True Story of Survival Opens Minds and Dialogues about Mental Health

New York NY, Sept. 3, 2020 — Mark Henick stood precariously on the wrong side of the railing on a crumbling, concrete overpass. The bridge spanned two realities and, for Henick, had become a symbol of escape — in one form or another. A voice behind him tried to help. A crowd gathered. Siren lights flashed in his peripheral vision. Surrounded but still alone, Henick let go.

So-Called Normal: A Memoir of Family, Depression and Resilience from Mark Henick is a vital and triumphant story of perseverance and recovery by one of North America’s foremost advocates for mental health.

Henick’s near-death experience on the overpass that night would alter his emotional orbit just enough that his exit from a psychiatric ward following that suicide attempt in 2003 would be his last. His transformation didn’t happen overnight — it was a gradual process punctuated with new challenges and setbacks — but slowly, his patterns reversed and he began a profound, “upward” spiral toward recovery.

So-Called Normal chronicles Henick’s youth and the events that led to that fateful night on the bridge and the experiences and transformation that followed. It is a vivid and personal account of a boy who had to deal with the breakdown of his parents’ marriage, an abusive stepfather, bullying and trauma — all while trying to navigate his progressively worsening mental health. In the backdrop is a community that didn’t talk about mental illness, one where silence and maintaining the comforts of “normal” was paramount. 

So-Called Normal is not a “misery memoir” about suicide — it’s a gripping, inspirational story of survival that has already touched the hearts of many, including television personality Rosie O’Donnell.

“Mark Henick is a powerful storyteller. His vivid account of his early years as a depressed, suicidal teenager is a page-turner. So-Called Normal is beautifully written, heart-wrenching, and hopeful. Necessary reading for anyone who wants a peek inside the mind of someone who journeyed through mental illness and found hope on the other side,” O’Donnell said.

Author Mark Henick’s TEDx talk about being saved from death by a stranger is one of the most watched in the world and has been viewed millions of times. His search for “the man in the brown jacket” whose bravery and strong arms kept him from falling to his death went viral around the world (and was successful!). Henick has been on television and radio and has written many articles on mental health. He has hosted more than 60 intimate conversations about mental health with notable public figures and celebrities on his podcast, So-Called Normal, and has executive produced and hosted the Living Well podcast for Morneau Shepell. Henick has served on the board of directors for the Mental Health Commission of Canada, and was the president of a provincial division of the Canadian Mental Health Association — the youngest person in either role. He has worked as a frontline clinician, a program manager and the national director of strategic initiatives for CMHA. Currently the CEO and principal strategist for Strategic Mental Health Consulting, Mark Henick is in high demand as an international keynote speaker on mental health recovery.

To watch Henick’s powerful TEDx talk, please visit https://youtu.be/D1QoyTmeAYw. For more information, please visit www.markhenick.com or connect with the author on the following social media sites: www.facebook.com/markhenick/; https://twitter.com/markhenick; and www.youtube.com/markhenick.

So-Called Normal: A Memoir of Family, Depression and Resilience

Publisher: HarperCollins

Release Date: January 12, 2021

ISBN-10: 1443455032 

ISBN-13: 978-1443455039

Available from Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Audible and others 

Episode 14- The Train It Right Life - Life Update - Why HD Muscle?

Sorry I am a little late on this weeks podcast. I explain why with a Sammy update (that's my frenchie). He has epilepsy and this week hasn't been a good one for him. Its ok he's on the mend! I also give you the rundown n why I take, promote and work for HD Muscle. www.hdmuscle.com Code: trainitright to save 10%

I hope you enjoy this weeks episode! Have a good one guys!

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4 Ways You Can Ease the Pain of Your Chronic Injuries

Studies have revealed that up to 20 percent of adults struggle with chronic pain, and that ongoing discomfort can bring an individual’s life to a grinding halt. If you are dealing with daily pain and would like to avoid opioid drugs, then you need to come up with a comprehensive pain management plan that will allow you to regain control of your life.

Move Around

While it might be tempting to sit around and do nothing if you are constantly in pain, exercise could actually be very beneficial. As long as it has been cleared by your doctor, you should try to engage in physical activities at least once or twice a day. Exercising is going to release endorphins, and those natural chemicals can suppress discomfort. Even a short walk or a few minutes of stretching could have a huge impact on your pain levels.

Watch What You Eat and Drink

Many people don’t realize that their dietary habits might increase or decrease their pain. Certain foods and beverages will exacerbate chronic pain by inflaming ligaments and muscles. As a general rule, adults should attempt to follow a relatively clean diet that emphasizes whole grains, fresh produce, and lean sources of protein. They should also minimize their intake of processed sweeteners, alcohol, and tobacco.

Meditation

Research is now showing us that meditation might be a great option for those who have chronic pain. Meditation seems particularly effective at reducing pain that is caused by osteoarthritis. This practice requires nothing more than a quiet and comfortable environment where you can focus on your thoughts and breathing. Many people also use apps that guide them through their meditation sessions.

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is more popular than ever, and these cutting-edge medical devices are being used to treat a wide array of health issues. A cold laser device  could potentially lower your pain levels by disrupting the nerve impulses and promoting blood flow to the area. Those devices are very easy to operate, and they can be used on almost any area of the body. Some lasers will even speed up one's recovery after an acute injury has occurred.

In addition to these few tips and tricks, you must also make sure that you are working with an experienced physician who can help you uncover the root causes of your discomfort. Many pain management techniques are very effective, but you need to be sure that you are treating the underlying health complications as well.

Now Available in Canada - Bausch Health, Canada Launches First of its Kind, Topical Antipsoriatic Agent in Almost Twenty Years

Formulated with PRISMATREX™, a proprietary technology, DUOBRII™ lotion improves the signs and symptoms of plaque psoriasis in adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

LAVAL, QC, Sept. 2, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - Bausch Health, Canada, part of Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE: BHC) (TSX: BHC), ("Bausch Health" or the "Company") today announced that its novel topical prescription drug for improving the signs and symptoms of plaque psoriasis in adult patients is now available in Canada. DUOBRII™ (0.01% w/w halobetasol propionate and 0.045% w/w tazarotene) is indicated for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.ⁱ The product is manufactured for distribution throughout Canada and the United States at the Company's Quebec manufacturing facility in Laval.

"Achieving clear skin is the primary goal of patients, and this is equally so for the physicians who treat them," says Richard Lajoie, President and General Manager, Bausch Health, Canada. "As a company fully committed to the Canadian psoriasis community, we are sensitive to the challenges faced in improving the quality of life of patients with psoriasis. DUOBRII works in a unique way by combining halobetasol propionate, which reduces inflammation; and tazarotene that contributes to the normalization of skin cell growth. We are excited to bring this novel product to Canadians and very proud that it is being manufactured at our own facility here in Canada."

Dr. Neil H. Shear, MD, FRCPC, Professor and Head of Dermatology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre has spent decades treating psoriasis patients. "Offering my patients a new option with promising, long-term results will help deliver what every psoriasis patient hopes for: achieving clear skin. Psoriasis is a chronic condition, which means that patients need continuous solutions to manage their symptoms. With DUOBRII, we are seeing positive results in as little as two weeks, which is highly encouraging. The fact that it is the only Health Canada-approved drug for psoriasis to provide extended clearance post-treatment is an important benefit."

Psoriasis is a common, chronic, and life-altering skin condition that affects approximately one million Canadians, with 90% of those affected suffering from plaque psoriasis.ⁱⁱ

The disease is characterized by red elevated patches and flaking silvery scales, and symptoms can range from mild to severe. While the psoriatic lesions can appear anywhere on the body, the most common places include the elbows, knees, scalp, chest and lower back. Because the disease typically affects visible parts of the body, the impact on patients extends well beyond the physical symptoms. Psoriasis often impacts nearly every aspect of an individual's life including their ability to work and maintain social and intimate relationships. In addition to the tremendous medical burden experienced while trying to find a medication that controls the disease, the psychological impact is high. Many individuals suffer from low self-confidence, anxiety, depression and sleep deprivation.ⁱⁱⁱ

"We know how difficult psoriasis is to treat and it is even harder to live with for patients and their families," said Rachael Manion, Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients (CAPP). "Patients deserve the most advanced and effective treatment options available, and we are encouraged that Bausch Health, Canada has brought DUOBRII to market as a new topical treatment option for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis."

DUOBRII lotion provides the combined action of two unrelated compounds, halobetasol propionate, a corticosteroid, and tazarotene, a retinoid prodrug. These well-known ingredients have long-established efficacy profiles. When halobetasol propionate and tazarotene are administered together in DUOBRII, they provide complementary effects due to their individual modes of action targeting different receptors and pathways to achieve anti-inflammatory control and epidermal morphologic restoration. The improvement that is seen in psoriatic patients appears to occur in association with the restoration of normal cutaneous morphology and the reduction of the inflammatory markers ICAM-1 and HLA-DR.^iv

DUOBRII is also distinct based on its Prismatrex™ technology, a polymeric emulsification system which provides a stable condition where emulsion droplets retained their distribution across time and temperature.^v

The clinical efficacy and safety of once daily use of DUOBRII were assessed in two prospective, multi-centre, randomized, double-blind Phase III clinical trials in subjects 18 years and older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. In the Phase III pivotal studies, analysis of the primary efficacy endpoint demonstrated that Duobrii was statistically significantly more effective than Vehicle Lotion in achieving treatment success in the Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) at Week 8, defined as at least a 2-grade improvement from Baseline and a score of Clear or Almost Clear in both studies.^vi 

In the first study 35.76% of subjects in the DUOBRII group had treatment success at Week 8 compared with 6.98% in the Vehicle group. In the second study, 45.33% of the subjects in the Duobrii group had treatment success at Week 8 compared with 12.51% in the Vehicle group.^vi In the clinical studies, the individual signs of psoriasis (erythema, plaque elevation, and scaling) showed sustained efficacy improvement up to 4 weeks after treatment.^vii

While the exact cause of psoriasis has not yet been determined, researchers believe it involves a combination of genetic, environmental, and immune factors. Psoriasis develops when there is a malfunctioning of the immune system which causes inflammation. White blood cells (T cells) in the immune system are triggered and this causes inflammation to occur, which then causes skin cells to rise to the surface and shed at 10 times the normal rate.

About Bausch Health Companies Inc.
Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) is a global company whose mission is to improve people's lives with our health care products. We develop, manufacture and market a range of pharmaceutical, medical device and over-the-counter products, primarily in the therapeutic areas of eye health, gastroenterology, and dermatology. We are delivering on our commitments as we build an innovative company dedicated to advancing global health.

In Canada, the Company's prescription product portfolio is focused on eye health, dermatology, and cardio-metabolic conditions. More information can be found on the Company's website at bauschhealth.ca.

SOURCE Bausch Health

NHS soup-and-shake diet could lead to reduction in type 2 diabetes and obesity in UK by improving disease management, says GlobalData

Following the news that Type 2 diabetes sufferers in the UK were put on a soup and shake diet by the NHS;

Akash Patel, Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders Analyst at GlobalData, offers their view:

“Plans like the NHS’ soup-and-shake diet will help the ~1.9 million people in the UK that are estimated by GlobalData to be currently living with both type 2 diabetes and obesity, conditions that are risk factors for developing severe COVID-19 complications. 

“If these T2D patients reduce their body weight, this will reduce the likelihood of development of additional comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, diabetic kidney disease and peripheral nerve damage. Historically, the most common practice has been physicians educating patients about diet and T2D management, however, such practices have been met with limited success as not all T2D patients are compliant with their diet and exercise regimens. 

“The NHS plan will likely confer a more streamlined approach, making it easier for both patients and physicians improve compliance and overall management strategy.”

Connect Outside This Fall: It’s the Safe Place to Spend Time and It’s Good for You

Alexandria, Va. – Fall is nearly here, and you can boost your health and connect with nature, your friends and your family by getting outside and into green space.

 “Due to the pandemic, we are gaining a fuller understanding of the importance of the outdoors – from our yard and parks to school yards and sports fields. They are essential to our well-being and to nature, itself,” said Kris Kiser, President of the TurfMutt Foundation, which directs the TurfMutt environmental education and stewardship program, and The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI).  

TurfMutt has advocated the importance of managed landscapes and other green space as critical to human health and happiness for over a decade.

“We are reconnecting to the family yard in a way we haven’t seen for many years,” said Kiser. He noted that time spent in green space like your yard, is really good for you. 

“Research shows that time spent outside reduces stress for adults and children alike,” said Kiser. With indoor gatherings limited in many areas and many people eager to see family and friends, the safest place to spend a fall evening catching up and socializing is your yard. 
 
Reconnect with yourself and others. Unplug from your computer, television, and smartphone by getting outside. Disconnecting from electronics, to-do lists and the news cycle lets you re-connect to nature, family and friends.

Burn more calories. A brisk walk around the block or a few minutes of yard work can help you drop the extra “COVID 15” weight that many have added while sheltering at home during the pandemic. Exercising and exertion in cooler temperatures also burns more calories. 

Get a happiness boost. Fall afternoons in the yard are great for soaking up sunshine and natural Vitamin D, which can improve your mood and support overall health.

Give your eyes a break. We spend a lot of time looking at screens – on our TVs, computers, tablets and smartphones. This can overstimulate our eyes and lead to nearsightedness. Just walking outside, you give your eyes an opportunity to relax and widen their focus, as they look at the ground in front of you and to the landscape around you.

Boost your energy. Spending time in nature and breathing fresh air increases energy levels in 90 percent of people, according to research.

Stimulate your brain. Fall yard work in cooler weather, such as digging in planting beds, mulching leaves, aerating soil and planting trees or shrubs is all good for your brain. Research shows people perform tasks better when temperatures are cooler. Go for a brisk walk around the neighborhood or do a few minutes of yard work. 

About TurfMutt
TurfMutt was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) TurfMutt Foundation and has reached more than 70 million children, educators and families since 2009. Through classroom materials developed with Scholastic, TurfMutt teaches students and teachers how to “save the planet, one yard at a time.” TurfMutt is an official USGBC® Education Partner and part of their global LEARNING LAB. TurfMutt is an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2017, the TurfMutt animated video series won the coveted Cynopsis Kids Imagination Award for Best Interstitial Series. TurfMutt’s personal, home habitat is featured in the 2017-2019 Wildlife Habitat Council calendars. More information at www.TurfMutt.com.

6 Astronaut-Tested Tips for Navigating the Unknown, Overcoming Fear and Surviving a Pandemic 

Pasadena, CA, Sept. 2, 2020 — Do you feel safe? Will life ever get back to normal? What will that new normal look like? As we define a pandemic, nearly everyone is grappling with questions like these. An expert on the history of spaceflight—and one of the few women in her field—Amy Shira Teitel, author of FIGHTING FOR SPACE: Two Pilots and Their Historic Battle for Female Spaceflight (Grand Central Publishing; ISBN: 978-1-5387-1604-5; $30.00; Hardcover), invites us to find a silver lining and take this moment to learn how to adapt like an astronaut. Drawing on her extensive knowledge of NASA’s history and missions going back more than 60 years, Teitel shares six astronaut-tested tips to help us face the unknown and take small steps that just might lead to giant leaps in conquering quarantine, staying in the moment, learning how to focus, keeping a positive outlook and looking forward to the future.

1. Prepare Like an Astronaut. When the space age began in the late 1950s, NASA had to figure out what challenges and dangers astronauts would face—fast—with the understanding that they wouldn’t be able to control everything. No one knew if astronauts would be able to swallow food in space or if microgravity would make them go blind. Their survival ultimately came down to the best educated guesses. Astronauts need to react quickly, without creature comforts and with limited social interactions and uncharted risks. Survival Takeaway: Expect challenges. Make peace with uncertainty. Stay informed. Be adaptable.

2. Stay Calm Like an Astronaut. For the nation’s first astronauts, mental fortitude was mission critical. After all, no one knew how flying in space and seeing Earth from orbit would affect the human psyche. As such, candidates went through extensive psychological testing. If they couldn’t stay calm and measured in the face of sensory deprivation and boredom or, on the flip side, when faced with a slew of alarms, they weren’t considered astronaut material. Survival Takeaway: Pay attention to your mental health. Take time for yourself, and even find a new practice to help cultivate a healthy headspace.

3. Sanitize Like an Astronaut. A simple head cold gets complicated since sinus cavities can’t drain without gravity. If you get a stomach bug, well, you can’t air out a spacecraft. Astronauts have limited medication and water on board, making recovering from an illness a lot harder than if they were at home. To prevent astronauts from getting sick in space, NASA quarantines all crews, typically for a period of two weeks, before a launch. What’s more, all robotic missions have to go through intense sanitation before a flight. We don’t want to land on Mars and find that some little Earth germ stuck around and will kill the life we’re hoping to find. Survival Takeaway: Practice sound hygiene. Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Take precautions to avoid spreading the virus.

4. Stay Connected Like an Astronaut. On Apollo missions, ground crews kept the astronauts connected to Earth by relaying messages from their families and reading up daily news headlines, with a special emphasis on sports scores. Though they were in the vicinity of the Moon, they were able to maintain that connection to home. Survival Takeaway: Stay close with family and friends while social distancing. Take advantage of group chat tools like Zoom. Pick up the phone. Make time to talk and really listen.

5. Stay in the Moment Like an Astronaut. For most of us, astronauts seem like the luckiest people on—or off—Earth. They get to see our planet from orbit, a stunning view most of us will only ever see in pictures. And the 24 men who traveled to the Moon got the even more incredible view of Earth from the lunar orbit and remain the only people to see the Moon’s far side with their own eyes. Though astronauts’ schedules are packed with experiments and planned events, they take the time to appreciate where they are in the extraordinary moment, even if those moments for reflection are rare. COVID Takeaway: Focus on the positive side of sheltering in place or working from home. Seize an unprecedented opportunity to enjoy your family. Cook meals together. Play games.Turn off the TV; put down your phone. Set aside time each day to just be present. In retrospect, you just might discover how truly fortunate you are! 

6. Look Toward the Future Like an Astronaut. Even though missions are planned down to the minute, things can always go wrong at any moment. Astronauts are trained to adapt to any situation, to trust their training, their crewmates, and their support teams to work any problem and come up with sometimes life-saving solutions. Spaceflight is always dangerous, but no astronaut has ever assumed they weren't coming home. COVID Takeaway: When the world seems bleak and your future feels uncertain, know that there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Trust your instincts, lean on friends and be excited for the day big group gatherings will be safe again.

Amy Shira Teitel is a spaceflight historian, public speaker, popular science writer and the author of FIGHTING FOR SPACE: Two Pilots and Their Historic Battle for Female Spaceflight (Grand Central Publishing; 2020). Frequently sought out as an expert on spaceflight, she has appeared on numerous TV shows and documentaries, including The Apollo Chronicles and NASA’s The Unexplained Files. Her YouTube channel, The Vintage Space, has more than 346,000 subscribers. She has a master’s degree in Science and Technology; loves punk rock, boxing, bowling and old movies; thinks fashion can be immensely powerful; and still plays her Super Nintendo. Born in Toronto, Canada, she lives in Pasadena, California, with her (adult) kitten, Pete Conrad. For more information, please visit www.amyshirateitel.com.

15-Minute Electrical Muscle Stimulation Workout Moves Outdoors in Los Angles

Celebrity-Favorite Workout, Manduu, Trending Straight From Europe

 
LOS ANGELES, September 2, 2020 - Manduu, the first FDA-cleared, whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) technology in the U.S., is revolutionizing the way America works out, and has taken the workout outdoors in Los Angeles. 
"Manduu already had a robust infection control protocol in place before Covid-19," said Wiley Robinson, RN, MCPT, Chief Operating Officer, Manduu. "Manduu is not a group fitness activity and we are able to social distance during sessions and clients spend less time in Manduu studios than gyms therefore reducing risk. We are actually even ahead of pre-Covid-19 revenue numbers in core markets." The "Clinical Fitness" concept tones, firms & strengthens muscles, in just 15 minutes. Much like television personality Kathie Lee Gifford displayed on NBC's TODAY, or how other celebrities such as Supermodel Heidi Klum, Pro Boxer Mike Tyson, singer-songwriter Madonna, "Fastest Man in the World" Usain Bolt, Actor Tom Holland (Spiderman), 2019 US Open Men's Tennis Champion Rafael Nadal, Pro Soccer Player Cristiano Ronaldo, and singer-songwriter & TV Star Reba McEntire use EMS training to stay in top shape, Manduu provides the fastest & safest way to build muscle and everyone - at every age - needs muscle.
Developed in Europe, the technology delivers an incredibly effective, highly efficient & personally tailored exercise regimen for all fitness levels and is equal to six to eight hours of traditional strength training. Manduu's EMS technology is more effective at penetrating muscle fiber than the brain. When the brain sends a signal to a muscle, only about 65% of muscle fiber is activated. By contrast, the external EMS stimulus penetrates nearly 100% of muscle tissue. This produces a workout that is simultaneously ultra-low impact & incredibly effective. Manduu's sophisticated system of not only measuring body composition, but also tracking every client's fitness goals creates a strategic data reserve to measure progress and address problem areas over time. Manduu is experiencing rapid growth and market expansion, in addition to Los Angeles (outdoor), Manduu has studios in other markets including: Austin, Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Memphis, Naples, and Nashville.  

4 Common Reasons Men Have Trouble Developing Muscle Properly Despite Workouts 

It is a real let down when men find they are having difficulty properly building muscle mass. They have been putting in the hours at the gym, and have been pushing their body hard. Unfortunately, something seems to be thwarting their best efforts. The following are four common reasons why these men face so much trouble building muscle properly.

Stop Eating Junk

A person may be really putting in time at the gym, but if their diet is all wrong, this can prevent their ability to build muscle. Getting off the candy, cookies, cake and soft drink sugar load and eating real food will not just help to build more muscle, but it will help to build better quality muscle too. This means they will need more healthy fats like coconut oil and more meat-based protein to help them reach their muscle building goals.

Get Rid of Stress

Believe it or not, a body builder’s emotional state could be standing between them and developing those nice large muscles they desire to have. Their body is a soup of chemical interactions, and when it comes to building muscles too much stress can put a dampener on the chemistry that promotes muscle generation. By dumping the stress in their life, a body builder will get far more out of their workouts and build muscle more easily.

Introduce Drop Down Sets into Your Workout

If a person really wants to start getting pumped up and build muscle, then drop down sets are a valuable tool in their muscle building arsenal. For example, try to curl a heavier weight between 8 and ten times. Then reduce that weight by 10-pounds, and curl the new amount until reaching the point of fatigue. Drop the amount of weight by 10-pounds again and curl the new weight until fatiguing again. Then let the body rest for about a minute and repeat the process. A body builder should start to experience more efficient muscle building from this type of workout.

Low Testosterone and Muscle Loss

To maintain muscle, a man’s body needs to be producing sufficient amounts of testosterone. Low T will prohibit the necessary testosterone from binding to the cell receptor sites, and this will lead to the loss of muscle fibers. For some men, it may be necessary to invest in some Low T gel to prevent a deficiency in testosterone from holding back their progress when generating new muscle fibers.

It might seem like it takes a while to build healthy, quality muscle, but these kinds of results come with patients and a lot of hard work. By removing those factors which most hinder the body’s ability to generate muscle, this will make it far easier to move ahead to meet muscle building goals. Then when a body builder looks in the mirror, they will be pleasantly surprised at the progress they have been making.