Finely broken glass glittering in the summer sun became treasure chests of gold and silver. I n seventh grade, I went to a Quaker boarding school, where my love for outdoor activity was fostered by the school's emphasis on hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, cycling, rappelling and rock climbing, swimming, canoeing, tubing on the river, and organic gardening. We gained a healthy respect for the earth. I moved on to high school, college and medical school, I started spending more time indoors, but I've always made time for consistent cardiovascular activity. Exercise is a natural high, and besides, I've come to learn of the health benefits of regular exercise.
Regular exercise leads to a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
At that time, I led medical teams into the bush of the west African country of Liberia to provide health care. We spent the summers of 1985 and 1986 working in small villages with no running water or electricity. This lack of material wealth didn't prevent the African people from living full and satisfying lives. In these small African villages, I found people with a respect for the earth living in balance with nature. F or the past eleven years, I have been living and working in an environment not unlike the African villages in Liberia.