InVIGORating Thoughts

Your Body is a Lamborghini

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 20:31:39 GMT

Your Body is a Lamborghini

One of the most common questions we hear at vigor is “how do I control appetite?” While we do have medications to help with appetite control, a medication does not entirely solve decades of poor eating choices. Our goal, is to help you create sustained habits that you manage throughout the rest of your life whether you take a medication or not. We cannot solely rely on pharmaceuticals to improve our health, quality of life or longevity of life. It requires work and effort based on a desire to feel optimal.

Consistency is key.

You have to ask yourself how do I want to feel today? I commonly use the example of gas in a car. If you have a Lamborghini are you going to put 87 gas in it? Probably not. Your body is a Lamborghini and it needs adequate and high quality fuel because you can’t trade it in or upgrade it, you get ONE, how you treat your body matters!

The number one solution for appetite control is adequate protein intake. We recommend at the minimum 1 g per pound of ideal body weight (meaning what your goal weight is and based on weight loss/muscle maintenance or trying to gain muscle). And the beauty of maintaining a protein dominant diet? You can gain muscle AND lost fat at the same time!

Some examples for you:

Muscle feast whey protein(@mrs.t_indy mixes this with espresso and fairlife skim milk)
Egg whites with salsa (you can essentially eat egg whites anytime you are hungry)
Chick pea pasta
Beans, beans and more beans
Lean GRASS FED sirloin beef
Protein bars with low added sugar (many bars are crap so read label carefully)
Order @flexx_nutrition meals, the work is done for you, multiple locations for pick up all over the city including our Greenwood office. Link also on top of our website. The meals are delicious.
Eggs
Chicken breast(white meat)
Cottage cheese low fat
Greek yogurt low sugar, low fat (fage zero percent can be unused in lieu of mayo for most recipes or mixed with fresh fruit by itself)
Tuna salad made with 0% fage Greek yogurt
Premiere Protein pre-made shakes or Fairlife pre-made shakes.
On the go snacks, ie. “gas station snacks” - quest chips, beef/turkey jerky (no sugar/low sugar), legendary brand pastries, quest bars (these are not staples, just when you’re in a pinch and all there is, it’s a way to meet your protein goals while busy with kids, work, etc.)
Low fat cheese sticks

We see this every day with patients. It is the number one dietary issue we hear. And while we do understand the issues with getting adequate protein daily (busy lifestyle, cost, taste), outside of vitamin d, it is the easiest way to make a nearly immediate difference toward your weigh loss and/or fitness goals.

While most of us will never have that Lambo, the same mindset applies to your body. As a society though, we tend to put less thought in to what we put in our bodies tank, than we do our car’s.

Eat Well,

@mr.t_indy and @mrs.t_indy

To Pellet or Not to Pellet

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 18:33:00 GMT

There seems to be a giant influx of all kinds of information on social media, online and, well, everywhere in regards to hormone replacement therapy lately. As a matter of fact, in my 20 years as a PA and with 10 years in hormone replacement alone, I’ve never seen such an amount of information on the topic. Or is it misinformation?

I try to avoid the active (inactive?) scroll of social media. In the past I could waste HOURS with just going through posts, videos, etc. Obviously being a clinic owner and interacting with patients, I hear the info that's out there and will go look up what my patients ask about and holy shit… there is so much, just, stuff out there. The supplement industry alone is a multi billion dollar industry, that is before any actual medical prescription products. It’s very easy to blur the line between what is medical and what is framed as medical but in reality is slick marketing. This is where I get a little pissed. Or maybe a lot sometimes.

I’m going to talk about HRT or BHRT pellets. I'm not railing against them. I’m not bashing them. My issue is how they seem to be frequently marketed. I’ll start by breaking down some of the terminology. “Bio-identical” is a common phrase used in marketing for pellets and it sounds great right? Identical to what your body makes is the implication. It can’t be unsafe if it’s identical, right? Know what else is “bioidentical”? Any hormone given to a patient that engages that hormone receptor and replicates the action that your body's natural hormone does.

As you can see in the picture above, upper Left is your body's testosterone molecule. The other images are the various synthetic testosterone molecules. Are any of those “identical”? None. But they exert the same influence in the body in varying degrees of length of action. The next term that is used (and over-used) frequently in the marketing of pellets among other things is “natural”. Natural meaning from nature or not man made/synthetic. Pellets are frequently called natural as they are usually derived from a so-called natural source. The one that comes readily to mind is made from yams. Sounds great! How can it be bad for me if it's from yams? Who doesn't love yams (well, me. Is it a potato? A fruit? A vegetable? Why is it made sweet then sometimes not? Plus I think they taste gross). But is the implication that they just squeeze the living shit out of a yam and testosterone just drips out? Not unlike prescription testosterone, it’s MADE IN A LAB.

“Yams are natural substances that are put through a chemical synthesis in a laboratory setting to derive the end product of testosterone”. It is also important to note that many of the pharmaceutical forms of hormones are BIOIDENTICAL. For example micronized progesterone, and a variety of estrogen formulations (Billingsly, 2022). Therefore, at Vigor we too are offering bioidentical therapy in the form of FDA approved medication. We do not market it as such, but we provide what is the best option for each individual person. The only natural form of testosterone is made within the body itself. These phrases are used frequently as they inspire a level of trust in the marketer. If it’s natural and identical to my body's products, there is no way it’s bad for me. Therefore it’s safer and preferable than other forms of HRT offered.

FALSE

As with any medical treatment, there are risks. From Tylenol all the way to open heart surgery. This isn’t lessened because the product is labeled “natural” or “bioidentical”. A growing body of research is revealing that pellets can carry MORE risk for a few reasons. They are not regulated in production. In essence many of them are supplements therefore the dosing per pellet SHOULD be consistent, but is not always.

While they can be compounded and at Vigor, we love our compound pharmacists and truly stand behind their products, this isn’t the case for all compound pharmacies.

Once a pellet is in, if a patient were to experience side effects, there's no digging them out. Unfortunately, I’ve seen this in action And have been on the receiving end of the very upset patient with unintended side effects having to explain that while the effect will lessen as the pellets absorb and levels drop, it can be a long road of 3-6 months.

So why am I so “anti-pellet”? Actually, I’m not. I have done pellet BHRT in a previous practice and for some patients, it’s a Godsend. If a practice or provider offers HRT and they will ONLY offer pellet therapy or if they strongly recommend them over other types of HRT for “safety reasons” or because they are the best because they are natural, my opinion is they are likely worried more about their bottom line and less concerned with addressing the patients complaints that they came for in the first place. Let me clarify that, A round of pellets for a female patient runs from $350-$500 every 3-4 months, BEFORE any blood work costs to start the process or to check lab values as therapy proceeds or before any costs to “boost” the dose if needed due to poor response. For a male patient, think $750 to over a thousand per placement every 4-6 months. See how that could add up? Now I am not faulting anyone for offering this service. Like I said above, it can be a great treatment for some patients. But so are many other great options that cost so much less and provide the exact same (in some cases better) response the patient is seeking.

At Vigor, I tailor treatment to each individual patient's desired effects, medical history and goals. I have several treatments at my disposal to meet individual needs. I have purposefully chosen to not offer pellets at this time… again, at this time. As the bugs get worked out and more oversight is added to their production, that could change. And as with all of our services, if I decide to add that product, they will fall within our affordable pricing guidelines. We believe in being very up front and honest with our patients. We hope to under promise and over deliver. And while this is a business and we are the owners, we are also patients and want our services to be available and safe to our patients of all income levels. If pellets ever meet our standards and we can offer them at a good price, we will. Until that time, we will get you the results you’re looking for through many other treatment options. All of which are as bio identical as the next. @Mr.T_Indy

I couldn’t let this topic go without my two cents. I without a doubt was a pellet lover, at first. I say at first because, there is nothing better than having an improved self. I stood tall on my soapbox, testosterone makes women feel better, it does and it will continue to do so. I love data and I check my labs maybe more than I should. After time, I recognized that my testosterone level was getting very high for part of the 3 to 4 month cycle, and then as that level would decline I would start feeling like crap again. According to many of the promises offered by bioidentical companies, my body should have maintained an acceptable level for an extended period of time, but that is not what occurred. I would go way up and then way down, and the majority of the time I was most likely dosed way too high for a woman. I was still on a roller coaster that I had intended on getting off of. Since switching to subcutaneous testosterone injection, which I control weekly, my symptoms don’t return, my ass is not sore and or building up scar tissue, and I do not spend 1 month at a man's level and 2 more months on the dive downward. I also prefer to have control of my dosing so if issues arise, I can just change my next dose. What I do agree with is that subcutaneous is the best route for testosterone replacement. What I do not agree with is people going without a service that can improve quality of life due to cost or lack of access. My hope is that Vigor can continue to provide cost effective hormone replacement services for ALL people.

@Mrs.T_Indy

Reference Billingsley, A. (2022, May 27). Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for Menopause: Safety, Uses, and Cost. GoodRX Health. Retrieved September 17, 2023, from: https://www.goodrx.com/healthcare-access/medication-education/bioidentical-hormone-therapy

NAD+

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 23:48:00 GMT

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)

Looking for the fountain of youth? I know at our house, we are always learning about things we can do to continue to age well. In all reality, recovery is harder, fat loss is harder, and our musculoskeletal system is yelling at us frequently. NAD+ is a supplement we both use to help reduce some of the effects we have due to our active lifestyle and the effects of aging.

“NAD+ can directly and indirectly influence many key cellular functions, including metabolic pathways, DNA repair, chromatin remodeling, cellular senescence and immune cell function. These cellular processes and functions are critical for maintaining tissue and metabolic homeostasis and for healthy aging” (Covarrubias, et al., 2021).

Available options for this peptide include:

Sub Q injection (best absorption)
Oral Capsules
Intranasal Spray

As with most peptides, everyone wants to know, what do you notice? I mainly feel a significant improvement in focus. I also believe that it has helped with my levels of inflammation in my current training for a half marathon. If you have interest in reading the full article cited send me a message and I will send it to you @Mrs.T_Indy.

@MrT_indy here. Without exaggeration, I can say that taking NAD+ is on par with when I started TRT over 10 years ago. My mood has been, possibly, the best it's been as an adult. I have had significant improvement in overall energy level, focus and endurance. From the gym to the office, even on my busiest days, I don't hit that wall in the afternoon and am able to fall asleep easily when it's time for bed. My habit of ”day off from work” naps is history. I use it subq and look forward to it for my 12+ hour days. And not to oversell it, I can tell you that it has made a huge difference in my physique since starting to take it. Working out is fun again!

We are in the business of health AND wellness. You will only see products offered that we believe in because we use them ourselves and can attest to the effect. You will get nothing but two thumbs up from each of us on this product.

Reference
Co varrubias AJ, Perrone R, Grozio A, Verdin E. NAD+ metabolism and its roles in cellular processes during aging. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2021 Feb;22(2):119-141. doi: 10.1038/s41580-020-00313-x. Epub 2020 Dec 22. PMID: 33353981; PMCID: PMC7963035.

The Importance of Your Metabolic Health

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 21:37:00 GMT

Metabolic health is defined as having optimal blood sugar, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, blood pressure, and waist circumference, the key is without using medication. Many of these numbers can be modified using lifestyle changes that stay implemented. Metabolic numbers can be corrected in some cases with interventions such as diet and exercise alone, but the moment you stop those interventions the numbers will revert back to being out of range and dangerous for your health. Understanding the importance of metabolic health, your genetics, your family history of chronic disease and where your levels presently are can save and extend your life.

Cardiovascular disease is the LEADING cause of death. Per the CDC:

One person dies every 33 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease.
About 695,000 people in the United States died from heart disease in 2021—that’s 1 in every 5 deaths.

What is sad about these statistics is that all people can implement interventions to lower their risk of deaths caused by cardiovascular disease. The interventions start with lifestyle changes, however for a large portion of individuals especially those with familial history and or decades or metabolic dysfunction, medications are necessary. I will use myself as an example as I have a strong family history of cardiovascular disease. My father and both of his parents had to have open heart surgery. Knowing this fact made me focus heavily on prevention all of my adult life, maybe to extremes at times. I say maybe a little extreme because there have been times that I cried over reviewing my LDL results which were only slightly above 100. LDL is considered the bad cholesterol, commonly referred to as lethal. My family doctor actually would never treat my level just above 100 (the high end of normal, I generally ran 118) no matter how much I requested it. I also obsessively tracked these levels for as long as I can remember. Each time I would get this same result, I would try new interventions because in my mind that number needed to be lower. @Mr.T_Indy can attest to my breakdowns over this. None of the interventions I tried lowered that number, it remained consistently the same. I can finally say that my LDL is now below 100, but I am an example of a person who needs medication to do this. My family history tells me this, along with my years and years of interventions that didn’t work. Understand though, the interventions I tried are still maintained along with the medication. I exercise almost every day with cardio and weight training. I eat a low fat diet. I monitor my food pairings. I rarely drink alcohol, and I don’t smoke. Do I sometimes eat what I want? Yes I do, but 80% of the time I am following the above because I know that is what’s best for my metabolic health. And mainly, I know that is what will help me as I age and hopefully will keep my heart beating long enough to watch my grandchildren grow up.

An important thing to think about is that metabolic health is not merely about a person’s size. It is a part of the equation, but you can be within a normal weight range and have metabolic dysfunction. Weight and size are not the only indications for determining metabolic health. All people need lab work to determine metabolic health regardless of weight and or size. The majority of people have some form of metabolic dysfunction that needs to be corrected. At Vigor, we spend a lot of time discussing hormones and yes this is part of your metabolic health, but we also check all the other levels that are part of determining your metabolic health. Paul and I both are driven by helping people recognize and correct any metabolic dysfunction to promote longevity.

Metabolic health not only helps with preventing cardiovascular disease, it also helps to prevent type 2 diabetes, stroke, alzheimer’s, obesity, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, just to name a few. I always say yes wellness has a price, but the price of chronic disease far outweighs the price of wellness. At Vigor we will check the labs for your metabolic health once per year. If you are unsure where your numbers fall or have questions about things you can do to improve your metabolic health, be sure to discuss with Mr. T and or schedule a consultation. Your body and your life is priceless, don’t forget that!

Live Well,

@Mrs.T_Indy and @Mr.T_Indy

Meet Ashley Compton, Social Media Manger

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 21:58:00 GMT

Ashley Compton is Vigor Health and Beauty's social media manager. Ashley runs Vigor's website, blog Invigorating Thoughts, and social media accounts.

Ashley is a wife, mom, and big sister. She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and has a master's degree from Indiana University in Educational Leadership and administration.

Ashley's day job is in public education administration. However, in her spare time, Ashley enjoys creating and sharing health and wellness content on behalf of Vigor Health and Beauty.

For brand and athletic sponsorships, email us today at vigorhealthandbeauty@gmail.com or reach out to us via Instagram!

Meet Shelby, Medical Office Manager

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 17:34:00 GMT

Meet Shelby Hosmer, B.S., CCA, Medical Office Manager

Shelby Hosmer is our Medical Office Manager. She graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington in 2017 with a degree in Healthcare Administration and a minor in Law and Public Policy. She is a recent graduate of the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering’s Medical Coding Certification program at Indiana University, Indianapolis.

Shelby is a Certified Coding Associate through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Shelby is here to answer any questions or concerns you have regarding appointment scheduling, billing, lab work/results, prescription refills, and electronic health record information.

Peptides

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 22:36:00 GMT

What are peptides? A compound containing two or more amino acids in which the carboxyl group of one acid is linked to the amino group of the other (Dictionary.com).

Amino acids are proteins. The difference between a peptide and a protein is size. Proteins have more amino acids than do peptides.

At Vigor, we do use many peptides for our patients. To name a few:

Sermorelin- increases GH

Melanotan- libido, tanning

BPC-157-wound repair, regeneration, inflammation

SeMAX- neurocognitive (focus)

PT 141- libido, sexual dysfunction

CJC1295/Ipamorelin- increase growth hormone/weight loss

The above are some of the most commonly requested and used. We also prescribe semaglutide and tirzepatide both for weight loss. These are currently being lumped into the term “peptides” because GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide. Both of these medications are GLP-1 agonists and are the third most commonly prescribed medications at our office after testosterone and neurotoxins.

If you are currently a patient and are interested in peptides please feel free to send us a message in the thryv portal for more information and pricing. If you want to become a patient you can schedule on our website for your blood work and consult.

Be Well,

Paul and Kristen Mattox

@mr.T_Indy and @mrs.T_Indy

Why Alastin?

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 15:41:00 GMT

One of the most frequent questions I get asked as an aesthetic injector is “what products should I use?” I always have the same two responses, Alastin medical grade skin care and Tretinoin, AKA retin A, which is a prescription strength cream.

The rationale to my response is guided by the literature and the miracles I see with consistent patient use. As people, we spend a lot of time thinking about prevention but the majority of us wait until a problem exists before trying to reverse or treat it. Our skin is our largest organ and spending time thinking about how to best take care of it, is key to preventing age related changes.

Why Alastin? The company behind Alastin is Galderma, there are currently over 40 studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of the products and the before and after photos alone demonstrate how well they work. I use the post injection serum on all my clients to help improve the appearance of the skin post injection, support the production of collagen and elastin, improves hydration and plumpness(Alastin Skincare).

The Alastin website has some amazing before and after photos with some of their most popular products on their website . https://alastin.com/pages/before-and-after

If you have questions about products let me know, order your Alastin here .

Be Well,

Kristen Mattox

Just Get Started

Mon, 15 May 2023 21:36:00 GMT

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

- Chinese Proverb

Weight loss is hard. Getting back in shape is hard. Resisting our favorite foods because we know they don't meet our goals or are healthy for us is hard. But in all honesty, how many things in life are truly “easy”. And if they are easy, what's the value in them? You don’t learn much. And even “easy money” doesn't always feel great because it’s rarely earned. So what the hell do we do with all this hard shit we want to do. Just get started. That's it.

Wanna know how much easier finishing is when you have started? On the contrary, finishing anything is impossible unless you get started. Whatever your goals, that first step may just be downright awful. But you know what comes easier after that first one? The next ones. I feel like we, as humans, are programmed to be achievers. I also feel like that with the ease of so many tasks now due to technology, we tend to overlook the value of “doing” something.

We start the days pretty early at the T household, usually between 3:30 and 4am. Even after having this as a lifestyle for most of my adult life, many mornings still start with eyes opening, then an immediate “just hit snooze” said to myself. As much as I get a huge kick out of working out (I often say that's my free time, a fun activity), I don’t leap out of bed, ready to rock. I have to digest the snooze comment, then tell myself “take the first step” and head to the kitchen for my 40 oz water jug and celsius powder. Once I’m up (that first step), for me it’s a waste to be up, caffeinated and dressed, and then not go.

Cardio days… Mrs. T will attest that I don’t care for it. It’s boring, tedious and just bleh. But I know that I need a certain amount of zone 2 cardio each week to be healthy. It’s hard to push myself to get on that elliptical each time, but I take the first steps… and before I know it, an hour has passed. Sometimes that first 5-10 minutes just sucks. No way around it. But it gets easier, I get more awake and I feel it makes a difference in my mood.

We all have a choice every day, every morning, every meal or whatever it is that's in the arena of your goals. As daunting as any task may seem, as insurmountable any mountain may appear, as absolutely discouraging it can be to get on a scale or look in a mirror, don't let any of that take away from you taking that first step. You’ll be shocked at how quickly you’ll look back and realize not only that you’ve done it (it being whatever it is for you), but that first step wasn’t as bad as you thought and just maybe there are some other first steps you’ve been putting off that maybe won’t be so bad.

So whatever that goal is or challenge may be, take one step… Just one step towards it. Look back, realize you’ve started and how it feels, then keep stepping. That first step can turn into a thousand miles before you even realize it.

Be Well,

Paul and Kristen Mattox

Mr.T_Indy Mrs.T_Indy

Skin Cancer is Preventable

Wed, 03 May 2023 22:09:00 GMT

There are over 5 million cases of skin cancer diagnosed every year and according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States (Skin Cancer Foundation, n.d.). In this week's blog, we want to provide you with things you should be doing to prevent and screen for skin cancer.

Skin cancer can be seen, and the easiest way to get this checked is by scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist to do a skin check. I did a little searching and I also found that there are two offices in Indiana that offer free skin cancer screenings. Free Skin Cancer Screening. Additionally, The AIM At Melanoma foundation provides a step by step how to do a self-examination with a video. Skin Self Exam. Signs and symptoms to look for include the following:

Common skin cancer symptoms may include:
Skin growths, scabs or sores that don't resolve
Changes in existing skin spots
Pale or waxy skin patches
Scaly patches on the skin
Red or flesh-colored moles
(City of Hope, n.d.).

A few prevention tips include to wear sunscreen daily. At Vigor we recommend Alastin products, my favorite being the tinted SPF sunscreen. I actually wear this as foundation as it is non-greasy, light and protects my skin. You can purchase this product and other Alastin skin care at this link . Other important things to remember is with prolonged exposure to sun wearing clothing, hats and sunglasses can also be preventive.

Another important fact is that taking nicotinamide 500mg twice a day, can be preventative of many common types of skin cancer (Starr, 2015). I started this regimen 1 year ago after it was recommended by my dermatologist, it is proven effective and is very low cost. It is important to make sure you buy the nicotinamide without other ingredients per the study cited.

If I were given a wish to go back 20 years and change something, it would be that I had taken better care of my skin. I have unfortunately had numerous procedures to remove multiple locations of basal cell carcinomas and the sad truth is, I could have prevented all of them. Basal cell carcinomas, while generally non cancerous, if left untreated can be dangerous and require extensive treatment including radiation.

Live Well,

Kristen Mattox
@Mrs.T_Indy

References

AIM At Melanoma Foundation (n.d.). How To Do a Skin Self-Examination. https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/melanoma-101/early-detection-of-melanoma/how-to-do-a-skin-self-examination/

American Academy Of Dermatology Association (n.d.). Find a Free Skin Cancer Screening. American Academy of Dermatology Association. https://www.aad.org/public/public-health/skin-cancer-screenings/find-a-screening

City of Hope (n.d.). Skin Cancer Symptoms. https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/skin-cancer/symptoms

Skin Cancer Foundation (n.d.). May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. https://www.skincancer.org/get-involved/skin-cancer-awareness-month/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw6cKiBhD5ARIsAKXUdybmzdAF4TYJF811Hthzgibgv36z3SNZ16A-tIurZkUmCVepGxttIRMaAnUTEALw_wcB

Starr P. Oral Nicotinamide Prevents Common Skin Cancers in High-Risk Patients, Reduces Costs. Am Health Drug Benefits. 2015 Aug;8(Spec Issue):13-4. PMID: 26380604; PMCID: PMC4570055.

Productivity Anxiety

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 22:52:00 GMT

Ever had one of those days when you felt anxious the entire day no matter what you were accomplishing? I was having one of those days yesterday, and let’s be fair, I am an anxious person on most days. But yesterday felt like I was walking in quicksand going nowhere fast. In actuality, I probably accomplished more by 0800 than most do all day. I have done this my entire adult life… pushing myself to extremes, setting the hardest goals for myself etc. But, there comes a point for all of us that such levels of anxiety can impact our mental and physical health.

When thinking about what to share with you all this week, I figured why not use myself as an example. Every person has different levels of anxiety and different things they are anxious about. I have spent many years studying anxiety in nursing students. I suppose my empathy for their anxious behavior stems from the fact that I suffer from anxiety myself. I use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exercise to assist me. A great example from @thebraincoach is included in the photos above. CBT essentially uses the power of positive self-talk to guide you through something you are feeling anxious about. I first started using this technique in 2016 after I was attacked by a dog while running. As you might imagine, I stopped running outside for a while and still to this day when I am running, I am also looking for dogs. To overcome this fear I had to defeat it and I did so by continuing to run even though I was scared. I did this by turning the negative event into a positive one. In fact, I completed my first full marathon as a result. Bad things happen, anxiety happens, what we choose to do after is ultimately up to us.

Prolonged anxiety is well documented to be detrimental to your physical and mental health. There are a wealth of tools online to help with coping. Establishing healthy interventions can help prevent using poor coping methods such as over eating and excessive alcohol consumption. If you suffer from anxiety, please know that there are options, you are not alone and if you need help with it you can message me anytime.

Be Well,

Kristen Mattox

@Mrs.T_Indy

References

Mustafa, N. (n.d.). Cognitive Reappraisal to Reduce Productivity Anxiety. Instagram.

Mustafa, N. (n.d.). This is Productivity Anxiety. Instagram.

Mom. Mommy. Mama. Ma. Ma.

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 23:20:00 GMT

Mom. Mom. Mom. Mommy. Mommy. Mommy. Mama. Mama. Mama. Ma. Ma. Ma.

- Stewie Griffin -

“I’m hungry” or “I’m bored”

Both Mr.T_indy and every kid on summer break, approximately every 10 minutes

Can we talk about the energy and clear mind needed to keep up with kids in the summer?? I had 4 kids then, all born within 4 years of each other (all adults now) and I remember just having to grind to keep up in the summers before I started TRT. Travel sports, camp, family vacations and just plain “schools out” levels of energy kids can muster. It's Exhausting.

As you get over age 30, hormone levels begin to change which can lead to a decrease in overall energy levels for most of us. This can lead to a decrease in stamina, motivation and vigor. Many of us who had our kids in our 20’s remember that a night of lost sleep wasn’t fun, but was very recoverable. When I hit my 30’s, my ability to recover and keep in gear seemed to wane. We can all blame it on work, stress, etc. but in all reality, even with an optimal work/life balance, great sleep schedule and proper nutrition, things still change. At age 39, I had enough. I went and was tested. My male ego took over, resulting in testing myself on 3 occasions to convince me to get started.

I recall my 40th birthday was shortly after I started TRT. I was with my kids, surfing, and rekindling my love of skateboarding. But what I recall most was I didn’t “feel” 40. I had been on TRT for about 3 months at that point and my energy level was probably better than it was in my 30’s and close to what it was in my 20’s.

Obviously, I’ve aged since then. No more surfing but there was a brief foray back into skateboarding in my 40s (There are pics, but don’t ask). And while the effects of aging as a whole cannot be completely avoided, I can tell you that I can keep up with grandkids and I still rarely just work a 40 hour week. It’s usually 50+, and I have the energy to workout regularly at 0500 and still get after it all day. My routine of naps every day off is gone and only happens rarely now.

Keeping your hormones in balance can provide that much needed stamina to make it through back to back game weekends and not drop when you hit home. It was an absolute game changer for me in keeping up with 4 very separate and active little schedules and still having time to take care of myself. As a man pushing 50, I can honestly say TRT is critical to my physical, emotional and mental health.

And You Get MenOpause, and You Get Peri-MenOpause, You Get Post-MenOpause!

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 20:42:00 GMT

Last week, @OprahDaily widely advertised “The Life You Want” a conversation on Menopause. As you might expect, I was ecstatic that this was occurring and it’s finally being discussed on a large platform. AND it was accurate scientific information. I was standing on my hormonal soap box, like normal, jumping for joy.

As a nurse and nursing professor, I pride myself in educating others. My husband and I started @VigorHealthandBeauty to increase access to hormone balancing care. Science strongly supports the benefits of hormone balancing and yet the issue lies in the fact that the majority of people and health care providers are under-educated on the topic, including me for a while.

One of the things that stood out to me the most in the information that Oprah herself was sharing was that she was misdiagnosed, and had to seek the care of FIVE different providers to get adequate care. If someone with that amount of resources has an issue with access, what do you think it is like for someone with minimal resources? All people deserve adequate access to care. That, in and of itself, is the soap box I firmly stand on, because I too was not given adequate care and I am a healthcare professional myself. It’s sad but true. I was prescribed antidepressant after antidepressant versus actually receiving the care which is well documented in the literature.

When I finally figured this out for myself with the help of my husband, I was highly pissed off. I now make it my mission to inform others, with the hope that they do not experience the same things that I did over and over.

I applaud @OprahDaily for the work they are doing to increase knowledge. I commonly discuss how women are marginalized in regard to their hormones, however the fact is that men and women alike have struggles with hormone balancing. @mr.T_Indy tends to remind me of that when I am on one of my rants. Hormones can be safely balanced and even optimized to increase quality of life and decrease negative symptoms. If you or someone you know is experiencing struggles with how they feel please reach out to us at Vigorhealthandbeauty@gmail.com.

Be Well,

Paul and Kristen Mattox

@Mr. T_Indy and @Mrs.T_Indy

Why Follow Up?

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 21:28:00 GMT

We get a lot of questions in regard to follow up including the when, how and why? At Vigor, we pride ourselves in maintaining adequate education along with adequate follow up with all of our patients. The follow up process is largely the responsibility of the patient, however we do send reminders of what is due via the Thryv portal.

All hormone balancing patients will need to complete a consultation every 3 months, the majority of the time this does include labs. At the end of your consultation, Paul will let you know when your next appointment is due and whether or not you will need labs. Additionally our office manager will notify you via the Thryv portal when your follow up is due and will also send you an updated lab order form. Also remember that you can schedule your lab follow ups on our website. The follow up panel is $80.00. All consultations are also scheduled on our website. If you have questions about scheduling please send any communication through the Thryv portal so that we can readily keep track of the correspondence.

The “why” behind follow up consults are for multiple reasons. If you are on testosterone replacement it is necessary to maintain adequate follow ups because it is a controlled substance and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) provides healthcare providers with policies that must be followed. Additionally, the needles and syringes that you are supplied with are also controlled substances. The second part of the “why” is for your health. We need to make sure your injections are actually working by checking your levels and symptoms. We also monitor to ensure that levels are not too high and that other levels are controlled.

We appreciate each of you and we hope to continue providing you with a high level of quality care from our health and wellness clinic.

Be Well,

Paul and Kristen Mattox

Just Lift Weights

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 21:35:00 GMT

Cardio is like day trading for quick profits. (Burns calories) Weight training is like investing for passive income.

-Someone on Instagram-

The Gym will always be here. Your woman may drop you like a bad habit, but the gym will still be here.

Bill Curly - Gym Rat. Family Friend

To piggyback on last week's blog, I mentioned I started lifting weights at 18 after joining the military. I had become “vegetarian” after basic because I thought it would keep my weight in check. Instead It made me weak and tired. I decided that exercise must be the way to go. I started with step aerobics (hey, I was 18, single and where do women congregate on an Air Force Base….. step aerobics) and was eventually led to the weight room as I referenced last week.

What I’ve come to realize over the years is that I was investing in longer term benefits than “being HUUUGE” or attracting women, I was making metabolically active tissue that uses calories to exist. 50 additional calories per pound of body weight AT REST. While 50 calories seems small, as a young man, 10-20 pounds of muscle over the years really adds up.

Being a gym rat still, and frequenting several gyms, plus being an “observer” by design, these young guys are doing it wrong. Not all of them, I see the clips that are posted on social media sometimes of just hard basic work, but it seems influencers are pushing for likes with the latest “program” or exercise that will work better.

The best way to make that long term investment is to start with the foundational exercises. The squat, deadlifts, rows, forms of bench press. Get f*#king good at these. Get strong at these. And do that for years when you start lifting. I see so many young guys with very little muscle doing set after set of isolation exercises with poor form for their entire workout. All the while, taking 5 minutes between sets to pose and snap pics. We are in a day and age where there is more information available on how to perform exercises correctly and how to put together an effective program than there has ever been in history. Way back when, we had Arnold's encyclopedia and magazines. We put together our routines and always used the basics.

We tend to complicate the shit out of everything. And some social media can make it so much worse. The 22 year old with superior genetics telling you how easy it is with his routine Is not your best resource. A house built on sand will not be sturdy but one built on solid ground will withstand time. Just like your physique. The hard work of the basics will carry you for the rest of your life. It’s not exciting. It’s not flashy. It’s hard work and sometimes not fun at all. But the rewards you will reap from building a strong basic foundation can be the difference between a “guy who works out” to “that guy is huge”. And the added metabolic advantages don’t hurt either.

Part of why we started Vigor was to get people healthy on the basic level. The hormones, the basic picture in lab work, the overall health. We repair the foundation, we use food and supplements that are foundational and we practice from the ground up, starting with the basics.

I realize I'm getting close to the “get off my lawn” stage of my life but I tell you what after 30+ years of working out, I’ve seen it all, and the most result producing work is… the basics.

Be Well,

Kristen and Paul Mattox

You Can’t Supplement Your Way Out of a Shitty Diet

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 22:26:00 GMT

According to Webster’s dictionary:

Supplement (noun) : something that completes or makes an addition

Supplement (verb): to add or serve as a supplement to

“You can't supplement your way out of a shitty diet”

@mr.t_indy to himself regularly and to patients on occasion.

If you’ve been around the game long enough, you’ve seen A LOT of supplements come and go, and not only supplements but also supplement companies. I started lifting weights late at age 18 after getting in the military, shipped off to Alaska and realizing “damn, there is nothing to do here”. A fatherly tech sergeant saw me and realized that restlessness, “don’t let me get bored” spirit in me and like a border collie, if I wasn’t exercised, I was gonna start some, or at the very least, get into some shit. He was close friends with my E4 roommate who was a short, stacked spark plug who could bury you in the weight room THEN run cardio. I still remember the first workout.. legs. They puked me. I was all at once horrified and hooked. A gym rat was born.

At that time, there was no real “internet”. We had intranet on base but no access to a World Wide Web so our info came from magazines and gym bros. And man, were they both full of it. Page after page of ads disguised as stories or articles geared to sell the next big supplement to ‘GET YOU HUUUUUUGE”. And as an 18 year old, first time away from home that had a new passion, I bought every damn bit of it. All in all, they proceeded to make my wallet much slimmer, and force my new roommate to be exposed to the GI distress of weight gainers at that time. Some garbage protein and a sink full of shit carbs (mostly lactose and sugar). Jorge, if you read this, I can't apologize enough. You put up with alot.

Even as an adult proceeding on my fitness journey in my 20s and 30s, the siren song of the latest supplement would still catch my attention and my cash frequently. Most of us go through a “muscle at any cost” phase when you just want to be BIG. Big and ripped was great, but big and fluffy was ok also. So we took whatever we heard would work. Boron, vandal sulfate, any and all protein powders, prohormones…. All of it. If I had all that cash back, that house in Florida would likely have my name on it already.

I got older, and I like to think a little smarter, and realized that they are called supplements because they supplement. They aren't the basics or even needed in all cases, they add to your already healthy diet and exercise plan. They don't replace it and they sure as hell don't negate the pizza and ice cream diet that I thought would add muscle.

As I became more educated on the matter, I was way more selective. I read labels. I spent a little more for good quality ingredients vs a list of a little of this and a little of that. I looked for reputable companies that I could depend on and spent my money there. And when I started my portion of Vigor, I knew that bringing in supplements for my patients would be something I’d want to do, and I knew exactly who I’d want.

It’s with great pleasure that we can announce that we now sell Muscle Feast proteins and creatine from our office. We’ve also teamed up with Simple Supplements to supply our patients with the best in multivitamins, berberine, liver/kidney support products and lipid support. As a longtime bodybuilder and fitness guy, I can safely say I have gone through all the rest and narrowed my supplement choices to these fine manufacturers. We use these in our household and I can vouch for their effectiveness.

Muscle Feast can be purchased directly from our office and simple supplements at this link.

This link will give you a discount when purchasing simple supplements. If you have questions or concerns please send us a message.

Be Well,

Paul and Kristen Mattox

Age Well with Biostimulators

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 23:47:00 GMT

Aging is an inevitable part of all lives yet, how each of us deal with this process is different. Many opinions revolve around anti-aging options and the science we have available to turn back the clock. As a nurse, I have spent most of my career helping patients who have experienced chronic disease and trauma. This has molded my opinion on aging and prevention of disease. Many believe that the field of aesthetics is all about vanity and not wanting to age., but my belief is that we should use our knowledge and science to help us age well so that we maintain a higher quality of life overall. I am a science nerd. Science is cool and watching scientific interventions work in myself and others in a beneficial way is the ultimate daily gift. Today, I will be sharing 3 of those cool interventions that we offer at Vigor. We offer these because they are evidenced based, they work, there is very little downtime and cost/risk is minimal when compared to surgery. The use of bio stimulation is preventive, corrective, and YES, it makes your skin look amazing. I call that smart, NOT vain.

Biostimulators are compounds that help to regenerate collagen and elastin production in aging skin and can have benefits lasting up to two years. Check out the before and after’s below to have a deeper understanding of their effects. Biostimulators can be used in conjunction with Hyaluronic acid fillers, and neurotoxins such as Jeuveau, Dysport, Xeomin and Botox to rejuvenate the skin. Biostimulation does require time to see the full benefits and does require multiple treatments depending on age.

1. Platelet Rich Plasma/Fibrin is a process where we draw your blood, spin it down to separate and we reinject into your face, using a cannula or hydra needle. We do use topical numbing to prevent most of the pain.

2. Radiesse is Calcium hydroxylapatite, or CaHA it is a dermal filler that is FDA approved to treat the lower face and hands. It can be used as a dermal filler and a biostimulator when hyper diluted.

Radiesse before and afters: https://radiesse.com/before-after/

3. Sculptra, which is poly-L-lactic acid, can be injected in various areas to improve collagen and elastin regeneration.

Sculptra before and afters: https://www.sculptrausa.com/before-after

The website for each product also offers further education.

Vigor and @mrs.T_Indy strives to provide nonsurgical options to rejuvenate and improve the appearance of your skin.

Schedule your free dermal filler consultation for a full assessment and treatment plan. At Vigor, we also offer convenient and low interest payment plans with Cherry.

Age Well,

Kristen Mattox

References

MERZ AESTHETICS (n.d.). Radiesse Injectables. https://radiesse.com/

Galderma (n.d.). Sculptra:Activate Skin Power. https://www.sculptrausa.com/

American Academy of Dermatology Association (n.d.). IS PLATELET-RICH PLASMA THE SECRET TO YOUNGER-LOOKING SKIN? https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/younger-looking/platelet-rich-plasma-secret-to-younger-skin.

Seth's Reflection

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 22:57:00 GMT

Last week, Paul wrote about feedback in our blogpost. He was referring to our bodies feedback loop relative to hormones and as well, our patients’ feedback. After one of our sponsored athlete’s, Seth Park read it, he volunteered to share his story. Paul and I are very grateful for each and every one of our patients and we appreciate Seth and his willingness to reflect on his personal story in our blog post this week.

I’m not sure where to start, I’ll do the simple part first. I met Paul through the gym. We passingly talked about training etc.. one day he mentioned Vigor and I decided to try it out.

Fast forward Paul has fixed my low testosterone issue, while helping with my insomnia at the same time. Fast forward few months later I get an unknown injury which caused atrophy in my anterior deltoid, bicep, and extensor. I started losing my grip, again Paul and Kristen were there. Offering recommendations, helping me cope, and most importantly keeping me from drowning in pessimism. 13 weeks later I was told by a neurologist no surgery or treatment would help.

I again turned to Paul and Kristen, we formulated a plan and started using Vigor’s healing peptide protocol, along with a t.e.n.s. unit to the atrophied body parts. I also got a second opinion from a neurosurgeon and 2 weeks later I exited surgery. Paul said “ listen I’ve seen this too many times you can come back from this!” I again pushed forward…. It’s been 6 weeks since I could train, and literally before I typed this sentence I flat dumbell pressed 100s for 5, and 6 weeks ago I couldn’t do 50 pounds. My atrophied arm was 17.2 inches right after surgery. The uninjured arm is 19.1 inches, a week ago today it was 18.3 inches. In 6 weeks, mind you still using the healing protocol and tens unit, and you guessed it Paul and Kristen’s moral support. You’d think this was the height of my gratitude with them, but you’d be wrong. Now the final leg of the journey for now lol.

2 months ago I decided to get my fertility hormones checked out, because I did 3 years earlier and was told I was sterile. The panels came back, and they were next to 0… Paul again says, I think we can make it happen. I didn’t believe it, but again one week ago today my levels were all in the normal range. It’s taken time more theirs then mine, persistence again more Paul’s than mine, and faith that is on me. Paul never lied to me or told me it would be a success, but and I quote “Seth I can’t help it, I’m just ridiculously optimistic.”

So here we are 6-8 months having met them and Vigor Health and Beauty saved me in more ways than one!! Oh I forgot one more thing, I started the PRP protocol for my hairline, so in a few months you’ll see the documented progress there as well!!! I’ll close this by saying not only is it a great clinic and they are great at their job.. they genuinely they care about each patient. I personally want to thank Kristen and Paul.

Seth Parks

Feedback

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 23:07:00 GMT

We’ve had some eye opening discussions this week thanks to some very bright and inquisitive patients. I always enjoy having patients who understand, or at least try to understand, exactly what they are putting in their bodies and the consequences of doing so. Today’s quote has a two fold meaning. We love patient feedback AND your body's amazing feedback mechanisms.

The endocrine system is a multi organ system that controls a huge number of processes in the body. Blood sugar, metabolism, heat regulation, fertility. The list goes on and on. What all these individual components of the system rely on is... any guesses?

FEEDBACK.

Imagine your body as the most complex computer ever created with an incredible programming set that simplified for the every day user. As with computers, some are intuitive, some are not user friendly and some are just not functioning well. Within our personal computers, there is a series of “if this, then this” programs spelled out with zeros and ones. Also, within our own bodies, there is a huge series of “If, Thens” as well.

Unlike a computer, we can’t control, alt, delete or just reboot and reset these systems. The feedback system isn’t exclusive to the hormone side of things, but I’m going to discuss hormones as thats a big part of what I do here. Within our endocrine system, the thyroid and the gonads (male testes and female ovaries) are the hormone big wigs I’ll cover today. Both of which are in my wheelhouse and pretty consistent across the board with all humans.

The thyroid, which I’ve discussed in previous blogs, is the master control of your metabolism and temperature control within the body. It will release the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 based on a signal (TSH) from the pituitary, who has received a signal(TRH) from the hypothalamus that has input from receptors throughout the body and brain. A giant feedback loop. When we treat suboptimal thyroid levels with exogenous (oral) T3, T4, or T3/T4, the input to the hypothalamus is changed. It “hears” that levels are adequate, therefore decreasing the signal to the pituitary and on and on. If this system is suboptimal and we treat it, the added oral thyroid treatment will not “jump start” the thyroid. It will only tell it to slow down as it’s being helped from the outside.

Similarly, the gonads will get the signal (GnRH) from the hypothalamus and send out FSH and LH to the male or female gonads prompting them to make testosterone (males) or estrogen and progesterone (females). Once we’ve treated these with exogenous (outside) testosterone or estrogen, the feedback loop is then interrupted and the signals in the brain slow down and in some cases stop altogether. Again, the added external hormone will not jumpstart any processes, and with continued treatment over long periods, it can give your brain the feedback that it doesn't need to make it anymore and the loop essentially closes. This is a natural process of aging that can happen with HRT/TRT as well.

I’ve simplified this and at a couple of places even lost myself. But here’s the gist…. We are selective in who we treat at Vigor with HRT/TRT. Your overall health, age and fertility will be at the top of my priority list. I’m going to look at your feedback loop. If I don't know the answer for you, you can damn well bet I’m going to obsess over it and get with those who trained me and get the answer.

There is so much misinformation we’re hearing regularly from those that are supposedly well versed in this. If you hear something and it doesn’t sound right… GET FEEDBACK. Ask us. Reach out and clarify. We won’t mince words or tell you anything that goes against the current evidence based medical models. Gym Bros, coaches and the guy in the gym who “used to look just like you but bigger” aren’t the most solid source of info always and sometimes just downright wrong. Get safe, ethical, health based hormone balancing.

Come see us at Vigor for a consult.

Be Well,

Paul and Kristen Mattox

Peptides

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 22:50:00 GMT

Peptides are widely used for a long list of beneficial therapies. We have created a small list of a few of the most popular peptides we have available.

1. BPC-157 injection: regeneration and to decrease inflammation

2. BPC-157 nasal spray: Neurocognitive inflammation/neurotransmitter support.

3. BPC 157 cream- wound/skin repair

4. CJC 1295/Ipamorelin injection: increase growth hormone/weight loss

5. CJC1295/Ipamorelin Troche: increase growth hormone/weight loss

6. DiHexa capsule or cream: neurocognition

7. Ipamorelin injection: increase growth hormone/weight loss

8. Melanotan injection: libidio, ED, tanning

9. SeMAX injection and nasal spray: focus

10. Sermorelin injection and nasal spray: Increase growth hormone

11. PT-141 injection, troche, nasal spray: libidio/sexual dysfunction

We’re engaged with several compound pharmacies supplying high quality peptides and the list will keep growing.

Don’t wonder if you’re getting quality products from sites on the internet, order from our list of pharmacies.

Be Well,

Paul and Kristen

Flexx Nutrition

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 23:54:00 GMT

As a former (and maybe future?) competitive bodybuilder, a former person who dealt with obesity multiple times in life and now as a grandfather and father wanting to hang around this planet for a while, I can attest to the absolute value of eating a healthy diet and staying within caloric parameters MOST of the time. Unless you’re in a contest prep scenario, 100 % strict dieting usually isn’t feasible

We try at the T household to maintain at least an 80/20 or 90/10 rule for clean healthy low fat meals with some room for occasional freer eating. For me it may be donuts or crumbl cookies (hand made by angels.. or devils). For Mrs. T, her go to is good old Mac and cheese. So we leave some room for that stuff on occasion. Gotta live a little sometimes.

For the longest time, we sequestered ourselves to good old chicken and rice. Day in and day out, 4+ meals a day, thousands of chickens sacrificed for my biceps. You can dress It up with sauces or spices but at the end of the day, it was still chicken and rice.

We’ve tried several meal prep places since we’ve been together and liked some, hated some. Always had us right back to old faithful, low fat meat and rice.

A few years back I saw a flyer for Flexx meals at Barkes gym in fishers.(RIP that badass place). I was in a prep so I salivated over the pics on the website, but had to wait.

Until prep was over.

We began using them shortly after and we not only became huge fans of the meals and convenience, but of Edgar the owner. He embodies what we believe in at Vigor… hard work, giving people value and great pricing for services and treating people well. He is an active part of the community and can be seen out and about promoting Flexx or just working out. After talking to him (mostly over social media at first) I knew that some day I wanted to be able to not only promote his business but somehow be a “part” of it. He is the real deal and I wanted to align my business with his.

Flexx is local and made fresh each week. I’ve found myself eating things from there I wouldn’t traditionally eat and loving it. I can honestly and safely say I have not had one thing from their meals that I didn’t like. Thats rare for me and even more rare for Mrs. T.

We are so excited, so honored, so grateful, so…. just damn happy to be the new Southside pick up location for Flexx Meal Prep. Pickup hours will be every Sunday from 1pm to 5pm! PLEASE give Flexx a follow, then go to the website. www.flexxmealprep.com and just try a few. Use code VIGOR for an additional discount. Just give them a try and you’ll be hooked. Even as a meal to break the monotony of chicken and rice, it can’t be beat. As I tee up for some summer events that will require a swim suit, Flexx will be my mainstay of solid food.

Just try it. Even just a few. I promise you that you won’t be disappointed and will thank us later.

Eat Well,

Paul and Kristen

Pain Relief Without Medication

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 23:35:00 GMT

If you train long enough, injuries are inevitable. You can use perfect form, never ego lift, be laser focused for each set and still you’ll have some form of joint pain due to overuse. Visit the waiting room of any sports medicine orthopedic office and you’ll see what I mean. While most of us do not hit all three of the above markers for every workout for years on end, we will be injured. I’m in my 31st year of lifting weights and all I have left that hasn’t exhibited some form of pain are my fingers and toes.

@Mrs.T_Indy has spent many years running long distance, in fact her pain in her shoulder and back in 2016 lead us on a search for a person who was trained in Active Release Technique (ART). Luckily we found, Dr. Brian Watters DC, LAc, MS, CSCS. He is the Co-Owner of Indy Muscle and Joint.

She was having significant amounts of pain, muscle spasms and so on. Dr. Watters used a multitude of his techniques, for example active release, dry needling, scraping etc., to relieve her pain without the use of narcotics or other medications. The therapy she received enabled her to run her first full marathon and continue running other mini marathons. We both see him for any pain that we experience due to natural aging or because of our high level of fitness activity. Dr. Watters has helped us both significantly but in particular he has helped keep my wife free of pain and for that we are grateful. If you experience pain he is THE person to go see. www.indymuscle.com.

Along with 30+ years of lifting, this is my 20th year of being a Physician Assistant. In that 2 decades, almost 75% was spent in the arena of orthopedics. Surgical sports medicine out of the gate, 7+ years in orthopedic trauma (where I learned more about ortho than any book could teach, as well as quite a bit about people), and over 3 years in total joint replacement.

I’ve experienced much of the pain that is associated with lifting heavy for a long time and as part of natural aging process. I have been a part of healing it as well.

My career has been centered around what’s called “mainstream” medicine. I went in to this because I loved the science and wanted to be a part of what makes people better.

I am blessed/cursed with an overly curious mind. I’ve always wondered if there are alternative ways of doing things. We all own this big machine called a body and while they all function under the same basic operating system, each one is unique and very different.

I have had opportunities that involve tapping in to what the body already has flowing around in it and using them for more specific purposes. We all ore LOADED with cells who’s entire job is to heal. Remember that cut you had when you were a teen that now is only a faint scar? The broken wrist from a vending machine falling on you? (No? Just me with that dumbass story?) they did heal. And they healed using my body’s own natural abilities.

We’ve made some posts about PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) in the past. PRP is taken from a simple blood draw that is spun in a centrifuge at a specific RPM ad time to produce a huge amount platelets in a small amount of plasma. And now as we fully ramp up our prp capabilities, lm going to give you more insight in to what I call a miracle treatment for some people with joint pain.

Typical presentations of joint pain for active patients are tendonitis/tendonopathy of the rotator cuff , AC joint pain/arthropathy, proximal bicep tendonitis/tendonopathy and pain of the glenohumeral joint secondary to labrum tears/fraying/degeneration. Thats a lot of big words that all mean SHOULDER PAIN. I personally have had my shoulder injected with near 100% relief and have treated shoulders only second in number to knees. I’ve treated both skeptics and believers with great success in pain relief and return to sport.

PRP is used regularly and successfully to treat knee pain due to degeneration, overuse, ligament strain/sprain and just plain getting older. Again, I have used PRP on my knee that was scoped in 2018. After which, with the prp treatment, I competed in a bodybuilding contest for the first time in 20 years. The surgeons words were “if you’re in a house fire, ride your bike out, don’t run…. Your knee sucks”. 18 months later I proved him wrong.

I’ve personally applied successful treatment to tennis and golfers elbow, wrist pain due to degeneration, ankle pain due to overuse, Mrs. T’s toe and multiple patients with pain in fingers due to Rheumatoid arthritis or due to years of fine motor movement at a job.

PRP has been shown to be as, and in multiple studies more, effective than steroid injection plus there is no risk of degenerating healthy tissue with repeated PRP injections like there is with repeated steroid injections. There is no systemic reaction to PRP that is commonly seen with steroid joint injections, it is safe for diabetics and steroid sensitive patients (Elksniņš-Finogejevs, et. al., 2020).

The only application we don’t have (yet) is for the spine, but only because that requires X-ray to inject. But if you have painful SI joints in the lower back… guess what? It works for that too.

In summary, PRP is a safe, lower cost, less risky, lower downtime and EFFECTIVE alternative to steroid injection and, in some cases, surgery for painful joints. Oh and don’t forget its facial and hair regrowth applications.

Make an appointment with me for an evaluation of what ails you. Joint pain doesn’t have to be a long term issue or even keep you out of training for long. I can make it much less painful and hopefully a distant memory.

Be Well,

Paul and Kristen

Reference:
Elksniņš-Finogejevs, A., Vidal, L. & Peredistijs, A. Intra-articular platelet-rich plasma vs corticosteroids in the treatment of moderate knee osteoarthritis: a single-center prospective randomized controlled study with a 1-year follow up. J Orthop Surg Res 15, 257 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-020-01753-z

What is Semaglutide (Ozempic)?

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 23:46:00 GMT

Semaglutide (Ozempic) is a GLP-1 (glucagon-like-peptide-1) receptor agonist. The brand name for semaglutdie is Ozempic. It has emerged as a life-changing option for overweight or obese people who are committed to shedding a significant amount of weight. It’s been shown to even help those that have other significant underlying health issues (cardiac). semaglutide is not a miracle cure or a gimmicky “fat-burning” supplement. It is a long-acting prescription medicine designed to be used over an extended period of several months or more. In order for it to be effective you will need to make healthier choices when it comes to eating. This medication is currently listed on the FDA shortage list so compounding pharmacies are by law able to make and sell this medication. Additionally, Semaglutide(Ozempic) does have a $25 coupon which some insurances are accepting. Please note that when Semaglutide (Ozempic) comes off the shortage list the compounding pharmacies will no longer be allowed to make the medication (Compounding Pharmacy, 2022).

Semaglutide is in a class of medications called glucagon- like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists. GLP-1 agonists work by stimulating your pancreas to increase insulin. This additional insulin causes the stomach to empty over a longer period of time. The idea of the stomach processing food more slowly can seem counterintuitive to patients who have turned to stimulant-based diet pills in the past. However, this slow and consistent digestion is merely an early step in the chain reaction that makes S emaglutide such an effective weight loss drug(Compounding Pharmacy, 2022).

When your stomach takes more time to empty itself of food, it sends signals of “fullness” to the brain. This signal is sent throughout a larger portion of your day, even if you’re eating less food than usual. The end result of this process is a powerful appetite suppression effect based on the patient’s own natural insulin production. This means patients can benefit from medically assisted weight loss without any need for invasive surgeries or harsh stimulants(Compounding Pharmacy, 2022).

A semaglutide regimen will also lead to healthier blood sugar levels, which can help you feel more energetic throughout your day. Stabilized and controlled blood sugar levels can also help improve other areas of your overall health. Even if you aren’t at risk for diabetes, this effect can contribute to a general sense of well-being, which is a crucial component in any weight loss journey(Compounding Pharmacy, 2022).

At Vigor, we have been using this medication as part of our hormone balancing protocol and it has helped many lose significant amounts of weight and enabled them to regain higher levels of activity and an improved self-esteem.

I personally have been taking this medication for 1 year and I have lost 10% of my body fat. I wore a CGM for two weeks to see the effects of the medication and the highest my blood sugar got at any point was 151. Paul is currently using it for appetite control. If you have any questions or are interested in our pricing for this medication please feel free to email us at vigorhealthandbeauty@gmail.com

Common Side Effects:

Loss of appetite (i.e., constant feelings of fullness that go beyond the desired results)

Light-headed or dizzy sensations

Persistent lethargic feeling

Gastrointestinal discomfort

Diarrhea

Nausea

Constipation

Be Well,

Paul and Kristen

Reference: Compounding Pharmacy of America, n.d. https:// compoundingrxusa.com/blog/semaglutide-weight-loss-drug/

NEW: Healthy Prep Consult with Tailored Lab Services

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 22:03:00 GMT

We take pride at Vigor in being able to not only provide a local, family owned office that’s is integrated in the community, but also in being able to provide much needed health care and services at a cost that doesn’t price anyone out of getting the help they need.

One of the services we’ve recently begun offering is lab draws. We offer affordable (maybe the MOST affordable?) pricing for lab services. We can create an order tailored to meet your specific health needs and budget. Our lab results are back in 2 days. Paul has weekly openings to discuss your results. We can get you on track to meet your goals quickly. If you are implementing significant changes in your diet and supplements it is beneficial to have lab data to inform decisions.

With summer and contest season approaching, we can offer a consult to all athletes getting ready for prep to ensure you’re starting out in your healthiest status. And while our lab draws are done in our Greenwood office, your lab consult can be done virtually to save time and money.

For those of you who may not be close to the office in Greenwood, reach out to us today! We offer lab work through a part of our mobile services as well and can arrange a mobile appointment for you if needed.

Email us at vigorhealthandbeauty@gmail.com for your individual quote.

Be Well,

Paul and Kristen

Facial PRP or PRF with Integrity Hydra Needle

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 00:06:00 GMT

What is the difference between PRP and PRF?

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is spun at a higher speed and does use an anticoagulant.

Platelet rich fibrin (PRF) is spun at slower speeds and does not use an anticoagulant. PRF does include a higher percentage of platelets when compared to PRP.

Indications for each treatment are similar. They both will help with wrinkles, acne scarring, pigment issues. PRF is indicated more so for deeper wrinkles, volume loss from aging, and helps to create volume.

Treatment

The treatment requires no downtime and will take about 30 minutes to complete from start to finish. We apply numbing cream to your face, draw your blood, spin it and then inject using the hydra needle. Your face will be a little reddened after but will subside quickly. The next day you will be able to go to work and continue activities as normal. A variety of serums can be used with this treatment including PRP. PRF, Amniotic Fluid Allograft (AmDropTM), Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, Peptides etc.

@mr.T_Indy let me use the hydra needle on him, and this is what the immediate after looked like and it quickly resolved. No peeling or extended redness after like with some other treatments.

The Integrity Hydra Needle is an effective micro needling/micro channeling device used to inject a variety of serums into the skin. This micro needling device contains 20 gold tip needles to produce optimal delivery into the skin. Each needle creates a hole the same thickness as a hair. ( Integrityprp.com ).

Benefits of Treatment

Deeply hydrates and oxygenates dermis and epidermis
Brings instant relief by reducing skin trauma post-sun exposure
Reduces discomfort of over dried skin (roughness, itching)
Restores the mineral and ionic balance of the skin
Improves skin hydration from the inside out
Activates skin's self-healing mechanisms against UV, pollutions and allergies (supports immune system of the skin)
Reduces deep wrinkles and symptoms of photo-aging and sagging
Rejuvenates the skin and improves its complexion
Restores skin firming and elasticity
Give instant and long-lasting effects!

( Integgrityprp.com ).

You can book this treatment along with our other services on the website.

Be Well,

Paul and Kristen

Protocol Compliance

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 23:48:00 GMT

Eat Well Live Well Be Well

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 22:31:00 GMT

As the year comes to an end, many people tend to start planning their New Year’s resolution. As avid gym goers to multiple gyms across the city, we know what this means…THE GYM WILL BE PACKED as many people chose weight loss as a goal.

I personally have not chosen a resolution yet. Last year, my goal was to do a pull-up. Now I can do 3-4, but it did take me most of the year to accomplish that. @mr.t_indy tends to not make a resolution per se but he is goal oriented year round. We do help to keep each other in check the majority of the time, however that’s not to say we don’t indulge our weaknesses (read donuts) from time to time.

At Vigor, we work with our patients to help create hormone balance which in many cases does lead to weight loss. Collectively over the last 6 months a small group of our patients have lost over 200 pounds. We applaud them for their efforts, hard-work and desire to feel better. We do provide guidance, but we do not do medical weight loss. We do not prescribe amphetamines or encourage starvation.

What we do is encourage everyone to do three things… eat well, live well, be well.

As you reflect on the previous year and plan for the upcoming, think about small things you can do to improve your health. For example, drink more water, eat less refined sugars, eliminate artificial sweeteners, and complete annual screenings just to name a few. Attempting to change a number tends to offer a short term solution for a life time issue. You only get one body. Take care of it, nurture it, and prioritize it every day, not just January through March.

Happy Holidays,

Paul and Kristen

Thank you to @hootiehouseandco for our handmade signs, a daily reminder to practice our self-care!

Plasma Rich Plasma/Fibrin Injections (PRP) Now Available @ Vigor

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 17:54:00 GMT

As we roll in to the new year, many of us intend to “get back in shape” or BACK in shape. A very common New Years resolution is "lose so many pounds" or "take more steps per day" or even "join a gym and start working out". So as we start to get blasted with the “New Year, New You” saying, I want to discuss the common roadblock for many of us gym vets and some of you older newbies too.

JOINT PAIN

If you’ve been on the planet long enough, its very likely something hurts. That creaky left knee, an old sports injured shoulder, or a bum hip. I've heard, seen, and experienced all and none if it is fun. More than that, joint pain can be a huge hinderance to increasing your activity and getting back in shape. Mrs. T has seen me hobble around enough times to be able to tell you, I’ve been there. I’ve got a right knee that was injured 25 years ago delivering appliances. There’s the right shoulder that's been an off and on pain since I was ego lifting in my 20s and went too heavy on an overhead press. Then there is the hip that lets me know it's there when I get too heavy on squats. Its painful, it’s exhausting, and it just plain sucks.

2023 makes my 20th year as a PA. I've had the opportunity to work in several areas of medicine. This career has allowed me to see and learn so much as well as find out what gets my juices flowing. Wellness and orthopedics have always had a special place in my heart. They’ve always just “clicked” for me. I commonly say it’s like the way a mechanic looks at an engine and it just makes sense. These areas have just always made sense to me and kept me interested and excited.

That's why I’m very excited to announce Vigor Health and Beauty has started to do PRP (platelet rich plasma) injections for joint pain… and hair restoration!

Before Vigor became a thing, we were sitting at District Tap brainstorming what we wanted to do. It took a few pages of lists to nail the name, but the very next item on my list was PRP. I’ve had it repeatedly for my knee and hip and know first hand how powerful of a pain reliever it can be. It is the reason I am able to still go to the gym and lift like I do. I wanted to be able to share it with my patients as a means to maintain their lifestyle without joint pain slowing them down.

PRP has been studied clinically against steroid injection and wins out nearly 100% of the time in regards to pain relief and length of relief. Plus, being your own platelets taken from a simple blood draw, the possibility of having any allergy to the injection is nil… ITS YOUR OWN STUFF!

PRP has shown significant effect for certain patterns of hair loss as well. Same blood draw, same injections, just done in the scalp to encourage reactivating of follicles and new growth. While many of you may be looking at me, the bald guy, and asking how I can make these claims, I was lucky enough to get the genes to have a balding pattern not amenable to PRP. So while my hairline was winning battles, I grabbed my razor and won the war. Bald by choice is a thing.

So make an appointment for a free consultation for joint pain and/or hair restoration. I’m walking proof that PRP offers significant pain relief in joints. I have a stack of success stories to back me up. It's as close to magic as you can get for pain, and it's all from your body’s own innate healing properties.

Be Well,

Paul and Kristen Mattox

There are many studies and references in regard to PRP. Below are a few if you would like to review. If you have a particular question or interest please email us at vigorhealthandbeauty@gmail.com

References:

Khurana A, Dhankhar V, Goel N, Gupta R, Goyal A. Comparison of midterm results of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) versus Steroid for plantar fasciitis: A randomized control trial of 118 patients. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2020 Sep 6;13:9-14. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2020.09.002. Erratum in: J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2021 Oct;21:101559. PMID: 33717869; PMCID: PMC7920137.

Migliorini F, Driessen A, Quack V, Sippel N, Cooper B, Mansy YE, Tingart M, Eschweiler J. Comparison between intra-articular infiltrations of placebo, steroids, hyaluronic and PRP for knee osteoarthritis: a Bayesian network meta-analysis. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2021 Sep;141(9):1473-1490. doi: 10.1007/s00402-020-03551-y. Epub 2020 Jul 28. PMID: 32725315.

Exciting Updates

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 23:04:00 GMT

To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” -Albert Einstein .

At Vigor, we are continuously working with our patients to improve their hormone balance and overall health. In order to keep up with our continued growth, we have moved office locations! Our new office is located at 2020 South State Road 135, Suite 110. We are on the lower level and our signage is not up yet. It is a large 3 story brick building right before you get to the golf course. On the outside of the building you can see a large sign that says Otolaryngology Associates. You can also enter "Vigor Health and Beauty" into apple maps or google maps. We look forward to seeing you at our new location!

Next we have two new service additions that we will be offering. Starting December 12, we will be offering Joint and Scalp PRP (platelet rich plasma). Next Monday’s blog will be dedicated to discussing this exciting new addition. What you will find even more exciting will be the cost! More to come, stay tuned!

Last, but definitely not least we are now an official Alastin Skin Care practice. This will enable our patients to purchase the many great medical grade Alastin products online through our exclusive link: www.alastin.com/VigorHealthandBeauty

You will receive free shipping and your orders will arrive to your home in just 2 days! We will begin sharing education about the products on our social media accounts. The three products that I recommend to start are the gentle cleanser, ultra nourishing moisturizer, and the hydratint pro mineral sunscreen SPF 36 (I use this as foundation). These three products alone can make amazing changes in your skin. Alastin products are backed by research and are proven to work!

*Widgerow AD, Fabi SG, Palestine RF, et al. Extracellular matrix modulation: optimizing skin care and rejuvenation procedures. J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(4) (suppl):s63-s71.

Be Well,

Paul and Kristen

TL;DR- The Holidays and Weight Gain

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 21:50:00 GMT

5 Ways to Combat Holiday Weight Gain

“There are no bad foods, there are only bad amounts of foods.”

Me- Paul Mattox

The TL;DR ("Too Long; Didn't Read" ) is this. It’s okay to have some good food during the holiday season. If you practice self control and use moderation, the amount of fat gain can be minimal. Enjoy events, be with family, eat some snickerdoodles (but not mine, you could lose a hand) bur don’t let it become your “normal” way of eating. Among all the celebration, remember to be grateful for your health and in doing so, take care of it.

We don’t live in a society of moderation any more. We live in abundance and its very obvious when you’re out in public if you look around. So many of us self medicate with food and while it may make you feel better in that moment, long term food abuse is as detrimental as drugs or alcohol…the effects just are more slow to materialize.

Now for those of you who want to keep reading...

“The holidays”… A common phrase to describe the days leading up to Thanksgiving, Christmas, for some of us New Years too. It’s a time to celebrate, to honor your traditions, to reflect on the past year, and maybe plan for the year ahead. For many people, it’s also a time for significant stress. Not only due to finances, family, less than happy memories associated with the season, but also about eating in regards to personal goals. Questions we frequently get at Vigor are in relation to eating during the holidays. So, let’s get in to some fact based discussion and maybe a little emotional talk as well.

I posted on my Instagram story recently about the effects of overeating as a single event and as a repeated event. To paraphrase and shorten, over-eating, even to a significant degree, as a single event led to a maximum fat gain of 0.2 pounds (An energy equivalent of 700 calories). When seen as a repeated event, (not chronic mind you, but repeated as in the way I ate from Thursday at noon until last night until we went to Costco. I am usually pretty strong but the pizza got me Saturday. Chronic would be me saying “I guess this is me now” and doing it months on end) the amount of weight gained was 0.2 pounds per day. The study was repeated and, like most things in medicine, repeated and reviewed and then repeated again to the same conclusion, approximately 0.2 pounds of fat gain per day.

So how does that square with a society quickly approaching a population obesity rate of 50%?

As I personally have done in the past, and I’m sure some folks reading this have done as well, I didn’t limit myself to those few days. I realized the ease of left-overs, I got busy with the season, and ate what was available instead of prepping my food and being ready and lastly, because dammit, some of this stuff is addicting and delicious. Have you tried pumpkin cheesecake ice cream? Peppermint bark? My God… how about my sisters snickerdoodles?

(@beastmom6 makes extra for me and no I won’t share. Hell, she even made a special summer batch after my last bodybuilding show at my request. They’re that good).

So lets do the math. Holidays, parties, kids events, work holiday events. That is what a lot of this timeframe is filled with. All are usually “food centered” events. Plus, there’s likely some alcohol involved. So, 0.2 pounds x 30 days. 6 pounds of fat gained over that time frame with very consistent overeating. “But the scale says I gained 20 pounds!!!” Yes, It likely does. When you factor in the increased sodium intake and the increased carb intake, both of which are great carriers of water, the scale can jump alarmingly fast. Is it all body fat? Not at all. Does it look/feel good? Also, not at all.

So how do we minimize the actual body fat gain that can be associated with this time of year and stick to our goals?

The answer = MODERATION

1. Unless you have an event with a firm date that your preparing for (wedding, reunion, etc), its okay to allow yourself some good stuff on holidays or at parties. We are a food-centric society. It is at any event in some form (don’t get me started on the nurses stations at work. It’s a food-a-thon from now until January 2nd) and part of our social structure. So try some things! @Mrs.T_Indy sticks to the “spoonful rule”, enough to taste it and enjoy it, but not fill up on it. If you do have an event, maybe pack in your lean protein, eat it first, and if you’re tempted, have a bite or two. But cover the protein base first.

2. Also, if you do have a hard date pending, make a plan! Have a food plan for the day of and the days surrounding the event. Pull back on some calories for a few days before and after. Plan a tough workout the day of (I alway say “give the cake somewhere to go”).

3. RELAX. Many of these events are supposed to be enjoyable. Its time with family we don't get to see as much as we’d like. Time with coworkers outside of the work environment. Time thats meant to be in celebration. So approach it as such. The stress of being overly strict can really take away from a memorable day.

4. Try to prepare your mind to the idea of the event itself being the enjoyable part, and the food isn’t key to that joy. It would help us as an unhealthy society to deemphasize food enjoyment. We’re inundated with commercials, smells, and utterly embarrassing convenience of food when compared to other cultures. We obsess about it, we fetishize it, hell, we almost humanize it. If you went to that family event and they had vegetable trays and water, would it ruin the event for you? If so, try to re-prioritize all of it. Not “I went to eat and my family was there.”

5. Lastly, have checks in place that ensure returning to your original food plan after events. Don’t bring home leftovers from the event. If you’re making a dish to take, buy and use only the amount you need to make it, take the dish in a disposable pan that you won’t miss and leave it there. Even throw the extra ingredients in a bag (sealed, take to a food bank or shelter. Opened, toss it or give it to friends or family) and get rid of it. Eat slowly while there and listen to your body about fullness.

Be Well,

Paul & Kristen Mattox

A Message of Thanks & Deals with Cherry

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 21:08:00 GMT

Before I go into today’s blog on Black Friday deals, I want to take a moment on behalf of Paul and myself to just say thanks to all of our patients. Thank you for instilling your trust in us, for referring people, and for sharing kind words. We are beyond blessed to know each and everyone of you! At the end of the day you do just as much for us and we thank you! Vigor has grown and continues to grow and we owe much of that to you. In a few weeks we will be moving into our new office space and that will enable us to provide even more services for you!

60 units-$600 (up to 2 treatments)

90 units- $900 (up to 3 treatments)

120 units- $ 1200 (up to 4 treatments)

A year of hormone balancing with labs! $1200 includes 5 consults and 4 lab draws.

Visit vigorhealthandbeauty.com to schedule any of these specials. If you would like to buy in the form of a gift certificate please email us at vigorhealthandbeauty@gmail.com

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Be Well,

Paul and Kristen Mattox

You Are What You Eat

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 22:54:00 GMT

Everywhere we go, and I mean everywhere…People stop us and ask Paul one of, or all three of the following questions:

1. What is your workout routine?

2. Where do you workout ?

3. What do you eat?

He also commonly gets called Hulk(which is his childhood nickname), big man, a variety of wrestler names, the rock etc. I think you get my point.

The answer to the above three questions is not always a simple one. We tend to want to achieve instant results and anyone who has worked out for many years understands that it is a marathon not a sprint. Additionally, you can’t just implement good habits for a short amount of time. Gaining lean muscle mass and keeping it requires consistent effort, discipline and hard work over an extended period of time.

So for all of those hundreds of people who have asked him this, today we are going to provide you with the answers.

#1 Where do you workout: ALL gyms everywhere. When Paul knows we are going to visit a new city, the first thing he does is look up gyms, and no I am not kidding. The last trip we took, I refused to go to any gym. He may have been a little heartbroken over that but we survived a whole 5 days with no gym and walking as exercise.

#2. What is your workout routine? While on our recent trip someone asked, and yes they were being serious, “Are you so built due to hanging leg raises?” I do not recall his answer, but I have never seen Paul do a hanging leg raise. I do them sometimes, but he does not. Paul researches in depth the exercises and techniques we use, he’s the trainer, A la CT Fletcher, he is always holding up his index finger telling me ONE MORE, (I do add in some of my own favorite exercises) for the most part I just follow his plan. I owe him a great deal for the positive influence he has had on my body composition because I generally just roll up outta bed and go. Currently we work out 5-6 days a week. Legs x 2 days, back, arms, chest and shoulders.

#3. What do you eat? We eat the same things everyday. We do occasionally eat whatever we want, but the vast majority of the time following the 80/20 rule we eat clean, whole foods, low fat, high protein and moderate carb. Fluctuations based on changes we want to make in our body are done so by adding or subtracting carbs. We are what we eat so therefore we would be one of the following foods:

1. Whey protein isolate (do not buy or use whey concentrate, too many GI issues).

2. Chicken breast

3. Lean sirloin beef

4. Ground Turkey

5. Fish

6. Rice (So much rice.. also cream of rice)

7. Potatoes

8. Vegetables

9. Egg whites occasionally an egg yolk.

10. Oikos PRO greek yogurt

11. Bagels-pre/post workout only

If you are finding it hard to make changes, or to learn an exercise routine, there are many free resources that you can use to start. We recommend tracking and measuring everything you eat. One of the biggest mistakes we’ve seen made is underestimating amount of food that you have eaten so a food scale is critical for this step. Also, My fitness pal is free and allows you to see where your macros are after every food entered. This can help you see what you need more of, and what you most likely need less of. A good starting point is increasing protein intake to a minimum of 1 gram per pound of bodyweight whether bulking or cutting. From here, you have to decide what works best for you. We’ve tried multiple macro variations and ultimately landed on a high protein, moderate to high carb and very low fat diet that suits our needs best.

So if “you are what you eat”… do you want to look and feel like McDonald’s? What you put in your body will determine the output (think energy) and how you look. So opt for whole unprocessed Foods, made in your kitchen with ingredients you can pronounce and without added fat and/or sugar for taste.

Like I always have told my patients interested in a change in their body, this is incredibly easy…. On paper. The day to day grind of prepping food, exercising, avoiding all the great tasting food that is literally at every store you go in (even clothing stores seem to have full counters of edible crap) are the hard things. In the end, the body you want, the energy you need and the life you crave is on the other side of the day to day choices you make.

Be Well,

Paul and Kristen Mattox

Veterans Day

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 00:06:00 GMT

As we move closer to Veterans Day, it makes us at Vigor reflect on what the word “service” means. Websters dictionary defines it as “a helpful act” among other things. But like many words, it has a different definition for each of us.

Veterans served our country. They signed the line and agreed to serve even at the expense of their own lives. The service included not only fighting, but being called up to help in natural disasters and emergencies as well.

While Veterans Day is reserved to honor those who have served, the spirit of serving should be year round. One of the big reasons we started Vigor was to serve those that may not be able to afford our services through traditional routes. Healthcare is expensive. I’m part of it and I can admit that. We strive to meet our patients needs and make our service affordable to all.

Feeling better about yourself doesn’t need to be cost prohibitive. Both Mrs. T and I feel part of our calling is to treat our patients from our collective fund of knowledge and make it accessible to all. We never went in to this to get rich. Most of our satisfaction is derived from seeing our patients becoming the best version of themselves.

As a veteran, an aging one at that, I can attest to the power of “feeling” good on a day to day basis. My regimen is the same that I prescribe for my patients and it’s kept me feeling better than I did in my 30’s. The lack of chronic fatigue, easy weight gain and poor sleep are what I aspire to share with my patients and to fight back at the aging process and maintain my heath,

So as we embrace this spirit of service, let us share it with you.

From now through the entire month of November, veterans will have their initial consult with me for only $50.

Limited appointments available this month. Check out vigorhealthandbeauty.com and schedule your consultation today.

It will be our pleasure to serve you and get you on a path to wellness.

Be Well,

Paul Mattox

Refuse to Age Gracefully, Age with Vigor

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 23:20:00 GMT

A few months back, I shared (or spilled my guts about) some personal changes that had occurred. The immediate effect was so great and the mind shift I experienced, for me, was once in a lifetime. My fear at that time, and the thing I have fought like hell to prevent, was to return to previous thought processes and habits. I knew that a return to that old me could be a disaster not only for me but for my family as well.

A larger impetus for some changes was turning 49. For reasons I can’t explain, it really fucked with my head. Its not a milestone birthday. There isn’t any magic associated with the date or deadline that I have. It just really bothered the shit out of me. There were some extraneous circumstances as well. Both my boys left for school to IU Bloomington, my youngest two had graduated high school and my oldest is expecting. At that time, all those indications of me getting older felt like the harbinger of death from old age was lurking and in hot pursuit. All of these things are normal life occurrences for most families but for some reason it was just killing me inside.

So we took our trip and I had my experiences that I documented in the previous blog post. Upon our return, I knew sitting back and just passively riding the wave would end the way it started for me, a downward spiral.

So what do (did) I do?

Number one, I got pissed. Pissed at myself for letting so much time pass without really taking care of me. Pissed at aging. Pissed at my own thinking.

I had not done any cardiovascular exercise since contest prep in early 2021. I knew the physical and mental health benefits associated with it but for some reason, I was lazy. Plus, by and large, cardio is boring as hell. But I was more pissed than I was concerned about any of that. So I got on it. Cardio at least 6 days a week anywhere from 30-60 minutes. Hell or high water, sleep deprived or just no time, I fit it in. Almost always first thing in the am.

Number two…. I set a goal. A rock solid, “time stops for no man” goal. We had gotten back from that trip and almost immediately planned a return trip approximately 11 weeks from then. A little background about me, I have LONG STANDING body dysmorphia stemming from some ugly childhood shit. It’s to the extent that I can count on both hands the number of times I’ve even worn a tank top to the gym. Ive been as low as <5% body fat and still wouldn’t walk around shirtless in my own home. So my goal was to go on this trip in the best physical shape of my life, but this time to also include cardiovascular and metabolic health.

Third, I made a plan. I’m no prep coach. Hell, I have no formal education in dietary areas. I’m a medical provider. We aren’t taught shit about healthy eating or metabolic health in school, Let alone healthy sustainable weight loss and management. I had a prep coach for the show I did in 2020 and for the aborted prep in 2021. But I didn’t want to pay for this “experiment” and dammit, I’m smart enough to do some of this stuff myself. And for shit’s sake, my wife and I own a clinic specializing in hormones and metabolic health.

So I decided to create a supplement plan and diet based on my own knowledge, using only peptides and supplements available through my clinic to all patients and using the TRT I had been in since 2012. I also dove in to some research on diet and exercise to make sure I gave myself all of the latest available information to reach my goal. I asked guys who were successful, like Seth Parks (National level bodybuilder) and IFBB Pro (and just damned nice guy plus great chiropractor) Brain Watters, for input. Plus I made sure i had the moral support by including some close friends on my plan (AJ Shaffer… I’m looking at you) to keep me accountable and in a good mindset. Plus, having Mrs. T on board and in my corner was invaluable. I culled all of this and made my plan.

So what is this goal I set for myself? Its kind of vague but I refused to go back to the beach and look my age. I will not go and be the fat 49 year old father and grandfather. I won’t go and have the typical “dad bod” that has been popularized lately. I want to be in better shape than the 20 and 30 year olds who will inevitably be there. I want to defy what the “typical” near 50 year old is “supposed” to look like. But on top of all that cosmetic stuff, I don’t want to feel almost 50.

My wife will tell you, having my picture taken is my version of hell. I’ve hated it since the days of going to the sears or Penney’s photo studio as a child (don’t ask, those pics are hidden away and will not see the light of day unless I’m dead and gone). I have officially taken one picture in my adult life that I like and that’s the pic used on my instagram profile and it was professionally taken a long while back.

So attached to this blog post are the “after” pics. 11-ish weeks of my own diet, my own supplementation, my own plan and all from my own clinic. No coach. Nothing but me, my brain, a scale and a mirror. I started out at a weight of 265 and well over 12% body fat. I didn’t take formal “pre” pics as this kind of evolved after I got back and by the time I decided to formalize it, it was too late for an honest pre pic. So you’ll have to trust that I had some love handles, maybe two top abs and a very soft appearance. Large and muscular yes, but very sloppy in my opinion. Through the process I dropped approx 20 pounds and body fat got to the low 7% ish range. I wanted 6’s but I wasn’t as strict as a real contest prep.

I also want to clarify, this is not an attempt to discredit prep coaches. I have had two great experiences with mine and will continue to use one in any future contest prep. They’re invaluable in discerning what we think looks great and letting us know its not stage great. This is me doing it on my own and seeing how far I can get alone in this time frame and using only what is also available to my patients.

So here they are, My circle of hell presented for all to see.

So if you have an event coming up, just want to get rid of the dad or mom bod or want more info on how I did this, contact us today!

Be Well,

Paul Mattox

80 + 80 = $160 off !

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 21:41:00 GMT

It is time to celebrate the upcoming holidays at Vigor Health and Beauty with Halloween kicking off the end of year festivities in just a few weeks! From 10-25-22 to the end of the year we will be offering a big big savings for any new client who has not previously used the neurotoxin Jeuveau (prabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs) rewards program. You will receive $80 off your first treatment of 30 units or more and you will also receive $80 off your second treatment, 90 days later. WOW! A total of $160 off.

In addition to the savings being announced, I wanted to spend some time providing you with education on the types of neurotoxins or botulinum medications on the market. Many times when I am doing a consult on a new client, they have had neurotoxin (also called neuromodulators) before, however they rarely know the type they received or the amount. This is a fact that I work toward changing by providing adequate education to my clients. I want them to know what I have given them, how much I have given them and why.

There are 5 types of neurotoxins or neuromodulators:

1. Botox- onabotulinumtoxinA- approved 2002

2. Dysport- abobotulinumtoxinA- approved 2009

3. Xeomin- incobotulinumtoxinA- approved 2010

4. Jeuveau-prabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs- approved 2019

5. Daxiffy-daxibotulinumtoxina-lanm- approved 2022

All of the above are derived from botulinumtoxin A. They each have their own brand name in which they are marketed under. A few myths I would like to dispel are the following:

1. Everyone tends to refer to all 5 of the above as Botox. Relatively speaking yes they can all smooth wrinkles and they all work similarly, but they are not all Botox per se.

2. Dysport is cheaper….not true, Dysport dosing is double that of the other toxins so the price per unit is cheaper. If you normally get 20 units of Botox you would need 40 units of Dysport. As an injector, I prefer to use dysport on clients with strong big foreheads, men for example, or males and females with larger forehead height.

I have used all of the above neurotoxins with the exception of the new Daxiffy. As an injector I believe they each have their place. My go to neurotoxin is Jeuveau for several reasons.

1. It creates natural, long lasting results.

2. I feel it’s more precise overall, therefore I worry less about migration and ptosis.

3. The company who makes the product, Evolus is amazing to work with and my rep Heidi Meier @indiana.evolus is kind, informative, fun and very knowledgeable.

4. Last of importance but highest in terms of annoying relief is the fact that I don’t have to use a vial decapper to open it, ha.

Now that the holidays are approaching, it is the perfect time to gift yourself or someone you love to Jeuveau if you have not previously, you will not be disappointed!

Be Well,

Kristen Mattox

You Matter

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 22:01:00 GMT

Today is World Mental Health Day. Often times humans overlook their mental health because they lack a formal diagnosis or fear the stigma associated with mental health. In actuality, every single human in the world needs to be awakened to their mental health and what that means for them.

Physical and mental health are deeply intertwined and in reality they are like best friends. They are the kind of best friends who stick together through thick and thin, when one is in a bad place so is the other and vice versa.

According to the World Health Organization , nearly 1 billion people worldwide suffer from mental illness.

If you pause for a moment to think about the staggering effects the above fact has on the world, you may be encouraged to think about changes you can make with yourself and those close to you to help improve it. This goes without saying not all mental diagnosis are easy to treat and nor do all people have the access needed. Creating change comes in small increments, each of us can make small differences that can lead to a larger impact.

A few important fundamental things you can do to improve your own mental health include:

Adequate sleep

Exercise

Nutritious food

Alcohol in moderation

Socializing

Mental Health America produced a list of 31 tips that you can refer to here.

Prevention = Annual Screenings

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 22:24:00 GMT

“At least you have your health” This is a pretty common saying. How do many of us “have” our health? We may feel good on a day-to-day basis and have no general complaints, but do we really know that we are “healthy”? As we get older, there are parameters of health that need monitored. Not unlike the family truckster, with regular check ins and routine maintenance, our body can go over 200k miles also. Annual health screenings are an invaluable tool to keep track of our general health. Each gender has some that are individual to them, but many are recommended for all. Today’s blog post is brief, but we, at Vigor,

believe that an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure. Make those annual visits and please make sure that you have your health.

Be Well,

Paul and Kristen Mattox

Antidepressants Are Not Always The Answer

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 23:02:00 GMT

A woman's health is her capital. –Harriet Beecher Stowe

As you go through any day as a medical provider, you’ll see a number of patients (in my opinion, far more than less) with either complaints of depression, anxiety or the combination of both. This is in stark contrast to just 20-30 years ago when this wasn’t a reported concern we saw as much. Why is this?

A couple of reasons, some great and some not so great.

First, we are getting out in front of it as best we can. The space to admit and discuss mental illness is markedly better than it ever has been. Society is more open to understand and less tolerant of mocking those who suffer. Treatments are readily available and counseling is as close as a phone call. This is all great progress.

Second, there are a huge number of pharmaceutical and non pharmaceutical treatments out there. Several decades back, Prozac was a game changer for so many people and that legacy has been continued by a multitude of drugs, most of which can be prescribed by your family doctor. Also fantastic progress.

And then… some not so great.

We have eschewed “looking in to it” or “doing a better work up” in lieu of a quest for immediate gratification for us (providers) but also for our patients. “I want to feel better now” is a commonly heard phrase in almost any area of medicine and mental health is not only likely the loudest talker in the room, but also the one that has a very pressing connotation with it because the absence of “fixing it now” tends to make us feel we’re leaving a patient, who is potentially on the edge, untreated. Therefore we try to make it better with a pill without deep diving in to the “why?”.

Am I against antidepressant medication? Not at all. Do I worry that rushing in to treatment with a medication whose biggest and scariest side effect is actually worsening of the depression and possible suicidal ideation. You bet your ass I do.

Other than the obvious, Why is that “not so great”?

Well, we bypass looking at our patients holistically (by this I do not mean with incense and essential oils. I mean seeing our patients as a whole being). We separate their mental health complaints from the physical person. We try to treat the one thing the patient is presenting as a concern, while leaving the rest of them, and likely the root cause of the sadness untreated.

There is a significant interdependence between our physical health and our mental health. What we do or don’t do for our bodies to care for them will have its toll on our mental health sooner or later. These basic needs include regular, consistent and adequate sleep, adequate hydration, vitamin D (GET OUTSIDE, but also take some Vitamin d supplements), exercise daily, eating healthy and nutrient dense foods and lastly, take time to have some self care.

But what if I do all of those and I’m still depressed????

While there is room at the table for antidepressant medicine, I firmly believe it doesn’t belong at the head, slicing up the turkey.

At Vigor, we take a more “physical approach” to things. Over the combined 40+ years of experience in this office, we’ve seen any outcome you can imagine. In my personal family life, I’ve dealt with family who’ve had debilitating depression that led to addiction then death. This has led us to look at the person, as a whole, not just their complaint. In that time, what we’ve come to see in our patients is that if you combine the basics above, plus we take a look at your hormones and balance them, not only does the patient start to “feel better” (which is why you see the doctor, right? No one goes in for a visit because they feel so good), but their outlook improves, MANY depressive symptoms go away and the need to explore antidepressant medications lessens.

Could the need still be there for medication? Absolutely. Should it be step one in treating patients who complain of depression and/or anxiety. Absolutely not.

So how are you? Have you felt depressed? Maybe you’re not sad but constantly tired, have lost the joy in some of your leisure activities or you’re just ready to LIVE and no longer just exist from day to day. Maybe you have lost that “pep in your step” as life sometimes kicks your ass.

Let’s get together, lets get some labs, lets talk about the things you are and aren’t doing that may be making the difference. Lastly, lets look at you as a whole person with a possible mental health complaint, not a diagnosis.

Be a Julie

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 23:58:00 GMT

Last week I watched an interview between Dr. Tim Pearce and Julie Horne RN, both of whom I admire greatly for their contributions to aesthetics. I was very touched and inspired by Julie’s story.

For those of you that don’t know, Julie Horne is a world renowned nurse injector and international trainer. As a young woman she was bullied about the size of her lips. As children and even as adults we all have experienced some form of bullying. It is not pleasant, it makes us feel bad about ourselves and, in many cases, can effect people for years. What inspired me about her story was her desire to overcome those negative experiences, rising above and beyond, striving to help others who may have experienced similar bullying in their lives. While I was watching the interview I actually cried and I thought to myself, “WOW what a powerful story and message she has. She is now one of the most bad ass female injectors in the world and she specializes in LIPS”.�55357;�56459;�55357;�56459;

My message to all of you, stemming from Julie’s inspiration, is do not let bully’s define you, but, Succeed in spite of them. Rise above pettiness and always be kind. Your success will follow.

Thank you @juliehornelips and @drtimpearce for sharing a remarkable story.

Be A Julie!

-Kristen Mattox

A F.R.E.E Diet Plan

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 23:06:00 GMT

One of the philosophies we try our best to follow at Vigor is the golden rule. We commonly talk about access to healthcare and how sad it is when we see people in need without access to medications and or knowledge to PREVENT disease. A goal we have is to provide our customers with as much free, accurate, and evidenced based education as possible. We also strive to find cost savings on well studied interventions including medications.

As a 20 year veteran in health care, I’ve seen a lot. My background ranges from sports medicine, to trauma then finally landing myself in wellness and mens health. That being the case, I’ve been a part of an epidemic in the form of opioids, and the COVID pandemic. But there is one disease that is touched upon (usually lightly) that outnumbers both the US’s epidemic and pandemic….

The obesity crisis.

My personal opinion is that we’ve bypassed the “demic” stage of anything and are in a full blown obesity crisis.

The World Health Organization provides us with the following statistics:

Worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975.

In 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults, 18 years and older, were overweight. Of these over 650 million were obese.

39% of adults aged 18 years and over were overweight in 2016, and 13% were obese.

Most of the world's population live in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight.

39 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese in 2020.

Over 340 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 were overweight or obese in 2016.

Obesity is preventable.

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight

So why is this? Can we isolate a singular cause? No, not really. It truly is a multifactorial issue. Emotions, hormones and illness all can be a part of the issue but two major players are sedentary life and over eating. We eat too much and move too little. The conveniences of modern life have caught up and are actually killing us. We are on a direct course for becoming the characters from “Wall-E”.

This isn’t a “fat bashing” or “fat shaming” post. Not at all. I have been a heavy child then a heavy adult twice (once up to 290 pounds). I get the struggle. I get the shame. But, I also get that there is a way out for all of us. While the causes are not singular, the solution is. And the crazy thing is, ITS SO EASY….. on paper

So my take on whats killing us is summarized right here…

CONVENIENCE FOOD.

Think about pics you’ve seen of the late 1800s and early 1900s. The “overweight”person was pretty rare and the “obese” was in a traveling side show. Why is that really? Well, our days were spent on our farm busting ass from before the sun came up until the work was done. The majority of jobs were physical in nature. And the food we ate came from the back yard or the guy down the road and it had a firm expiration date on it because it rotted.

Now you can walk in to any store (clothing stores included) and get snacks. Dinner can be from the gas station. And there is a drive through every 50 feet, sometimes sharing parking lots with another food drive through. The vast majority of what we eat daily was prepared by someone else, very likely far away and then frozen (only after being peppered with preservatives) and a lot of it is LOADED with sugar. And if not sugar, a variation of sugar from corn.

So this is how easy it is… you ready?

Foods

Requiring

Effort and

Energy

A F.R.E.E diet plan. Completely malleable to each person based on goals and health status. Stop eating shit. Stop buying food that looks as good on day 100 as day one because its filled with crap. Stop going to get food made for you (UNLESS its from Flexx Meal Prep. Big shout for fresh food thats not frozen and is eaten that week. I’m a huge fan). No more drive throughs. No more door dash/Uber eats/post mates. I can do the math for you, lay it out in a nice plan and give it to you ready to go. Thats the easy part…. on paper.

The day to day routine is where people get stuck. But the beauty of this simple diet plan is you can make it what you want. Sick of chicken? Eat fish. Beef aversion? No problem, try Turkey or shrimp. Oh my God no more rice! Cool, how about beans? Or vegetables? No fancy “fat burners”. No expensive medicines. No magic elixir. Just you, the food you have made and your desire to lose weight and feel better.

It truly is that easy, do the math on calories needed, figure out the deficit amount to be in. Make the food. Eat the food. Lose weight.

Want more info? Contact me for an appointment. Let’s make a plan that works for you and that you’ll stick with. This can be a very straight forward first step to you getting your self back to feeling good. And the best part?? The diet is F.R.E.E

Athletic Sponsorship Announcement

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 21:04:00 GMT

Welcome to the Vigor Team!

Vigor Health and Beauty is proud to announce our collaboration with Seth Parks, @still_just_seth, 2021 Midwest Battle of Champions overall winner and national level NPC competitor.

At Vigor, our passion is to make our services accessible to everyone. We want to make you look and feel better about yourself and we enjoy helping our clients achieve their goals.

Personally, I have wanted to work with top level athletes who share my interest in self improvement and longevity. I have been involved in the fitness and bodybuilding world for 30 years. The first day I touched a barbell, it was over for me. I didn't find my passion, my passion found me. Today I am able to realize a dream I’ve carried all this time.

Seth Parks embodies what we are about at Vigor. Passion, health, and striving for self-improvement. We are excited to have him on board and can’t wait to see how his future unfolds in the bodybuilding world.

- @mr.t_indy

Paul Mattox

“Being able to talk to a physician and nurse that speak to you as a person and treats you like one makes all the difference! All of you that compete at a high level in any sport know there are varying risks. Having a good doctor is crucial to longevity. Vigor Health and Beauty is family owned and operated! You’re not just treated like another number!”

- @still_just_seth

Seth Parks

Set Yourself on Fire

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 21:45:00 GMT

"Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire."-Arnold Glasgow

August has presented some challenges as well as some triumphs in the “T_indy”household. We had kids moving in and out. Two headed off to college and a wedding for another were just the beginning. We both celebrated birthdays putting us another year closer to 50. A laundry list of GIANT transitions, right? Lots of tears (for me…. Yes my big ass cries). Big tears, I mean Kim Kardashian ugly crying when both of my boys went to school. Good mental pic, isn’t it? Who would have thought that a kind unhoused man named John and a concussion would be the things to really shake shit up. Let me expand…

Mrs. T and I have been married for five years as of August. Earlier in the year she bought us plane tickets for a trip. It was honestly one of the kindest things anyone had ever done for me. It was to the spot we went on our honeymoon. So it was a special place to begin with. In the time between the purchase of the tickets and the trip, life decided to challenge us. Honestly, it made us question what in the f*#k we were doing.

In July, a medical emergency shed some light on “mortality” for both of us. That seemed to pass with mild residual effects, but the memory did not. As the trip grew closer, I felt as though my life and lifestyle were the things that I could feel slowly killing me inside. Life has stressors and no one is immune. I feel as if mine has a few extras, all self induced because I am a “pleaser”. Often I say yes to the extent that results in everyone being taken care of except myself. I have a large family and a very busy career. These are not bad things, until they become your ONLY things.

I felt my mental state slipping. I was angry. I wasn’t nice to the ones I love the most. I was short tempered. I lost my “silliness." This meaning no dad jokes, and no trying to make Mrs. T laugh. I started to sink and realize that I’d created a life I wanted to escape from. I love my family with all the fire of the sun, but I slipped in to the feelings of “I have a shit load of life insurance, they’ll be ok. I’m not really there for them, so the money will take care of them where I can't. The money will make the pain less for them”. Not a good place to be mentally and also somewhere I hadn’t ever been before.

That scared me.

I was really struggling with all of that. My brain never rested. I felt like a rat in a maze constantly looking for the exit, and every turn was a dead end. Then it was time to take our anniversary trip. Sounds like I was gonna be a blast, right?

Cue John, the unhoused man

On our trip, we had a pleasant enough time day one, but I was still struggling. We’d had a great day. I rode a moped (another visual for you). We saw some cool stuff and had great food. Back at our room at about 8pm, I wasn’t done yet. I had more fun in me. Mrs. T didn’t. She was done for the day and rightfully so. She wanted to stay in and relax, but we had a short time there so I intended to live every minute. Especially considering where my head had been for days. So I went out. Alone. With my phone at about 10%. If you know me, none of this is like me. I’m in bed by 9ish and up by 4. I never let me phone die and we had been joined at the hip thus far in our five years of marriage.

But I went. I checked out some bars, had some more food, and ended up closing the last bar in the place at 0400. Something I had NEVER done. I went in to the military out of high school then very shortly after I got out, I got married and settled in to domestic/dad life. So the “bar/party scene” was pretty foreign to me. And dammit, I was gonna experience it.

Last bar closed and I was walking back to my moped (makes me laugh thinking about people seeing this 6’4”, 265 pound guy on a tiny moped). As I came around the corner, there stood this guy. Looked around my age, shirtless, and eating a pizza. He was obviously unhoused. So in my usual mode of “I’ll talk to anyone”, I started with a simple “you good man?”. John was better than good. John had all he owned in a bag he carried. He was able to get free water from any local bar or restaurant. He frequently got free food (like that night) from people leaving bars, etc. He could shower by the beach. Above all this, John was happy. Not drunk/high happy. Not mentally ill happy. John radiated contentment and ease. He was a happy person.

This shook me to my core.

I was soon to be 49, had been a physician's assistant "PA" for 19 years. I have a successful career and make good money. I have a beautiful and super intelligent wife. I have five beautiful kids and two grandkids. I never go without. I have a closet full of shoes and a house full of stuff. Compared to John, I had nothing. Zero. I wasn’t half as happy as he was and not 1/10 as content as him.

So as I wandered back to my hotel, head absolutely swimming, this is when I felt something in me physically snap. I knew that something big had just happened.

I roll in to our room at 0600 to a wife very upset that I’d gone missing for the night. In my usual fashion (at least lately) all I could muster was “I asked you to go with me” and drifted off to sleep.

That trip made me realize the thing that was keeping me unhappy, angry, discontented, etc was ME. I was my own problem. I had not only been carrying all this crap from my childhood and divorce around, I had been embracing it. I was walking with 1000 pound barbell day in and day out. FOR YEARS. The trip made me realize its time to put this shit down. The anger, the resentment, and the actions I deemed unforgivable. It was time they all were dealt with and put down.

It was time to set myself on fire.

That old angry guy was going to die come hell or high water. That “snap” was within me. It was the barbell breaking off my shoulders. I made the decision right then and there that I was going to be happy. I was not going to bury the things effecting my mental health anymore and I was going to face them and now. I was done pleasing others at the expense of me. I was done neglecting my health and most importantly my mental health.

I set myself on fire.

Since our return, every day I take steps to protect this thing, whatever it is. I have been a cardio fiend, going to the gym every day, if not twice a day to lift also. I say no to extra work requests. I haven’t looked at the news a single time since we got back and that was a daily wake-up ritual (probably setting the tone negatively for the day). I have firm boundaries with people and things that would interrupt my quest for inner peace. I sat Mrs. T down and we had some really hard conversations about what we’d lost in ourselves and in our marriage, and the need we both had to get it back.

I set myself on fire

Three weeks later, to the day, I can say that my path is now straighter and easier. I have a partner that I am not making resent me with my behavior. Still lots of work to do. Some days I feel the dread creep back in. However, the beauty is I now choose to block that dread. I choose to be happy, optimistic, outgoing and positive with others. I choose to not let things get to me like they used to. Most importantly, I’m choosing to never let myself get that low again without acknowledging it and getting some help.

This is the person I’ve decided to become.

Why did I spill my guts about all of this? I firmly believe that a lot of people in my age group are struggling similarly. We have an epidemic of business and stress. We stuff feelings and are embarrassed to open up for fear of judgment. A lot of us are dying inside and just try to paint on a smile and bury it deep.

Stop.

Don’t do it anymore.

Talk to someone. Get help.

Stop just existing and start living.

Set yourself on fire.

Whatever it is that makes you happy, do it. Find who you really are. Try new things. Step out of your comfort zone. Be who you decide to be.

Set yourself on fire.

And John, if by chance you ever read this and remember the interaction at 0500 with a good sized guy getting on a moped, please know you changed my life… and probably saved it.

Paul Mattox

Mr.T_Indy

If you are in need of mental health help or have thoughts of suicide- Call 988

The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

Take Your First Step

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 22:29:00 GMT

Our bodies are amazing machines and what humans can accomplish with their machine is completely up to them.

As a researcher, I have studied social cognitive theory for many years. One of the main concepts included in Albert Bandura’s theory is self-efficacy. He explains that there are four key sources for efficacy information.

1. Activity choice

2. Goal setting

3. Effort and persistence

4. Learning and achievement. (Bandura, 1977).

I have identified my own personal desire to set hard goals. Once achieved, the sense of accomplishment and self-efficacy I gain provides within me a high level of self- confidence to further accomplish any goal I set. As my mother states, “K is a goal-getter.”

With each goal there is always a first step which generally is the most daunting step for people. For example, when I trained for marathons, the first day and mile were the hardest. After that I kept my eye on the prize and that goal kept me going day after day for nineteen weeks.

My husband similarly preps and trains for bodybuilding shows which also require 19-20 weeks of rigorous training. Obviously a key part of that process is goal setting. Stage appearance, conditioning, and show placing are huge for any show. Having the those physical goals are important.

While goal setting is fantastic, the rigors of day-in and day-out training and low food intake can take the luster off any goal.

This is where discipline plays a key role.

Motivation ebbs and flows. Discipline gets your ass out of bed at 0400 to do the stairs. Discipline helps you avoid the inevitable tables full of homemade cookies at the nurses station. In my case, discipline didn’t allow the warm glow of the sign over the donut shop to suck me in like a tractor beam.

Whether your goal is small, large, hard, or easy the first step is setting the goal. Write it down, place it somewhere that you see it frequently and be reminded. Put it on sticky notes ALL OVER the house. These reminders will keep you doing the required work to get there. Discipline will maintain you day to day and, most importantly, keep you from quitting.

Take that first step. It can be a small goal. Use the confidence and momentum of that achievement to set a larger goal. Don’t let being tired, in a bad mood, or ANY other person get you off track. This is for you. Ultimately, at the end of the day, you are the most important person in your life.

Testosterone Booster

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 18:42:00 GMT

“Why would I see you if I can go to the store and just buy a testosterone booster and it’ll do the same thing?” ⁃ Random Patient, several times a week.

If you’ve seen our Tik-Toks (please hold, my best work is pending) you can see I feel as though I missed my calling in marketing. I get to express my funny side (at least I’m usually laughing) while educating people about what we do here at Vigor. I can impart some knowledge, maybe pique some interest all while poking some fun at myself. But at the end of the day, we are a business and that marketing HOPEFULLY will help patients decide to choose us to care for them. What we do is medical, safe, monitored, and most of all safe. If it makes us some money, while important, it’s really secondary to what we both want to accomplish here… We want to make you feel better about your health and body.

This, unfortunately, is in stark contrast to the purpose of marketing for many companies.

Companies have stock holders or investors to answer to. They have a bottom line to meet and dividends to pay. Unfortunately, this is where many companies will blur the line between the “truth” in marketing and the profit.

There is no more common area I see this used than in the supplement market. I remember being in the service and picking through bags of weight gainer to find one on base the mouse hadn’t gotten to yet in hopes, based on marketing, that that bag would be the one that made me HUGE. Why not? It says it on the bag. Next aisle had all the horse pills and powders that promised the same. You felt yourself getting bigger just walking the aisles. Time travel to now, and its all about the “Testosterone Booster”.

It's at the grocery store. Its at GNC, Vitamin Shoppe. They even have an aisle at Walmart. I can even get one at any national pharmacy, all about 20 feet from the real pharmaceutical deal.

So here’s the problem with them…. The vast majority (think >90%) have zero study proven, clinically studied results of any real “boost” in testosterone over what you could easily accomplish with a solid sleep schedule, clean food intake and workout plan.

In my 10+ years in treating male TRT, I have seen virtually every booster known to man. These poor guys would come in and thought they had spend $30 on what would fix their fatigue, weight gain and ED only to end up much lighter, but only in the wallet area. Conversely I’ve had multiple patients, mostly younger guys, that have ended up with damage to their own bodies feedback loops causing long term if not permanent damage to their natural testosterone production. Some of which was due to anabolic steroids being added to these over the counter products and not listed on the label (for obvious reasons).

Here's the bottom line…. boosters are unnecessary, sometimes have zero effect and occasionally are downright dangerous. The supplement industry isn’t regulated like the pharmaceutical industry. Any fly-by-night company can start up, throw together a confusing list of herbs and aminos, maybe throw in an oral anabolic and market all this as a booster. They can make some quick cash, close doors and take off for the coast before anyone even catches wind that there was anything untoward happening.

What we do is extensively studied, clinically safe, and produces the results you want all while being professionally monitored by a nice guy with loads of experience. No boosters, no hoping this is the product that makes you feel better. If you suffer from Low T, our clinic can and will make you feel better and help you get your vigor back. All with no monthly fee. Schedule your consultation with us today!

Be Kind to Yourself

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 14:44:00 GMT

“Remember you have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” – Louise L Hay As humans we tend to be hyper-critical of ourselves. I know that I have over my forty seven years of life. Recently, I had an injury that could have possibly led to impairment of my brain. Afterwards, I thought a lot about my time on the earth, my “dash” as my husband Paul calls it. Its The space between our date of birth and date of death. I thought about the people who matter the most to me and the difference I make in the world. It is also in times like this we remember how in an instant we can be gone. Its all jarring and eye-opening to say the least. As you begin your own journey this fall, let us not forget the importance of being good to ourselves and others in the world. Be kind, offer forgiveness, practice self-care, set boundaries, and above all else, love yourself just as you are. Be Well, Kristen Mattox

Estrogens Role in Males and Females

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 17:46:00 GMT

Just the word “estrogen” invokes emotions. It's as misunderstood as it is understood. When it comes to the HRT/TRT realm, there are as many opinions as there are people that opine. Some treat it, some ignore it. Some refrain from treating low testosterone due to the lack of understanding of the inter play of estrogen with male and female hormones. So let’s dig in.

Estrogen is produced in the ovaries and adrenals in female patients and in the testes in males. It is also converted from testosterone by the body using an enzyme we all carry in our body fat called aromatase. It is responsible for the qualities that make a person physically female in the uterus. But, it has a critical role in males for sexual function.

So in the context of patient care, it is a frequently discussed topic. When it comes to TRT, its gotten a very bad, undeserved rap. The discussion is usually met with jokes such as “am I going to grow breasts?”, “will I start to cry during commercials?”, and my personal favorite….”will I start to enjoy movies on the lifetime network?” The answer I have for each is “maybe." In all honesty, in the male patient, the answer is no, if you have a provider who has been around the block.

The symptoms of estrogen being too high and too low in male patients have some crossover. You will see some ED with either, some poor libido with either, some irritability with either. However, with each end of the spectrum has some unique symptoms that any experienced provider can pick out before blood is even drawn.

Many of my male patients request “no estrogen. I want it at zero” but I think that if they were to get there, they’d be pretty unhappy with the outcome. Typically, on top of the ED and low libido, there is joint pain and the mood changes that are pretty individual. Anecdotally, what I’ve seen in my patients over the years, the effects of it being too low are less tolerable than too high. Without it, the entire act of intercourse can be compromised. I’m convinced that all of the “roid rage” is really poorly managed estrogen more than anything else.

The effects of estrogen out of range on the high end has some unique effects also. Fluid retention, nipple tenderness and “sensitivity” of emotions are all common. But the typical complaint I get more than any other is “the testosterone stopped working”. Initially when a patient starts TRT, within a week or two they feel great. Libido comes back, ED issues helped and the vigor returns. Across the board, when I have a patient come in and say “it was going great, then it just stopped”, it's the estrogen thats gotten out of range FOR THAT PERSON.

The range of laboratory normal is narrow in males, but from what I’ve seen in almost 20 years of practice, it's more broad than is in the literature. I have patients who do fantastic with an estrogen of 65 (normal range 10-45) and some that crash at a level of 30. Ive had guys with a level of 120 with zero complaints and some that have joint pain and ED when it's 20. This is where seeing an experienced provider can make all the difference.

So frequently overlooked (or worse, not even tested) but so easy to manage and correct the course of treatment. Its just one the parameters we stay on top of here at Vigor.

No one ever walks in and says, “My lab values are off. Can you fix them?” My job is to make you feel better and address your complaints. Lab values play a role, but a minor one. Come see us at Vigor. We can fix what ails you.

HRT/TRT/BHRT FAQ

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 17:27:00 GMT

Vigor's Foundation and Mission

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 17:04:00 GMT

The first post on the blog InVIGORating Thoughts from the owners of Vigor Health and Beauty.