Managing Heart Disease - One Day at a Time

Okay, let’s be real—this isn’t the story I thought I’d be telling. But life has a funny way of throwing curveballs, doesn’t it? 

For decades (yep, decades), I was stuck in a hamster wheel of emotional eating and yo-yo dieting. Food was my therapist, my best friend, and—if I’m honest—the thing I turned to when I didn’t know how to deal. Stress? Let’s eat.

Bored? Bring on the snacks. Sad? Hand me the fries.

In 20 years, I gained and lost a grand total of over 800 pounds. Yes, you read that right—800 pounds. That’s basically like losing (and finding) four entire adults. I’d crush a new diet, feel like I was winning at life, and then…slide back into old habits faster than you can say “double cheeseburger.” 

By 2016, I hit 370 pounds, my health was spiraling, and I felt like a failure.

The warning signs were practically screaming at me: exhaustion that made getting out of bed feel like climbing Everest, heart palpitations that sent me into full-on panic mode, and sleep apnea so bad I needed a CPAP machine just to function. Oh, and let’s not forget the time I ended up with diverticulitis—on vacation no less—doubled over in pain. Fun times.

I knew I was in trouble. Big trouble. But I didn’t know how to stop the train wreck.

And then, I stumbled onto the Forks Over Knives documentary. That little seed of hope? It grew. I started researching whole-food, plant-based eating like my life depended on it—because, spoiler alert, it did. I devoured books, joined online groups, and had what I can only describe as a total food epiphany. I made a promise to myself to just try the FOK way of eating for 30 days.

So I stocked my kitchen, gave my mindset a makeover, and dove in.

What happened next? It was pure magic.

Within a week, I felt like a new person. My energy skyrocketed, my joints stopped screaming, and for the first time in years, I could actually breathe at night. Over two years, I shed 140 pounds, shrunk my waist from 56 inches to 38, and started running. Yes, running—me, the guy who used to consider walking to the fridge cardio. 

By 53, I felt like a younger, healthier version of myself.

But life, being the plot-twisting drama queen that it is, wasn’t done with me yet.

In April 2024, I was diagnosed with coronary artery disease. Ouch. That was a gut punch. Years of my old eating habits had caught up with me. 

But you know what? My plant-based lifestyle turned out to be my secret weapon. Instead of derailing me, the diagnosis lit an even bigger fire under me to keep going, keep thriving, and keep proving what’s possible.

And here I am. Thriving, baby. I have more energy, more purpose, and more love for this crazy journey called life than ever before.

So, why am I sharing all this? Because I know there’s someone out there—maybe it’s you—who feels stuck. Like you’ve tried everything, and nothing works. You’re tired, frustrated, and wondering if it’s too late to change.

Here’s the truth: it’s never too late.

One decision—just one—can change everything. You don’t have to be perfect. Heck, I’m still figuring it out as I go. But if you’re willing to start, even imperfectly, you’re already halfway there.

My journey isn’t just about weight loss or coronary artery disease; it’s about rewriting your story, no matter where you are or where you’ve been. And trust me, the possibilities? They’re extraordinary.

So, welcome to my world. I hope this little corner of the internet inspires you as much as it fills me with joy to create it.

With love and a whole lot of hope,

Tony

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