My Weight Loss Transformation: Heart Health, Fasting, Peptides & Healthy Habits.
Introduction
After a life-changing heart failure diagnosis, I decided it was time to reclaim my health. Here’s how I turned things around with stem cells, alternate day fasting, peptide therapy, fiber, and new habits. I hope my story inspires you to take action too!
My History
One year ago I had heart failure due to my weight and untreated high blood pressure. It was 100% my fault and I apologize to my family profusely. The journey to heart failure did not happen overnight. It was 50 years of unhealthy eating habits, poor judgement, and a lifestyle that included overnight work, a life full of stress, and processed food.
Like many of you I attempted to right the ship, but each time I would stray off course. As a former US Navy veteran and an athlete I knew what it took to be in shape, but around age 33 I took the easy path and it showed.
When I moved to Panama at the age of 38 I stopped working out entirely. I settled down and married my lovely wife. At first we did a great job but then my son came in 2018 and that is when the massive weight gain happened. I went from 270 lbs to a high of 370 lbs just a few short years later. I felt defeated.
Heart Failure
In January of 2024 I stopped taking my blood pressure medication amlodipine because it was causing swelling in my feet. I felt self conscious and embarrassed. My blood pressure was still high but I chose to ignore it. By July of 2024 I began to feel lethargic. I noticed that I was winded when climbing the stairs in our house. Whenever I would exert energy I would be out of breath. This proceeded to get worse as the weeks passed.
By the time October came along I told my wife that I needed to see Dr. Sanchez my Internal Medicine Dr. I told him my symptoms and he immediately took an EKG. My EKG showed signed of Heart Failure. I told him about my blood Pressure medication and he immediately changed the medication and gave me multiple prescriptions.
The next day I had an echocardiogram that showed that my heart was enlarged and that I was in the beginning of heart failure.I could not see a cardiologist for 3 days. It was the longest weekend of my life.
My son Maximus was at my appointment with me and when I came out from the exam room I just broke down when I saw him. How could I let myself get this way? I saw the cardiologist on Monday and he told me not to worry. I was young enough and in shape enough to make a great recovery if I chose to.
Guess what I chose? I chose to fight.
My Treatments
Immediately I got to work. I went back to Dr. Sanchez and we made a plan. I also called some friends in Tijuana, Mexico who I thought could help. First things first- The medications. Dr. Sanchez put me on over 5 medications to help strengthen my heart and lower my blood pressure and pulse. The medications worked quickly and I was back within safe ranges under 130/80 within months.
I also decided that I would combat my sleep apnea by using nasal strips, and rubber airway spreaders and going to bed between 10-11pm every night. I chose to really restrict carbs like pasta, bread, and sweets. Coming from a family of Chocolatiers, sweets were difficult to give up.
Dr. Sanchez put me on a series of treatments call EECP which helps my heart rebuild new pathways. More on this later in the blog post.
I contacted my friend Daniel in Mexico who manages a premiere mesenchymal stem cell clinic. He and the world renowned Dr. Romo got to work making a plan for me.
I began to exercise daily through the use of a rebounder and by walking.
The Mesenchymal Stem Cells are Pure Magic.
Thanks to Dr. Romo and Daniel I was able quickly be treated by one of the world’s top regenerative health Dr’s in the world. Daniel and I have been friends for years and he knew that I was a perfect candidate for treatment. Heart Failure like mine is known to garner great results from mesenchymal Stem Cell therapy.
In January of 2025 Dr. Romo, Dan and the team flew down for our First No Permissions Conference. Dr. Romo spoke to the attendees and gave me my first dose of stem cells. Within days my wife and I could feel a difference. I literally slept for 5 days straight once the conference wrapped up.
I received a second dose of stem cells in May of 2025 and my third dose was in December 2025.
EECP for Heart Failure.
Dr. Sanchez my Internal medicine Dr. has a clinic for EECP. EECP (Enhanced External Counterpulsation) is a non-invasive treatment for chronic chest pain (angina) that uses inflatable cuffs on the legs and buttocks to improve blood flow to the heart.
For 6 weeks, 5 days a week I would put on the EECP gear and lay for an hour as the machine would contract and release my leg muscles. It isn’t the most comfortable treatment but it is known to help patients with heart failure recuperate faster and improve their blood flow.
Now I am on a maintenance schedule and I believe EECP was one of the reasons I have recovered so quickly.
I received EECP treatment for my heart failure.
Exercise and Movement
Throughout my journey back to health over the last year. I would be remiss to not include that fact that I have increased fitness as a way for me to help lose weight and improve my heart function.
No, I do not hit the gym like I did when I was younger but I do use Kettle Bells, 3000-10000 steps per day, and use a rebounder daily. I love the low impact of the rebounder and it is widely known that rebounding assists the movement of lymph around your body. As I continue to improve I want to include harder workout plans with the kettle bells.
Alternate Day Fasting
I know many people are in horror at the thought of missing a meal but I believe it is a vital and free tool in our arsenal. Initially I was using intermittent fasting. I would skip one meal a day and restrict the hours I could eat to less than six hours per day. It was a good beginning but I struggled to keep within the eating window.
So I decided to do something drastic, at least it felt that way at first.I chose to use alternate day fasting and not eat for 36 hours or more at a time. I am more than a month into alternate day fasting and I am loving it.The freedom of not worrying about eating every other day is liberating. The weight loss and repairing of the body are added bonuses.
Peptides for Weight Loss and Recovery.
Oh no, he is going to mention GLP 1’s. You know it! I have been on Terzepitide for a year on and off a month. Dr. Sanchez my internal medicine Dr. loves that I am using this treatment. I am also using Tesamorelin (Increase HGH production), AOD 9604 (Muscle Repair), MOTS C (Increased metabolism), and I also tried semaglutide but I prefer Terzepitide. The nausea was less pronounced for me. I buy my peptides through Research Peptides who compound their peptides in the USA. They are,”for Research Only. Not for human consumption”.
Fiber, What About It?
Like so many of you I was lacking sufficient Fiber in my diet. This was leading me to insulin resistance, which helped me gain all of the weight. One day I was scrolling through Instagram and I came across Coach Greg Hoyd. He was talking about high blood pressure and how low fiber in our diet can lead to insulin resistance which causes all sorts of metabolic problems in our body. Coach Hoyd sells a product through a company called Unicity that is a great tasting fiber that we use before every meal. I now use it every time I sit down to eat. My favorite is the mixed berry flavor.
They also have a Yerba mate drink that I use shortly after I wake up that helps me on my fasts. I have been using these products for 3 months and I can’t wait to see what my blood works looks like in November. I will make a video comparing my labs before and after starting this protocol. Thank you Coach!
My Heart Score.
One way that we have monitored my hearts recovery from heart failure is through the use of the Ejection Fracture score. Ejection Fracture explains in numbers how efficiently your heart is pumping blood throughout your body. A score of 55-70% is considered normal. My Ejection Fracture score was a 23 when I first was diagnosed in October of 2024. Then I took another echocardiogram in May of 2025 and my score had risen to 38. I will do another echocardiogram in March of 2026 and I will report back.
Join My Journey.
I want to take as many people with me as I can on this journey of repairing most of the damage I have done to my body. We will be posting short form content on Tik Tok, Youtube Shorts, and Instagram Reels multiple times a week giving you updates on my weight, labs, and ideas. We host a call once a month through my current Patreon community where over 600 people currently come together to talk about Crypto, investing, health, and living abroad. The Patreon costs $8 a month to be part of the health community group. Don’t worry if you don’t want to pay. All of the content I make will be public. I want to see as many people as I can improve their life. Get ready for all kinds of guests and content!
Want to learn more?
- Check out my latest videos and join the No Permissions community!
- Schedule a call for booking stem cell treatment and wholesale peptides.