Special Message to My First Cousin, Dr. John Mulligan on his Birthday

Star Date 09.09.25

He doesn’t like the spotlight—but today is my cousin’s 65th birthday, and I have the perfect gift for someone who already has everything. Yep… I’m paying it forward.

John is the one who became curious when my mom called him about my off-the-charts blood pressure readings. He stayed calm and suspected something in my diet might be the culprit. His instincts proved right, and when the blood test results came back, he uncovered underlying issues I didn’t even know existed. He warned me I already had two strikes against my health, and a third could send me to an early grave.

That’s when he invented what I now call the “Caveman 45-Day Food Experiment.” I followed it, and the results were stunning. John cautioned that once I started taking pills, I would probably be on them for the rest of my life. If the experiment failed, I could always do what most of us do—take pills until they stop working, increase the doses, and/or add more. In my opinion, prescription medicine is sometimes like a permission slip to eat what’s considered the standard American diet. By the way, my medicine cabinet is empty and may remain that way for the rest of my life. Only God knows how many pills I would be on today if John hadn’t intervened when I was on my way to urgent care.

My lifelong interest in the human body and how it functions stems from those 45 days that forever changed my life. The food experiments didn’t stop there—friends and family jumped in to try John’s ideas. It turns out almost every American is likely consuming something dangerous to long-term health. I remember our paternal grandfather, a primary care physician, telling me as a kid that ketchup and mustard were poison. That was long before even deadlier ingredients—some outlawed in other countries—made it into our food supply. At this rate, the only ones left on the planet might just be my virtual assistant, Alberta, and her artificial intelligence colleagues. 

Here’s your present, cousin: it’s an announcement. I’m heading to the first-ever Partner International Conference in New York City, where I’ll mingle with top scientists, longevity researchers, and others passionate about living long and prospering. Nothing these folks do is artificial.  I will be sharing more about what I learn from them in future stories.  The gift of improved health you gave me is now being multiplied because you inspired me and now I'm inspiring others based on the foundation  you laid for me.  Thank you.

If our granddad were here today, he’d be patting you on the back, thanking you for following in his footsteps, and shaking your hand for keeping me on this planet a little longer. On behalf of everyone who’s benefited from your bold ideas, happy birthday. I can’t wait to be your doubles partner in the Men’s 90+ tennis nationals—and maybe even on the pickleball court if you’re up for teaming up across multiple sports.

Have a fantastic birthday, cousin.  May you live long and prosper!