Author, Survivor and Game-Changing Doc Goldner Encourages You to Lean Into Your ‘Origin Story'
Jun. 19, 2022
How did you get to where you are today? I was diagnosed with lupus at 16. I was already in stage 4 kidney failure by the time the doctors realized what was wrong. It took two years of high doses of medication including chemotherapy to save my kidneys and my life. I became fascinated with the human body, which led to my decision to become a physician.
I lived a life very mindfully, focused on enjoying every moment. When I met my husband, I was just graduating medical school, in spite having had of a scary relapse of lupus that caused multiple mini-strokes. He loved me so much, and he wanted to marry me even though I had an illness that we believed would prevent me from having children and would lead me to become disabled and likely die young. He is a scientist himself, obsessed with learning the optimal nutrition for fat loss, and when I asked him to train me for our wedding, he modified his protocol for me. I was the only vegetarian he had ever worked with.
I went from a size 11 to a size 3 in three and a half months. I also became lupus-free — normal blood tests and zero symptoms. Even my kidney function returned to normal. After we had our first child — after four years of health, without any recurrence of lupus — we realized something important had happened: I was not just in remission but truly healthy.
We studied the changes in my diet and how it would impact not only cellular metabolism but cellular repair and immune function, and then tested it in volunteers with lupus. We discovered that my results were entirely reproducible, and we knew we had to release our finding and teach the public. We decided to release our entire protocol for free as public service.
Over the past decade we have helped thousands all over the world reverse not only lupus, but a multitude of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, heart disease and recently Covid long-haul syndrome. The news of what we were doing spread entirely organically. I went from having fewer than 100 followers on Facebook to over 159,000 on social media platforms and growing every day. I am regularly called upon to comment on health issues, and recently became a member of the Forbes Health Advisory Board. I have three bestselling books, including my first, Goodbye Lupus, published without any public announcement, which became a bestseller before it was printed. I continue to teach for free online, with daily posts to keep people informed and inspired — with regular free online Q&A sessions for the public.
I believe my experiences as a patient, my credibility as a physician, my dedication to serving others at no cost, and, most importantly, my continued results at reversing diseases, have all led me to where I am today.
Whom do you credit? I credit my parents for keeping me positive and focused on my life and my future while I was sick with lupus. Especially my mother, who was by my side for every treatment, reminding me that I did have a future and I had to keep up my studies because I was going to make it. She also taught me the value of service, starting me out volunteering at the hospital at 14. I still value service and volunteer my time to teach and support people all over the world who are sick and need my help. I credit my husband Thomas Tadlock for saving my life with his knowledge of nutrition and with his incredible love. I credit my disease with teaching how to persevere, how to find joy in the moment even when my body was hurting, how strong I really am — and for leading me to this life where I get to save countless others from otherwise devastating diseases so they too can live the life they truly want.
What lessons have you learned that might enlighten and inspire others? Our greatest and most devastating pain can lead to our greatest gift to the world. I always tell my patients and my kids, that superheroes always have a painful origin story. So when something bad happens, it isn’t the end; it’s your origin story. It’s where you discover your powers. For more information: goodbyelupus.com
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Astros Altuve, Tucker and Hader Host Major League Fundraiser for Kids, Pets and Other Causes
Daniel Ortiz and Jacob Power
Sep. 13, 2024
AN ANNUAL EVENT to raise funds for some of the top Astros players’ favorite causes was a glam slam, thanks to a new venue and major league star power.
José Altuve, Kyle Tucker and Josh Hader hosted the event — attended by many of their teammates and more than 500 other guests — at Post Oak Hotel and won big for their charities. Tucker supports Hospice care organizations, while Altuve's foundation donates to several groups, including the Sunshine Kids Foundation. And Hader backs foster-care nonprofits like Covenant House and Be a Resource (B.E.A.R.). The Lance McCullers, Jr. Foundation, which raises funds and awareness for pet rescue and adoption groups, also received proceeds from the party.
This year's Team Up bash was more of an expo-style soiree, with an entrance flanked by Rolls Royce and Bentley vehicles and a towering Champagne Wall. With an open bar courtesy of Maven — which is also co-owned by Astros players — and stations serving bites from some of the best restaurants in town, the party was a hit. And who wouldn't want to pet the precious puppies who are up for adoption? Reps from local nonprofits brought their furry friends to promote the cause.
But add in a raucous live auction emceed by Johnny Holloway and touting all-star prizes, and it's no wonder that the Team Up fundraising record of $600,000 was topped! One of the most sought-after items was a private catered dinner with hosts Tucker, Altuve and Hader; the trio also donated autographed gear and custom art created by Skel and signed by the players. There was also the chance to throw the first pitch at a game, and to sit in owner Jim Crane's personal Diamond Club seats to cheer on the 'Stros.
Adonis Braithwaite and Jose Altuve
Josh and Maria Hader
Trevor and Emily Finnan
Audrey White, Kathy DeLamora and Julie Chen
Tammy and Tim Andreas
Brian Ching and Lindsey Yates
Susan and Mike Plank
Courtney McKinney and Samantha Tucker
Shooting Stars dancers
Craig Biggio
Shelli Lindley, Jenna Lindley, Adonis Braithwaite, Steve Lindley, Amber Braithwaite
Emily George, Lindsey Leigh, Natalie Jobe
Sam and Kyle Tucker
Eugene and Caroline Zhadanov
Rita Shuma, Marian Harper and Jennifer Wisler
Garrett and Jayne Johnston, Jennifer and Scott Allison
Peter and Helen Crain
Jim and Whitney Crane
Nick and Kristin Johnson, Lori Schultz, John and Lindsey Leigh Hohlt
Joe and Pamela Espada
Nancy and Mauricio Dubon
John and Terri Havens
Morgan Bourque, Jasmine Wilcoxson
Kat and Ryan Pressly
Tootsies models
Katie MaGee, Samantha Tucker, Maria Hader, Lauren Whidden
Mike Lowenberg, Daphne and Stephen Savva
Kyle Tucker, Skel and Johnny Bravo
Michelle and Chris Durham
Matthew Lindley, Jayme Hunt, Peter and Helen Crain
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WHILE FALL WEATHER might still be a couple of weeks away (boooo), Houston restaurants are rolling out new patio-friendly brunch menus just in time for al fresco season! From spritz carts to toast topped with caviar, these new brunches have it all for fall.
Tavola
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Every Sunday, be transported to the Italian coast with Tavola’s Brunch a Capri. This ultra-chic Post Oak hotspot has updated its patio with floral accents and the iconic colorful umbrellas that populate Capri’s coast as the backdrop for its boozy Sunday brunch — complete with a spritz cart and DJ. The food is equally as beautiful: The pancakes are topped with edible flowers, and gooey Nutella crepes are served with a mound of fresh strawberries. For an extra Italian twist, try the Buongiorno Negroni — it’s a carajillo meets a negroni and it’s delicious. Buon appetito!
Mandito's Tex-Mex
Brunch Spread at Mandito's (photo by Claire McNeal)
After partying at Armandos on a Thursday, the weekend calls for a more casual brunch at its sister restaurant Mandito's. The Bellaire outpost offers brunch on Saturday and Sunday on its colorful, family-friendly patio. The menu serves up classic Tex-Mex brunch dishes like Migas, Chilaquiles, Huevos a la Mexicana and breakfast tacos. Bloody Mary’s are served with vodka or tequila. And, speaking of tequila, the menu has five unique takes on the classic margarita. The cucumber-mint version has fresh cucumber and lemon juice, housemade mint syrup and a hibiscus-salt rim — healthy enough for brunch!
Best Regards
The patio vibe at Best Regards
Speaking of healthy, Best Regards has collaborated with Thrive Juices — the expanding juice bar that donates healthy meals to underserved zip codes in the Houston area — to create a fresh and unique brunch menu. Offerings include the Thrive Juice Acai Bowl topped with granola and coconut flakes, and the blueberry-lemon-oat-milk pancake stack. For the decadent eater, don’t miss the Summer Toast: It’s topped with garlic Greek yogurt, cucumber, grapefruit, orange and habanero — and a heaping scoop of caviar!
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