The Fast That Changed My Life
I used to think fasting was something people did only for religious reasons, or because they didn’t have food. As a former Division 1 college football player, I never missed a snack, much less a meal. My life revolved around constant fueling, steady eating, and hitting macros. Then, in 2017, I stumbled across an article about Silicon Valley CEOs voluntarily going 72 hours without food, not to lose weight, but to boost mental performance.
It sounded crazy. But it also sparked something in me. That curiosity led me down a road I never expected. One that would reshape my understanding of health, completely transform my own relationship with food, and eventually become the foundation for my Fast.Eat.Live. lifestyle nutrition system.
The Article That Started It All
The Guardian piece described high-powered tech executives—data-driven, sleep-deprived innovators—fasting for three days at a time, testing their focus and creativity while in a fasted state.
For someone like me, raised on the belief that frequent eating was essential for performance, the idea was almost laughable. But there was something intriguing about it, too. If they could perform better by not eating, what might happen if I tried it?
Jumping In. No Training, No Plan
In true “crash test dummy” fashion, I dove straight into a 72-hour water fast. No easing in. No expert guidance. No understanding of how my body might respond.
Day one was easy until dinner time, but I pushed through it and went to bed early. Day Two began like any other. I woke up at 4:00 a.m., left for work at 4:30, and headed to my first client session at 5:00. Halfway there, I started feeling… off. My head was spinning. My thoughts slowed. It was almost like being intoxicated without touching a drop of alcohol.
When I got to the gym, I told my client, “I’m fasting, and I feel like my brain’s spinning out of control. Do I sound like I’m talking in slow motion?”
He laughed. “What are you doing now? You’re always testing something on yourself.”
The Switch Flips
Twenty minutes later, the fog lifted—and something amazing happened. My mind sped up. Words came faster. Ideas flowed easily. It felt like I’d taken the Limitless pill.
I didn’t know it at the time, but I had just entered ketosis for the first time in my life. My body had switched from burning carbs to burning fat for fuel. The even, steady energy was unlike anything I’d felt before—no highs, no crashes, just clarity. I felt at peace in my gut for the first time.
Breaking the Fast—Poorly
The rest of the fast went surprisingly smoothly. Hunger came in waves but never overwhelmed me. I made it all the way to Friday evening—St. Patrick’s Day.
For my wife and me, St. Patty’s is the anniversary of the day we met. She’s the Artful Palate, famous for her holiday spreads. Waiting for me that night: Irish bangers and mash, corned beef and cabbage, and a pint of Guinness.
If you’re wondering about the worst way to break a 72-hour fast, I can tell you: that was it. My stomach didn’t thank me, but my taste buds sure did.
From Curiosity to Obsession
That first fast lit a fire in me. Why did my brain feel so sharp? Why was my gut so calm? Why did I have even energy for the first time in my life?
I began studying fasting relentlessly reading research papers, watching documentaries, and exploring its effects on inflammation, metabolism, and disease. I learned how cultures around the world (Russians, Swiss, Italians) have used medically supervised fasting to heal conditions like autoimmune disease, obesity, and mental illness.
As someone raised in the 1980s American “three meals a day plus snacks” culture, it was a revelation.
Lessons from the Wilderness
Around the same time, one of my clients (head of the biostatistics lab at the University of Washington) was hooked on the TV series Alone. We talked about it during training sessions.
That season, Sam Larson won by lasting 60 days in the Mongolian wilderness. His strategy: gain 70 pounds beforehand, then conserve energy and live off his fat reserves. Critics called it “starving,” but to me, it was proof of what the human body can do.
Contrary to popular belief, fasting doesn’t shut down your metabolism. Done properly, it triggers healing processes, improves gut health, and activates autophagy your body’s cellular repair system.
Enter Dr. Valter Longo
My research led me to Dr. Valter Longo at USC, whose work showed that fasting before chemotherapy could protect healthy cells while making cancer cells more vulnerable.
The principle, called Differential Stress Resistance (DSR), happens because fasting puts healthy cells into a repair mode, lowering insulin and IGF-1 levels, while cancer cells locked in growth mode remain exposed. His early animal studies were groundbreaking, and human trials have followed.
Fasting was no longer just about fat loss or mental clarity; it was about healing at the cellular level.
Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science
The deeper I dug, the more I saw that fasting wasn’t a new trend, it was ancient wisdom. Hippocrates prescribed fasting and fermented foods for healing. The Bible is filled with examples of fasting as both a physical and spiritual discipline.
Science now confirms what the ancients practiced: fasting restores gut integrity, lowers inflammation, and supports overall resilience.
From Experiment to System
Years of personal practice, research, and client coaching led me to create Fast.Eat.Live. A lifestyle nutrition system, not a fad diet.
We fast once a week in Phase 1, train the body to switch fuel sources in Phase 2, and celebrate food with friends and family on Phase 3 “Live Days.”
The results I’ve seen in thousands of clients include:
- Restored hunger signals and a healthy relationship with food
- Stabilized hormone balance
- Increased fat-burning and lean mass retention
- Reduced inflammation and stronger immune function
- Improved confidence and self-discipline
Modern life revolves around constant eating often processed, low-quality food. We snack out of boredom and stress, never giving our digestive systems a rest.
Fasting interrupts that cycle. It teaches metabolic flexibility, restores awareness to eating, and allows the body to operate the way it was designed. Best of all—it’s free.
A Gift for Heartland Journal Readers
If you’re ready to experience the mental clarity, fat-burning, and health benefits fasting can offer (without extreme restrictions) I invite you to join the Fast.Eat.Live. community.
Heartland Journal readers get 20% off all Fast.Eat.Live. packages at fasteatlive.com.
Contact admin@fasteatlive.com and mention offer code “heartland.”
Editorial comments expressed in this column are the sole opinion of the writer. Always consult a physician before starting an exercise or diet regime.
