I awoke in a panic on my first day of the immersion program, which would officially start upon my arrival at the hotel in Florida later that afternoon. I had hoped to get a good night’s sleep prior to heading to the airport and setting off on my journey, but all I had done was toss and turn. So many questions continued to pop into my head: Would this retreat be some sort of fat camp? If not, would I be the only overweight person there? What would my roommate be like? Would we get along? What would the food be like? What if I hated everything? It wasn’t as though I could take a taxi back to my house if I ended up not enjoying the experience. I would be stuck there for one week. Despite my obsessive thoughts, I knew I had to drag myself out of bed and get going.
My wife and son dropped me off at the airport about two hours before my flight. I think Iris could tell I was a bit nervous. As she kissed me goodbye, she whispered, “It will be okay. Just go and allow yourself to engage fully, and remember you are going to be on the beach, so have fun.” I exited the car and turned to open the rear passenger-side door and kiss my son goodbye. Nigel, being a typical seven-year-old kid, asked me if I would be skinny the next time he saw me. I laughed and told him it probably wouldn’t work that way. I grabbed my suitcase out of the trunk and made my way inside the airport.
I checked my bag, made it through security, and realized I still had about an hour and forty minutes before my flight was scheduled to depart. As I headed to my gate, it dawned on me: With all the excitement, I had not eaten breakfast or lunch. It was now 1 PM and I was starving. I wasn’t sure what time I would be able to eat once I got to immersion, so I decided to buy something. I headed to the restaurant area to peruse the offerings.
I wish I could say I stopped at a restaurant that sold the most incredibly healthy food you’ve ever seen, but that wouldn’t be true. Frankly, I found the only barbecue restaurant at the airport and proceeded to order a full slab of ribs with a basket of hand-cut fries. Old habits die hard. I convinced myself I was showing restraint in my decision to have water with a lemon wedge instead of a soda.
I was already feeling guilty for eating the barbecue by the time I boarded my flight about an hour later. Add to that the fact that I was now about to squeeze myself into a tiny seat on an airplane for the next several hours and you will see my immersion adventure was not starting off on particularly solid footing. I requested a lap extension belt and settled in for the flight. I could already feel the seat digging into my hips before the plane even left the ground.
At the airport in Florida, I grabbed my suitcase at baggage claim and encountered several other people who would also be attending immersion. We quickly realized we were all headed to the same place when each of us began walking toward a woman holding a sign that said “Dr. Stoll’s Immersion.” This woman took our names, checking her clipboard as she went along. She informed us that we would leave as soon as the remaining attendees showed up. We all stood there waiting for them, introducing ourselves to each other to pass the time. Each participant took a turn stating his or her name, Whole Foods store location, and job title. When my turn came, I said hurriedly, “Milan Ross, Highlands Ranch, front-end supervisor.”
One guy, who had actually been sitting across the aisle from me on the plane, began talking to me. He asked me how long I had been with Whole Foods Market. When I told him that my one-year anniversary had just passed at the beginning of the month, he laughed and said, “You barely made the one-year-employment requirement to come to this thing!” I chuckled and told him my wife saw that fact as a sign that I was meant to attend this immersion retreat. I also mentioned that I thought the folks in charge of the program had realized how badly I needed to be there and simply made it happen. Our conversation was interrupted by the woman with the clipboard informing us that our group was ready to head to the resort.
As I checked in at the front desk of the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, the clerk informed me I would be rooming with a man named Michael. Almost immediately after receiving this news, I heard a voice from behind me say, “That’s me!” I turned around and was met by the friendly face and outstretched arm of my new roommate, Michael. We shook hands and officially introduced ourselves to one another. As I would soon discover, Michael was a funny, articulate guy, born and raised in a small city just across the Mississippi River from Saint Louis, Missouri, my hometown. He had a warm and outgoing personality, which made people naturally gravitate toward him.
After a few minutes of conversation, I realized Michael and I had several things in common. We were both about the same age, we both had sons, and we both struggled with health issues. He told me he had been dealing with high blood pressure and high cholesterol and was now prediabetic. As I listened to him, I thought about how similar our situations were. Although I was much larger than Michael (both taller and heavier), it was easy to understand why he and I had been paired as roommates. I was certain we would get along just fine.
Together we took notice of how beautiful the resort was. The lobby featured a relaxing beach motif and a stunning exposed-beam ceiling. The back wall had floor-to-ceiling windows. The windows not only allowed lots of natural light to flood in, but they also framed breathtaking views of the ocean, which sat about fifty yards from the back door of the hotel. It was obvious no detail had been overlooked.
After checking in, I ventured a bit farther into the hotel lobby, where I saw the “Dr. Stoll’s Immersion” registration table. The registration staff was cheerful and fun. As I approached the table, one of the staff members introduced herself. “Hi! My name is Katie. Welcome to immersion. We are so excited you are here!” she said. Katie asked for my name and I jokingly replied, “Big Sexy.” She laughed and told me she didn’t see that name on the list. I gave her my real name and she handed me my nametag and a green swag bag full of immersion-related gifts. She then asked if she could take my picture and I agreed to her request.
Michael received his nametag and bag of goodies, and then the two of us headed toward the elevator. I began digging through my swag bag as we waited by the elevator doors. I noticed a black exercise mat and a huge immersion workbook. The workbook featured information on the scheduled speakers, copies of the slides that would be used during lectures, as well as space to take notes. The bag also contained a water bottle and a bunch of healthy food samples. Michael and I agreed the bag was a nice surprise.
After dropping off our suitcases in our room, we headed downstairs to the oceanfront lawn for the scheduled welcome reception. Michael made small talk in the elevator. I could sense he was as nervous as I was. As the elevator doors opened to the magnificent hotel lobby, I could see lots of people carrying their newly issued goodie bags. All at once it appeared as though the entire resort was full of people attending the immersion program. There had to have been almost one hundred and fifty people taking part in the retreat. I took a deep breath, and then Michael and I headed out back to the reception area.
As we walked through the hotel’s rear exit, it became immediately apparent that this was no fat camp. Yes, there were some people in the crowd who were definitely overweight, but there were many who looked trim and even fit. We headed over to the appetizer tables and were blown away by how colorful everything was. The combination of different foods really looked like an edible rainbow. Given my lifestyle, I had never really seen anything quite like it before. There were pineapple slices, berries of all kinds, melon wedges, cucumber slices, carrot sticks, and even avocados. Dozens of people were taking pictures of the spread with their cell phones. It was obvious that the collective first impression of immersion was pure astonishment.
I don’t know if it was the fact that I was standing less than fifty yards from the ocean or that the appetizers were almost too beautiful to eat, but I suddenly experienced an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the opportunity I’d been given. Without question, I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
After a few minutes of mingling with some of my fellow immersionists at one of the tables on the lawn, I noticed a tall, slim man with dark hair making his way through the crowd. I could hear people starting to whisper that this was Dr. Stoll. As I watched him introduce himself to people, I happened to notice a little girl of around three years old walking around the reception area out of the corner of my eye.
I must admit, I was surprised to see such a young child there. I soon realized there wasn’t just one child present but several. They ranged in age from two years old to fifteen. I watched in amazement as the little girl walked up to Dr. Stoll as he was talking to someone. The doctor immediately stopped what he was doing and gave her his full attention. After a brief exchange, the young girl made her way over to one of the teenagers, who picked her up.
That’s when it hit me: Dr. Stoll had brought his family to immersion. Instead of keeping them separated from our group, however, as though they were on vacation, he had his family mingle with everyone in the program. I was left speechless, to be honest, and impressed. I had expected immersion to be something akin to going to see my own doctor, which was typically a cold and impersonal affair. It seemed this would be a rather different experience.
Having been preoccupied with this surprising sight, I hadn’t noticed Dr. Stoll making his way over to me. I looked up and saw him standing right in front me. “Hi! I am Doctor Scott Stoll. I am so glad you are here,” he said, extending his hand to shake mine. As I shook his hand and introduced myself, I got the feeling this doctor wasn’t like any I had ever met. He seemed very genuine as he spoke to me. He came across as both humble and approachable. I immediately felt at ease as we began to chat. He told me he was looking forward to getting to know me over the next week, and then he excused himself and continued to make his way through the group of attendees.
As I stood there feeling the Florida sun on my face, nothing was as I thought it would be. I began to feel truly excited for what was to come. I was ready to become fully immersed, so I continued to introduce myself to other immersionists.
After spending about forty-five minutes at the welcome reception, I decided to return to my room to freshen up before the welcome dinner that evening. Michael stayed behind to chat with the others a little more while I went upstairs. As soon as I entered my room, I grabbed the phone to call my wife. I wanted to tell her all about my experience thus far. We talked about the resort and my meeting Dr. Stoll. She, too, was quite surprised to hear that the doctor had brought his entire family to the retreat. I told her I would call her later, and then we said our goodbyes.
I took a quick shower, changed clothes, and headed back downstairs to the welcome dinner. The large banquet hall was stunning. There were identical buffet lines set up on each side of the room. Down the middle of the room were many large round dining tables set with white table linens and very creative centerpieces. At one end of the room there stood a wall of windows facing the ocean. The room looked more like a fine dining restaurant than a health retreat cafeteria.
I reached for a dish and got in line. The dinner buffet was just as impressive as the spread at the welcome reception had been. There were so many choices. I thought eating plant-based dishes meant eating bland, tasteless food. I had no idea healthy food could be so appetizing. I walked the buffet line and loaded up my plate.
I found numerous items with which to make a hearty salad. Frankly, there were items I had never personally considered putting on a salad—options such as black beans, chickpeas, and edamame beans. The dressing choices were eye-opening as well. I didn’t know you could make ranch salad dressing without milk and have it actually taste like ranch salad dressing. I made my salad so big that I had to get a second plate for other types of food. Farther down the buffet line I saw vegan lasagna and ricotta. I couldn’t believe this was what healthy eating could be like.
I took a seat at an empty dining table by the wall of windows. My roommate, Michael, soon spotted me and joined me. Before long, our table filled up with a group of people most would have considered a ragtag bunch. In addition to Michael, the table included José, a young Spanish-speaking African-American kid from Pennsylvania by way of the Dominican Republic; Madeline, an extremely creative Caucasian woman from Boston; Angela, an African-American woman with a genuineness I admired; Connie, a Caucasian woman who worked as a chef in New York; Alex, a five-foot-tall Hispanic woman from Virginia Beach with a great, outgoing personality; Gail, an older Hispanic woman who was always laughing and smiling; Monica, an older Caucasian woman from Chicago who had a very nice camera and loved to use it; and finally Rachel, an engaging Asian woman from Washington, D.C.
After dinner, our little group decided to meet on the beach to watch the sun set. Once nature’s spectacular display had ended, we made our way to the back patio immediately outside the banquet hall. We told stories about our backgrounds and laughed a lot. Before we knew it, it was midnight. Knowing we had to get up early the next morning, we all retired to our respective rooms.
Dr. Stoll’s Story
As we exited the hotel and walked toward the immersion program’s oceanfront welcome reception, my wife, six children, and I saw the attendees—whom we called “immersionists”—gathered together, some seated at the tables on the lawn, some standing, and all representing a wide variety of states from across the country. There were even a few people from other countries.
I knew these people came from every walk of life based on the questionnaires they had filled out in advance, but they all had one common goal: reclaiming lost health. My wife, Kristen, and I had decided to make the immersion program a family project from the very beginning. This time every member of our family (Faith, age two; Elijah, age five; Joyous, age seven; Samuel, age nine; Gabriel, age eleven, and Dawson, age fifteen) would participate in the retreat and even take part in a family cooking presentation.
We felt it was important for participants to see enthusiastic children who were excited about the food they were eating and happy to fill their plates with vegetables at every meal. We knew that watching our kids eat well would help rid the attendees of the outdated mindset that children don’t like vegetables or wouldn’t be happy maintaining a proper diet. Having an actual example of healthy and contented children throughout the week always seemed to spark new outlooks in the immersionists, motivating them to go home and influence their own children in positive ways.
My wife and I visited each of the small groups gathered around the outdoor reception tables and warmly welcomed them to immersion. From the looks on many of the attendees’ faces, I could tell they had a number of familiar questions on their minds: Is this really the answer? Can I do this? Will I be able to overcome my diseases and weight issues and feel better? What have I gotten myself into this time?
I approached one table and shook hands with a man who introduced himself as Milan Ross. “But you can call me Big Sexy,” he said with a laugh as he pointed to his nametag and flashed a dynamic, contagious smile. I could tell this was going to be a fun and unique immersion because of his big personality and infectious laughter, but I also quietly prayed that Milan would find true freedom and joy during the week.
I considered the idea that the adoption of a nickname often suggests that the person using it is not comfortable with his or her actual self, and so has created an alter ego to escape possible pain, fear, guilt, or insecurity. As I walked away from Milan’s table, I thought there might be something hidden behind his chuckles and smiles that would hopefully be revealed during immersion—something that would be the key to his freedom.
Later that evening, with the sun getting low over the Gulf of Mexico, we all found ourselves in the banquet hall for our first dinner together. The buffet was beautifully arranged with a vibrant salad station, an array of spices, delicious cooked dishes, and a large bowl of hearty black bean soup. It was the first whole meal of the week, and for some it was the first healthy meal in decades.
At the outset of each immersion program, I always give a welcome speech after the first dinner. This speech outlines the expectations for the week, explains what happens to the human body once it starts consuming nutritious food, and casts a vision for a future in which healthy eating has become the cornerstone of life’s foundation. I got the group’s attention and began to speak.
Good evening, and welcome to health immersion. This entire retreat is an amazing opportunity to pull back from the time-consuming affairs of daily life, reevaluate how you have been living and the decisions that have brought you here today, and, perhaps for the first time, truly consider where you are going and how the food you eat today will directly influence the type of life you will live in the future.
Food is exceedingly powerful—more powerful than you might have thought. In modern Western culture, the concept of food has been reduced to calories, weight management, single nutrients, pleasure, convenience, necessity, and entertainment. Food means so much more, however, and I sincerely hope by the end of this retreat you will have begun to see how powerful, foundational, and beautiful healthy food can be.
Food is life; you can live only forty days without food. Food is health; the right food has the power to prevent, suspend, or reverse the majority of common diseases facing people today. Food choices are an inheritance; the food you eat today influences your DNA in just a few hours after eating it, and the effects of your choices extend two generations after you.
Your food choices impact the way you spend your money, choose your friends, and follow traditions. They can indirectly influence the strength of your marriage and family, alter your career and future plans, affect your savings, change your mood, modify your ability to think and reason, and ultimately transform opportunities for you to express and share your unique gifts with the world.
Finally, your food choices directly impact your broader relationships with your community, nation, and world. The breadth and depth of the influence of food are truly astounding, and this week I will walk you through a comprehensive review of scientific evidence that demonstrates the ways in which the right food choices can optimize every aspect of your body and life. This immersion will bring new inspiration and meaning to your meals as you begin to eat with new awareness, enlightenment, hope, and joy.
The really good news is that the food choices that bring newfound vitality and healing also happen to be delicious. Healthy food should be absolutely great. You are not required to settle for less. You won’t be sacrificing taste for health here. This week you will experience food in a way that will be satisfying to your tongue and fulfilling to your body.
Realize that the power of food can influence you to do things you might normally consider outrageous. Case in point, a few years ago, at the end of an immersion week, a participant shared with us the fact that she had traveled to the retreat with a dozen of her favorite donuts. She had thought she would not be able to make it through the week without a dozen of her “glazed friends” supporting her throughout the process, but after my opening speech, she had begun to feel somewhat optimistic and decided she would leave the donuts in her luggage that night, and maybe eat one the next day.
According to this attendee, during the first day of lectures, hope had begun to rise up within her, causing her to throw the donuts away. She had put the box of donuts into one of the trash receptacles in the lobby that first afternoon, but her struggle against the power of the donuts had not ended. The woman told us that every time she would walk by that trash can on her way to and from her room, she would be extremely tempted to reach inside the can and pull out a donut! Lingering by the garbage, she would fight the urge for one quick reach and grab, restrained only by her fear that someone might come along and find her with her hand in the trash or glazed sugar on her lips. She had felt no uncertain relief after the receptacle had been emptied a few days later.
Aside from telling this amusing anecdote for your enjoyment, I’m relating this woman’s story because it shows that she gained freedom and authority in her life over food during the week of immersion. As such, she was able to share this truth with the group. The story is a celebration of victory. It highlights how unhealthy food can consume your thoughts, weaken your will, and encourage you to reach harmful decisions. During immersion it is very common to have dreams about food, find yourself fantasizing about your favorite junk food, create detailed defenses of your favorite comfort foods, or even develop elaborate plans to acquire these foods in secret!
Eliminating unhealthy items from your diet, in fact, may result in potent physical withdrawal symptoms. This week you may experience acute headaches, nausea, clouded thoughts, diarrhea or constipation, stomach discomfort, generalized aches and pains, rashes, bad breath, or gas. You may also feel extreme fatigue to the point where you cannot keep your eyes open during lectures. The good news is that in approximately three to four days these withdrawal symptoms will pass and you will feel better than you have in decades. Experiencing these conditions is a very palpable reminder of the power of unhealthy food and its troublesome effects on your body.
By the end of immersion, most people comment that they can’t remember a time when they felt so clear, energetic, strong, and pain-free. The short-term discomfort of withdrawal over the next couple of days is pain with purpose, so press on. You will be free from the bondage of cravings, food addiction, and toxic hunger before you know it.
During the withdrawal process, you must drink lots of water—six to eight glasses a day—and don’t give in to the temptation to eat junk food. You can move past such enticement by getting enough rest, going for walks, calling friends for support, praying, relaxing, or standing on the declaration that you are stepping into freedom.
Tomorrow, the first full day of your new lifestyle begins. The lectures will help you understand the mindsets and thoughts that keep you bound to unhealthy food and lead you down a path toward diet-related diseases. You will begin to replace old thoughts with new, empowering beliefs that naturally produce good choices and a sustainable healthy lifestyle. Before bed, I would like you to recite the following affirmation aloud as many times as necessary until you are able to say it with conviction.
Today I declare I can change, and will be successful, and my past will not influence my success this week.
I believe I am able to change and will have all the resources I need to make this change.
I choose to receive new information gratefully and engage in healthy activities joyfully every day.
I am thankful for the opportunity to change, the freedom to choose, the hope of a new day, and the love of family and friends.
Your words have power. By reciting positive messages aloud, you can begin to shift your beliefs and empower your will.
After giving this welcome speech to the attendees of the immersion program, I made one request of the group for that night, as I always do. I asked each of them to go for a relaxing walk on the beach and then get a restful night’s sleep. Tomorrow would truly be a new day.
