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An interview with Stephan Esser, M.D.

by Lynn Grudnik

Stephan Esser, M.D., is a young, energetic physician. Growing up in Lake Worth, Florida, he comes from a rich heritage of Natural Hygiene. He is the grandson of William Esser, N.D., one of the founders of the American Natural Hygiene Society, now known as the National Health Association. We were very excited to have Dr. Esser as a speaker at the 2008 NHA Healthy Living Conference and I know you will enjoy reading about his fascinating life and career.

What was it like growing up in your Grandfather’s house?

Amazing! My Grandfather was a true Renaissance man who embraced life and people with passion and compassion. He cultivated a very strong spiritual life: attending daily mass and spending time in prayer. He was a fantastic jazz pianist who surrounded himself with music and the visual arts. As many of his patients know, he was also a self-proclaimed bibliophile with a book collection that never stopped growing. Finally, he loved to stay active and whether working out with free-weights and a slant board in his bedroom or out on the tennis courts in the heat of the day, he maintained his conditioning well into his late 80s. To give you an example of his fitness, when I was born my Grandfather was 66 years old, and yet, I couldn’t beat him at tennis until I was 14 and he was 80. Growing up in his house, he modeled for me what the classic Natural Hygienist was.

When you were in school, did the fact that you ate “differently” ever present a challenge?

Honestly, no! We were raised to be proud about how we ate. In fact my parents used strong psychology to mold our habits early on. We were told that “fast food” and “junk food” was low class, cheap and essentially “garbage.” On the other hand, my parents spent a great deal of time poeticizing about the colors, flavors and textures of natural plant foods. When described like that, there wasn’t any question what you wanted. My parents also taught us how to respond to any verbal abuse from peers. For example, if I was eating a bowl of fruit for lunch with dates and figs and someone pointed and said “Ew, what’s that nasty black thing you’re eating?” I was taught to respond with, “It’s a dried cockroach you want one?” The little children taunting me would then right on cue say, “No way” or “Hey, I want one.” Their abuse quickly turned into amazement and curiosity. Likewise to date when I am drinking a large glass of “green juice” at school or work, people crinkle up their faces and say, “Ew, what is that green junk?” I smile and say, “Pond scum, want some?” Or on other days, “Caterpillar blood with apple juice. Want to try?” It either deflects their attempted harassment or, even better, begins a worthwhile discussion on good living. Even more fun, it never fails to “raise eyebrows.”

Four things have helped me navigate social pressures effectively: First: a sense of personal identity which motivates my behavior. You have to know who you are and be proud of that person if you intend to face conflict. Next, a sense of humor which encourages me never to take myself or others too seriously. After all we will all turn into compost in a few decades. Third, staying in shape and up to date. Being in good to excellent physical condition should be a priority of any Hygienist as it is an outward expression of the superlative health we claim to pursue. No one can argue with your lifestyle choices if you can out walk, out run, out swim, hit or peddle them. Your testimony is not up for debate when you leave them “in the dust.” You also must be able to verbalize why you do what you do. If you can verbalize rational reasons for the choices you make, once again you are in a position for dialogue, rather then harassment. Finally, not making a “big deal” at social gatherings where things are out of your direct control. Eating what I feel is appropriate and being happy to wait till after the event to eat, rather then placing special demands on my hosts is the best way to go. Celebrate and revel in the company of friends, family, etc., but don’t make food a sticking point for having fun.

What prompted you to go to medical school?

My Grandfather’s example. As I mentioned, he practiced “medicine” as if it were a vocation. The hours with patients, his free weekly lectures, late night runs to the ranch, unending free correspondence, free stays. The list goes on. He practiced “medicine” for people and his example of joyful service was what drew me in. When I saw his example and I viewed it in the context of healthcare today I realized that America needs more physicians like my Grandfather. Sensing that need propelled me in this direction.

So your Grandfather influenced your plans?

Without a doubt! My Grandfather strongly encouraged me not to go into medicine. As a man ahead of his time, he spent a lifetime serving patients with little support and constant abuse from the medical system. He was derided, mocked, abused and even imprisoned during his career. Maintaining his joy and commitment in the face of such challenges was taxing. He did not wish me to have to deal with such a life. Nevertheless, his example of service to countless thousands was an even more powerful motivator.

Where did you go to medical school ? Tell us about that experience.

I attended medical school at the University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa, Florida. It is a young medical school with great resources and dedicated faculty. It was a challenging four years but an experience that I would never trade. I had a chance to see first hand how hundreds of altruistic young students go through four years of “re-education” and leave with a singular world view. I saw how the “medical” mind is formed and molded; how creativity is neither encouraged nor rewarded and dialogue rarely promoted. At USF as in every other school in the nation, certain topics must be covered due to national accrediting mandate. Unfortunately, none of these topics include lifestyle medicine, nutrition or other preventive techniques. Since young doctors are taught what is presently reimbursed by insurance, the cycle continues to propagate itself. I suppose the key lesson I learned is that if we hope to change medical practice in America we have to advocate for change in medical education.

What did your fellow students and teachers at USF think about your Hygienic views?

Their opinions were mixed as you can imagine. Everything from quiet support to outright condemnation. My goal was to create dialogue while I was there and as a part of this goal I started a Preventive and Integrative Medicine Interest Group, a student run Wellness Newsletter and an elective in Integrative Medicine for students. Many of my peers were open to the concepts of Natural Hygiene, but they wanted more evidence to “prove” my beliefs. Since the wealth of information now supports a plant-based diet, increased exercise, good emotional poise, etc., the only sticking points are really how powerful such changes can be and on whether fasting is a legitimate modality.

Now that you have graduated from medical school, what are you currently doing?

I am presently completing a one year internship in Internal Medicine in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is an excellent opportunity to be in the “trenches” with the general medicine doctors and see the challenges they face and opportunities for change.

When do you start your residency at Harvard?

I will be spending three years at Harvard in Boston from 2009-2012. I will be specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR). I look forward to initiating and participating in research to move Natural Hygiene forward during these years.

You attended your first NHA Conference this summer. What was your first impression?

I was overwhelmed. The warmth of the members and their passion for Natural Hygiene really re-energized me. I came away excited for next year and ready to advance the movement. The members are the movement and their examples are both inspirational and infectious.

I understand that you spent some time at TrueNorth Health Center with Dr. Goldhamer. Tell us about your experience at the Center.

TrueNorth Health is a worthwhile yearly destination for every serious Hygienist. The redesigned center will really appeal to middle America” and makes fasting and intensive lifestyle change very approachable. Dr. Goldhamer is to be applauded for his dedication year in and year out. He keeps moving the science and business of fasting and lifestyle medicine forward. I only hope that we can convince him to open up a few more centers across the country. America really needs it and his model is excellent.

Your Grandfather believed that fasting played a powerful role in the recovery of health. What are your views on fasting?

I believe that fasting, when defined as complete physiological rest, is one of the most powerful modalities for addressing a host of physiologic and psychological derangements. Science supports its use, history extols its value and my own personal experience seeing outcomes of some of the 30,000+ patients my Grandfather fasted tells me that fasting must be a functional part of our approach to restoring human health in the 21st century. So to answer you, Lynn, I embrace wholeheartedly the use of intermittent fasting as a valuable tool.

What are your professional plans?

Upon completion of my specialty training I intend to open a lifestyle change facility much like my Grandfather’s facility. I hope to create a facility which brings together the best elements of Natural Hygiene and the functional, diagnostic capacities of conventional medicine. I hope to move the science of fasting and Natural Hygiene forward through continued research and to be an active part of the Hygiene movement.

What are your interests outside of medicine?

Much like the rest of my family, I have varied interests. I enjoy the arts, athletic involvement and strive to cultivate a healthy spiritual and emotional life.

What advice do you have for people just beginning to make lifestyle changes?

Before you make any changes think about why you are considering them. What is motivating your effort to change? Are your goals likely to weather the storm of challenges you will face? After you determine why you are making changes, then I support starting the change with a brief fast. Cleansing the palate and preparing the body and mind for change will only make lasting changes that much more feasible. Next, don’t castigate yourself if old habits intrude; instead reassess and reaffirm your goals and continue forward. Finally remember what Jimmy Dugan said in a League of Their Own, “Of course it’s hard; if it wasn’t hard everybody would do it. It’s the hard that makes it great.” Being healthy takes hard work at first, so surround yourself with people who encourage and motivate you. Get rid of the unhealthy relationships that keep you down. You can do it! Good luck!

This interview appeared in Health Science magazine, Fall 2008. For more information, visit www.healthscience.org

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