I fasted with Dr Graham in Costa Rica in Feb/Mar 2008, having interned during the Jan 2008 fast and attending Dr Graham's Walking Tour in Feb 2008. During the fast I consumed only water for 29 days followed by a 2 week recovery period of carefully reintroducing foods and activity.

I'll share some of my background to explain what lead me to decide to fast.

I've been vegetarian since 1998, vegan since 1999 and 100% raw vegan since 2006 I was a transitioning raw vegan as a result of listening to Dr Graham's "Perfect Health Program" audio series in late 2005. I've eaten mostly 811rv (80-10-10 raw vegan) since 2006 regularly enjoying mono meals predominantly eating fruit and leafy greens.

I found myself getting more active after each diet transition but it was only after I went 811rv and increased my sleep to an average of at least 8 hours per night that I actually felt different. As an athlete (ultra marathon trail runner, surf lifesaver) I noticed profound changes literally in the first few weeks. My mental clarity noticeably improved. I could feel a strong feeling of alertness in the area people refer to as the third eye (or brow chakra). It actually felt like this part of my brain had been fully switched on for the first time in my life. My flexibility noticably improved. I suddenly had significantly more endurance and speed in my running. I felt stronger. I was hydrated all the time for the first time in my life. I no longer felt sleepy after lunchtime at work. I had clarity and alertness all day every day. I noticed changes in my behaviour. I was becoming less judgemental and more compassionate. When I decreased my intake of overt fats (avocado, nuts, seeds) my singing voice improved. My voice was stronger and I could hold notes for longer.

These changes were too profound to ignore. I was hooked on my new lifestyle. I was thriving on the principles of natural hygiene, although I didn't consider myself a natural hygienist until spending 3 months with Dr Graham in Costa Rica.

I had read of the benefits of fasting and had heard many positive experiences from friends and other raw vegans. As a result I had wanted to do a long water-only fast since 2007 to reach a greater level of health and undo some of my first 33 years of cooked, non-vegan eating...but couldn't justify to myself that I was worth the cost of a supervised fast.

Throughout 2007 I grew emotionally and spiritually to the point where I started questioning my life...my career...my purpose. I came to the realisation that I wanted to learn everything about natural hygiene and become a lifestyle coach helping people improve their diet, fitness and vitality. As my vitality and sense of connectedness increased, I noticed more synchronicities occurring in my daily life and this time was to be no exception. I was browsing Dr Graham's site and found he had announced the 80-10-10 Lifestyle Coach program. I believe Dr Graham is the only person who could teach me everything I want to know and that the program was an opportunity I had to pursue. Fasting was part of the program, so I signed up!

I also didn't feel that I could sincerely advocate the benefits of fasting to others without having done a long water-only fast myself.

I don't know of any other fasting retreat offering what Dr Graham is offering. The wealth of knowledge available through his daily lectures is profound and especially inspiring during the fast. The two week recovery period after the fast was excellent. People went home with a wealth of 811rv recipes, a healthy appetite for them and enough knowledge and experience to empower them to continue a natural hygiene lifestyle.

It was my privilege and absolute pleasure to spend so much time with Dr Graham's family (Marty, Bea, Rozi and Fay), Lennie, every staff member, intern, faster and walking tour attendee. I consider them all friends for life.

During my fast I didn't ever feel hunger. Most people find the first few days difficult. I drank about 5 litres of water per day. I generally slept 12 hours+ each day. Had a clear tongue and perfectly clear whites of my eyes within the first 10 days. My mucous production completely disappeared for the first time in my life. I shed several layers of skin, both during and after the fast, leaving my skin looking and feeling amazing. I went deeper into the fast during the last 5 days when I was spending 17 hours in bed either asleep or in a deep state of rest. Sleeping so much I was only able to drink about 2.5 litres of water and the nights seemed like an eternity, but I would awaken in the early hours of the morning with an overactive mind bursting with clarity on significant factors in my life. I wrote my thoughts down on paper. I wrote lists of things I value in life, how to transition into a career as a lifestyle coach, and much more. Given the production of keytones from a fat-based metabolism, it is recommended not to make life changing decisions during a water-only fast, but the clarity I had during the fast was something I had never experienced before and everything I wrote down still holds true.

My senses were heightened during the fast: eyesight, hearing, smell. My sense of taste was incredible after the fast. The first thin slice of watermelon on which I broke the fast was the most incredible eating experience of my life. My newfound appreciation for tastes and textures was beyond belief. After the fast my singing voice had a better range.

Fasting brought me physical benefits, but the most profound benefit for me was the opportunity to look deep inside myself and experience emotional and spiritual growth. It's not often we give ourselves the gift of distancing ourselves from work, stress, pollution, family, friends, consumerism, etc to be alone with our thoughts.

As an ultra marathon runner, going into the fast I was already pretty lean at 68kg. I was 54kg at the end of the fast and given I didn't fast for weight loss, it only took 8 weeks to get back to my original weight, although some of the weight must be muscle as I've been focusing on strength training (my weakest link). My digestion is better than it has ever been.

Dr Graham was correct when he said that the benefits continue well beyond the fasting period. Thankyou Dr Graham for offering the perfect conditions to take my health to new levels. Your passion for perfect health is a gift for all who are ready to step up.

Life is incredible,
Grant (rawaussieathlete@gmail.com)