NPR host advocates healthy living for students

By Darryl Boyd

Staff Writer

Publication Date: 10/20/2008

Craig Heath | Staff Photographer

Public radio's favorite health expert, Dr. Zorba, spoke about the four pillars of personal wellness on Friday afternoon at the Purdue Memorial Union.

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A nationally syndicated radio doctor turned medical school failures into a successful career in medicine.

National Public Radio talk show host Dr. Zorba Paster, who was on campus Friday to promote healthy living, said he failed four of six classes by his six week medical school evaluation. A talk with the dean of students soon followed and served as a wake up call.

Paster now manages to maintain a family medical practice in Madison, Wis., while traveling nationwide giving health lectures and can be heard giving health advice every week on NPR.

"Exercise is really the key to vibrancy," Paster said.

He started working with public radio came after a friend urged him to give advice about a local flu epidemic. After doing the show, Paster said he realized that giving his opinion in that way interested him.

The focus of his Friday afternoon lecture was "The Four Pillars of Perfect Health," in which he said knowledge, optimism, empowerment and an action plan are essential to be perfectly healthy. He also emphasized the importance of health literacy.

"The informed patient is the better patient," Paster said.

Alex Jerden, a senior in the College of Liberal Arts, enjoyed learning about the four pillars for perfect health given by Paster.

"I really liked the wellness approach," Jerden said. "He's very thorough."

Although health is a serious topic, Paster peppered his lecture with humor. At one point he joked that constipation is to a 60-year-old like sex is to an 18-year-old.

"They think about it all the time," Paster said.

Paster said he wants to inspire people to live a consistent, healthy life.

"Perfect health is achieving your personal best from moment to moment."

Paster also encourages Americans to enjoy nature through walking.

"Walking is a great, fabulous exercise," he said.

Paster led the annual "Just Walk for the Health of It" walk Saturday morning in Lafayette.