Pastor Tom Tupito of the Aurora church is on a journey of health and healing, he would like to share in the hope that his story will inspire and encourage others to experience the healing power of God through His amazing lifestyle principles. The following interview was conducted by Rick Mautz, director of the Rocky Mountain Lifestyle Center, who had the pleasure of walking this health path with Pastor Tupito.
RMLC: Tom, tell me where your story of heart disease began. Give us a little history
Tom: All my family had heart trouble. In 1999, I had coronary bypass surgery. When I started working at Rocky Mountain Conference In 2017, I failed my stress test, but refused to go to the cardiologist. In 2018, I again failed the stress test, but still wouldn’t go to the cardiologist. When my wife passed away from a heart attack, I finally got serious and called the cardiologist who, after giving me an angiogram, revealed that I needed another bypass surgery because all those vessels had plugged up. I told him I needed to talk to my kids to decide what to do. At that time, I could only walk about ten minutes before chest pain would start.
RMLC: That’s when you called me and wanted some options. And I told you that I am not your doctor, but I would find as much accurate information on the subject so that you and your kids could make an informed decision. I am fortunate to have access to two fine lifestyle physicians who I contacted for their feedback. One of those doctors was Dr. Caldwell Esselstyne from the Cleveland Clinic. I recommended you watch his YouTube video entitled, “Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease,” which is also the title of his book. Dr. Esselstyne wanted you to call him. Tell me about that conversation.
Tom: Well, I called him and he asked me about any chest pain with exertion. He described what was happening and how to turn it around and told me if I followed that plan, I would not need bypass surgery.
RMLC: What did he tell you to do?
Tom: He said that if I was serious about it and willing to follow this diet of no oil, no sugar and a hand full of greens before every plant-based meal that I could avoid the surgery. I also decided on my own not to eat anything after 4 p.m.
RMLC: Some people call that radical and are not willing to make that change. They choose surgery instead.
Tom: You know Rick, I have had bypass surgery before and that is radical. This lifestyle change is not radical compared to that. Yes, I did have to do a 180-degree turn-around. I actually started to make major changes back in 1999 when I had my first bypass surgery. If I had not done that then, I wouldn’t have lasted this long.
RMLC: So now you are known as the radical pastor?
Tom: Yes, my kids even say that it may be radical, but we are seeing the evidence that it must be right.
I have lost weight in a short time, going from 240 lbs. to 180 lbs. I feel stronger now and after just 2-3 weeks, I can walk 40 minutes without chest pain. I have had no more chest pain since that time.
RMLC: How hard was this for you to do? Wasn’t it difficult?
Tom: No, God has given the wisdom and the people to help make a change. It is not a burden; it is now my passion and also my witness. I realize now that God gave me this body and my health and I want to honor Him by taking care of it.
RMLC: But Tom, hasn’t all the joy gone out of your eating? Aren’t you just tolerating this food you have to eat?
Tom: I enjoy my food. It is a pleasure. You might say I am on auto-pilot, it is that easy.
RMLC: Have you been in contact with your cardiologist lately?
Tom: The cardiologist’s office kept calling me every month to schedule my surgery. Each time, I would tell them that I am doing well, exercising and eating healthy foods. Finally, they realized that I was doing so well I didn’t need the surgery and they didn’t need to call anymore.
RMLC: Will you continue to live this way?
Tom: By the grace of God, I will continue to live this way. I know it is right and I give glory to God. I hope that others are inspired to make some of these changes and maybe even stop the progression of heart disease. I could not be available to help people in this way if I did not practice it myself.
RMLC: Thank you Tom. It is a pleasure to watch the Lord bless you with a natural lifestyle miracle. It is my prayer that others will be blessed by it and your ministry will thrive for many years to come.
The following link is for the video that Tom watched–Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease with Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., M.D https://youtu.be/ZC3wRx4vV7g
If you would like more information, call 303-909-8274 at the Rocky Mountain Lifestyle Center.
Any coaching support that we provide at the RM Lifestyle Center is confidential. Tom’s story is presented now with his permission and a desire to make a difference in the lives of others.
