Nelson Vergel’s Journey: From HIV Diagnosis to Men’s Health Advocate
Introduction: A Life of Resilience
Host: Nelson, we’re live! Thanks for joining me.Nelson Vergel: Thanks for having me, Daniel.
Host: Let’s start with this—how does it feel to be the only 60-year-old I know who’s in better shape than me?
Nelson: [Laughs] Well, I may look good on paper and in photos, but inside, I’m a mess. A hollow shell!
Host: We’ll get into that later, but first, let’s go back—way back. Tell us about your early life, your birthplace, and your journey to where you are now.
Early Life and Education
Nelson: I was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela—an oil town, much like Houston, where I live now. I came to the United States in 1984 and studied chemical engineering at McGill University in Canada. After graduation, I moved to Houston and began working as an engineer in the oil industry.A Life-Changing Diagnosis
Nelson: In 1986, I was diagnosed as HIV-positive at the worst possible time—there were no treatments, no hope. It was a death sentence. Being in my mid-20s, I thought my dreams of building a life in the U.S. were shattered. But that moment changed everything for me.Host: This was during the peak of the AIDS crisis, right?
Nelson: Yes. HIV had just been identified in 1985, and the first cases were reported in 1981–82. By the time I was diagnosed, millions were already suffering. The stigma was overwhelming—people were afraid of us, and many of my friends were disowned by their families.
Fighting Back with Science and Bodybuilding
Nelson: With no treatments available, people with HIV wasted away—literally. The condition was called HIV Wasting Syndrome. I saw my friends and my partner lose massive amounts of weight and look like concentration camp victims. I refused to let that happen to me.I became obsessed with finding a solution. That’s when I discovered the potential of anabolic steroids and testosterone to prevent muscle wasting. Keep in mind, this was before the internet—so my research meant spending hours in the library. I eventually developed a program called POWER (Program for Wellness Restoration) and started educating doctors about using these hormones for people with HIV.
Pioneering a Lifesaving Movement
Nelson: At first, many doctors were skeptical, but as they saw their patients gaining weight and living longer, they started prescribing these treatments. My program became widely known, and I even wrote a book, "Built to Survive," with Michael Mooney. It was one of the first resources to explain how anabolic steroids could help people with HIV stay alive.This work probably extended the lives of thousands of people. And for me, it was personal—three of my partners died before effective treatments were available. But those of us who made it to 1996, when new HIV drugs (protease inhibitors) became available, had a chance to survive.
Host: So, when you were diagnosed, it was essentially a death sentence. But instead of accepting that, you found a way to extend your life?
Nelson: Exactly. I wouldn’t be here today if I hadn’t started using testosterone therapy. It helped me survive long enough for new treatments to come along.
The Rise of New Challenges: Lipodystrophy and Activism
Nelson: By the late ‘90s, we had new drugs that controlled HIV, but they came with horrible side effects. People went from wasting syndrome (losing fat and muscle everywhere) to lipodystrophy syndrome (gaining fat in strange places, like the back of the neck and belly).Even though we were surviving longer, many of us were left disfigured. HIV activism played a huge role in pushing for better treatments. In fact, many of the fast-track drug approval processes we see today came from the work of HIV activists demanding life-saving medications.
From HIV Advocacy to Men’s Health
Nelson: Around 12 years ago, I started getting messages from HIV-negative men asking, “Nelson, do I have to be HIV-positive for you to help me?” That’s when I realized that my knowledge about testosterone, hormones, and health optimization could help all men, not just those with HIV.I transitioned into general men’s health advocacy, focusing on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), exercise, nutrition, and supplements. That led me to create ExcelMale.com, an educational platform where men can learn about hormone health. I also founded DiscountLabs.com, which provides low-cost blood testing without a doctor’s visit.
The Importance of Estrogen in Men
Host: I have to thank you personally because your work on estradiol (estrogen in men) saved my life.I was on TRT with high doses of Arimidex (an aromatase inhibitor) to block estrogen. My estradiol dropped too low, and I spiraled into severe anxiety, depression, memory loss, and even suicidal thoughts. I found your forum and learned that crashed estrogen was the culprit. The moment I stopped Arimidex, my symptoms slowly reversed.
Nelson: Unfortunately, this is a huge problem in the men’s health space. There’s still misinformation about estrogen, and many clinics over-prescribe estrogen blockers. But we now know that estradiol is essential for mood, cognition, libido, bone health, and even cardiovascular protection.
I’m glad you found that information in time. I’ve been fighting this battle for years, but myths about estrogen in men still persist.
HCG Therapy and Fertility
Host: Speaking of hormones, what’s your take on HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)?Nelson: HCG mimics luteinizing hormone (LH), which signals the testicles to produce testosterone and sperm. It can improve libido, mood, and even testicular size in men on TRT. However, not everyone responds the same way. Some men feel great on HCG, while others report water retention and mood swings.
Host: Dr. Michael Scally is skeptical about HCG’s benefits beyond fertility. But thousands of men in your forum report feeling better on it.
Nelson: He’s a data-driven guy, and I respect that. But the reality is, many men report improved well-being on HCG, and I’ve seen it firsthand. We need more studies on its effects beyond fertility.
Diet, IBS, and the Carnivore Experiment
Host: Let’s talk diet—particularly IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), since we both suffer from it. I’ve found relief through the carnivore diet—just meat, liver, bone meal, and mineral water.Nelson: That’s fascinating. You’re the third person who’s told me that eliminating all carbs and plant foods completely resolved their IBS. I’ve tried different diets, but I haven’t gone full carnivore. Maybe it’s time I try it!
Host: I highly recommend it—just give it a week and see how you feel.
Final Thoughts and Future Projects
Host: Before we wrap up, what’s next for you?Nelson: I’m launching a global physician directory for hormone therapy, so men and women can find knowledgeable doctors. I’m also releasing a free eBook on testosterone, summarizing the latest research.
Host: That’s amazing. Nelson, thank you for everything you’ve done—not just for me, but for thousands of men and people with HIV.
Nelson: Thank you, Daniel. If our conversation helps even one person, it’s worth it.
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