On the Journey With
Andrew Huberman and Peter Attia...
This week I want to share a few resources that have been especially helpful to me of late. One of the hardest parts of dealing with cancer is getting reliable information that is actually evidence-based, understandable, and helpful. There are so many opinions out there about what one should do, and a good bit of it conflicting. So, I have walked through a good many books and podcasts and have consistently found these two guys especially helpful and practical. If you are not already familiar with them, let me take a moment to introduce you.
Andrew Huberman
Andrew Huberman is a neuroscientist and podcaster. He is an associate professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at the Stanford University School of Medicine. He also hosts a very popular health and science podcast, The Huberman Lab. The podcast is ranked in the top 10 globally and is often ranked #1 in the science, education, and health and fitness space. He typically begins his podcast with the same refrain, “It is my hope to bring science and science-based tools to everyday life.” And that is exactly how I experience them.
His podcasts are long-form, typically 2-3 hours, and so he can do a deep dive on the subjects he addresses. And part of what I have so enjoyed about his work is that he covers the broad spectrum of health-related subjects. For example, some of his recent topics have included:
- How to find, build, and maintain healthy romantic relationships
- How to cultivate a positive growth-oriented mindset
- How to improve and protect your skin health and appearance
- Tools for nutrition and fitness
- Female-specific exercise and nutrition
- How to improve your sleep to boast your mood and emotional regulation
Peter Attia
Dr. Peter Attia is a Stamford/John Hopkins/NIH-trained physician who focuses on the applied science of longevity and well-being. He is an author, physician, and researcher. He is known for advocating four basic pillars of health and fitness: stability, strength, aerobic efficiency and anaerobic performance.
I found his most recent book Outlive to be a game changer. He details the difference between one’s life span and one’s health span. He describes how our overall health generally deteriorates much quicker than our actual physical existence on the planet. This deterioration makes our final years of life much less satisfying and puts a burden on the family around us. Therefore, he lays out research-based protocols that promote our living as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
He also is host of a podcast called The Drive. His podcasts are also mostly long form (1-1.5 hours). He does a smattering of interviews, but he also does regular solo projects, covering topics like:
- Treatment of obesity
- The impact of protein
- Longevity science
Although these podcasts don’t typical address cancer specifically, I have found them extremely helpful for advancing overall health and fitness. Definitely worth checking out.
Soul Care with
Pastor Jenn
To Pastor (verb): to shepherd, advise, and guide into a place of deeper spiritual understanding
I had an opportunity this week to lean on some friends for some support during a difficult season I am walking through. I have to be honest and say this is not the most comfortable of positions for me. I like to think of myself as strong and full of faith and, perhaps above all else, the kind of person who lives up to my responsibilities. But I found myself in a place where I knew I wasn’t going to be able to come through on something I had previously committed myself to doing. It was one of the harder decisions I’ve ever had to make to reach out to my friends and let them know I was going to have to let them down. I wasn’t going to be able to complete the thing that had been asked of me after all.
I typed up the text with all the courage I could muster (and quite a few tears) and sent it hoping it would be received with some measure of grace and kindness. I did not anticipate the message I received back. Not only was it full of kindness, but also encouragement, empathy and prayer. I breathed a sigh of relief that I am surrounded by friends who know my heart and my life well enough to walk through the tough spots with me. Even when I’d rather I was brave and strong enough to walk alone. But that isn’t how God designed it. He crafted our souls to need community in the good times and the bad.
Maybe this week you need to reach out to your friends and let them know what’s happening in your life. Maybe a coffee or lunch meet up is just what your soul needs to be reminded that you aren’t alone, you don’t have to carry life by yourself, and laughter with a friend is some of the best medicine.
Caregivers Corner with
Lori Smith
To Support (noun): to provide assistance that enables one to function or act.
We often talk about change as a good thing. We want to see change for the better in our world. We want our kids to do better than we did, so they can change their generation for Jesus. And change feels really good when we choose it.
But, what about when we don’t?
What happens when the change is forced on us because our person is unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer, and now absolutely everything we know about our life is changed, virtually overnight? Humans are known for being adaptive, but give me a break, are we really as adaptive as we want to believe? We like our lives to be predictable, comfortable, fun, easy – we like to choose what happens to us.
God takes the time in His Word to remind us that He does not change because He knows something that we all too often forget. Life happens, and things change without our consent.
For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. Malachi 3:6 (NKJV)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)
God knows that when our circumstances change unexpectedly, we tend to lose all our footing and feel like we are faltering and the world is caving in – I certainly did. I felt like the rug was completely pulled out from under me more than once on our cancer journey. It’s such a kindness that the Lord promises us through His Word that though our lives change in ways we did not ask for or want, He can be trusted to never change. And here’s the great thing about that fact. It allows us the time we need to adjust to the changes we didn’t want. It’s like God is saying, “Take all the time you need. I’ll be right here waiting for you.”
Worship Moment with
Joel Salabarria
To Inspire (verb): to fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
Song: Goodness of God (Spotify, YouTube and Apple Music)
Band: Israel & New Breed
From: Feels Like Home, Vol 2, 2021
This song always gets me because it’s a simple and quick reminder of how faithful and good the Lord every day and in every way! No matter how far I may stray His goodness stills runs after me. I’m grateful!
I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never fails me
And all my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
Woah, I’ll sing of the goodness
Sing: “I love”
I love Your voice (Oh)
You have led me through the fire (Whoo!)
In the darkest nights, You are close like no other
Yeah, I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God
Oh, and all my life You have been faithful
(All my life) All my life You have been so, so good
(With every breath) With every breath that I am able
I will sing of the goodness of God
(Woah, all my life) All my life You have been faithful (Yes, You have)
(And all of my life) All my life You have been so, so good (You’ve been so, so good, yeah)
With every breath that I am able (Every breath that I am able, God)
I will sing of the goodness of God (I will sing, yeah)
Poetic Encouragement with
Julie Clarke
To Encourage (noun): to give support and hope to someone so that they will do or continue to do something.
Hungry Brood
Let’s set the table
and share the food
There more than enough
for this hungry brood
All starving for love
And wrestling with truth
Searching for wisdom
Let’s sink a tooth
Into the words that
Satisfy souls
cure the lonely
Empty holes
So serve it up selflessly
Soaked with juice
And teach then how
This body will use
The only meal
That can fully nourish
Packed with nutrition
A way to flourish
For these are the ones
That I love more than life
Amidst the messy
Real life strife
And these are the folks
That I’d lay my life down for
Amidst any growling
Or grumbling downpour
So pull up a chair
And let down your hair
Lean in to this meal
That was spoken to share
Let’s set the table
and share the food
There more than enough
for this hungry brood
Break bread together
And feast on grace
Let’s fill our hearts
In this sacred space
For at this moment
We are all one
Connected in love
All held by the Son
So savor each bite
And cherish this rhyme
For in time together
We truly shine
Let’s nourish our souls
With laughter and song
And remember that we
All truly belong
So let’s set the table
And share the food
There’s more than enough
For this hungry brood.
Nutrition Nuggets with
Suzanna Hake
To Nourish (verb): the act or process of being nourished.
A diet high in antioxidants may reduce the risk of many diseases. Antioxidants scavenge free radicals from the body cells and prevent or reduce the damage caused by oxidation. Antioxidants came to public attention in the 1990s, when scientists began to understand that free radical damage was involved in the early stages of artery- clogging atherosclerosis. It was also linked to cancer, vision loss, and a host of other chronic conditions. Some studies showed that people with low intakes of antioxidant- rich fruits and vegetables were at greater risk for developing these chronic conditions than were people who ate plenty of those foods. Check out these five antioxidant rich foods.
- Blueberries
- Dark chocolate (gotta love that)
- Artichokes
- Pecans
- Strawberries
Piet's Ponderings
To Ponder (verb): to think about something carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion.
I heard an interesting analysis by a psychiatrist recently, where his research indicated that widows do significantly better than widowers after the passing of their spouse.
Part of the reason is that many guys put their entire relational investment into their wives. Their wives are their best friends, and they don’t really have another guy with whom they share the highs/lows of life. So when the wife passes they are completely lost.
I’m not sure exactly what I did, but I have the good fortune of having a number of guys who are true brothers and wonderful friends!
I just got back from a trip to the east coast, where I was able to spend 4 days with my friend David Peters (a fellow cancer warrior). We enjoyed the beauty of the outdoors, deep and meaningful conversations, good food and drink, and a few boy toys.
When we think of what it means to be healthy and whole, I think we underestimate the power of community. We give it lip-service, but when it comes to actually making the investment, there’s always something that seems more important at the time.
I’m glad that in this instance we decided it was worth it… And it certainly was!
Prayer of the Week
Christianity.com
To Pray (verb): Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer ad petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God )Philippians 4:6)
Heavenly Father, I come before you with a heart burdened by illness. You are the great healer, and I place my trust in your loving hands. Grant me strength to endure this trial and courage to face each day. Pour out your healing grace upon my body, mind, and spirit. May your peace, which surpasses all understanding, fill my heart. In the midst of my weakness, be my strength. I surrender myself to your care, trusting that your love will sustain me. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Amen.
Interested in supporting this new initative?
The Van Waarde Foundation underwrites and supports a variety of projects and team members committed to supporting, educating, and encouraging fellow cancer warriors and their families. As we look to the future, we are excited about creating a variety of new resources that will provide pastoral support to those battling cancer. This initiative will include this newsletter AND a host of other resources including a new podcast providing helpful information on health and fitness, fresh pocket prayers delivered daily to fellow cancer warriors, a new page on the website “heal” Heal – Piet Van Waarde with weekly reflections on navigating the “dailyness” of the journey, plus a soon-coming book Keep on Healing that will address the top 50 questions people face when confronted by a cancer diagnosis. We want to make these resources available at little/no cost to those who need them, and your support through the Foundation (https://www.patreon.com/pietvanwaarde) makes that possible.
Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration.
