The one and only!
Real special one we are so lucky to have you Nelson!
Nelson Vergel’s story is one of resilience, perseverance, and an unrelenting drive to defy the odds. In the mid-1980s, he was handed what many would have considered a death sentence—an HIV diagnosis at a time when there were no effective treatments, no clear answers, and little hope. Today, he is a beacon of knowledge and empowerment for those seeking to take control of their health, whether they are dealing with wasting conditions, hormone deficiencies, or simply aiming for peak performance. Nelson has spent decades researching and advocating for hormone health, muscle preservation, and medical autonomy, particularly for those facing wasting conditions like HIV and cancer. His work has helped shape the conversation around androgen therapies, the role of anabolic agents in aging, and the intersection of GLP-1 medications with muscle loss.
We cover:
* Nelson's personal journey from an HIV diagnosis to hormone optimization
* The history, misconceptions and stigma surrounding anabolic agents
* The differences between various anabolic agents and how they work
* The impact of GLP-1 medications on lean mass and how to mitigate muscle loss
* Best practices for hormone monitoring and optimization
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro & Forever Strong Summit Announcement
02:21 - Meet Nelson Vergel
04:34 - Nelson’s journey from HIV diagnosis to hormone health advocacy
08:12 - The role of testosterone and anabolic agents in muscle preservation
14:42 - The stigma and misconceptions surrounding anabolic therapies
18:01 - How nandrolone and oxandrolone compare to testosterone
24:04 - The intersection of GLP-1 medications and muscle loss
30:17 - The importance of resistance exercise alongside hormone therapy
35:07 - Why muscle loss is a serious public health issue
41:55 - How to safely monitor hormones and optimize health
48:00 - The role of compounding pharmacies in hormone replacement therapy
52:47 - What the future holds for anabolic therapies and longevity
1:02:00 - Why personalized medicine is key to effective hormone management
1:09:14 - Final thoughts & where to find Nelson Vergel
Transcript Summary:
Nelson Vergel was once told he wouldn’t live past 30. Now in his 60s, he’s thriving—thanks in part to testosterone and anabolic therapies that have helped him and countless others regain strength, energy, and quality of life. In this episode, we uncover the misunderstood world of testosterone, steroids, and hormone optimization.
Can these therapies help people beyond bodybuilding? Are they truly dangerous, or just stigmatized? Let’s find out.
Join us for two incredible days—featuring former Navy SEALs, Secret Service agents, and other elite experts. You’ll learn everything from muscle health to cutting-edge science and nutrition. No experience required—just a will to win and stay strong!
We sold out last year, so don’t wait! Visit DrGabrielleLyon.com for details and secure your spot.
Nelson Vergel: Thank you for having me—I'm excited to be here.
Dr. Lyon: You have an incredibly unique perspective on anabolic steroids, wasting syndrome, and the future of medicine. You were diagnosed with HIV in the mid-80s—can you describe what that landscape was like?
Nelson Vergel: It was horrific. Even thinking back to those days is painful, but it’s important to talk about.
I came to the U.S. from Venezuela in 1984 for a master’s degree. A year later, my partner got tested behind my back. At that time, the HIV test had just been introduced (1985), and many people in the *** community avoided testing because there were no treatments.
I eventually got tested at the Montrose Clinic in Houston—a tiny trailer at the time—and received a positive result. I was 24 years old and had just started building my dream life in the U.S.
Other symptoms included:
Nelson Vergel: I refused to give up. Since there was no internet, I started attending HIV training sessions through the CDC and educating myself.
Then, I got transferred to Los Angeles, where bodybuilding culture was huge. In an HIV support group, I met two guys who looked healthy and muscular—unlike the rest of us, who were wasting away.
I asked them what they were doing, and they introduced me to:
Muscle wasn’t just about looking better—it was about staying alive.
That’s why I dedicated my life to educating others. I started the Power Program (Program for Wellness Restoration) to help HIV patients gain access to anabolic steroids.
Despite the stigma around HIV, being ***, and using steroids, I fought to get this knowledge out—even faxing doctors across the country.
Nelson Vergel: The Anabolic Steroid Control Act (passed due to cheating in sports) shut down research on these compounds. Suddenly, anabolic steroids were seen as:
Muscle preservation
Joint pain relief
Cognitive and mood improvements
Dr. Lyon: So where do these compounds stand today?
Nelson Vergel: Absolutely!
We need studies on combining anabolic steroids with GLP-1 medications to preserve lean mass during fat loss.
Unfortunately, no one is doing this research—but I hope that changes soon.
Nelson Vergel: I’m preparing to fight for access to hormone therapies. The FDA is already restricting compounded hormones—if we don’t push back, millions will lose access to affordable treatments.
I encourage everyone listening to educate themselves on hormone therapy and anabolic agents.
For more information:
Join my forum: ExcelMale.com
Follow me on social media
Stay strong, stay informed, and keep pushing the limits of what’s possible.
Real special one we are so lucky to have you Nelson!
Nelson Vergel’s story is one of resilience, perseverance, and an unrelenting drive to defy the odds. In the mid-1980s, he was handed what many would have considered a death sentence—an HIV diagnosis at a time when there were no effective treatments, no clear answers, and little hope. Today, he is a beacon of knowledge and empowerment for those seeking to take control of their health, whether they are dealing with wasting conditions, hormone deficiencies, or simply aiming for peak performance. Nelson has spent decades researching and advocating for hormone health, muscle preservation, and medical autonomy, particularly for those facing wasting conditions like HIV and cancer. His work has helped shape the conversation around androgen therapies, the role of anabolic agents in aging, and the intersection of GLP-1 medications with muscle loss.
We cover:
* Nelson's personal journey from an HIV diagnosis to hormone optimization
* The history, misconceptions and stigma surrounding anabolic agents
* The differences between various anabolic agents and how they work
* The impact of GLP-1 medications on lean mass and how to mitigate muscle loss
* Best practices for hormone monitoring and optimization
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro & Forever Strong Summit Announcement
02:21 - Meet Nelson Vergel
04:34 - Nelson’s journey from HIV diagnosis to hormone health advocacy
08:12 - The role of testosterone and anabolic agents in muscle preservation
14:42 - The stigma and misconceptions surrounding anabolic therapies
18:01 - How nandrolone and oxandrolone compare to testosterone
24:04 - The intersection of GLP-1 medications and muscle loss
30:17 - The importance of resistance exercise alongside hormone therapy
35:07 - Why muscle loss is a serious public health issue
41:55 - How to safely monitor hormones and optimize health
48:00 - The role of compounding pharmacies in hormone replacement therapy
52:47 - What the future holds for anabolic therapies and longevity
1:02:00 - Why personalized medicine is key to effective hormone management
1:09:14 - Final thoughts & where to find Nelson Vergel
Transcript Summary:
Defying the Odds: Nelson Vergel on HIV, Hormone Optimization, and the Future of Anabolic Therapies
From an HIV diagnosis in the 1980s to becoming a leading voice in hormone optimization, today’s guest has spent his life defying the odds and reshaping the conversation around health.Nelson Vergel was once told he wouldn’t live past 30. Now in his 60s, he’s thriving—thanks in part to testosterone and anabolic therapies that have helped him and countless others regain strength, energy, and quality of life. In this episode, we uncover the misunderstood world of testosterone, steroids, and hormone optimization.
Can these therapies help people beyond bodybuilding? Are they truly dangerous, or just stigmatized? Let’s find out.
Forever Strong Summit 2025
Before we dive in, I have an exciting announcement! I am hosting the Forever Strong Summit on April 26-27, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Join us for two incredible days—featuring former Navy SEALs, Secret Service agents, and other elite experts. You’ll learn everything from muscle health to cutting-edge science and nutrition. No experience required—just a will to win and stay strong!
We sold out last year, so don’t wait! Visit DrGabrielleLyon.com for details and secure your spot.
Nelson Vergel’s Journey: Surviving HIV Against All Odds
Dr. Lyon: Nelson, welcome to the show!Nelson Vergel: Thank you for having me—I'm excited to be here.
Dr. Lyon: You have an incredibly unique perspective on anabolic steroids, wasting syndrome, and the future of medicine. You were diagnosed with HIV in the mid-80s—can you describe what that landscape was like?
Nelson Vergel: It was horrific. Even thinking back to those days is painful, but it’s important to talk about.
I came to the U.S. from Venezuela in 1984 for a master’s degree. A year later, my partner got tested behind my back. At that time, the HIV test had just been introduced (1985), and many people in the *** community avoided testing because there were no treatments.
I eventually got tested at the Montrose Clinic in Houston—a tiny trailer at the time—and received a positive result. I was 24 years old and had just started building my dream life in the U.S.
The Devastation of HIV in the 1980s
Back then, most people diagnosed with HIV died within a year. Wasting syndrome was one of the most visible and deadly symptoms—you’d see people in grocery stores looking like concentration camp victims.Other symptoms included:
- Severe weight loss
- Lesions on the face (Kaposi’s Sarcoma)
- Total immune system collapse
From Desperation to Research: Discovering Anabolic Steroids
Dr. Lyon: How did you fight back against wasting syndrome?Nelson Vergel: I refused to give up. Since there was no internet, I started attending HIV training sessions through the CDC and educating myself.
Then, I got transferred to Los Angeles, where bodybuilding culture was huge. In an HIV support group, I met two guys who looked healthy and muscular—unlike the rest of us, who were wasting away.
I asked them what they were doing, and they introduced me to:
- Nandrolone
- Oxandrolone
- Testosterone
The Power of Muscle: Why Lean Mass Matters for Survival
We discovered that once a person lost one-third of their lean body mass, they would die—regardless of the disease (HIV, cancer, or aging).Muscle wasn’t just about looking better—it was about staying alive.
That’s why I dedicated my life to educating others. I started the Power Program (Program for Wellness Restoration) to help HIV patients gain access to anabolic steroids.
Despite the stigma around HIV, being ***, and using steroids, I fought to get this knowledge out—even faxing doctors across the country.
The Stigma of Anabolic Steroids: Myths vs. Reality
Dr. Lyon: Let’s talk about anabolic steroids. They’ve been demonized for decades—why?Nelson Vergel: The Anabolic Steroid Control Act (passed due to cheating in sports) shut down research on these compounds. Suddenly, anabolic steroids were seen as:
- Dangerous and toxic
- Causing aggression ("roid rage")
- Harmful to the liver
Muscle preservation Joint pain relief Cognitive and mood improvementsDr. Lyon: So where do these compounds stand today?
Breaking Down Anabolic Therapies
1. Nandrolone (Deca-Durabolin)
- Injectable, long-acting, and well-tolerated
- Used for joint pain, muscle loss, and HIV wasting
- Safer than testosterone in terms of side effects
- Men: 50-150 mg/week
- Women: 10-25 mg/week
2. Oxandrolone (Anavar)
- Oral anabolic agent
- FDA-approved for unintentional weight loss due to illness
- Lower androgenic effects than testosterone (fewer side effects for women)
- Men: 20 mg/day
- Women: 5-10 mg/day (cycled for 12 weeks)
The Future of Muscle Health: Anabolic Therapies & Weight Loss
Dr. Lyon: With the rise of GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic and Wegovy) for weight loss, we’re seeing muscle loss as a side effect. Could anabolic agents help?Nelson Vergel: Absolutely!
We need studies on combining anabolic steroids with GLP-1 medications to preserve lean mass during fat loss.
Unfortunately, no one is doing this research—but I hope that changes soon.
Final Thoughts: Fighting for Access to Life-Saving Treatments
Dr. Lyon: Nelson, you’ve saved countless lives—but your work isn’t done. What’s next?Nelson Vergel: I’m preparing to fight for access to hormone therapies. The FDA is already restricting compounded hormones—if we don’t push back, millions will lose access to affordable treatments.
I encourage everyone listening to educate themselves on hormone therapy and anabolic agents.
For more information:
Join my forum: ExcelMale.com
Follow me on social media
Subscribe & Share!
If you found this episode valuable, subscribe, share, and leave a comment—we love hearing from you!Stay strong, stay informed, and keep pushing the limits of what’s possible.
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