You ready for some Good Energy⚡😁🎉?

Happy Memorial Day Weekend …. may this blog find you in better spirits than yesterday, honoring the fallen soldiers 🪖🎖️🪦who gave their lives to protect our nation. We owe them more than gratitude and prayers🙏.

Any issues with your Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage plans, or Part D Drug plans? Email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar. We are here to serve.

The Big 65 is has made a donation to Fisher House, one of the best-vetted and most respected charities helping veterans and their families. They have many amazing programs.  Fisher Houses provide military families housing close to a loved one in the hospital for an illness, disease or injury. Let’s do what we can do.

This was taken four years ago just after Airman Nicholas finished up training in Texas.  He’s been on bases in four different countries since then.  Now he’s a man, and we’re proud as hell❤️.

Karl and Nicholas posing together in front of the camera.

Well, yours truly is finally back home from overseas🌐, cleaning up the house and taking care of our bees (and Plato). One hive is thriving, the other is in need of serious TLC😢 (Plato is fine😅).

The hive almost died 🐝🪦because of the tough winter and the varmints. We are adding 5 additional frames of bees to hive number two, plus sugar water to give the hive some good energy.

“Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health” by Dr. Casey Means is also the name of the provocative book I read this week on metabolic health. Thanks to Cary for the suggestion😊👍!

A beekeeper inspecting a hive.

Have you ever wondered why some days you feel energized and sharp—and others you feel like you’re dragging yourself through molasses😩🐌? According to Dr. Casey Means, the answer might lie deep inside your cells.

By the way, Q is still traveling🧳. After visiting Siracusa with our son, she took off for Albania. The love of travel is deep in her cells🌍✈️.

Nicholas and Quantz posing for the camera.

Here’s what I took away from the book:

Your cells are talking—are you listening👂? Poor metabolic health is a leading cause of chronic disease, from heart issues to Alzheimer’s. And yet, 93% of Americans aren’t metabolically healthy. That means our cells aren’t converting food into energy efficiently.

This week, I’m babysitting our daughter’s Rottweiler🐶, (yeah I know, it was only supposed to be a temporary foster). They fell in love with Elwood and this week I need all the metabolic energy I can get while they are on vacation!

A black dog with a cone on his head.

The symptoms are sneaky. Fatigue, brain fog🧠🌫️😵‍💫, weight gain, blood sugar swings, depression—these could all be signs of poor cellular energy production. And it’s not just about food.

Sedentary behavior🪑💻📺💤, processed snacks, poor sleep, and stress all chip away at your mitochondrial health.

Did I mention Kali the cat 🐈‍⬛is with us too? She’s keeping her eyes on these two goobers.

Two dogs and a cat in Karl's kitchen.

Track the basics. Dr. Means recommends tracking key biomarkers like blood sugar, triglycerides, blood pressure, waist size, and HDL cholesterol. Most of these are checked in your annual physical👩‍⚕️⚕️🩺 —use them!

Speaking of physicals, say hello to Tank, a seven month old rescue dog from the California fires! Tank is a madman (but very sweet). I cannot wait until he finds his forever home😅🙏😌! Hint hint.

Dogs playing in Karl's backyard.

Eat like your life depends on it (because it does). Cut out industrial seed oils🛢️🌾, sugar, and refined grains. Prioritize fiber (shoot for 50g/day), healthy fats, and whole, unprocessed foods. Think olive oil, avocados, black beans, chia seeds, and leafy greens🥬.

My little brother Haas back in Virginia eats a super healthy diet. He catches 🐟 and grows 🌽most of his food. I’m still waiting for some of his deer jerky!

Karl's brother sitting in a boat holding a big fish.

Move your body—especially after meals. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT IN THE ENTIRE BOOK👀⚠️📢!

Even a 30-minute walk🚶‍♂️within six hours of eating helps regulate glucose and insulin. Can’t do 30 minutes? Try brisk 5-minute walks🚶‍♂️every half hour. Set a timer ⏱️. Make it a habit.

I have to confess that part of the reason I came home was to try to get a couple more days of skiing⛷️in before the mountains close. I was so impressed by granddad Chris teaching his grandson how to ski. His grandson had the best jokes:

Why should you never iron a four leaf clover?  You  don’t want to press your luck😆!

Karl and fellow skiers looking at the camera.

Small changes = big wins🏁. The good news? You don’t need a complete overhaul. Just one healthy habit at a time—walk more, sleep better, eat cleaner—can dramatically boost your energy🌞, mood, and disease resistance.

Every time I get on my bike, I add one stone to this cairn, so do others. Just like this cairn, with small simple steps, your health will improve over time🌱.

A cairn in Colorado.

At The Big 65, we believe every step👣 you take toward better health makes Medicare work for you—not the other way around. If you’re feeling the drag, maybe it’s time to check in with your body’s power grid⚡and flip the switch 🔛on Good Energy.

For over thirty years, my wife Q was a workaholic: 6 days a week, 10 plus hours every day, and email on Sunday. Thank goodness she flipped the switched in retirement and is finally living her best life. I’m so proud of her. Plus, she said she will come home, eventually, right Q🙏 ?

Quantz standing in front of a mountain.

Keep squeezing the juice🍊 out of life and look for ways to help others!

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.


Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 10 organizations that offer 50 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Alabama Medicare Broker Karl Bruns-Kyler.

Aging isn’t the problem—losing curiosity is 🧓💭

Greetings and may this note find you in amazing health, with your Medicare insurance coverage🏥working well.

Any issues with your Medicare coverage (and the carrier isn’t helping), or you’d like to shop coverage? Please email Gray, Gray@TheBig65.com or book a time on my calendar.

Well this week, Egypt has been a full-on contrast to our quiet, organized lives back home.

Honestly? It knocked me out of my comfort zone way more than it did Quantz. I guess that’s because she knows how to walk like an Egyptian🌞🐫🤣!

Quantz walking like an Egyptian in Egypt.

Cairo has more than 22 million people, staggering inflation, it’s surrounded by chaos, there’s constant construction, and super intense heat.

Oh, and did I mention there aren’t ANY traffic lights in Cairo😱?

One of our cab drivers u-turned into three lanes of traffic to find a short cut, it was crazy🚕🙏😩!

An elderly lady with a black cover on her head and one eye shut looking at the camera.

And yet… Egypt was exactly what I needed😲?

Yours truly is a Medicare Insurance broker because, just like my German Dad, I DON’T LIKE SURPRISES!

I want everything in order, in writing, the exact opposite of Egypt. Do you see the point?

Karl holding is hand up pretending to hold a pyramid, creating an optical illusion.

So it was quite helpful (every time Q reminded me to “lighten up,”), that I had just read Never Play It Safe by Chase Jarvis.

The book is all about seven levers we can pull to live more boldly and creatively—not just on big trips, but in everyday life.

Visiting a new country gave me the perfect chance to practice what I preach.

Naturally, I didn’t “nail” any of these behaviors, but life is all about trying, right? Plus we got to see the oldest coffee house in Egypt, visited by Napoleon and Morgan Freeman 😎.

A man pointing at something on a wall as Quantz looks on.

Attention

The classic saying, where attention goes, energy flows. It’s our most important resource. That’s why the internet is always trying to steal our attention.

Paying attention to the present is a skill I’m still working on, but Egypt gave me a reason to try harder.

A woman leading a donkey.

Time

The scale of history here is humbling. These pyramids were already ancient when Alexander the Great arrived in 323 BC.

Standing in front of them reminded us how little time we get—and how important it is to stop wasting it on the wrong things.

Karl and Quantz taking a selfie with the Pyramids in the background.

Intuition

This wasn’t Yelp-approved dining. We followed a smell of roasted meat, made eye contact with the grill-meister, and said yes. It was one of the best meals we had in Egypt, and it was less than 5 bucks.

Sometimes you don’t need a plan—you just need a feeling. Still learning to trust mine more.

The grill-meister put a piece of meat on a skewer.

Constraints

Jarvis points out that constraints—whether it’s limited time, energy, or resources—can actually push us to be more creative. That hit home in Egypt.

Karl leaning against a wall with his back.

Play

Play doesn’t come naturally when we’re stressed or tired.

Trying to remember: humor connects, lightness heals, and silliness might be the smartest thing we do all day, even if the sandflies are eating you alive.

Karl with a white thing on his head with his arm around an un-identified man.

Failure

We got lost. Took wrong turns. Felt frustrated. But that quiet guard reminded me: failure isn’t the end—it’s just part of the path. As Jarvis says, it’s how we move forward.

An un-identified man sitting on a rail with Egyptian art in the background.

Practice

As we get older, it’s easy to slip into routine and stop reaching for what lights us up. Chase Jarvis reminds us that wonder, energy, better relationships with our kids—none of it happens by accident.

If we want more meaning or joy, we have to keep practicing the behaviors that lead us there.

Quantz stooped down in a tunnel.

In the end, it’s all about showing up. Egypt reminded me—and Never Play It Safe confirmed it—that we don’t need perfect conditions to live fully.

We’re all still figuring it out. But if we keep showing up, practicing what matters, and being open to surprise…

There’s no telling what we might reel in next, just ask Rich🐟!

Rich holding a large newly caught fish.

Keep squeezing the juice out of life and look for ways to help others!

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).


Karl Bruns-Kyler

(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.


Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 10 organizations that offer 50 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Karl and Plato the big black and white dog.

 

You ready for winter🥶?

Greetings and may this blog find you in remarkable health 💪 with your Medicare insurance coverage 🏥 working properly.

If you still need help, email Gray@TheBig65.com and he’ll get you on my calendar. We still have space for existing clients, but time is running out.

Thanksgiving season is upon us and since our Air Force son Nicholas really wanted to see his cousins before he redeploys in two weeks…

A large group of the Kyler family having a meal at a long table.

So the Bruns-Kylers took a quick trip to Virginia (plus it was cheaper to go before Thanksgiving 😂🦃🍁.)

It had been almost 10 ten years since we’d gotten this side of the family together and it sure was fun to connect and see how everyone is growing up.

Four young people laughing and enjoying time together.

Family get-togethers should be a time for joy, connection, and gratitude.

Yet, for many families, holidays bring tension and drama. With a bit of planning and mindfulness, you can make family gatherings more harmonious and enjoyable for everyone.

Here are some practical tips to create a peaceful holiday atmosphere:

Three nice ladies sitting on a sofa together.

Acknowledge differences:  Every family has its quirks and unique dynamics. Accept that perfection is unrealistic and aim to enjoy the gathering for what it is.

Focus on gratitude:  Remind yourself of the blessings in your life and approach the gathering with a positive mindset.

Two people together.

Know your triggers:  If certain topics or individuals tend to cause tension, plan how you’ll handle these situations calmly.

Delegate responsibilities:  Share the workload to reduce stress. Assign tasks like cooking, setting the table, or cleaning to different family members.

Set boundaries:  If the gathering is at your home, communicate clear expectations about timing, house rules, and contributions.

A group of people sitting at a table playing Scrabble.

Organize group activities:  Games, puzzles, or watching holiday movies can keep everyone focused on fun rather than feuds.

Celebrate traditions:  Cooking a special recipe, sharing family stories, or taking a group photo can foster a sense of connection and joy.

Have a backup plan:  If things become tense, suggest a change of scenery, such as going outside or starting a new activity.

A young man holding a newly caught fish.

Steer clear of divisive discussions:  Politics, religion, and controversial family matters can quickly escalate. Change the subject if things get heated.

Practice active listening:  Acknowledging others’ opinions without argument can help diffuse tension.

Use humor:  Light-hearted jokes can shift the mood and help everyone relax.

Nicholas looking at his Uncle Rob.

Know your limits:  If you feel overwhelmed, it’s okay to step away or even leave early if necessary.

Be kind to yourself:  Don’t take family drama personally. Often, it’s not about you but about underlying dynamics.

Remember, the holidays are about togetherness, not perfection. By focusing on the positives, setting healthy boundaries, and staying calm, you can create a warm and memorable family gathering. Wishing you a drama-free and joyful holiday season!

Family members together.

Keep squeezing the juice out of life and look for ways to help others!

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

If you know someone who might like to receive The Big 65 newsletter, forward this link.

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

 

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here
Happy with my Service? Click Here to Leave a Review.


Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in thirty states around the country, including:

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 10 organizations that offer 50 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Karl Bruns-Kyler of The Big 65 Medicare insurance services company.