Theory: The Root of Our Reality in Wellness

In every field, including wellness and health, theory precedes practice, but most of the time, we forget to question where it all started. First, there’s a theory—an idea, a concept, or a framework put forward by think tanks, intellectuals, or pioneers. It’s often revolutionary, challenging the status quo, and offering a new perspective on how we can live healthier, more fulfilled lives.

But what happens after that initial idea takes root?

Step 1: The Theory by ‘possible” Pioneers

It begins with a theory. Think of some of the major shifts in wellness history. Concepts like intermittent fasting, clean eating, or mind-body wellness were once just ideas introduced by a few visionaries. These pioneers are not always guided by pure scientific evidence at the outset—they are often driven by personal experience, intuition, or a fresh interpretation of existing knowledge. They propose a new way of thinking, a theory that could revolutionize health. At this stage, what they state is just a “possibility”.

Step 2: The Institutions Back It Up

Once the theory gains momentum, institutions—whether academic, medical, or wellness-focused—begin to take notice. They convince themselves of the validity of this new idea, perhaps because it aligns with their existing paradigms or promises solutions to long-standing issues. To legitimize the theory, they back it up with selective scientific facts. Studies are conducted, research is published, and before you know it, there’s evidence—somewhat curated evidence—that supports the theory.

This is where things start to get tricky. Institutions and experts, eager to validate new ideas, may inadvertently ignore contradictory evidence or take a reductionist view of the data. The theory is now seen as more than an idea—it’s becoming a standard.

Step 3: Bureaucracy and Protocols

Now, the theory is institutionalized. Executioners—doctors, practitioners, wellness coaches, therapists—start to implement it. But to make it easier to apply on a large scale, they begin to convert the theory into protocols. These protocols are essentially standardized instructions that dictate how to execute the theory in everyday practice. Eat this, avoid that. Move this way, don’t move that way. Rest this much, and avoid that.

And this is where things often get rigid. Bureaucracy steps in, and the original flexibility of the theory, the nuance and the personal adaptability, gets lost in translation. The protocol, designed for ease of application, is often oversimplified.

Step 4: Media and Public Perception

Next comes the media—perhaps the most powerful force in shaping our collective reality. The protocol, once a simple recommendation, is now broadcast far and wide. Media outlets—from television to Instagram to blogs—start discussing and promoting the protocols, using catchphrases, success stories, and celebrity endorsements. They convert the protocols into dogma, presenting them as universal truths for everyone, everywhere.

Soon, what was once a theory is no longer questioned. It has been presented as fact. Public perception shifts. What started as an idea becomes accepted truth, even if the original nuances and intentions of the theory were lost along the way.

Step 5: The Dogma and Our Reality

The final step is where we, the public, begin to live the dogma. We’ve been conditioned to accept it as reality—“This is how we should live to be healthy.” We follow these prescribed rules and protocols without question, and often with little understanding of their origins or evolution.

But here’s the critical point: This reality is not fixed. The wellness dogma we’ve inherited—whether it’s a specific diet trend, a fitness regimen, or a holistic practice—isn’t some immutable truth. It’s the product of a long process of theoretical exploration, institutional validation, bureaucratic simplification, media amplification, and public adoption.

Changing the Reality

To change our reality, we must start by questioning the theory.

Why? Because the theory is where it all begins. If we can go back to the original idea, critically assess it, and challenge the assumptions upon which it was built, we can uncover new insights. We can challenge outdated practices and push for deeper, more holistic solutions that are rooted in individual experience rather than broad generalizations.

For example, in the wellness industry, we’ve seen numerous theories around diets—from low-carb to vegan to paleo. These have all been validated with selective scientific facts, institutional backing, and widespread media campaigns. However, they don’t always work for everyone because they are based on theories that may not consider the complexities of individual bodies, lifestyles, and genetics. A one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t fit with the reality of human diversity.

The Path Forward

To truly master health, we need to deconstruct the theories we’ve been handed. This requires us to think critically about the principles behind them, to be open to new ideas, and to question the so-called “science” that often backs them. Health and wellness are personal journeys, not cookie-cutter solutions. And the more we question, explore, and experiment on our own, the more we can get closer to what truly works for us—without the influence of dogma.

If we want to reclaim our health and take it into our own hands, we have to go back to the roots—the theories. We must question them, refine them, and move beyond protocols and media-driven narratives. Only then can we take full ownership of our health and our life.