🌐 Justin's Blog

The market has spoken: Tesla is poison.

For as long as I can remember, Republicans have championed capitalism's free market as the ultimate standard. The premise is overly simplistic: let private companies compete for offering the best service or product. I could explain why this actually isn't beneficial in certain segments (the most obvious of which being health insurance), but I'll refrain for now.

The point is, billionaires like Elon love the free market because they attribute its existence to their financial situation. The market speaks loudly, and boy is it fun when it loves your business.

But now, we see that the market has had a change of heart towards Elon and Tesla, and the fact that he can barely stand it is hilarious on many levels.

Billionaires Have Low EQ

The problem with billionaires is that their emotional intelligence has been stunted. They live in a bubble of yes-men and continuous praise because everyone wants something from them. Suddenly, they start to believe that they're the smartest and funniest person in the room.

Elon suffers from this more than most billionaires, and it explains why he is on the verge of tears when talking about how “unfair” the treatment of Tesla has been by the “radical left”.

Sorry, Elon. The market is not radical. It is a mirror. Your core customer base (liberals) disapproves of you, and therefore the products that you sell. You should see this as a sign to change, but since your inner circle will continue to tell you how great of a guy you are, you will label this free market feedback as some sort of conspiracy theory.

Karma

Elon celebrated hacking away at the programs and departments that hundreds of thousands (millions, perhaps) rely upon for assistance. Employees of these programs are out on the streets. All the while, Elon danced on stage with a chainsaw.

But the moment that he starts to lose some of his livelihood, he calls people like Governor Tim Walz a “creep” and “huge jerk”. I'm sorry, but I simply cannot get on board with a narrative that the richest man in the world is actually the victim here.

If the market disapproves (and votes with their dollars), then you either make fundamental changes or go down on your ship – though at this point I don't think there is any change he could make that would save Tesla now.

#politics

A simple quote that I really like.

Sometimes you come across a quote that really speaks to you. I think I saw this on social media, but wanted to publish here for future reference. It's a good reminder that we are not the result of what happens to us, but rather how we react to it.

"Healing doesn't mean that the damage never existed. It means that the damage no longer controls your life."

#happiness

A soul's journey in the desert.

Lorena and I just got back from a five-day trip to Sedona, Arizona. It was our first time visiting, and I have to say, it was really nice!

The last time we were in a similar landscape was when we went to a wedding in San Carlos, but this was also right next to the Sea of Cortes. Admittedly, I didn't take the time to really appreciate the surroundings as we were rushing around a bit and the trip was only for a few days.

I'm typically not one for desert landscapes as my preference leans towards beaches, while Lorena likes the mountains. Our trips up to this point have incorporated one or the other. After this trip, that remains the same, but I think it's safe to say that we both have an appreciation for the beauty of the desert!

Working on our Higher Selves

While we took time for some small hikes, the major reason for this trip was for us to participate in a handful of self-discovery activities. Each day we had something scheduled.

We had some sessions together and individual ones revolving around meditation, mindfulness, inner-healing, and spiritual guidance. It was a unique and new experience for me – I really enjoyed it and would definitely do it again! For example, we did some “life purpose” sessions, massages, mini-hikes to see places of spiritual significance (called, “vortexes”).

I'm realizing at this point of my life that doing self-work should always be a priority, and it never ends. We are constantly learning and evolving over time who we are, and taking moments to set aside the noise of life to focus on yourself is always worth it.

I can't say if we'll be back. Not because we didn't like it, but we'll likely choose other places to visit for a new experience. If you haven't been to Sedona, then I highly recommend it, especially if you're into hiking and nature.

#personal

A new addition to the family is almost here.

Lorena and I just visited Connecticut, this time the trip was for her older sister's baby shower. Our visit was short, a little less than a week.

It was great to see everyone, including her cousin and her family, who came from Chicago. What's wild is that I realized this is the first baby shower I have ever been to (it only took me 40 years).

I have this weird way of noticing “ends” and “beginnings” in life. Once the baby is here, it marks the end of an era in a way, and the beginning of a newer, bigger family. Our nephew is happy too for the changed because it means that he finally gets that younger brother that he has wanted.

We are now getting ready for our trip to Sedona, Arizona. It's the first trip of the year, and first one in a long time, that is just for us.

#personal

I need a break from the everyday insanity.

I need a break from all things politics. 😵‍💫

I don't know about you, but I find it incredibly exhausting seeing the headlines and outrage every day. I've been keeping tabs on all the executive actions, congress inaction, court cases and more. Lorena and I have donated to organizations that litigate against the current administration's nonconstitutional edicts, and we support independent liberal content creators.

But day after day watching our democracy getting ripped apart, and it's starting to impact my mental health. So, before it gets any worse, I'm taking a step back to catch my breath.

For starters, I am:

1. Turning off my Bluesky's “Trending” feature
2. Staying off of my Mastodon account
3. Using my other YoutTube account
4. Muting political words/topics on Bluesky

Someone on Bluesky recommended that I also check out the Freedom App, which helps you to limit time on certain apps (such as social media). I'll look into this during my current break as well.

The plan is to go a week without getting caught up in the day-to-day of the political shit show that we have in this country. I'll be back with more energy and a clearer mind. At whic point, I'll keep donating, and I'll keep speaking up. Fascism simply cannot win.

#politics

I made it.

I considered not even writing anything today, I think in part because I wish to just treat today like any other day. I feel old, not in spirit, but in the eyes of my younger self.

I remember quite vividly being 22 years old and meeting someone who was 30 when working an internship in college. They seemed so old to me. Like, they were married and well into their career... and they were only 30!

Never did I think I'd make it to this point. It was always a “grown up” number. The “you're officially old” age. Yet, here I am, and If I'm honest, it freaks me out that there is now a “4” in front of my age now, because I don't feel old.

I am Grateful

One of my favorite quotes is by Mark Twain:

“Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many.”

I see just how much weight these words carry now, especially as I think about the people in my life that are no longer around, but should be.

I am so incredibly grateful to be alive. I am grateful for the life that I lived in my 20s, because by the time I reached my 30s, I felt like I was ready to enter into adulthood. My 30s had both the absolute worst days and best days of my life. I am grateful for both, because they have given me the growth and perspective that only come with age.

The Future

I don't know what the future holds for me, but that's nothing new. In fact, that's one of the lessons I've learned: stop planning life because ultimately we control nothing. My life to this point has gone a path that I would have never predicted.

What I do know is that I will continue to grow and learn. I'll live with an open heart, compassion & empathy, and love – for both myself and those around me. Every day is a reminder of just how lucky I am.

So here's to another decade. I hope that I'm lucky enough to reach 50.

#personal

He's really messing it up, and none of us are surprised.

Real talk: it has been a pretty shitty start to Trump's term. We are seeing increased inflation, rising prices of goods, deteriorating international relations, human rights violations, Nazis in key positions, and well, him just being a flat-out liar.

At this point, whatever Trump says, just assume the exact opposite will happen. It's no wonder he has abysmal approval ratings as of this post's date.

But Let's Not Forget...

• Escalation of Trade Wars: The imposition of tariffs on imports from countries such as Canada, Mexico, and China has led to retaliatory measures, disrupting global supply chains and increasing costs for American consumers and businesses.

• Rising Federal Deficit and National Debt: Significant tax cuts, particularly benefiting corporations and high-income individuals, coupled with increased government spending, will substantially expand the federal deficit and national debt.

• Deregulation Impacting Environmental Protections: The rollback of numerous environmental regulations has raised concerns about increased pollution and long-term environmental degradation.

• Undermining of Democratic Institutions: The dismissal of federal inspectors general and attempts to expand executive power, mass layoffs, and firings are breaking the foundation of our country (and hurting the people who rely on them).

• Increased Income Inequality: Economic policies are poised to disproportionately benefit the wealthy, exacerbating income and wealth disparities.

• Negative Impact on International Relations: Unilateral decisions, such as imposing tariffs and withdrawing from international agreements, have strained relationships with traditional allies and trading partners.

• Erosion of Worker Protections: Some of Trump's executive actions have been viewed as undermining pay growth and eroding working conditions for workers.

Fighting Back

Trump's cognitive decline is only going to accelerate, which means he could actually become more dangerous as he becomes further disconnected from reality.

I've been reflecting on what we can do, personally, to help counter this administration's horrific policies. It can feel a bit hopeless at times.

However, there are organizations out there that regularly take on these atrocities in court. Lorena and I have been donating to these causes and plan to continue doing so, so that the legal teams can keep doing what they do: slow down, and in some cases, eliminate the policies altogether.

The goal now is to get to the midterms and win back some seats in Congress. The Democrats have some work to do if that is going to happen, but if it does, then we can begin to put more effective floodgates on the constant stream of chaos we've seen coming out of the White House.

#politics

You probably don't need to take that pill. Just dial-in your nutrition.

I've never been one to think much about what I ate, except for perhaps the number of calories. You know, the easy stuff like eating pizza every night is bad, while eating chicken and broccoli is healthy. From what I can tell, this is how the majority of people think about food.

In 2023, that all changed.

In late Spring of that year, Lorena was diagnosed with Graves' Disease. It's a form of hyperthyroidism with some pretty shitty side effects. It's incredibly disruptive. The struggle was real. Adjusting to the reality, trying to find answers, and working on getting better.

This is Lorena's story — the ups and downs, and hurdles along the way. But don't worry, it has a happy ending.

Can Graves' Disease be Cured?

According to the medical industry, no, it cannot. The remedies have remained largely unchanged regarding their approach. The options are:

• Destroy the thyroid with radioactive iodine, then take a synthetic hormone for the rest of your life.
• Remove all (or part) of the thyroid, and then take a synthetic hormone for the rest of your life.
• Leave the thyroid and take a drug (methimazole) for the rest of your life.

These are the only medical options that they give people.

I should note that while it's true it can never be cured completely, it is possible for Graves' to go into remission. This can happen for some people after using medication to get the thyroid back into normal range, but recurrence does occur, and doctors don't know what causes remission and recurrence in the first place.

Unfortunately, it's also not known why some people are able to achieve remission while others are not as lucky.

Graves' Disease Diet?

Lorena refused to believe that this was all that she had available, so she started doing her research. Western medicine is great, but it is one-dimensional. It's an industry built around medicines, prescriptions, and treating symptoms instead of the root cause.

She's always been an advocate for alternative health options in conjunction with Western medicine, especially as it relates to the food we put into our bodies. Yet, every single endocrinologist we went to (and we went to several) brushed aside the notion that her nutrition could change any of her outcomes.

Lorena didn't let that deter her. As she continued to take the medication to get her thyroid levels into acceptable levels, she read everything she could find about nutrition and diets that support the body in healing from Graves', which involved cutting out certain foods and incorporating others.

Testing the Theory

In December 2023, Lorena took herself off the medication that keeps the thyroid levels within range. We were hopeful as she was being pretty diligent with her diet.

Unfortunately, within two weeks, her symptoms came roaring back, and she had to start taking the medication again.

Most people would have given up, including myself. But she didn't. Honestly, her determination to find a path forward that didn't involve surgery and meds for the rest of her life was something I've never witnessed.

Finding The Answer

Lorena took a break in the beginning of 2024 from trying to find a solution. She had to let the medication get everything back into range, and we were busy with a wedding in January and another in February.

But come the Spring, about a year after her initial diagnosis, she came across the book Thyroid Healing. Without getting into all the details, it promotes eating certain foods and avoiding others. There is a heavy emphasis on juices as well, especially drinking celery juice every day.

In July, Lorena took herself off of the medication. I'll admit, I was a bit nervous. I hated seeing her suffering from the symptoms, but she had a quiet confidence that everything would be okay.

Two weeks went by, and still no major symptom changes.

Then four weeks.

And then two months.

In late September, she got a blood panel done prior to her next doctor's appointment, and the results that came back were astonishing: everything was within normal range! Like... everything!

The only thing she changed was her diet. She was off medicine, and her thyroid was seemingly working just fine. We went to her endocrinologist, who officially confirmed that she had achieved medical remission of her Graves' Disease.

To make sure it wasn't a fluke, she had blood tests again in January of this year, about four months after the previous one. And once again, everything came back in the normal range.

Nutrition is Everything

I've seen how hard Lorena has fought. We had our moments of joy, and some really defeating moments as well. We grew closer as a couple through the hardship, while at the same time, I feel like I was taught a very valuable lesson: medicine is as much an art as it is a science. We don't have the answers to everything, despite doctors believing they do. And look, I love myself a confident doctor.

Western medicine is not the be-all, end-all. We are experiencing more disease today than ever before, and a large part of the reason is due to the food we put into our bodies. I'm not just talking eating organic, either (thought obviously important). It means knowing on a deeper level how foods impact your body and ability to resist illness. Just by way of example, maybe certain foods cause more inflammation in you than others. Those should be avoided. Not sometimes. Always.

This post is a bit lengthy now, but I wanted to share Lorena's journey, and what we had learned over that time. No matter what you're battling, give your body a fighting chance. You always have supplemental approaches to health to complement Western medicine.

#health

It was a long journey, but I finally hit my first milestone.

In April 2023, I enrolled in a Gracie Jiu-jitsu gym. Now, after almost two years, I finally took the test and passed their Gracie Combatives program! This means I'm eligible for the Master Cycle which includes a lot more rolling (sparring), and an infinite number of new techniques.

The journey to this point has been a long one, and it was my own fault. I got bored with the program after about six months or so, and I was still a long way off from being permitted to take the test (I needed four stripes, and at that point I only had two). So, I left the gym to try some others.

I liked the other gyms, but the first one was way too intense. So, I decided to switch to a Gracie Barra location and I really liked it. However, I injured my bicep tendon again and after two classes, I had to stop all training, of any kind.

Returning to GJJ

While I was injured, I exchanged emails with my instructor who was super cool in answering my questions and addressing my concern. The injury ended up bringing me back to GJJ as it was a place that I would experience the least number of injuries. This is especially important as I get older yet plan to continue doing this activity for years to come.

The way GJJ is structured meant I could continue to learn, even with my injury. I began to participate as some of the pain subsided, and then I slowly incorporate private training sessions with the instructor around the July or August timeframe. I was about to take my test, but we ended up moving.

Once I got settled in the new place, I found another GJJ gym, and jumped right into the classes. I was ready. I took two private sessions to sharpen up some areas, and then I scheduled my test, which I took last night.

The test is broken up into five sections (guard, mount, side mount, standing, and light sparring). The point is to demonstrate all the techniques as they are called out on a passive opponent, and it all has to be done within a 25min time period. I ended up getting a 94 out of 100 (you need to get a 90 to pass). I was hoping to do better, but I made some silly mistakes. I still have some things to clean up. Nonetheless, I still passed, and I move on!

Moving to Master Cycle

Now that I have passed, I no longer have to take the slow-moving technique classes. I probably will still take them from time to time, and if I ever have a flare-up of my injury, then they are always an option.

Now I move onto Master Cycle. This class is about 30 minutes of instruction and drills, then 30 minutes of live sparring. More pressure testing, and a lot more tapping out.

I'm excited for this next stage as I continue my march towards achieving my blue belt.

#personal

We do it every day. It's the slow, steady, reliable rhythm of our lives.

We do it all the time without thinking, but when our breathing is off, like when fighting a cold, we notice it. We try everything to get it back to normal. Back to the point where we don't notice it again.

Have you taken time recently to notice your breath? I mean, really notice it? The way your chest rises, or stomach fills up and the slow and steady exhale. The air, is it warm? Or is it cool? Do you fill up your entire lungs, or is your breathing shallow?

Your breath says a lot about you. It can also be used to ease your mind.

Use Breathing to Quiet Your Mind

Our days are full of events, reactions, thoughts, and feelings. These swirl in our heads every second of every minute. From the moment we wake up, to the moment we close our eyes to sleep, our minds never stop. Depending on the thoughts we have, this can become tiring. We get worn out.

Focusing on your breath can quiet your mind, and help to alleviate your stress. I promise you, after just 10 quiet minutes where you focus on your breathing, you'll feel a new sense of calm.

How To Do It

1. Find a quiet space.
2. Close your eyes, and take a deep breath through your nose.
3. Let it out through your mouth, slowly.
4. Repeat this process three or four times.
5. Return to normal breathing.

Don't try to change your breathing at this point. Just keep it steady, simple, and normal paced.

Stay Focused on Your Breath

Now, as you breathe normally, think about how the air fills your lungs. Take note of where you feel it in your body. Is it your chest rising? Or, do you feel it in the stomach? What is the temperature of the air on the way in, versus on the way out?

Just notice these things. Don't think about them, simply observe.

If you find that your mind is starting to wander, don't get upset. It happens to everyone. Just gently bring your attention back to your breathing.

You can also count the breaths. The inhale is one, then the exhale is two. Inhale again is three, then the exhale is four. Count to 10, and start again at one. This helps you to keep your focus on breathing.

Commit Daily

Just like you make a point to work out, set aside some time for your mental health each day.

I've been getting a lot of benefit doing this every day, for 10-15 minutes at a time. Every time I think it won't change much, but when I'm done, I feel more at ease.

#mindfulness