The Myth of Outrunning Your Genetics: A Personal Health Journey

The Myth of Outrunning Your Genetics: A Personal Health Journey

We often believe that with enough discipline, healthy eating, and consistent exercise, we can avoid the health issues that run in our families. As a movement specialist and wellness advocate, I bought into this idea wholeheartedly. I dedicated years to maintaining an active lifestyle, eating nutritious foods, and managing stress—convinced I could sidestep the high blood pressure that affected both my younger siblings and other family members. Despite my siblings being on medication for at least a decade, I remained confident that my lifestyle choices would protect me from the same fate.

This belief in our ability to "outrun" our genetics is particularly prevalent in wellness communities. There's an unspoken assumption that if we just try hard enough—exercise more intensely, eat more perfectly, meditate more consistently—we can avoid the health conditions that seem predestined by our family history. While lifestyle modifications absolutely matter and can delay, reduce, or sometimes prevent certain conditions, they don't always provide complete immunity from our genetic predispositions. This reality hit home when, despite all my efforts, my blood pressure readings started climbing into the 130s, 140s, and even 150s—well into the concerning Level 2 hypertension range, far above the healthy 120/80.

The realization that I couldn't completely control my health outcome through lifestyle alone was humbling. It required me to shift my perspective from trying to avoid medication at all costs to acknowledging that sometimes our bodies need additional support. This doesn't mean surrendering to illness or giving up on healthy habits—quite the opposite. It means developing a more nuanced understanding of health that includes awareness, monitoring, and professional guidance alongside personal responsibility. While I'm still exploring options and hoping to manage my condition through intensified efforts like plant-based eating and eliminating alcohol, I've scheduled a doctor's appointment and am prepared to consider medication if necessary.

This shift from control to awareness has been surprisingly liberating. Rather than viewing health as a battle to be won through sheer willpower, I now see it as an ongoing relationship with my body that requires listening, adjusting, and sometimes accepting help. I've invested in tools like an automatic blood pressure monitor that connects to my phone, making it easier to track my numbers and notice patterns. I pay closer attention to subtle signals from my body instead of waiting for obvious symptoms. This proactive approach feels less like defeat and more like empowerment—acknowledging what I can influence while accepting what I cannot.

If you're facing similar health challenges—aware of family tendencies but hoping you'll be the exception—I encourage you to embrace awareness over avoidance. Get regular checkups, know your numbers, and establish open communication with healthcare providers. Building this awareness early gives you more options and greater agency in managing your health long-term. Remember that acknowledging vulnerability isn't weakness; it's the foundation of genuine strength and resilience. Health isn't about perfect control or flawless prevention—it's about creating a thoughtful, informed relationship with your body that honors both its needs and your values. By facing our health realities directly, we can move forward with greater wisdom, making choices that truly support our well-being rather than simply avoiding what we fear.