It was theorized only half a century ago that there would be flying cars and no illness or death at this point—that we would have the technology and medicine to live forever. Here, in America 2025, we can expect our lifespans to only reach that of 78.4 years old, and typically, not without suffering from chronic pain and disease. At this point, everyone anticipates pain and disease as a guarantee of aging. Sure, it may not be possible to live an eternity. But what if I told you it was entirely possible to not only survive, but thrive too? Lucky for my readers, I’ve spoken to one of the few people who has mastered it.

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Meet Julie Gibson Clark: a single mother from Arizona ranked 2nd place in the Rejuvenation Olympics for over a year; a past engineer turned “reluctant biohacker” who’s known for reducing her pace of aging to an astounding 65 days for every 100 with a low-budget monthly maintenance of only $150. She’s a brilliant, quick-witted mind with endless solution-focused practices and is self-educated in the art of lifelong health and prosperity. But what inspired her to

pursue this way of life?

 

Similar to most people in their wellness journey, it started with the world’s most infamous killer—stress. Julie recalls a difficult time in her thirties, where hardship and a stomach ulcer went hand-in-hand (as they often do). Being prescribed antidepressants and acid-reflux medication to make it through, she began to ask herself, “If my belly hurts, couldn’t it be something I’m eating”?

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She’s then introduced to a naturopath by some caring friends, describing her first experience with alternative medicine as “amazing”. Determined to achieve better health without the help of supplements and through food alone, an elimination diet and herbal remedies resulted in her feeling “totally fine” within just a few weeks and even having lost some weight in the process.  

 

It is traditional for naturopathic doctors (NDs) to use elimination diets as a therapeutic means of supporting conditions, managing symptoms, or determining certain substances the body does not tolerate (think of food. allergies). Oftentimes, they also use supplements to target certain organs or organ systems for some extra TLC. At the time, Julie rejected the idea of supplements. That was soon to change, but the biggest lesson she learned here was, 

 

“What I eat matters”.

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It was a later experience with heavy metal poisoning that again changed everything. Dental amalgam removal—and possible ingestion—and a wide range of contaminated fish from living abroad introduced her to a functional medicine doctor.

 

Functional medicine is different than traditional Western medicine, characterized by treating underlying causes of adverse health rather than only treating the symptoms. Most often, functional medicine is integrative with tools from Western medicine combined with the holistic principles of nutrition, movement, quality sleep, and stress management. This means a functional medicine doctor is likely an MD with other certifications in holistic care.

 

There, she completed chelation therapy. This therapy is an FDA-approved treatment for heavy metal toxicity that involves an ingested or injected compound that binds to the targeted metal to be removed from the body via urine. Unfortunately, chelate also binds to some of the body’s essential minerals, leading to sometimes dangerously severe mineral deficiency—which is why medical supervision is so important.

 

“There are a lot of people who think they can DIY chelation therapy—you can’t”, but she states the benefits were life-changing for her. “My world got brighter—my peripheral vision got wider and my ability to see was enhanced.”

 

Along with the groundbreaking treatment of chelation therapy, Julie discovered how she, like many others, has the MTHFR gene mutation. In short, this mutation can cause an array of problems ranging from the inability to process vitamin B9 (folate) to reduced methylation and glutathione production—one of the body’s most valuable antioxidants, also essential for liver detoxification. Detox is a must for Julie, and chelation therapy can only be done so many times in a way that’s healthy.

 

“I just started reading all the time”, finding the works of various doctors to gain more knowledge. “I just always find new ways to detox, like getting into the sauna, finding natural things. You get addicted to feeling good. I had no idea how tired I was, I had no idea I wasn’t seeing as well as I do now—the skies just opened.”

 

She continued, “I went down all kinds of different avenues to try different things and make sure they were safe. I thought, what’s the worst-case scenario if I do this?”

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Hence, she explained, she developed something called “try-its”. For Julie, this means trying new things to learn about herself, trusting her own judgment, and staying in touch with her body by listening to how it responds to foods or lifestyle changes. Basically, being willing to try something new for the sake of being at your best.

 

Note: Pause and reflect—when is the last time you reconnected your mind with your body? The lifestyle of today is non-stop. Time passes us by, and we live on the go. However, Julie is a shining example of how capable we are. She is a single mother with a full- time job, yet she makes the time for herself to breathe and stay in touch with how she physically feels. So often we ignore, endure, or don’t notice the symptoms we have until we can no longer function.

 

It can be as small as an eye twitch or how much you yawn in the afternoon, an allergy, or a rash that never seems to go away. Take the time to reflect today on how you’re feeling—write a journal, meditate, or sit in silence. Touch base.]

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Soon, her tireless efforts in researching for her try-its led her to another open door. Julie found the company NOVOS in its infancy: a supplement company founded on some of the most credible and current scientific and medical research available for longevity—and took part in one of their studies.

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The study consisted of taking the provided supplements and using the DunedinPACE test at zero, six, and twelve months. By six months, she had lowered her pace of aging by 8%. In the second half of her journey with the NOVOS study, her life turns upside down once again. Hardships, stress, and inconsistent exercise. Yet, she happily reports she lowered her pace of aging by another 3% during this time. Here, another revelation occurred: diet and lifestyle are the driving principles of optimal health, but supplements can take us above and beyond.

 

“I owe so much of this to NOVOS”

 

Now, Julie maintains her health through several practices from this newly learned life experience and those she developed from additional research. As shown on her website, even some of her workouts are based on well-documented research. She wakes up early, uses fasting techniques, meditation and the power of prayer, and eats at least one pound of vegetables a day. But as you read more about her from her own words, consider the most important step of all—she protects and savors her personal peace.

 

Avoiding stress is one of the key principles of healing. So, while you pursue your own journey, keep in mind that “perfection adds stress...we’re all human and life happens. Just get right back up and continue”.

 

Julie's Why

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One of my favorite parts of speaking with Julie was not only learning her story, but also discussing the idea of superficial standards that surround the world of wellness. Truthfully, aesthetics are the unfruitful trap everyone seems to fall into. Of course, everyone wants to look their best. But in 20 years, will you be feeling and living your absolute best, too?

 

And the biggest aspect of prolonging your life gracefully—without chronic illness or the inability to move your body—is the impact on your loved ones. Julie’s biggest reason for pursuing this quest for longevity is exactly that. For herself and for those she loves.

 

When you feel good for the first time in your life, having escaped the grasp of the Western

standard of health, it becomes easier to never turn back. Cravings for certain things don’t ever return, and the body becomes more sensitive to the harmful substances it once solely survived on. It does get easier, and for the sake of yourself and those closest to you, it’s a goal worth trying to achieve.

 

I can say with certainty that the wealth of information I’ve learned from Julie at the age of 25

will proudly serve me for my remaining years by not only extending them but also allowing me

to age with grace like she has. I pray it will do the same for you.

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