Letter from the Editor

We’ve all heard the saying that knowledge is power. A more accurate statement might be that correct knowledge that is applied to get a desired result is power. With so much that is going on in the news and with all that we see in social media, it can be hard to determine what is correct knowledge and what is someone’s opinion.

This magazine has always tried to provide correct information that can be applied to make you and those around you healthier. Of course, not everything we write about is one-size-fits-all. Nothing in life is. When it comes to establishing and maintaining good health, each person has the responsibility to decide what is best for their own body and mind from the knowledge they gain.

For instance, I have discovered there are certain foods I cannot eat. I learned this when I went through a health crisis earlier in my life that compelled me to gather as much information as I could about my health issue. In the end, I put all that I had learned into practice and intuitively found out what worked for me.

I had another experience that reinforced the idea that only I could determine what was best for my health. About eight years ago, I went through three back surgeries, with the last one ending in the fusion of my L4 and L5 vertebrae. This took a drastic toll on my active lifestyle, especially on my golf game. Before my surgery, I took pride in the fact that I could occasionally win a few long-drive contests. After my third surgery and fusion, I couldn’t even swing a club for a year. Slowly, I got back into it as I became very aware of what my body would allow me to do.

The good news is that my golf game actually improved because I became much more aware of my swing mechanics. I also found out that I could still drive a ball a decent distance without trying to kill it. Yes, I may not win any long-drive contests, but my scoring has improved dramatically.

The point is, I had to learn what was best for me and what my body could physically sustain. Others advised me about what to do and how to do it, but in the end, knowing what was best for me was my decision.

My hope is that when you read through our awesome issue this month, you’ll keep in mind that you need to find what works for you and what makes you better.

Brendan Dalley, Editor