Spending time in the Philippines is kind of like living in the Twilight Zone, as nothing really makes sense.
Young, beautiful women prefer older men with their money and security, while some of the best-looking “women” are transgender, which can make for horrible drinking games!
Trying to stay feeling younger is a big part of life as we age. There is no better place to do it than here in the Philippines, where prices are lower.
I have already blogged about my first experiences; you can CLICK HERE to read it
I keep finding more inspiration through our local crew!
This is Matthew, a local expat I see most mornings at our neighborhood coffee shop.
For the longest time, we never really talked. But he’s one of those guys you notice right away. The kind of person who quietly owns the room with confidence without even trying.
Once we finally started chatting, I realized he’s also one of the most impressive people I’ve met here.
Matthew is 15 years older than me, a cancer survivor, and I’m pretty sure he could knock me on my ass in just about any athletic competition… except maybe a drinking game.
He plays pickleball several times a week and recently introduced me to a place called Summit Recovery, a wellness and recovery spot I hadn’t heard about before.
It is just like my LTF gym/spa routine at home in AZ, and now I’m intrigued.
Matthew goes there every weekday at noon for something called contrast therapy, and I’m hoping to start joining him—not just for the recovery benefits, but also for the chance to sit around and talk about life.
What Is Contrast Therapy?
Contrast therapy alternates between heat and extreme cold to stimulate circulation and recovery.
At Summit Recovery, that means moving between:
Sauna
Hot tub
Ice-cold plunge
Massage
Compression recovery boots
The rapid switch between hot and cold creates a powerful change in blood flow, which helps:
Flush out toxins
Reduce muscle soreness
Increase circulation
Improve joint mobility
Speed up recovery time
It’s one of the most popular recovery methods used by athletes and wellness enthusiasts, and apparently also a tough expat hanging around my local coffee shop in Cebu, Philippines.
Honestly, if it helps me keep up with Matthew… I’m in.
I guess you could say I’ve tried just about every wellness gimmick in town.
The funny thing is, when you’re living here, experimenting is part of the fun. Almost every treatment, class, or recovery therapy costs a fraction of what it would back home.
So why not give it a shot?
Some things turn out to be incredible. Others… well… make for a funny blog later as there is one born every minute (sucker) and I look goofy before and after! 
Either way, it’s all part of the adventure of living and trying to stay healthy while traveling. 
The RF ultrasonic slimming treatment took about 16 minutes and cost $10 USD per session.
A lifetime worth of chubby cheeks getting some love! 
RF ultrasonic cavitation is a non-invasive body contouring treatment that combines ultrasound waves to break down fat cells with radio frequency to tighten and firm the skin.
Quick, simple, and another one of those things I figured was worth trying while living here.
But the real standout was the anti-aging package below.
For just $12 (4 pack price), you get a 90-minute session, which is pretty incredible when you consider what similar treatments cost back home. Ninety minutes of cream, masks, and steam are designed to help an old man’s skin recharge.
At these prices, it’s hard not to keep experimenting with all the wellness options around town.
Plus, I get to pretend that I am taking great care of myself all the time!
I just tested these three treatments as I try to keep up with my local hero, Matthew.
Honestly, I never would have imagined myself trying things like this back home. But when the prices are this affordable, it’s hard not to get curious.
At these prices… I will keep trying!
If our beautiful Filipinas do their best to look great, it is the least I can do to try to put lipstick on a pig!
Worst case, it makes for a great travel story for a few bucks!
Best case, I might actually feel comfortable in the same room as Matthew. 