I’m Timothy Eric Stahl, and I’m an HIVegan Guru at TEN: Timothy Eric Nutrition.
HIV, once an obvious killer is now, quite frankly, a quiet, subtler killer.
Are you tired of hearing about viral suppression, the importance of taking your meds and seeing your doctor? Are you are an adult who has the basics under control? Then I am here to be your guru, your health coach, and the person who guides you through what is next.
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There was a point after I find out I was positive in 2004 when I also wanted to know more about how I could take control of my own health and thrive living with HIV.
It is not my intention to make light of educating those about HIV or expressing the importance of taking our medication and attempting to suppress our viral load. There is so much work being done in this area but very little that reaches a community looking for more.
A Wakeup Call You Must Answer
HIV is no joke. The meds can be tough on the body. Although they are saving our lives and allowing us to live as long as our HIV negative counterparts, they age us significantly. Our organs are always on super overdrive and continually inflamed. Being positive gives us a smaller window to make mistakes with our health. When living with HIV, we are at risk for all sorts of complications including cancers, heart and kidney disease, skin disorders, anxiety and depression. Not to mention, we have a significantly increased likelihood of having dementia and Alzheimer’s. We are only beginning to scratch the surface of what it means to age with HIV.
My intention is to be a coach for you as you navigate what comes next after the meds and the doctor appointments are all under control. I care about your health and can coach you on how to live your best life, being thankful – even grateful – that you have HIV.
What!? Yes, take this opportunity as a wakeup call you must answer. We did not come all this way to let down those who came before us. We need to live in order to respect them because their struggle is what allowed us to be here now.
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Do I dare say the LGBT community can sometimes be cautious, even pessimistic? Let’s face it: we have been through hell and back just to get here. So, I don’t blame the naysayers for being skeptical of a health coach when it comes to HIV, but it is not them who I want to coach. You have to be coachable. You have to want to not only survive, but thrive with this disease.
There is this notion out there that living with HIV is now easy and so many stay silent. But silence is deadl. And I acknowledge that it is not easy and that we need to talk about that and support each other. Some of us feel guilt for being alive. Some are in denial or think they are indestructible. Many think we should just suck it up and deal because, after all, we are alive, right? This is why I call it the quiet killer. Yeah, you have good days. But it can be a part time job keeping it all together.
Why I Want to Help
I get it and I want to help. Why? Because in 2013, I wanted to die. I was sick of it all: brain fog, sleeping issues, acne, stomach issues, endoscopies, colonoscopies, eye exams, throat exams, you name it. I went through it, and I know you have too. Nothing helped, switching meds did not help. Specialists did not help.
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Doctors are good at the basics, but they are not so good at talking about nutrition and how to take a holistic approach to your HIV regimen once your meds are under control. I do not blame them. Our healthcare system only allows them so much time to spend with us and a lot of that is paperwork.
My life changed when I took control of my own health and my doctor became part of my tribe. Yes, it takes a village. My t-cells tripled, while my meds remained the same. I still have hard days (like everyone) but now I know I am doing everything I can to stay healthy now and into my sixties and seventies.
If you are coachable let’s set up an immunity consultation in person, by phone or on the computer and discuss how I can assist you towards better health; physically, mentally and emotionally. Check out my website at www.timothyericnutrition.com.
I have one goal, to share my knowledge with you and to support you anyway I can. To be a friend and mentor in this crazy world, while living with a shitty dis-EASE. To be a part of your village.
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Last modified: July 8, 2019
