By Tom Keim
My Path to a Healthier Version of Myself as an Older Lifter
Introduction
In my previous article, I discussed a health scare I experienced in my early thirties. It followed a 15-pound weight loss and a feeling of being unstoppable in training. Avoiding another pulmonary embolism became a substantial goal of mine. After all, Dave Tate stated in his latest book, “The ‘strength is everything’ crowd always finds health is what makes strength possible.” While some readers may have experienced cardiovascular events, the purpose of this article goes beyond educating readers about cardiovascular disease. This is for anyone in their 30s, 40s, and beyond to draw ideas for improving their health from my experiences and share stories of recent events since the writing of my last article.
Debacle: Dealing with the Local Healthcare System
During my hospital stay, I saw an egotistical hematologist. Despite having a bad feeling about being under her care, I followed up and was given a diagnosis of having MTHFR mutations. Without getting too far into the details, people who carry these mutations have one or more glitches in the programming that regulates their enzyme cycle, which processes folate (Vitamin B9), and are known to experience autoimmune issues, sleep difficulties, and are predisposed to developing blood clots. Unfortunately, my primary care doctor discharged me from her practice upon receiving this information, and the hematologist who diagnosed me provided little follow-up care. Before finding the right practice to care for me, I went through a couple of primary care providers and specialists, and essentially gave up on our local healthcare system.
Finding Performance Medicine and Meeting Amber Butler
Following my diagnosis, I spent a considerable amount of time reading and watching YouTube videos on MTHFR mutations, attempting to learn as much as possible regarding vitamin supplementation for the prevention of MTHFR-related health problems. In one of those YouTube videos, a doctor described the enzyme pathway as an open three-lane highway in people with unaffected genes, and MTHFR patients as having one or more “lane closures” at various locations on the gene. While trying to upload the video to send to a former schoolmate, I encountered a video produced by Performance Medicine, a clinic within a couple of hours’ drive from my hometown.
YouTube’s algorithm picked up on my interest in them and alerted me to their weekly podcast. Being introverted, I planned to sit back and observe. Dr. Tom Rogers (Doc) and his son, Ben Rogers, took health-related questions. I introduced myself and asked if the practice would take me as a new patient. Dr. Rogers replied, “You have a great name,” because we share a first name, and put me in contact with his office coordinator, Karter Geagley. During our exchange of emails, I complimented Karter on her politeness and offered to take her first cancellation. It happened to be that day with Amber Butler, an enthusiastic nurse practitioner who wanted to know my story, unlike other providers who asked irrelevant questions and entered my answers on their computer without making eye contact.
Cleveland Panel and CT Calcium Score
Amber asked if I was comfortable getting a blood draw for a Cleveland Heart Panel…A suite of labs that pick up on any cardiovascular, gut, hormonal, or inflammatory issue in the body, as well as screening for a couple of genes that predispose patients to developing Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, Amber proposed having a heart scan called a CT Calcium Score, and I agreed to get both done.
When the results returned, Amber informed me that my CT Calcium Score was stellar. However, some items on the Cleveland Panel could be improved upon. First, I needed to increase my Omega-3 levels. Also, despite having an adequate Vitamin D level, Amber suggested increasing my dose to 5,000 IU and taking it in a form combined with Vitamin K. Little did I know that Amber and I had just begun our partnership, working to improve my health. I would soon befriend a fellow, middle-aged lifter on his own quest for improved health.
Getting to know Josh Stottlemire
That person was Josh Stottlemire. Like me, Josh is no stranger to health scares and is passionate about selling supplements. Additionally, he is well-versed in lab results and understands that optimal ranges are not necessarily indicative of good health. After discussing my history of high lipids at dinner the night before my 725 bench, he encouraged me to add Dihydroberberine to my supplement regimen.
Creatine for Brain Health (And Building Muscle)
During a special Performance Medicine, Cyber Monday podcast, Doc made an appearance from Performance Medicine’s vitamin warehouse and stressed the importance of taking Creatine to slow the aging process, not only for gaining or preserving muscle mass but also to protect the brain from dementia. I asked Ben to send me some, and he did, leading to substantial mass gains.
2025 Highs and Lows
In January of 2025, the thought of lifting in the National Championship in Youngstown, Ohio, excited me. Unfortunately, the training partner that remained at my gym failed to recover from a previous injury and was unable to hand off on the heavy sets I needed to be ready on meet day. Trying to salvage the training cycle, I traveled to a couple of gyms in the weeks leading up to the contest. While attempting my planned opener of 700 pounds, I struggled to complete the lift. The disappointment of working with 700, combined with an illness in my family, led me to withdraw from the meet.
During the late days of summer, Sheena, the EliteFTS editor, contacted me with the news that my previous article would soon be published. I was delighted and awaited the day of its publication. To my surprise, EliteFTS created multiple social media posts to generate interest in my article, in addition to posting it on their website. Many family members, fellow lifters, and friends enjoyed reading it.
In September, I had a new training partner. Feeling as though things were back on track, I decided to compete once again at Adam Hawkins’ Christmas Grit in November. Life served up another curveball, and my training partner chose to resume training at a commercial gym. Fortunately, Josh arranged for me to visit the Elite Fitness Systems “Compound”, and I made plans to travel there and figure out my opener for the Christmas Grit.
My Visit to the Compound
After driving through Ohio farmland and the small town of London, I found “The Compound”. Upon entry, I immediately noticed “The Compound” was the state-of-the-art facility I had anticipated it to be. Adam Hawkins and his Los Lobos crew were on hand, and Josh arrived shortly thereafter. The saying, “Expect the unexpected!” appropriately described my visit. Tired from a lack of sleep, I hoped to work up to my opener and get out of town. However, Adam and the Los Lobos crew began pestering me about not wearing the latest Battle Ready bench shirt. Trying to ignore them, I continued to increase my weight. Finally, after hearing, “That shirt doesn’t look good on you!”, I gave in and tried on one of Josh’s spare Battle Ready shirts. Seven hundred went up easily, and I felt ready for the meet that Saturday.
Christmas Grit
In my previous article, I stated that going into a meet injury-free and only making your opener is a victory, considering all the variables involved in geared lifting, and to give yourself credit when coming back to create a lift after a miss. Those points sum up my performance at the Christmas Grit. After feeling unwell in the days leading up to the meet and losing 3-4 pounds, I did not feel like the same lifter who had launched 700 pounds like a rocket six days before the meet. It took two attempts to get my opener of 685, and I wanted nothing more than to give Metal Militia another 700 bench, but I came close, losing control of the weight at the very top. Adam got a good laugh when I mentioned that.
I would not be taking home the “Bomb Out Award”.
Final Thoughts
As an aging lifter, you must prioritize your health to remain competitive. I suggest the following:
1. Find a medical practice where you feel as though you belong and the providers work in a partnership with you. They are out there and can be found with a little effort.
2. Get a Cleveland Panel or equivalent labs done regularly.
3. Go for other screenings, such as the CT Calcium Score if relevant.
4. Cole Dworek stressed to me on a couple of occasions, “Your health is important. When you know it is time to get out of the sport, get out!” As middle-aged lifters, we carry a decade or more of experience to draw upon, giving us a competitive edge in training. However, we must protect our health and follow Cole’s advice when we feel the stakes are too high.
5. Health issues can be very personal, and you are not obligated to disclose information to everyone who inquires about your health. If you feel someone is prying for information you do not care to discuss, you might say something along the lines of, “I haven’t been well, and my doctor has me taking rectal suppositories and Viagra.” Now, you have turned the tables and are not the one feeling awkward.
Dedication
This article is dedicated to the healthcare providers amongst us that are willing to look outside the box and work in partnership with their patients, lifters like Josh that are passionate not only about lifting more but also about improving their health and that of their fellow lifters, and my late cousin and one of my biggest fans, Megan Sergi that unfortunately took her own life. Megan’s recent death is a reminder to each of us to be mindful of our mental state in addition to our physical health and to speak up if we are struggling. I will end this article quoting Robert Stack, “At any moment, any of us could meet someone who changes their life forever.” With that said, crossing paths with the people who were willing to step in and assist me on my journey sure changed mine for the better, and for that, I am grateful!
Thomas C. Keim is a writer and lifelong student of strength, discipline, and personal responsibility. Based in Bluefield, Virginia, his work reflects a practical, no-nonsense perspective shaped by real-world experience rather than theory alone. Thomas is drawn to ideas that emphasize effort, accountability, and long-term consistency—both in training and in life. He is proud to contribute to elitefts, a platform that has long stood for honest education and the passing on of hard-earned lessons to the next generation.
