How my father changed the way I see health.

My old man is clocking 72 this year.

Not on a single medication.
No high blood pressure.
No diabetes.
No arthritis.

Yet he walks close to 20 kilometers a day, by choice ,not because he can’t afford a car. He says it clears his mind in a way nothing else can.

He eats one or two real meals a day. He avoids stress. He doesn’t carry things in his heart.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s his real medicine.

“If you carry too much in your heart, your body will carry it too.”

At the time, I didn’t realize just how profound that statement was. But now, as a nutritionist and coach, I see the truth of it in my clients every single day.

Science now calls it a psychosomatic disease — when emotional or mental stress begins to manifest as physical illness.

Stress, unforgiveness, bitterness , they don’t just weigh on your mind. They show up in your blood pressure, joints, weight, sleep, and even your gut.

Today we know that stress triggers inflammation in the body. And chronic inflammation is at the root of so many modern diseases , from ulcers and diabetes to PCOS and heart disease.

My father never studied nutrition or medicine, but he intuitively understood this. His life has always been grounded in calm, gratitude, and simplicity.

He doesn’t hold grudges. He doesn’t chase stress. And his health is a living testimony of what that does for the body.

There’s something beautifully simple about his routine.

He wakes up early, takes his long walks, eats two real meals a day ,mostly what the land provides  and keeps his mind light.

No fancy supplements. No protein shakes. No processed snacks. Just real food, fresh air, movement, and peace of mind.

He often tells me, “When you complicate life, you complicate your health.” And honestly, that couldn’t be truer.

The human body thrives on simplicity — food that’s natural, rest that’s deep, and emotions that are unburdened.

As a coach, I see the opposite every day: people overwhelmed, inflamed, and stressed , eating on the go, overthinking, overworking, and wondering why their bodies feel stuck and heavy.

Healing doesn’t happen in chaos. It happens when you slow down, simplify, and nourish yourself from within.

When I struggled with junk food and gained weight seven years ago, my dad didn’t sugarcoat it.

He simply said, “Fat stores sickness. Drop it if you can.” It was tough to hear, but it changed my life. Because he was right.

Excess fat doesn’t just sit under your skin; it’s metabolically active tissue that produces inflammatory chemicals, hormones (like excess estrogen), and toxins that keep your body in survival mode.

That’s when I began to look at food differently ,not as calories or restriction, but as information. Every bite either fuels inflammation or fights it.

That realization led me down the path I’m on today ,helping others unlearn diet culture, reconnect with real food, and heal their bodies naturally.

My father has never stepped into a gym. He doesn’t own a smartwatch. He doesn’t track steps (lol, like I do) or macros.

But he’s the healthiest person I know, still strong, still steady, still my greatest teacher.

When I look at him, I’m reminded that health is not just about what we eat, but also what we carry inside.

Healing isn’t found in pills and supplements , it’s found in peace, forgiveness, simplicity, and the daily choices that keep inflammation away.

So today, I want to leave you with this:

What has your parents’ lifestyle taught you that medicine never could?

Beatrice Kariuki is a Certified Weight Loss Coach and Nutritionist based in Nairobi. She helps men and women heal their bodies naturally through real food, fasting, and lifestyle change — no pills, no diets, no shortcuts.

Ready to start your healing journey?