Empowering Reading: A Path Forward Book Review

A Path Forward: Echoes of a Second Chance, by David Medansky. 2026. ISBN: 979-8990597655.

An all too real parable or fable about the unhealthy lifestyles we are living and the positive changes we can make to turn things around before it is too late.

Are you charging through life, trying to establish/grow your entrepreneurial business, or attempting to climb the corporate ladder quickly? Are you ever striving to achieve the American Dream?

Does this sound familiar to you?

• Working long, sometimes absurd hours

• Sitting and being sedentary for most of those working hours

• Ignoring chronic stress and its effects

• Skipping exercise because there is no time for it

• Putting aside family and friends to reach the next level

• Eating constantly bad foods, on the run

• Taking multiple meds for heartburn, high blood pressure

• Pumping yourself with caffeine and other stimulants

The author, David Medansky, and I lived that life. Mine was more trauma-fueled and staying as busy as possible to avoid thinking or dealing with it; David’s was more money and ego-fueled, always raising the bar higher with each level of success so that satisfaction is never achieved.

If you have never heard of David Medansky or read his books, then you don’t know his amazing story of transformation, from ego-driven and a success-at-all-costs mentality to a near-fatal heart attack that convinced him to change his ways.

That part of his story is not that remarkable. We now understand that we can not only prevent but reverse most of our chronic health issues, including diabetes, high blood pressure, gout, liver disease, leaky gut, strokes, cardiovascular issues, many forms of dementia, and many cancers.

The part of his story that is remarkable is that he not only transformed his health, he also transformed his life… and at what many would consider an advanced age of 67, he successfully conquered Mount Kilimanjaro in the summer of 2022. Then he started writing books and preaching the benefits of healthy living.

That may be a spoiler for readers who don’t know Medansky, and I apologize if it is.

About A Path Forward

A Path Forward is an engaging and powerful parable for our modern age of sedentary and busy (overachieving) lifestyles and convenience foods. Readers will find an engaging story with a weighty (pun intended) and important life-enhancing lessons. This is a must-read for individuals seeking to understand the keys to true health and reclaim ownership of their well-being and prolong their lives.

Medansky lays out his ten rules for good health in ten short chapters that follow the story of the fictional character Michael, an egoic entrepreneur who could not stop striving for the next great achievement, even though most would look at his life and marvel at how much he had already achieved – and how it looked “perfect.” But Michael didn’t see it that way. A health crisis sets Michael on a path to wellness – and major lifestyle changes.

The Ten Keys for Living a Healthy Life

Here are the rules Medansky lays out for people who are seeking to take control of their health and wellness.

Rule 1: Drink more pure water. Stop drinking sodas, energy drinks, sugary teas, and artificially colored beverages.

Rule 2: Avoid sugar and ultra-processed foods. Refuse to fall for the convenience or cravings of these processed foods.

Rule 3: Eat real, holistic, whole foods. Focus on eating real foods that nourish the body.

Rule 4: Eat slowly and mindfully. Stop eating while distracted and be fully present when eating.

Rule 5: Eat small portions. The quality of the food matters more than the quantity; avoid overindulgence.

Rule 6: Get adequate sleep. Value sleep for its many health benefits, focused on consistent sleep.

Rule 7: Rest to digest. Strive for only eating at meals and avoid snacking as much as possible.

Rule 8: Think positive. A decision to refuse to let fear, negative thoughts, and self-doubt cloud judgment.

Rule 9: Move daily. Change perspective to movement as a privilege, starting with small habits performed with gratitude and joy.

Rule 10: Share the journey. Health is an ongoing journey that can influence those around us to transform their health.

Some may see this book as just one man’s story of awakening, that this life-saving transformation has made him a maverick and preacher of health and wellness… and you would be partly correct. Medansky’s passion comes from the success he has achieved, not only for himself, but for others.

My hope is that this book serves as a wakeup call, that people reading it suddenly see themselves as the main character, working and living full-throttle to oblivion, their health on the precipice of failure… but with the good news that they can still recover their health – and climb their own mountains as their health returns.

Find more book reviews and advice for living a happy, healthy, and healing life here.