If you’ve ever quit drinking, you will understand that as soon as word gets out, it seems like everybody and their brother wants to know why you’re not drinking and also insists on buying you a drink.

The same goes for when you change your diet - it will feel like your very best friend is out to sabotage you.

Because they most likely are.

Not (necessarily) consciously, but it is an often unfortunate facet of human nature to derail the success of those closest to us. This passive-aggressive sabotaging serves two purposes: 1. To exert control over you by changing your behaviors from constructive to destructive; and 2. To prove to themselves that everyone fails - even you - giving them rationale to live a more destructive lifestyle and not make changes themselves. You deserve better. They deserve better. 

As they say: Vivere per exemplum! Excelsior! Live by example! Onward and upward!

Letting Your Family, Friends, and Others Know

At EPIC Functional Medicine, we try to live with the perspective that food is fuel and nutrients - that hopefully is enjoyable, healthy, and tastes good.

For the reasons mentioned above (“friendly sabotage”) or fear of humiliation or worse: public failure, many of us are afraid to share our EPIC Journey with those around us.

But after over two decades of consulting on some of the most difficult cases, I can tell you that asking your “village” for support can be the difference between success and failure with this (or likely any) program.

We’ve found that the more people you tell, the more people you engage, the more people you ask for help and support - the more likely your success.

And give them permission to call you out on going off-Plan.

We’ve seen over and over again that by creating this “village” of support and accountability, your chances of profound success increase by leaps and bounds.

“EPIC” is actually an acronym for Empowering the Person to Impact the Community.

We’ve also found that by leading the way, many of your family, friends, and colleagues will follow your lead - so thank you for helping us have an exponential impact on the health of this planet!

You’ve heard it from me before and it may just be my new motto: Vivere per exemplum! Excelsior! Live by example! Onward and upward!

Your Main Support Person

We have found that success is much more likely if you have a partner that we call a Main Support Person. This one person is committed to doing this plan with you and supporting you along the way - while you also return the support. This person is often a spouse, sibling, or best friend. They will be instrumental in helping support you as you navigate these unique challenges and you will learn and grow healthier together!

BUT: Our clients ask this question more than any other: My family or roommate(s) are not supportive or are not going through the detox with me. What do I do?

This, unfortunately, may be your reality, too. 

While it’s not as easy or ideal as having everyone in the household doing this EPIC Five Plan Metabolic Detoxification Diet with you, sometimes we have to roll with the punches and play the cards we are dealt - and that is okay, too. 

Here are some tips and suggestions for what you can still do to have some control in this situation:

• Create a personal space in your fridge/cabinets for your food so that’s it’s clearly separate from the rest.
• Consider moving non-refrigerated off-Plan items to places in your kitchen or home that are out of sight - it’s much easier to avoid foods that are put away or in inconvenient locations.
• Use the Facebook Community for support - check in regularly here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/epicfiveplan
• Establish a Main Support Person (MSP) as soon as possible! And support each other!

Additional Resources:

Creating the relationship of your dreams: https://hendricks.com/relationships/

Additional Suggested Reading:

The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman

The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz