Troy Casey, also known as the Certified Health Nut, has successfully restored his physical, mental, and emotional balance, as well as the clients he has worked with. He was a model for Versace in his early twenties, and since then he has studied nutrition, herbs, and internal purification as a way of not only looking but feeling great.
He got to a point in his life when he was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. He wanted better things: growth, sobriety, and clarity of mind. After struggling with digestive issues, he discovered herbs and whole-food eating as well as meditation and breathwork. Troy recently wrote a book called #RIPPEDAT50: A Journey to Self-Love in which he writes about the 9 pillars that rule his life, among which are: legacy, food, rest, movement, breath, thought, relationships, and water.
We had an enlightening conversation about his experiences and what he does every day to instill those 9 Pillars into his life. Legacy is perhaps the most important pillar: understanding that knowing your own is the most important thing to realize and live a full life. Living optimally also involves getting closer to nature, which in the end can help you determine — and follow — your legacy.
Feelings of inadequacy abound for both men and women
Troy began his journey because he wanted to stabilize his own imbalances and dysfunctions, whether they be emotional, mental, spiritual, or physical. He implemented certain practices because he wanted a better life and wanted to become a better version of himself. He wanted to look and feel his best, and have fulfilling and meaningful relationships.
Most of Troy’s work is done with men and women who want to optimize their health and wellness. He says that many of his clients struggle with feelings of inadequacy — 70% of Americans are obese, unhealthy, and struggling because they don’t know how to take care of their bodies and therefore feel inadequate. Most people look in the mirror and don’t like what they see.
Many folks all around the planet are suffering from infertility, mental health issues, and other health problems. These issues are directly correlated to our environment and so taking care of the planet is another tenet of Troy’s work. He believes (and there are studies that back him up) depression and suicidal thoughts are becoming more common because we are out of balance with nature.
The basic principles and fundamental elements of Troy’s latest book are all about coming back to a symbiotic relationship with nature. He believes that living in alignment with the 9 pillars is essential to move toward this goal.
The 9 pillars
Troy’s book isn’t about going on a diet or increasing exercise, but rather it’s about obtaining optimal health. Yes, we need movement and good food. But, it’s important to go beyond that: you need mental, emotional, and spiritual health too. You can attain these things when you incorporate Troy’s 9 pillars.
The 9 pillars are fundamental principles to live by. Perhaps the most important one is understanding your legacy: your dream or purpose. It acts as a true North Star and a guiding light as the roadmap to your life. Troy says that you can find yours by tapping into what your heart truly desires. Understanding what you’re good at, what you love, and what you wanted to do when you were younger can all help you determine your legacy.
When you’re consistent with your hydration, nutrition, sleep, movement, being in nature, and following your dream, you’ll achieve results. Troy’s mission, through his book and consulting, is to raise human consciousness and change all systems. And, he affirms that his book isn’t only for men — it’s for everyone and can serve as an owner’s manual for the human body.
Understanding what it is that you truly want and then plugging in the gifts that we all have is the only way. We all have work and careers that are part of us, but Troy is also a big believer in humans contributing positively in other ways to the world. The first step to moving toward this new world is to get clear about what you want and what you were meant to do — all while keeping the planet and nature in mind.
Most people aren’t feeding their soul
Troy believes that the majority of society isn’t feeding their soul or thriving in life. Most people aren’t happy or excited about their lives. He believes that is a symptom of humanity trying to fit a round peg into a square peg that is the industrial world. We’re not all just industrial automatons, we are so much more than that. We are powerful co-creators and those teachings have been unfortunately lost.
We were once taught that what we create with our words, thoughts, and actions are very powerful and that we each have a “genius.” The most important thing you can do in life is to identify that genius, which is directly attached to what you naturally love and are passionate about.
A big part of Troy’s work goes into helping his clients live optimally and in service to their genius. He lives by his own teachings, and his ideal day should serve as an example. It includes:
Some form of movement
Meditation
Breathwork
Hydration
Micronutrition in the form of herbs and minerals
Eating whole, organic foods
Plenty of rest and sleep
Another thing that Troy does is called aged urine enemas. I’ll admit — when he explained it to me I was initially a little grossed out. It involves injecting your own urine back into your intestines. While it may seem intense, the practice boasts a myriad of health benefits. For Troy, in particular, it cleared up his gut issues and removed excess bacteria that was harming his physical health.
Troy urges his readers and clients to align themselves with nature in order to apply the principles in his book. He agrees that he’s not the first person to come up with these principles, but his text should serve as a reminder of how important and helpful they are.
They are fundamental principles of biology, physiology, and psychology that can help you become an optimal human being. When we are optimal, we can live in balance with nature. Be healthy and go after your dreams. And remember: you need a healthy vessel to go after your dreams. You’re here on earth for a reason. You have a gift. Live it out fully.
Connect with Troy on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. He also has a website where you can learn more about what he’s doing and how to work with him.
You can listen to our full-length conversation on the podcast!
Photo by Nathan McBride on Unsplash