.
I also hope that more medical freedom leaders take a look at the bigger picture without narrowly focusing on a single issue. While the WHO and it's "One health" project is undoubtedly nefarious, there's definitely a grain of truth to the idea that health is interconnected in ways people vastly underestimate. I think understanding this is a fundamental part of helping unshackle people from some of the blame & shame that often leads people trapped, and is pointlessly cruel regardless.
Others who were part of the raw milk unmasked underground that distributed from my driveway said Peter Breggin had saved their lives with his writing about psychiatric drugs. And extreme weight gain had been part of being put on those drugs for one woman as a teen, which she reversed with raw milk among other things.
You've gotten to that part of my book! Yes, when you talked about prioritizing productivity over your health, I thought about those factory workers. From listening to Doc Malik, MAA and my middle daughter, I'm pretty convinced that a hearty midday meal, around 3 pm, is how we're designed, not evening. But for two of my daughters, who don't get home until 6, that's not feasible.
One of Ahmad's guests talked about her alcohol addiction. She'd resolve not to drink--which wasn't excessive, just consistent--but would get home from her stressful job and think, I deserve this. Food seems the same way. We're being required to deprive ourselves, on top of them depriving us of our time, community, security, leisure, meaning.
Cassandra describes herself as a 'fat activist' based on Aubrey Gordon, whose podcasts she introduced me to, who I talked about here: https://thirdparadigm.substack.com/p/aubrey-gordan-round-body-beauty. I remember listening to Aubrey on Ozempic but found a more recent talk here: https://www.sporkful.com/ozempic-isnt-so-great-for-fat-people-says-aubrey-gordon/.
Denis Rancourt's points are well made and I frankly find RFK's sacrifice of the medical freedom movement for the 'war on obesity' to be disgusting. Mr. 6-pack is just touting his own superiority bias and not addressing the systemic issues.
Denis hits the nail on the head with "Most importantly, the factors being targeted are SECONDARY or ancillary determinants of health. The first determinant is stress from changing and low social status (life-changing or destabilizing events affecting those living in poverty in low social status), known as dominance-hierarchy biological stress. In other words, healthy children in sick families, in a sick society, is an absurdity." Although I wouldn't say it's just low social status. We're all precariots.
You're making me think I should pause my anti-Jesus deep dive and finish The Sociology of Fat. May I link your new stack in that?
"RFK's sacrifice of the medical freedom movement for the 'war on obesity' to be disgusting. Mr. 6-pack is just touting his own superiority bias and not addressing the systemic issues."
I've been chewing on this one for a while. The root of my frustration with the "high level" discussion within MAHA is that only a small minority are actively emphasizing the medical ethics concerns. I believe the top-down decision to change the public's weight (either up or down) has serious ethical concerns that need to be considered. It's clear, that whenever we are seriously interested in a person's well-being, we are ensuring to maintain their agency in the process.
I am very troubled that once political forces get involved, medical ethics will be one of the first corners cut. You're absolutely correct that there is a problem with the focus being on discovering the best solutions to push on people to solve "urgent problems". Is that not the entire basis for the Covid Crisis? My hope is that despite disappointments in the Trump administration, that we really rally behind the idea of strong medical ethics and patient-led care.
I spent some time with the podcast you linked and Aubrey's work (such as her recent documentary). I absolutely have my disagreements, but I can certainly see many points where we align. I have concerns that like much of the well-intentioned MAHA activism, there can also be a dark side to the fat positivist perspective. I'm hoping to dig in more and reflect on this because I'm still trying to decide where I would put that line.
One of the lower-stakes differences is that I specifically choose to describe myself as obese rather than fat because I specifically want to differentiate my condition from more moderate levels. I think a big part of the shaming going on is that people often rarely differentiate the difference between someone having more body fat from the perceived normal, vs being in the situation where extra weight drastically limits physical capabilities. This is not to say that those with less body fat have less concerns, no matter where you are on the spectrum there are always things people can contend with. While I agree with many of the criticisms of BMI, the "classes of obesity" (1-5) metrics have mapped fairly well to various troubles I've experienced while gaining weight.
"We're being required to deprive ourselves, on top of them depriving us of our time, community, security, leisure, meaning."
Have you heard of "Revenge Bedtime Procrastination"?
This describes many of my sleep troubles very well. The basic idea is that people who are often highly stressed during the day will often "re-claim" some leisure time by cutting into sleep time. This is one of those concepts that I find useful, but also has a dark side of pathologizing normal responses to troubling situations. Which I think strikes at the root of the problem here. In all these different scenarios where "blaming the victim" becomes fashionable, it's because people don't want to face the situations people are often placed into.
That's just a scattered set of thoughts as I take this in more.
I look forward to your follow-up!
(Pardon the repost, replied to my own reply)
As always, Gabe, you cut to the chase: "whenever we are seriously interested in a person's well-being, we are ensuring to maintain their agency in the process." I've written that instead of the Medical Freedom Movement, it should be the Medical Responsibility Movement. What we are saying is that people are responsible for their own health. I should choose my advisors, treatments and do my own research. I'm not responsible for your health, by getting vaccinated or wearing a mask. If those are important to you, you can choose them and choose to only be around like-minded people. It's not about freedom but about taking responsibility for ourselves.
I'm glad you found Aubrey worth spending some time with. I haven't listened to this one but I agree that I found place where I disagreed with her. For instance, she's inconsistent in her views regarding bodily autonomy in weight vs. the vaccine. Her view on weight is that it isn't anyone else's business, where she feels your vax status is.
On fat positivity my daughter Veronica puts it as: "When is it ever helpful to make someone feel bad about themselves?" But she also says regarding her sister, "I don't know what my role should be." So I agree that it is a nuanced thing to figure out where that line is.
Cassandra has said that she wouldn't go to a doctor unless they agreed to not weigh her. That's concerning for a couple of reasons. One, she had an uncle who was probably a five on the obesity index, whose thyroid never developed but who didn't know that until he had thyroid cancer. And two, if there's a reason for the rapid weight gain, it would be good to know. But she's a fierce one and I have to trust she'll figure it out.
The approach I wish doctors took was "Tell me what's bothering you" and "How would you like me to help?"
I haven't heard of Revenge Sleep Deprivation but it makes so much sense! Thanks for your scattered thoughts, which always cohere with mine.
You're absolutely welcome to!
I am hugely grateful that you're sharing your journey, Gabe, and congrats on the new publication to do this on a larger scale. As I've shared privately, you are an inspiration to me in my own life. Your progress has been incredible and I can't wait to see how much you accomplish in 2025!
This is inspiring not just for people trying to lose weight, but for anybody trying to improve themselves in any way (e.g., learning a new skill). Well done!
Hey Gabriel! If you have time check out this amazing book by Rami Shapiro on the 12 steps as spiritual practice. The author himself has an eating addiction, but the book is about how our addiction to control is behind all other addictions. It's such a wise and helpful book! Maybe it can support you on your path? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6905887-recovery--the-sacred-art
Keep going!!!! You’re doing great. Embrace the suck 😆
Step-by-step and time. Best wishes!
Saw Tereza’s note and followed. This is inspiring to me for many personal goals I need to write down and follow through on. Wishing you success with your mission! ✨
Gabriel,
Athough I do not know you personally, I think that your personality comes across quite clearly in your writings. And what I have found is a person who is extremely intelligent both logically and emotionally, which I find is such a rare combination, and unfortunately so lacking on both counts in the ruling elite that control our lives nowadays. You have a very rare ability to explain bewildering technology to ordinary people.
Sharing your personal struggle with your readers has only increased my (already very high) esteem for you. You are an inspiration to to me personally and I await your further writings with much interest.
Thank you so much. This means a great deal to me.
Lots more is coming. Wishing you a fantastic 2025!
Good luck for 2025
Congratulations for tackling the shame issue and being open and realistic about it. Try not to internalize all the BS launched at you from the 'fatphobic' haters (and there's a lot of them out there). That's something I have to tell myself every damn day, so I do know how it feels. Keep on going. You're doing great. Try to get it off now while you're young. It's a much tougher row to hoe when you're older, as I am.
Great results, Gabriel; stay with it! I hope you can get back in the pool when the physiology makes it worthwhile -- but only you know what provides the most benefit. Your consistency is admirable, and clearly paying off. All the best!
Merry Post-Christmas, Gabriel. What a fantastic journey. Keep up the good work and continue to inspire people! Thank you so much for sharing your inspirational story!
Hey Gabriel…check this out….specifically after about the halfway point this dude tells us about the effect of blue light on weight. It’s fascinating. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6gYuFpZSKw
You can't fail Maxalding. Give it a try! It's free!
Monte Saldo (1920s) - Maxalding
https://web.archive.org/web/20071006082511fw_/http://www.maxalding.co.uk/maxaldingbook/book_index.htm
Courtlandt Saldo (1953) - Maxalding Treatise
https://web.archive.org/web/20071016143311fw_/http://maxalding.co.uk/Treatise/treatise.htm
ALL of the Maxalding Exercises
https://web.archive.org/web/20071016143338fw_/http://maxalding.co.uk/exercises/exercises.htm
Maxalding Courses (tailored to specific individuals but their content is very insightful for daily Maxalding exercise routines)
https://web.archive.org/web/20071016143307fw_/http://maxalding.co.uk/Strength%20and%20Development%20Course/strength%20and%20dev%20index.htm
Merry Christmas and all the best to your health!