This site is about Elite Preparation.
I believe we are eternal beings — and that we will meet our Creator.
Near-death experiences are reported by people who were clinically dead or without measurable heartbeat for several minutes or hours and later revived. Across thousands of documented cases — studied by researchers and organizations like International Association for Near-Death Studies — striking similarities emerge:
A sense of leaving the body. Moving through darkness toward radiant light. Encountering overwhelming, unconditional love.
Experiencing colors more vivid than anything on earth — hues for which there seem to be no words. Sensing awareness heightened beyond normal limits — sight, understanding, and perception expanded all at once. Experiencing a life review centered not on success, but on how we loved.
Meeting a magnificent, personal Being of light — described by many as their Creator.
Many identify that Presence as Jesus who said, “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Books like Imagine Heaven highlight these shared patterns and compare them with biblical descriptions of eternity. The stories differ in detail. The core experience does not.
The documentary After Death from Angel Studios presents firsthand stories with medical and academic insight.
Another place to explore is the work of Lee Strobel, a former legal editor and investigative journalist who set out to examine the historical evidence for Christianity. His book The Case for Christ documents his research into the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus — approached from a factual, courtroom-style perspective.
Don’t take my word for it. Look at this evidence before you make a final decision.
a local example
Where Elite Preparation Becomes Practical
Elite preparation requires steady leadership when pressure builds. The discipline to evaluate clearly.
The courage to act in the best interest of families — even when the decision is difficult.
In 2020, districts everywhere faced enormous uncertainty. Here in Effingham County, our School Board chose to return students to in-person learning sooner than many districts. In my view, that decision reflected clarity, courage, and a commitment to community. It was the right call.
It was the right call because schools are more than buildings and lesson plans. Teachers, administrators, coaches, and staff are not simply instructors — they are mentors, protectors, and steady adults in students’ lives. They notice when something is wrong. They provide structure, encouragement, accountability, and safety.
For many children, school is not just a place to learn — it is a place to be seen, guided, and supported. That matters. Moments like that shape trust. And the need for that kind of leadership has not diminished. If anything, the weight of responsibility is greater today. The world is more challenging. The pressures are stronger. The consequences are real.
The Mission of Effingham Elite
At the center of the work to come next is a physician I am blessed to work alongside—someone whose decades of experience have helped people understand their health at a far deeper level. Together, we are developing ways to share that knowledge more broadly. Effingham Elite will serve as the original home for that work, with more details to come as it continues to take shape.
I am also navigating a significant health challenge of my own. This platform allows me to document what I am learning and applying in real time—not as theory, but as lived experience. The goal is not to present finished answers, but to build awareness, clarity, and to encourage elite preparation where it matters most.
Meet Dr. W. Lee Cowden below:
Dr. W. Lee Cowden is a cardiologist and internist whose medical career spans more than four decades across conventional, integrative, and teaching disciplines. His unique combination of advanced conventional training and extensive integrative expertise positions him as one of the most broadly trained physicians in the field of comprehensive medicine.
Dr. Cowden received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. He then completed an Internal Medicine Residency and a dual Fellowship in Cardiology and Critical Care Medicine at St. Louis University Hospital Group.
In 1985, he became board-certified as both an internist and cardiologist—credentials that reflect the highest level of conventional medical training and specialization in complex cardiovascular and critical care conditions.
Throughout his career, Dr. Cowden has maintained a deeply held belief that healing involves not only the physical body, but also the mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of the individual. His work continues to influence practitioners and patients globally, leaving a lasting legacy in the advancement of comprehensive, integrative medical care.
Professional Career and Integrative Medicine Leadership
After establishing private practices in cardiology and internal medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, and later in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Dr. Cowden began expanding his work beyond conventional approaches. Having studied integrative medicine since 1975, he incorporated a wide range of disciplines into his clinical practice, including homeopathy, herbal medicine, orthomolecular medicine, electrodermal screening, evaluative kinesiology, neural therapy, electromagnetic therapies, and detoxification protocols. In 2005, he further expanded his credentials by earning his Homeopathic Medical Doctor license in Arizona.
Throughout his clinical career from 1986 until his retirement from private practice in 2019, Dr. Cowden became internationally recognized for his ability to address complex and chronic illnesses. His work has included pioneering integrative treatment approaches for cardiovascular disease, cancer, Lyme disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, neurological disorders, and other challenging conditions.
Dr. Cowden is also a leader in medical education and research. In 2008, he co-founded the Academy of Comprehensive Integrative Medicine (ACIM), where he serves as Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board and Academy Professor. In this role, he teaches physicians and healthcare practitioners worldwide, helping expand the reach of integrative medicine through structured training and education.
Books and Publications
He is the co-author and contributor to numerous books and publications, including:
- Foods That Fit A Unique You
- Create A Toxin-Free Body & Home Starting Today
- BioEnergetic Tools for Wellness
- Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide to Cancer
- Longevity: An Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide
- Cancer Diagnosis: What To Do Next
Comprehensive Medical Perspective
What distinguishes Dr. Cowden most is the diversity of his experience across multiple medical disciplines. He brings together the analytical rigor of conventional cardiology and critical care medicine with decades of clinical experience in integrative therapies. This rare combination allows him to approach health and healing with a uniquely comprehensive perspective.
Following his retirement from private practice in 2019, Dr. Cowden now focuses on teaching and advancing integrative medicine through physician education and professional training programs worldwide.
ALS Research and Current Work
For the last 4+ years, Dr. Cowden has been researching Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. He recruited other integrative practitioners for this research and, with them, completed a year-long pilot study of 45 patients with ALS, in which 85% improved functionally beyond what is predicted by the peer-reviewed literature. This data was presented at two national conferences.
Dr. Cowden is now the Principal Investigator for a multi-year, observational study of 1000 ALS patients, which began recruiting patients in early 2026 at www.HealingALS.org.
Guiding Philosophy
Throughout his career, Dr. Cowden has maintained a deeply held belief that healing involves not only the physical body, but also the mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of the individual. His work continues to influence practitioners and patients worldwide, leaving a lasting legacy in advancing comprehensive, integrative medical care.
Added by Dr. Cowden:
“I was board-certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, but chose not to renew those certifications once my focus shifted entirely to outpatient integrative medicine.”