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George Donnelly, D.C.
Finding His Own Road to Wellville

For one glorious week this summer, AIHT faculty member George Donnelly found himself power-walking each morning amid peacocks and monkeys, swans and huge land turtles, baby foxes and wild rabbits, parrots and a rainbow symphony of songbirds—a tropical sanctuary in every sense of the word!

It all was part of an educational wellness retreat at the Naples, FL, home of award-winning natural health advocate, author, radio commentator and filmmaker Gary Null, Ph.D.—and George’s “school days” stretched from 6:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. or later.

With just a single (although sumptuous) four- or five-course meal in the middle of each day, his group learned the secrets of vegan vitality. “No wheat or meat, no dairy or coffee,” he recalls. “Refreshingly supplemented by nutrient-dense, energizing liquids such as whey and rice protein drinks, fresh-juiced vegetable, sprout and fruit concoctions, herbal tea, chlorella-rich green drinks, plus abundant natural sources of mineral water, with a grove-fresh lemon twist, we were amazed to discover that we never felt the least bit hungry,” he adds.

“No way,” you may think. “Whey,” George says with an impish smile.

Their healthy host is a world-class athlete who has created marathon training and power-walking programs from coast to coast. Recently the Harlem Health Foundation recognized Gary Null’s educational and motivational efforts with a lifetime achievement award. During his 40-year career as a pioneer in the human potential movement, Null has authored more than 70 books, teaching CDs and film DVDs. An avid researcher and journalist, he brings to the airwaves a daily forum of scientifically objective, provocative interviews and commentary.

Interestingly, another of Dr. Null’s most memorable messages is the power of silence.

“He’s not one for social chit-chat,” George explains. “He doesn’t engage people to ‘tell their story’ and stay stuck in old dramas. He asks class members to eat in silence, mindful of the nourishment they’ve chosen. Journaling helps people stay attuned to energetic shifts, thoughts, and general mood.”

With so many exercise options, he adds, their days included yoga, T’ai chi, weight training, a large outdoor mineral pool, and a walking/running track—all situated within 23 acres of breathtaking natural beauty.

“Afternoon classes ranged from bodywork to meditation, Bach flower essences and essential oils, organic shopping and cooking demonstrations. Evening discussions focused on human psychology, from the laws of attraction to overcoming fear. We explored personality types such as the dynamic/ aggressive Type A, the adaptive/supportive Type B, and the creative/artist visionaries whose yearnings may be more mystical and otherworldly.

“We’re all connected,” George concludes. “We are unique, diverse, and yet we share the human condition of stewardship—for ourselves and our planet, and all our relations.”

Where do you find meaning?

Why do people join social groups and political campaigns, seek peace by traveling to temples rather than just meditate in their yard, or hitch their star to yet another charismatic leader—at the risk of depleting monetary and other energies—and yet still we don’t fully understand why we’re searching?

According to Gary Null, Ph.D. in The Baby Boomer’s Guide to Getting it Right the Second Time Around, bold people seek meaning that is absent from their own lives. “The healer starts by healing himself. The warrior starts by conquering fear.

“The real you can’t shine while you’re honoring someone else’s meaning. You can’t cultivate a new self with an old meaning. When we first look for something more real, it’s natural to feel besieged by fears and excuses. In transcending old boundaries and fears, breaking off what doesn’t work, we may not even recognize certain parts of the transition. But then…how rich and powerful, to reach up and grab the new you who’s coming through.”