In 2018, my world turned upside down. My dad was rushed to the hospital with a triple-A-ortic split. I vividly remember that day. I was on top of Southsea Castle Hill, heading for a roast dinner when I got a phone call from Theresa, my dad’s partner. She was hysterical, crying her eyes out. My pal rushed me down to the QA Hospital.

When I arrived, I was ushered into a room that looked nothing like a hospital room. It was small, carpeted, and had a sofa—it felt more like someone’s front room. As I walked in, most of the Ruffell family was there. No one knew where to look, and a few of the women were in tears. My uncles told me and my brothers, "You need to go and say your last words." A doctor guided us and explained the gravity of the situation. Dad was the most critically ill person in the QA hospital, and it didn't look like he’d pull through. We had to say our farewells. But we’re not the type to give up on anything, and we weren’t ready to say goodbye to our best mate.

One by one, we went in, encouraging him and telling him to keep fighting and not give up. It was probably the toughest thing I had faced at the time. Then the doctor came around and said, "Mr. Ruffell, we have a helicopter on its way. You're going to be airlifted to Southampton Hospital." Dad’s response? "I ain’t fucking dying, and I sure as hell ain’t dying in Southampton. I’m staying put." We thought, "Are you off your head? Don’t be so silly, Dad, they’re trying to save your life." He said softly, "I ain’t going nowhere." The next 48 hours were touch and go. Doctors said they’d be surprised if he made it through. But he did, and after those critical hours, they gave him no more than six months to live.

While Dad was in the ICU, we did everything to lift his spirits. I’ve always been big on the law of attraction and self-development, so I’d bring an iPad, stay over some nights, and we’d watch The Secret, Tony Robbins, Dr. Joe Dispenza, and Bob Proctor. We put into practice what they taught.

Dad was referred to St. Thomas Hospital, where he saw one of the leading aortic surgeons in the world. I remember Dad went up to St. Thomas Hospital in a three-piece suit, thinking he could impress the doctor. He even got out of his wheelchair before entering the room to seem healthier. But reality hit hard when the doctor said, "Mr. Ruffell, I don’t know how you’ve survived, let alone walked into my office. I’m terribly sorry, but no surgeon on the planet would take you under the knife. It’s too risky; you’d bleed to death."

The doctor gave him 6-18 months to live. Dad was told not to walk more than 250 yards a day, never to work or drink again, and to sort out his affairs. He left St. Thomas Hospital, bought a bottle of red wine (which he never drinks), finished it, and broke down with his partner at Waterloo train station.

Dad called a family meeting to tell us the news. We said, "This is traditional pharma talking. There’s still hope." We all dedicated time to learning about the aortic and natural remedies that could help. A friend suggested cannabis. Dad was ready to try anything. His doctor didn’t advise it but said it was up to him—what did he have to lose?

For the next six months, Dad was high as a kite on RSO oil, consuming it morning and night. (RSO oil, or Rick Simpson Oil, is a potent cannabis extract known for its high levels of THC. It's used by some people to treat severe illnesses, although medical professionals do not officially recognise it.) He had hallucinations, thinking he had Russian spies under his bed, make-believe weapons hidden around the house, and having full-blown conversations with himself.

After six months, feeling like he was recovering, he switched to CBD oil (the same oil we sell now). He made a miraculous recovery with his mindset practices and a natural wellness plan that included breath work, meditation, cold water therapy, celery juice with CBD, Manuka honey, herbal teas, and fasting. The staff at St. Thomas Hospital even nicknamed him Richard the Lion heart. We gradually incorporated small exercises and cold water therapy, despite the doctors' advice. He went from walking a mile a day to 10k steps, then 20k steps. We realised we had a good chance of keeping him with us. That was five years ago. He has his ups and downs, but he’s full of energy, can walk, work, and even has the odd beer.

I believe we owe everything to natural alternative medicines and therapies. That’s why I’m on this mission to share it with the masses. During the COVID-19 backlog, I helped a lot of people with mental health issues. Then, I lost two friends to suicide. That’s when I decided to focus on mental health in general.

At Rio-Vitalise, we’re dedicated to promoting natural remedies and holistic well-being. We believe in the power of these alternatives because we’ve seen them work firsthand. Join us on this journey to make the world a healthier, more harmonious place. #TheRioWay