People become curious about whole food, plant-based nutrition for a multitude of reasons. Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, cancer, obes...
Ep. 283: Dr. Dean Ornish - Hope for Alzheimer's: The Power of Plant-Based Nutrition to Reverse Cognitive Decline
In June 2024, Dr. Dean Ornish and his team at the Preventive Medicine Research Institute revealed for the first time that an intensive lifestyle intervention—including a whole-food, plant-based diet—can significantly improve cognition and even halt the progression of Alzheimer’s disease! Dr. Dean Ornish shares details of his compelling protocol and insights into his randomized controlled clinical trial study that demonstrated the effectiveness of dietary and lifestyle changes in reversing early stages of dementia. With nearly 7 million Americans currently living with Alzheimer's, the potential to shift this alarming trajectory offers a sense of hope. Dr. Ornish's study highlights not only the importance of nutrition but also the critical role of exercise, stress management, and social connections in promoting brain health. It's an inspiring conversation that underscores the power of simple, yet transformative lifestyle choices in combating one of the most feared diseases of our time.Takeaways: Nearly 7 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's, with projections rising dramatically by 2050. Dr. Dean Ornish's lifestyle intervention significantly improves cognition and function in Alzheimer's patients. A whole food plant-based diet is central to reversing the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The study found that 71% of participants in the intervention group showed cognitive improvement. Lifestyle changes can effectively reduce Alzheimer's symptoms, contrasting with traditional drug treatments that only slow decline. A supportive community and love are crucial components in managing Alzheimer's and improving quality of life. Episode WebpageWatch the Episode on YouTubeUpcoming Events:Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Sedona - April 6-11, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/sedona-retreat Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG JourneyUse Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/ Leave Us a Voicemail QuestionLeave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/plantstrong Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstynhttps://plantstrongfoods.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/ Follow the PLANTSTRONG Podcast and Give the Show a 5-star RatingApple PodcastsSpotify
--------
43:28
Ep. 282: Brad Kearns - Born to Walk: Why Walking is the Key to Longevity, Health, and Weight Loss
Walking is not only a fundamental human activity, but a cornerstone for improving health and longevity as discussed in this conversation with Brad Kearns, co-author of Born to Walk: The Broken Promises of the Running Boom and How to Slow Down and Get Healthy One Step at a Time. This new book challenges the long-held belief that we were all born to run, arguing instead that walking is a far less stressful and more beneficial form of exercise.In this episode, Rip is also joined by his co-producer, Carrie Barrett - an avid endurance runner and triathlete. They discuss: How walking is often overlooked, but is a powerful catalyst for health and longevity. Why many people mistakenly believe running is essential for fitness, but walking can be more beneficial. How the running boom has led to increased injuries, especially among recreational runners. Why so-called 'supershoes' are really a marketing gimmick A significant number of runners get injured each year, even more than NFL players. How improving aerobic conditioning through walking can help avoid the risks associated with running. How to determine your "Fat Max" heart rate level of training Slowing down your workouts to maximize health benefits and promote sustainable fitnessLaying out a fitness plan that centers primarily on walking, but also includes a sprint intervalsAnd, as you lay out your fitness goals for 2025, we hope you're inspired to take that first step toward a healthier lifestyle—one step and one walk at a time.Episode WebpageUpcoming Events:Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Sedona - April 6-11, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/sedona-retreat Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG JourneyUse Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/ Leave Us a Voicemail QuestionLeave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/plantstrong Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstynhttps://plantstrongfoods.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/ Follow the PLANTSTRONG Podcast and Give the Show a 5-star RatingApple PodcastsSpotify
--------
1:56:01
Ep. 281: Eat More Plants. Your Life Depends On It.
Eating more plants is not just a dietary choice; it's a crucial step towards better health and longevity. In this live episode that premiered in January 2023, Rip discusses the importance of incorporating whole plant foods into our diets to combat rising health issues such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. Key takeaways of this live Q&A include:Why Plants are the Mothership of HealthWhy We Love Whole Plant FoodsThe Difference Between Processed Carbohydrates and Whole Food CarbohydratesThe Abundance and the Importance of Macronutrients and Micronutrients found in Whole Plant Foods The Benefits of Fiber for our Health and Microbiome A Live Q&A with Audience QuestionsRip invites the audience to embrace a plant-based lifestyle for vibrant health because, as he says, our lives depend on it!Episode WebpageWatch the Original Episode on YouTubeUpcoming Events:Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Sedona - April 6-11, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/sedona-retreat Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG JourneyUse Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/ Leave Us a Voicemail QuestionLeave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/plantstrong Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstynhttps://plantstrongfoods.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/ Follow the PLANTSTRONG Podcast and Give the Show a 5-star RatingApple PodcastsSpotify
--------
43:13
Ep. 280: Molly Patrick - Ready to Make Lasting Change? Your Future Self Will Thank You
What does it take to turn your life around? Molly Patrick, co-founder of Clean Food, Dirty Girl, knows the answer better than most. In this powerful podcast episode, Molly shares her deeply personal journey from a life of heavy drinking and smoking to embracing a vibrant, plant-based lifestyle.Discover how Molly overcame social anxiety and addiction, faced the discomfort of change, and built a life filled with health, purpose, and joy. Alongside Rip, she dives into topics like:Navigating the challenges of major lifestyle shifts.The art of ‘embracing the suck’—why discomfort can lead to growth.Simple strategies to set your future self up for success, including meal prep and intentional living.With her candid storytelling and passion for creating irresistible plant-based recipes, Molly inspires us to celebrate our imperfections and embrace every step of our unique path toward health and happiness.Episode WebpageWatch the Episode on YouTubeUpcoming Events:Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Sedona - April 6-11, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/sedona-retreat Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG JourneyUse Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/ Leave Us a Voicemail QuestionLeave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/plantstrong Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstynhttps://plantstrongfoods.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/ Follow the PLANTSTRONG Podcast and Give the Show a 5-star RatingApple PodcastsSpotify
--------
1:18:18
Ep. 279: Jacque Salomon - Turning a Mother's Ultimate Heartbreak into a Mission of Health and Healing
Rip welcomes Jacque Salomon, founder of the Seeds to Inspire Foundation. Jacque recounts the traumatic events that shaped her early life, including a challenging upbringing in New York City that was fraught with generational trauma, chaos, and food scarcity. Jacque also shares the heart-wrenching experience of losing her son at just 11 years old, and how this tragedy sparked a profound commitment to transform her life and health through a whole food, plant-based diet. (Thanks, also, in part to a viewing of Forks over Knives.)As she reversed her Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, GERD, and other ailments—all while losing an impressive 164 pounds—Jacque became passionate about sharing her message of hope and recovery with others by founding Seeds to Inspire, an organization dedicated to addressing health equity through 'food as medicine' initiatives, love, and compassion.She now dedicates her life to educating others about health equity and wellness, emphasizing the importance of nourishing our bodies with love and compassion. By sharing her story, Jacque not only illustrates her personal recovery, but also highlights the collective need for community and support in overcoming trauma. Upcoming Events:Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Sedona - April 6-11, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/sedona-retreat Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG JourneyUse Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/ Leave Us a Voicemail QuestionLeave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/plantstrong Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstynhttps://plantstrongfoods.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/ Follow the PLANTSTRONG Podcast and Give the Show a 5-star RatingApple PodcastsSpotify
People become curious about whole food, plant-based nutrition for a multitude of reasons. Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, cancer, obesity, or another chronic disease and you know (or you’ve been told) that this is your best shot at healing your body. You may be an athlete looking to maximize your performance and recovery with the power of plant-based nutrition, or you’re a parent who wants to escape the processed food aisle and start feeding your children real, nourishing foods. Perhaps you are concerned about climate change and the profound negative impact that animal agriculture has on the planet.
The problem? A whole food, plant-based diet can seem overwhelming, confusing, and, yes, expensive. You’ve been told it will make you deficient in something, or that you won’t get enough protein. You think it might be a boring way to live, or that it is so extreme you’ll alienate yourself from friends and loved ones.
Well, here at the PLANTSTRONG Podcast, we’re not afraid to be extreme - extremely positive, extremely helpful, and extremely well-researched. Each week on the show, host Rip Esselstyn talks to medical experts, authors, athletes, and people just like you who are not just surviving on a plant-based diet, but THRIVING.
As founder and CEO of PLANTSTRONG, Rip Esselstyn is a wellness advocate, former professional athlete, firefighter, and NY Times best-selling author renowned for his dedication to promoting vibrant health through plant-based nutrition and active living.
Over twenty years ago, Rip rescued several of his fellow firefighters with whole, plant-based foods following the groundbreaking research of his father, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., author of Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. The results were so dramatic that Rip wrote the bestselling book,The Engine 2 Diet, to spread the word. His subsequent works, including Plant-Strong, The Engine 2 Seven-Day Rescue Diet and The Engine 2 Cookbook, further solidified his reputation as a leading voice in the plant-based movement. Rip was also featured in the documentary Forks over Knives and served as an executive producer of The Game Changers film; a revolutionary documentary that shatters the myths about meat, protein, and strength.
Rip’s mission and the mission of the PLANTSTRONG Podcast is to make plant-based living accessible and approachable, and to further the advancement of all things within the plant-based movement. We share the scientifically proven benefits of plant-based living and envision a world that universally understands, promotes, and prescribes plants as the solution to empowering your health, enhancing your performance, and restoring the environment.
You won’t be weak if you’re eating strong food. PLANTSTRONG food.
We welcome you wherever you are on your plant-based journey and we’re thrilled you’re here.