One of the best things about living in Florida is how often I meet new people. And without fail, when I mention I’m a transplant from Southern California, the same question always follows:

“How do you like living in Florida?”

My answer is always the same:
“I love it. I can’t believe I get to live here. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.”

One of the many reasons why I love Florida is the office I now practice in on Prosperity Farms Rd. It’s spacious, peaceful, and surrounded by windows.

Back in California, I practiced at the South End Racquet Club in Torrance, a beautiful country club setting with pools and manicured tennis courts. But my office had no windows. Some days I’d walk in before sunrise and leave after dark, without ever seeing daylight.

Here in Florida? It’s a front-row seat to sunshine, afternoon storms (I once saw a mini tornado roll through our parking lot), and yes…wildlife.

Just the other day, I looked up mid-treatment and spotted a full-grown iguana climbing down a tree outside my window. I shook my head in disbelief because if I had seen that as a kid, I would’ve lost my mind.

You see, as a boy, my favorite hobby was catching reptiles.

My family camped at Lake Casitas nearly every weekend, and along with fishing, boating, and building campfires, I was out hunting kingsnakes, gopher snakes, and I even caught a rattlesnake with a homemade snake stick my dad built just for me.

(At the time, I didn’t realize how meaningful that was. But now, with him gone, I appreciate those small acts of love more than ever.)

At one point, I had nine reptiles in my room. It probably smelled like a zoo.

I’d mow lawns and save up allowance money to buy snakes, turtles, and supplies from a pet shop near the Alpha Beta supermarket. I even befriended the owner, her name was Edith and probably became her most loyal customer.

Eventually, I saved up to buy a baby iguana I named Iggy and fed him hibiscus flowers I “borrowed” from the neighbors’ bushes. At the time, I felt like I was living the dream.

Today? I can catch baby iguanas in my backyard.

In fact, one of my sons now gets paid to remove them from HOA neighborhoods.

Back then, they were rare and prized.
Now they’re as common as squirrels in suburbia.

Here’s the takeaway:

Sometimes, the things we once valued deeply become so familiar, we stop appreciating them.

And I’ve seen the same thing happen with health.

For 35 years, I’ve watched people work hard to recover, whether from pain, injury, or fatigue. They do the work. They feel better. And then… they stop.

They stop being active.
They stop taking care of their bodies.
They stop coming in for maintenance.

Why? Because the crisis is over.

But when we stop paying attention, we start drifting backward.
Old symptoms return. Progress unravels.

And we forget how much it took to feel good…until we lose it again.

So here’s your reminder:

If you’ve worked hard to feel better, protect that progress.
Stay consistent. Stay proactive. And if you’ve drifted a bit? No guilt. Just reset.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend,
Dr. Derek “Not as Crazy About Iguanas” Taylor

P.S: Quick self-check:

• Do you wake up stiff or sore?
• Find your shoulders rounding at your desk or on your phone?
• Feel less mobile than six months ago?
• Push through pain instead of addressing it?

If so, don’t ignore the signs.

Join me on Tuesday, August 12 at 12:00 noon for a free webinar:
“How to Get Rid of Your Neck Pain—Without Drugs, Surgery, or Guesswork.”

We’ll unpack the root causes of neck pain, how posture and scar tissue silently contribute, and simple steps to start improving it. I’ve also invited the posture experts at Egoscue North Palm Beach to share actionable tips you can use right away.

Call us at (561) 867-1020 to reserve your spot.
Join the webinar here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82924515146

Let’s get your neck (and your health) back on track…before it demands your attention.