Greetings from glorious San Diego,

I just got back from my 3-month checkup at the National Institute of Health in Washington DC.

The last time I was here in November, they weren’t happy with my progress and told me I needed to start treatment over again.

Needless to say – I was very anxious about this visit.

It’s been 11 months and 23 days since leaving the jungle – a time that’s been undeniably challenging, frustrating, and scary; yet also full of unexpected lessons.

Gratitude, perspective, and fierce persistence – that’s been my formula for this mental rollercoaster.

It could be so much worse. I’m so lucky to have the capacity to keep pushing for progress, and have access to all the available resources I need (even if I had to dig like crazy for them).

Not to mention, I also have a great mom who overwhelms me with questions until I’m forced to make things happen just to put her mind at ease.

This time at the NIH, I spent the day having bloodwork done, meeting with my infectious disease doctors, dermatologists, and wound care specialists.

And at the end of it all, they came back with one diagnosis…

I am clinically cured of Leishmaniasis.*

*I put the asterisk here because I’ll still be monitored for an entire year - and for the rest of my life. If I ever find a new lesion or mark, I’ll need to be reevaluated.

If my immune system is ever compromised, there’s a much higher risk of it resurfacing.

With that in mind, who’s ready for me to start a health and wellness channel?

I’m joking, but I will be taking my health a lot more seriously now.

Overall, it was a successful trip. Mission accomplished. Time to move forward with my life.

Make sure you go watch my full (emotional) update over on Patreon.

In the video, I go jump in the ocean for the first time in a year. One relatively unimportant aspect of this parasite is that I haven’t been able to swim in any body of water since being diagnosed.

I know It doesn’t seem like much considering the other (much more serious) aspects, but it is something that brings me incredible joy, peace, and healing.

Thankfully, my doctor knows this, and when he gave me the good news he said…

“Now go celebrate with a swim!”

COOL THING IN TRAVEL

Now that I can finally get back in the water, I’ve been searching for new places to go celebrate around the world.

I’m not talking about taking a dip in just any average hotel or backyard pool, I mean treating myself to a real experience.

Here are four places that caught my eye:

​The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India: The 88-ft long pool at this Indian oasis is an architectural work of wonder. The property itself is located on 50 acres of the 200-year-old hunting grounds of the Maharana of Mewar, and boasts a 20-acre wildlife sanctuary. The pool, the property, and the hotel itself are works of art.

​The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, Grindavik, Iceland: I’ve been to the Blue Lagoon while filming for our Iceland Series, but this is a private, more intimate spa hotel built into an 800-year lava flow. Next time, I want to reap all the earthly benefits without the touristy crowds.

​Marrakech, Morocco: Don’t tell anyone, but I have a secret passion for architecture design, and Moroccan villas are the pinnacle. A private pool tucked inside a gorgeous courtyard is reason alone for me to visit Morocco. I know “Travel Deeper” is my thing, but I wouldn’t mind doing absolutely nothing at this place for a few days.

​San Alfonso del Mar Resort, Chile: OR, why not just go BIG and visit the World’s Largest Pool! Located on the Chilean coast, just an hour drive from Santiago - this pool looks incredible!

Have you found any other must-visit swimming spots along your travels? If so, respond to this email and let me know!

RESOURCE OF THE WEEK

This week’s “Travel” resource isn’t important at all - until it’s the most important resource in your life.

I want to tell you that the National Institute of Health in Washington DC is a government-funded public health center and research facility that accepts patients from all over the world.

They do a ton of research on rare diseases (like Leishmaniasis) and fully cover treatment.

I think I can say this without being overly dramatic – they saved my life, so I want to pay it forward.

Now, I’m not sure of the exact requirements needed of being a patient but keep this in your back pocket if you’re ever struggling to get medical answers like I was.

***

That’s it for this week. Hopefully, it’s all positive travel tales from here on!!

Cheers to new horizons,

Gareth

P.S. The first episode from my Las Vegas series goes live this Saturday on YouTube. It’s called “A Day in the Life of a Las Vegas Drag Queen” – and it’s fabulous, haha! I can’t wait to share this story.