Dan Hellman's Blog

Hi everyone —

Wow. Two weeks have already passed since I returned home from my two-week fast at the Buchinger Clinic. I continue to feel amazing — in fact, the “high” from the clinic hasn’t subsided one bit. If anything, it keeps deepening, expanding into every corner of my life.

Vitals

First off, I now weigh 173 lbs. During my stay at the clinic, the staff told me that the body’s muscle system bounces back quickly once you resume working out, and that your cardiovascular system functions more efficiently as well. I must say, those words couldn’t be more true.

My blood pressure is now back to a healthy 110/70, and my appetite has returned with a vengeance! I’ve been hitting the gym almost daily and jogging every other day on the beach. It feels incredible to move again — to sweat, to breathe deeply, and to feel my body come alive the way it used to.

What Have I Been Up To?

Over the past two weeks, I’ve begun seeing a few clients again. I realized that I don’t want to fully retire; I simply want to work with a handful of people who genuinely need my help and truly appreciate what I bring to the table as a therapist.

My goal is to work three days a week — most likely Monday, Wednesday, and Friday — so I can leave room for golf, creative pursuits, and life itself the rest of the time.

I currently have two condos on the market, and once they sell, I hope to buy a house and bring another dog into my life. I miss that companionship deeply. My heart is set on another doodle — maybe a Sheepadoodle, Aussiedoodle, or Goldendoodle. My sweet Abby was a Goldendoodle, and she was simply the best companion I could have ever asked for. Here are some of my favorite memories of Abby. Oh and for the record — that was her car, she occasionally let me drive it.

Patching Things Up with My Bestie

The past few years, I haven’t quite been myself. I lost my footing — lost sight of who I am and what I stand for. During my meditations in Spain, a persistent thought kept surfacing: I needed to reach out to my best friend.

Yesterday, I finally did. I let my guard down, spoke honestly, and apologized for not being as present as he deserved. To my heart’s delight, we had a beautiful conversation — real, heartfelt, and healing — followed by a long overdue hug. It felt like peeling away another layer of regret and rediscovering a connection that truly matters.

Still No Guitar

One thing I haven’t gotten around to yet is picking up my guitar. I’ve always wanted to learn to play, and I know I will — music has always been a deep part of my soul. Sometimes it’s the rhythm that moves me, sometimes the lyrics, and sometimes it’s both.

Lately, I’ve been listening to Dermot Kennedy, especially a song called Two Hearts. There’s a line that always gets me:

“Oh, what a beautiful feeling to love and know love in return.”

Every time I hear that, I think of Joe. What a gift, what a rare grace, to have known a love like that in this lifetime.

Still Reading

I’m still reading James Hollis PhD — and his words continue to challenge and inspire me. He reminds us that growth isn’t about comfort; it’s about courage — the courage to face ourselves honestly and keep moving forward.  There was a paragraph that I read yesterday that inspired my to put into my own words and what resonates with me.  

Doubt has a way of bringing me face to face with my own loneliness—the kind that exists when there’s no one left to reassure me or tell me I’m okay. It’s in that quiet, unguarded space that I come closest to who I really am, and where I’m forced to feel what’s truly inside me.

I’ve come to realize that loneliness itself isn’t the enemy. It’s not a flaw or a weakness—it’s part of being human. We’re all lonely at times, even in the middle of a crowd, even in loving relationships. When I’m alone, I’m still with someone—myself. The real question is, how am I with myself?

I’ve learned that when I can respect who I am, when I can listen to the quiet voice inside me that tries to guide me, I don’t actually feel so alone. It’s almost as if something deeper within me begins to speak—a wiser, gentler part of me that’s been there all along.

Of course, guilt always finds its way in—the constant reminder of how often I fall short, how I fail to meet my own expectations or those of others. That’s why learning self-acceptance, forgiveness, and love isn’t just important—it’s essential.

We all hear that we should love ourselves, but very few of us really know how. I’ve come to understand that narcissism isn’t self-love at all—it’s the absence of it, a cry from someone who doesn’t yet know how to embrace who they are.

I think often about that simple truth: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Most of us have heard it our whole lives, but it’s easy to forget that it begins with loving ourselves first. Without that, we can’t truly love or accept anyone else—no matter how much we want to.

Closing Reflections

As I settle back into life in Fort Lauderdale, I’m finding that the lessons from the Buchinger Clinic aren’t fading; they’re integrating. They’re shaping how I live, how I connect, and how I care for myself and others.

I’m learning to trust the quiet again — to let life unfold without rushing it. Healing, I’m realizing, isn’t a destination. It’s a rhythm, a way of being.

Closing Photo

Here I am at 173 lbs.   

I wish everyone a fantastic week.

Sincerely,

Dan