Bailey Ruskus: The Dairy Industry Doesn’t Want You to Hear This
Feb 14, 2025
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Bailey Ruskus, a classically trained French chef turned plant-based advocate, drops some eye-opening truths about the dairy industry. She shares her personal journey overcoming autoimmune disease through diet, and highlights the health risks tied to dairy, including inflammation and cancer. Ruskus also discusses the environmental toll of factory farming and the political lobbies keeping dairy staples on our plates. Plus, she offers insights on how to transition away from dairy without sacrificing flavor—perfect for anyone considering cutting it out!
The podcast explores the significant health risks associated with dairy consumption, including gut health issues and chronic diseases.
Bailey Ruskus highlights the environmental damage caused by the dairy industry, particularly regarding resource depletion and pollution from factory farming.
Listeners are encouraged to embrace plant-based diets as a means of personal empowerment and as a response to the dairy industry's negative impact.
Deep dives
The Importance of Cellular Health
Prioritizing cellular health is crucial for maintaining overall well-being, as many people are deficient in essential nutrients. The podcast emphasizes a specific nutrient, odd-chain saturated fatty acids (OCFAs), highlighting that pentadecanoic acid, or C15, offers three times more cellular benefits than traditional omega-3 sources. This deficiency can lead to various health issues, including fatigue and poorer metabolic functions. By supplementing with Fatty15, which supports mitochondrial functions and cellular integrity, individuals can boost their energy levels and improve long-term health outcomes.
Empowering Positive Change
In the podcast, the speakers discuss the feeling of helplessness that can arise from societal issues, particularly in the wake of devastating events like natural disasters. They stress the importance of taking action to contribute positively, whether through volunteering or making conscious lifestyle choices. One speaker shares that their new book blends health information with political awareness, addressing agriculture, global warming, and personal health. By focusing on actionable steps, individuals can reclaim a sense of control and promote meaningful change in their lives and communities.
Nuanced Conversations in Wellness
The discussion highlights the current 'culture war' within the wellness community, especially surrounding plant-based diets and veganism. It argues that a collaborative approach is necessary to rebrand veganism and make it more accessible, moving away from the perception of 'angry vegans.' The podcast addresses the destructive nature of the dairy industry, pointing out how it negatively affects health and the environment. By sharing clear, factual information, the speakers hope to foster understanding and acceptance while encouraging people to reconsider their dietary choices.
Understanding the Dairy Industry's Impact
The dairy industry is described as a significant contributor to various health and environmental issues, including allergies, chronic diseases, and resource depletion. Statistics reveal that a large portion of the population is lactose intolerant, which suggests that many may unknowingly suffer adverse effects from dairy consumption. The speakers emphasize the need for greater transparency and awareness around these issues, referencing the harmful practices within factory farming. By sharing personal stories and factual insights, they hope to empower listeners to make informed dietary choices that support both personal health and animal welfare.
Navigating Personal Health through Food Choices
A personal narrative is woven throughout the podcast, focusing on how individual health struggles can catalyze broader change. One speaker shares their journey with endometriosis and the disconnect they experienced with conventional medical advice, which often ignored the link between diet and health. Their transition to plant-based eating not only supported their personal healing but also ignited their passion for sharing this knowledge with others. By encouraging people to prioritize whole, plant-based foods, the speakers hope to inspire others to explore their dietary options and advocate for their health.
Is dairy really as good for you as they say? Or is it time to break up with it for good?
In this episode of Super Life, Darin Olien sits down with Bailey Ruskus, also known as Chef Bai, to uncover the hidden truths about the dairy industry and why so many people struggle to give it up. They dive into the health risks of dairy, the environmental damage of factory farming, and the political influence of the dairy industry that keeps it on our plates.
Bailey shares her personal journey from a classically trained French chef to a plant-based advocate, how she overcame autoimmune disease and chronic pain, and why she wrote Breaking Up with Dairy to help others take back their health.
If you’ve ever wondered why dairy is everywhere, why it’s so addictive, or how to transition away from it without missing out on flavor—this episode is for you!
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
(00:00:00) Introduction – Why this episode could change how you see dairy forever.
(00:04:13) The Power of Taking Action in Uncertain Times – How contributing can help overcome anxiety.
(00:06:24) Why the Dairy Industry Needs a Rebrand – The culture war in wellness and misinformation.
(00:08:38) Breaking Up with Dairy—It’s Not Just About Going Vegan – Why this movement is bigger than diet labels.
(00:09:04) How Dairy Affects Your Health – Gut health, inflammation, cancer risks, and heart disease.
(00:12:45) The Environmental Cost of Dairy – The shocking amount of water, land, and pollution involved.
(00:14:12) The Political Machine Behind Dairy – How government lobbying and subsidies push dairy on consumers.
(00:16:24) The Five Stages of Breaking Up with Dairy – Why denial, anger, and bargaining are all part of the process.
(00:19:38) The Addiction Factor—Why Dairy is Hard to Quit – The opioid-like compounds in cheese and their effects.
(00:22:48) What the Dairy Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know – The truth behind factory farming and marketing tactics.
(00:25:18) How to Transition Away from Dairy Without Feeling Deprived – Delicious plant-based alternatives and easy swaps.
(00:28:40) Why Most People Don’t Realize Dairy Cows Are Just Mothers – The emotional side of the industry.
(00:32:57) The Role of Awareness & Taking Back Control – Why education is the most powerful tool for change.
(00:37:39) Food as Activism—How Your Choices Can Create Change – Why what you eat matters more than you think.
(00:42:10) Why This Isn’t Just About You—It’s a Bigger Issue – Looking beyond personal health to global impact.
(00:46:25) How Plant-Based Cheese is Revolutionizing Food – The secrets to making delicious dairy-free alternatives.
(00:49:12) The Most Surprising Thing About Writing This Book – What Bailey learned from researching the dairy industry.
(00:52:14) Why the Dairy Industry Fears Social Media – How viral content is disrupting their marketing tactics.
(00:57:26) Bailey’s Personal Battle with Autoimmune Disease – How food changed her health when doctors couldn’t.
(01:04:11) How to Advocate for Your Own Health – Why you don’t have to feel stuck in the system.
(01:08:10) What Living a “Super Life” Means to Bailey – Gratitude, presence, and the power of food.
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