The Well-Oiled Automaton

Our bodies are absolutely wondrous in every way. Within them are millions of individual cogs that are constantly working and turning to make us the complete living, breathing machines that we are. But what happens when a few of those cogs stop turning? It's nothing too serious, fortunately there are other cogs that can turn harder and faster to pick up the slack, but then what happens when it's no longer a few cogs, but many of them?

The above scenario is a very basic and simple way of explaining what dysautonomia essentially causes. What exactly is dysautonomia, and who of us has this issue? 

While you're busy living your life, there are an endless amount of automated processes that your body is conducting that make that living possible. The normal human body knows how much air to take in, how much energy is needed for optimal function, how much waste to secrete, what living and non-living cells it needs to drive out and exterminate, and so on. Because these processes are automated, you won't pay much notice to them because they come effortlessly and naturally. You still probably won't pay too much mind when a few of those functions aren't as efficient as they used to be. They're just issues that begin showing up with age, right?

You'll definitely take notice when those functions no longer operate as intended.

Dysautonomia, and why We've Never Heard of it

Why isn't dysautonomia a more common term in the lay person's medical lexicon? The rarity of very severe cases such as my own is part of the reason, some people can have versions of it that don't impair their day to day life, and really does come off as just issues with getting older.

The other reason we don't hear of dysautonomia is the difficulty in treating it when it gets as severe as it does.

A Frustrating Scenario

Dysautonomia is incredibly difficult to diagnose because conventional medicine dictates that there needs to be hard evidence of bodily dysfunction based off of readings and tests taken at a hospital by a medical specialist. As an example, someone that has frequent and urgent urination of a dark color might be sent to a nephrologist for examination. The nephrologist might take a blood and urine sample and could end up finding elevated creatinine levels within the urine, or perhaps lower blood urea nitrogen. This would potentially indicate kidney, or even possibly liver issues. Despite treatment, and even improved numbers, the problem still persists or possibly even worsens. Maybe the issue is the bladder, so a urinary ultrasound is taken, but no structural problems are detected. The specialist then may refer a different medical department or suggest a wait and see approach seeing as the readings don't indicate a serious issue.

As you're waiting for answers, a few other things begin to go wrong. Along with the urological issues come respiratory issues. Now it takes more effort to take in a full breath of air. A visit to the pulmonologist doesn't reveal anything concrete. General malaise begins to set in as more and more things go wrong little by little over time.

The above scenario represents the dysautonomia conundrum. Something is seriously wrong, but the tests and readings tend to not indicate any immediate solutions. 

The problem here is a functional issue as opposed to a structural one. 

Structure vs. Function

Structural issues are straightforward, you can determine a problem through a set of readings, then there are solutions to that problem due to the many years of medical science, history, and practice that have gone into solving it. For example, if there's a problem with your lungs then an x-ray, or a tissue sample, etc. may reveal the problem and then there would be a following set of steps in accordance to deal with it.

Functional issues differ because the structure of an organ or system is intact enough that readings and tests appear normal, but somehow they no longer operate optimally or normally. Sometimes a structural problem is found, but resolving it may partially alleviate the dysfunction, or maybe it won't at all. 

Why is there an issue? It all happens to do with the body's ability to communicate with the brain and vice-versa. The problem isn't with an organ, or system itself, but rather with the messaging between it and the brain. Once this connection is severed, the part of the body effected by this severance no longer understands the correct way to function.

A common example that can be found with many people that suffer from severe dysautonomia would be the workings of the bladder. The body understands to release the waste contents of the bladder when it's full. It knows when to do it, and you know when it very much requires you to do so. An urge to let out those fluids builds up as the bladder fills, and then there's great urgency to release it when it's completely full in order to make room for more waste. If the connection between the bladder and the brain is severed, then it may no longer understand when is the appropriate time to release all fluids. The bladder might give the sense of urgency to release it at half capacity, or a quarter capacity.

If it's bad enough, it might feel the need to release fluids the moment water enters your body.

I've gone through the above scenario. It's not pleasant to be dehydrated all the time no matter how much water you drink, nor was it fun to lose 5kg (more than 10 lbs.) in a day of water weight. You can also get an idea on how this might affect the day to day life considering that plans have to be made on how to drink fluids, and the proximity you have to be from a restroom at all times.

Who Deals with an Indiscernible Issue?

The primary option for someone suffering from dysautonomia is to visit a functional specialist.

Functional specialists are forced to look at the body as a whole, with all of the aforementioned millions of cogs all turning and working together to keep the human machine running. In order to understand and figure out what's possibly causing the dysfunction, the functional specialist will have to observe the same things a normal medical specialist would such as dietary, and lifestyle habits, but the analysis to treat these issues differ. While they may observe an organ system for clues, they're main goal is to find out the root cause of what's causing the severance in the body's ability to communicate with the brain. 

What gives? How does this get dealt with?

In my last post, I announced I'd be revisiting digestive issues and their effects on the human body. Why is a dysautonomia post following it?

While I wish I could give a one size fits all cause for dysautonomia, I can't. The same way that regular medical specialists are unable to, since the source may come from a single problem, or possibly a multitude of them.

However, seeing as my posts tend to deal with the digestive system, I can offer that a common occurrence of these autonomic issues starts in your stomach and works its way from there. Malnutrition and malabsorption of your dietary intake is an easy way for the bodily autonomic functions to begin misfiring over time. Also consider the connection that your gut has with the rest of the body. Your immune system is located there, so is the vagus nerve, which pretty much acts as the information superhighway for all of the signals going to and coming from the brain. People with extended gut problems can easily find themselves in a dire situation once the vagus nerve becomes damaged.

Closing Words

I know there are people out there that are dealing with severe dysautonomia, believe me, I know how bad it can get. If any of you suffering through it happen to stumble upon this blog, just know there's definitely a light at the end of the tunnel. It gets better the moment you find whatever's causing that severance of communication between your body and your brain and deal with it. I've been working on healing through it for four months since the writing of this blog post, and I can definitely say things are moving in the right direction. It's not anywhere close to being fully healed, but at least it's manageable now. There's definitely hope that someday I could one day going back to living a normal life again, and that hope definitely wasn't there before the start of 2025.

For those who want to make sure that dysautonomia never rears its ugly head then eat right and exercise. It's cliche` and said to death but for good reason.

Anyone who has taken the time to read my past blog posts has gotten some insight on how my severe gastroinstestinal (GI) issues were affecting me both in the past and at the time of the writing of those posts. It's been years of worsening cognitive issues, ability loss, erratic blood pressure, vision and hearing loss, trips to the bathroom every fifteen minutes due to a loose bladder, disassociation, and much much more. 

If you've seen my more recent blog posts, then you can see that I've managed to not only stop the symptoms from worsening, but potentially get a chance to reverse them as well. This didn't happen from a regular visit to a hospital. I've seen my fair share of specialists, but conventional treatment and medicine dictate that there needs to be a structural problem for a solid diagnosis. If your readings, x-ray, MRI results come out fine, then there isn't much that can be done, no matter how you feel.

I've decided to revisit this series of posts about GI health, but from a different perspective this time. This is now coming from someone, after years of searching and fighting for having a normal life again, may have finally come across what they were looking for. 

Imagine a contest where the Bible’s strongest, fastest, and most enduring heroes compete head-to-head in a modern GFF Challenge: 30 push-ups, 30 squats, 30 leg lifts, and a 500-meter run. Using current world record exercise speeds and legendary (or plausible) animal speeds for the run, here’s how these iconic figures might compare.

Samson; Judge and Nazirite Strongman; 1:20 (Estimated)

Samson’s legendary strength is unmatched in scripture—tearing apart a lion, carrying city gates, and defeating armies single-handedly. While the Bible doesn’t describe his running speed, his explosive power and stamina would be off the charts. If Samson could perform each exercise in just 10 seconds and run 500 meters in 20 seconds—reflecting his miraculous abilities—he would finish the GFF challenge in approximately 1 minute and 20 seconds, likely the fastest among mortals.

Asahel; Young Warrior; 1:31

Asahel is remembered for being “swift as a gazelle,” a title taken literally here. Using a gazelle’s sprint speed for the 500-meter run (22.5 seconds) and world record times for the exercises, Asahel’s total GFF score would be 1 minute and 31 seconds, putting him among the speediest men of the Bible.

David; Young Shepherd/Warrior; 1:31

David, famed for his agility and strength—able to take on lions, bears, and giants—was compared to a deer for his speed. With a deer’s top speed for the run and elite times for the exercises, David would also complete the GFF challenge in 1 minute and 31 seconds, tying Asahel and proving his legendary athleticism.

Goliath; Veteran Philistine Champion; 2:00 (Estimated)

Goliath was described as a giant, towering over his opponents and feared for his raw power. His massive size likely gave him immense strength but limited his speed and agility. If he could complete the exercises in 20 seconds each and run 500 meters in 60 seconds—a fast time for someone of his build—his GFF score would be about 2 minutes flat, showing overwhelming power but not quite matching the swiftest.

Jacob; Middle-aged Patriarch and Angel-Wrestler; 0:45 (During the Feat), 8:43 (After)

Jacob performed one of the Bible’s most extraordinary feats by wrestling an angel through the entire night, a contest that no ordinary human could survive, let alone endure. In that miraculous moment, Jacob’s strength, endurance, and resolve would have soared to superhuman levels—if channeled into the GFF challenge, he could have completed all exercises and the run in a staggering 45 seconds, outpacing even the fastest mortals by a wide margin. However, the cost of this divine encounter was a dislocated hip, and after the struggle, Jacob’s physical abilities were drastically reduced; his post-fight GFF score would plummet to 8 minutes and 43 seconds, showing both the peak of his miraculous potential and the lasting impact of wrestling with the divine.

Saul; Grown King; 1:45

Saul, described as “swifter than eagles,” was tall, strong, and a formidable leader in battle. Matching an eagle’s flying speed for his 500-meter run (36 seconds) and using elite exercise times, Saul would complete the GFF challenge in 1 minute and 45 seconds, earning a place among the biblical elite.

Jonathan; Young Prince; 1:45

Jonathan, Saul’s son, was also praised for his speed and courage, often fighting at the front lines. With the same eagle comparison and athletic ability, Jonathan would match his father’s GFF score of 1 minute and 45 seconds, proving himself one of Israel’s finest warriors.

Caleb; Elderly Veteran (Age 85); 2:30

Caleb, at 85 years old, boldly claimed the hill country and drove out giants from Hebron. Even in old age, his faith and vigor were legendary. If we give him a strong but realistic veteran’s time—85 seconds for the 500-meter run and just above world record speeds for the exercises—Caleb would score about 2 minutes and 30 seconds. His performance would be remarkable for any age, and truly extraordinary for a man in his ninth decade.

These scores show that the Bible’s legendary figures, if placed in a modern fitness challenge, would still stand out for their unique strengths—whether speed, power, endurance, or sheer determination. Some, like Jacob, would even brush the edge of the miraculous.

I have been actively minding my weight since age 16. I am currently in my late 20s and with 2 kids. I am still trying to loose some body weight so we can agree that I have been at it for quite some time. I know that I am speaking for the masses about weight loss because, google gets about 74,000 searches on weight loss per month. It is a well know fact that exercise is the gold standard remedy for weight loss, alongside a balanced diet in the right proportions. Then why do we still search for weight loss remedies? 

Trends on rapid weight loss methods is on an ever upward surge with quick fix weight loss solutions increasing by 581% by 2024. There have been several trends that I am aware of for instance; someone had convinced a lot of people that drinking a certain tea would help them slim down. Another one was that drinking a concoction of some herbs before going to bed or first thing after waking up would melt away the excess fat. Some people were convinced that wrapping your chubby belly with cling film and other textiles overnight would do it. Others just turned to weight loss surgery.

In early 2000s, a Danish pharmaceutical company came up with a drug called semaglutide for diabetes type 2. As diabetic people world wide continued to use the drug to manage their blood sugar, they reported reduced appetite and spontaneous weight loss. Researchers began to consider semaglutide as a potential drug for weight loss in individuals who did not have diabetes. In 2021, ozempic ; which is the brand name for semaglutide started being sold for its off label use as a remedy for rapid weight loss in non-diabetic people. This drug's demand has sky rocketed since then, with its popularity being amplified by celebrity endorsements and viral trends on social media platforms leading to increased demand and even shortages!

Finally seems like the rapid weight loss solution that we have been looking for right? It really works. Would you consider it as a weight loss remedy ? Would you have weekly injections of ozempic and endure nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, constipation or appetite loss? Would you overlook the possibility of thyroid tumors, pancreatitis, gall bladder, kidney or eye problems and commit to using ozempic as your remedy of choice to get to your desired weight or would you rather use exercise and lifestyle modifications to loose weight slowly while having to stay consistent and motivated over a period of time ?

See with ozempic, you get rapid weight loss, appetite control and convenience but you have to get past the side effects, expensive costs and potential weight gain if you don't substitute for a healthy lifestyle for the long term. On the other hand, with exercise, you get natural and sustainable weight loss, good sleep, mood, heart health and energy, better body awareness but at the cost of slower weight loss, requiring consistency and motivation even in the face of a busy schedule, exhaustion or just plain old overwhelmed by adulting.

 Hold on; with great power comes great responsibility. So with ozempic seeming like the better choice, researchers started to look for any further risks associated with use of ozempic for weight loss by non-diabetic people. Rapid weight loss from the drug causes facial volume loss and the sagging skin prompts for more cosmetic procedures . Studies have linked ozempic to mental health issues like depression and suicidal thoughts due to their impact on our dopamine pathways and most recently, intestinal blockage.

Now what do we do? 

We adopt highly effective exercise routines that are quick, require no equipment and can be done anywhere, anytime and by anyone. My recommendation : Global Fast Fit.

On 29th March 2025, the Winsim GFF Club embarked on a mission of love and support to Salama Malaika Children’s Home in Njoro. This visit was more than just a charitable act—it was a powerful reminder of the impact kindness and community involvement can have on young lives.

A Warm Welcome

Our team of 17 volunteers, including club ambassador Kelvin, Egerton manager John Nderitu, and our ever-energetic club mascot, Anita, arrived at 9:00 AM. Before stepping in, we signed the Child Protection Policy form, ensuring the safety and privacy of the children, most of whom are orphans or come from vulnerable families. While individual photos were not allowed, we were thrilled to document moments through group pictures.

A Day Filled with Purpose

The day was packed with engaging and meaningful activities:

• General Cleaning: Together with the children, we tidied the dormitories, kitchen, and compound, reinforcing the importance of hygiene.

• Cooking Together: Volunteers assisted in meal preparation, creating an atmosphere of teamwork and bonding.

• Fun and Games: From football to Scrabble, the energy was infectious as the children engaged in lively activities.

• GFF Routine Demonstration: Our mascot, Anita, led an engaging session on the Global Fast Fit routine, promoting fitness and wellness among the children.

• Words of Encouragement: Anthony, a dedicated GFF member, shared an uplifting message on the power of self-improvement using the phrase “Challenge Yourself.”

• A Special Commitment: Winsim GFF Club pledged to offer free training sessions to the children whenever they needed.

• Sharing a Meal & Giving Back: We presented food supplies and a KES 5,000 donation to help sustain the home.

A Touching Farewell

As our visit came to an end, the manager of Salama Malaika expressed heartfelt gratitude, thanking us for choosing to support the home. The most touching moment came when the children surprised us with a handmade thank-you card, signed by each of them—a simple yet profound expression of their appreciation.

A Community of Support

This impactful visit wouldn’t have been possible without the generous contributions from our community. Special thanks to John Groom, Abby, and James for their donations, which greatly contributed to the success of this event. Sharing is indeed caring!

Looking Forward

This visit reinforced our commitment to supporting these children beyond a one-time event. With plans for continued mentorship, training, and financial aid, Winsim GFF Club remains dedicated to making a lasting impact on the lives of these young souls.

Every child deserves love, care, and the opportunity to dream big. Let’s keep making a difference, one visit at a time!

Written by: Simon Muchiri
Assistant Manager, Winsim GFF Club
Photographs by: Andrew Muchiri

What is the soul? The answers to that question seem to vary depending on what time period or culture you derive it from.

Varying Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain sources refer to the soul through the term आत्मन् (Ātman), which can translate to breath, or essence. While the three beliefs have very different perspectives on the nature of Ātman, there is a collective agreement that the soul refers to a sense of self, or being. That the distinction of Ātman requires a form of sentience, where the ability to think and feel are determinant of having Ātman. Another aspect of Ātman (at least from a Theravadan Buddhist perspective) is that it is ever changing, flowing, and ultimately impermanent.

Ancient Greek philosophers of the 5th or 6th century seemed to equate the soul with presence. The soul was referenced through the word έμψυχος (émpsukhos), meaning "animated" or in other words, having life or being alive. There is some irony in the word émpsukhos and it's translation of being animated, as early Greek philosophers like Thales would postulate that inanimate objects capable of animate action (like magnets causing objects to move) could be considered alive, and therefore have a soul.

Christian theology seems to reference the soul in many ways and make clear distinction that it is separate from the spirit, the heart, the mind, and body, but at the same time is in some form or way connected with them all. That it is our permanent material representation and being as we are alive, and our permanent immaterial representation after we depart.

Modern scientific scholars seem to have a different opinion altogether. Freud referred to the soul as the psyche, and how it regulated both our conscious and unconscious thought. Neil Degrasse Tyson stated in one of his interviews that the soul itself didn't exist, and that our sense of being is derived from the neurosynapses of our brain.

Where am I going with this? The title of this blog post is a follow-up to my previous post (https://www.globalfastfit.com/post/in-search-of-self) in which I reference the search for self as a retrieval of one's soul. That the ailments that come from what I now know as dysautonomia (https://thedysautonomiaproject.org/dysautonomia/), strip its bearer of that sense of self through a mental process called dissociation.

The medical help I've received and the lifestyle changes I've made have allowed me to regain some of my working and long-term memory back. More information can be processed with each passing day, and some day to day activities that were once difficult e.g. reading, writing, driving, etc. are now beginning to shift back to normal.  

And yet still, one does wonder if the end of this journey to recovery is enough for the solace I seek. Does it return to a point where I can become who I once was? Will I be the same person who enjoyed the things that I did, or are those lost forever? Are they lost because of the illness itself, or the journey it put me through? Is that journey just an aspect of Ātman? Or should I just be thankful that my existence has émpsukhos. Do I have to wait until I depart to get my answer? Or is there nothing in the end, but neurosynapses that just may or may not function effectively again?

One does wonder.

On March 1st, 2025, Egerton University Main Campus in Njoro hosted the highly anticipated 10th edition of the Mau Cross Country, dubbed #RunForMau. The event aimed to raise awareness and advocate for the conservation of the endangered Mau Forest, a critical water tower in Kenya.

The event was graced by distinguished guests, including Hon. Charity Kathambi, Member of Parliament for Njoro Constituency, Hon. Ababu Namwamba, former Cabinet Secretary for Sports, and Hon. Tonui Joseph Kipkosgei, MP for Kuresoi South. Their presence underscored the significance of environmental conservation and community involvement in protecting natural resources.

Global Fast Fit’s Participation

Global Fast Fit (GFF) was honored to receive an invitation to participate in this prestigious event. Our team was placed in the Corporates and Alumni category, competing in the 4km race. The GFF delegation comprised members from Egerton GFF Club, Winsim GFF Club, and Kabarak GFF Club, along with all GFF officials.

A highlight of the day was our Regional Manager, Dr. James Muchiri, who competed in the Manager’s 1km race. In a thrilling finale, Dr. Muchiri executed a last-minute sprint, overtaking his competitors to clinch victory. His remarkable performance was a source of inspiration for the entire GFF team.

In the corporate category, GFF emerged as the 2nd overall best team, proudly taking home a trophy and a certificate. Our best male finisher secured 8th place, while our star female athlete, Margaret, showcased her endurance and determination to win the race outright. One of the most remarkable moments of the event was the participation of our 5-year-old mascot, who impressively completed the 4km race, finishing ahead of many seasoned adult athletes.

Beyond the Race

Before the race began, the GFF team performed their standard routine at the starting line, setting the stage with energy and unity. The entire experience was not just about competition but also about embracing the noble cause of saving the Mau Forest. Being part of this initiative reinforced our commitment to environmental conservation and demonstrated the power of sports in rallying communities toward meaningful action.

The Mau Cross Country 2025 was a fulfilling and memorable experience for Global Fast Fit, and we look forward to continuing our support for such initiatives in the future. Together, we run not just for medals but for a greener and more sustainable future!

We arrived at the event a few minutes past 9AM. We came in several small groups since we all came from different places so we waited as we assembled everyone from our team. A girl hung around the group quietly, as people chatted excitedly. 

When the whole team had arrived, I headed for the registration desk allocated to the corporate teams around. She walked up to me and introduced herself as Margret.

She wanted to compete in the races and wondered if I could include her in our team. She had heard about the athletic competition, 'Run for Mau' and had decided to show up, only to find that all the race categories had an entry fee.

She did not have any money and on top of that, she had ditched a shift at the restaurant she worked in so that she could run the marathon. She explained that she had competed in a number of athletic competitions and the most recent being an long-race in Nairobi where she had finished 5th.

Initially I had assumed that she was a student at the campus, Egerton University but she was not in school. After completing high school, she moved from her home town etched in the slopes of Mount Elgon and moved in with her older sister in Njoro. She then found work in a local Kibandaski (small roadside eatery) as a server.

I saw no harm and after a little consultation with some team members, we registered her with Global Fast Fit. We were given our running numbers and went out to have a stretching session. 

Soon after, our race category was next. We were competing in the Corporates and Alumni's 4km race which had upwards of 120 participants. We assembled at the start line and began the race. She maintained a moderately brisk pace and run barefoot through the gentle bends, the small inclines and declines, the 2 meter muddy patch, jumping the 1/2 meter bales of hay, through dry prickly grass and hot gravel, jumped over two ½ meter trenches and won the race. 

By the time we handed over the prize money to her, it was getting chilly. 

The day had been a scorcher but by 5pm the winds were cold and blustery. 

Standing by the bustling road, she took off the Global Fast Fit t-shirt she had been racing in and put on her cobalt blue t-shirt, then put the Global Fast Fit t-shirt back on top. She broke into a jog towards a restaurant she worked at as a server. 

She kept glancing back at us as if at any moment we would burst her bubble. She had a mile long smile on her face. She couldn't believe she'd won cold hard money.

I had earlier on asked for her contact details to which she replied that she had never owned a phone. So when I handed her the prize money, she gleefully told me that she was going to buy a phone immediately. I quickly jotted down my number on the envelope with the prize money and she promised to call me as soon as she bought her first phone.

She got quite a lot of attention and the prize money. All this just because she showed up.

I've been purposely silent for the past few months. Mainly because my past blog posts have painted a rather bleak outlook on a progressively worsening condition affecting my ability to live a normal life. I had decided that one of two things would eventually happen:

My condition would deteriorate to the point that I'd no longer be able to put up a coherent blog post, or I'd finally be able to turn things around and at last will be able to write about having a newfound lease on life. 

I am most fortunate and pleased to say that I'm writing this blog post because I've managed to achieve the latter of that statement.

On January 14th of this year, I visited a functional specialist. It was the first time I had seen a doctor since having my appendix removed after it burst at the beginning of last year. It had become incredibly tiring having a plethora of what many practitioners considered symptoms of potentially debilitating syndromes and diseases only for them to find nothing. I no longer found seeing doctors to be a prudent use of my time and money, and I received no peace of mind from those visits. The change of heart of seeking medical attention while trying something much less conventional proved to have a far more fruitful outcome.

Functional specialists differ from traditional medical practitioners by observing how the body operates as a whole in order to find the potential causes for chronic diseases. After going through my medical history and observing the different reported symptoms I've dealt with, it became immediately clear to him that I had developed a severe form of dysautonomia. Dysautonomia can refer to a variety of different disorders that are related to the nervous system that deal with the autonomic processes within the body. These are the processes that the body can normally regulate on its own, but when there are issues with the central nervous system, the organs connected through it can no longer communicate to the brain.

As you can imagine, everything is connected via your central nervous system, and everything is managed and communicated to/from the brain. Things such as breathing, having to use the restroom, food digestion, temperature control, and much much more. It can be difficult to diagnose by traditional medical practitioners who are fixated and taught to observe structural integrity as opposed to functional integrity.

Since January 14th, after learning about dysautonomia and how to manage it, I've seen my condition improve considerably. While I'm still very far from an ideal stage of recovery, I am absolutely recovering and am far ahead from where I was pre-treatment/lifestyle changes.

I'll be updating again soon if this trend continues. Hope you're all taking care of yourselves and treating your bodies with the respect it deserves!