268: How to Heal from the Inside Out and Master the Art of Being Well with Dr. Will Cole
Dec 25, 2024
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Dr. Will Cole, a leading functional medicine practitioner and New York Times bestselling author, discusses his inspiring journey from rural Pennsylvania to pioneering telehealth medicine. He emphasizes the connection between diet, gut health, and emotional well-being, advocating for small, sustainable lifestyle changes. The conversation also highlights the fight against harmful food dyes in popular cereals while promoting a holistic approach that blends modern diagnostics with ancient practices. Dr. Cole encourages mindfulness and being present as crucial elements for health and happiness.
Dr. Will Cole's journey in functional medicine demonstrates how early commitment to nutrition can inspire lifelong dedication to health and wellness.
Cole emphasizes the importance of being present in daily life as a crucial factor in making informed health decisions.
His advocacy for removing harmful food dyes highlights the need for transparency and accountability within the food industry to improve public health.
Deep dives
The Pursuit of Purpose
Dr. Will Cole emphasizes that his pursuit of a doctorate was driven by the desire to help others rather than enjoyment of the training process. He viewed his education primarily as a means to an end, focusing intensely on completing his studies so he could begin his practice. In retrospect, he acknowledges that a more balanced approach would have allowed him to appreciate the learning journey rather than just striving to graduate. This intense focus led him to launch the world's first functional medicine telehealth clinic, demonstrating how perseverance can shape one's career trajectory.
Foundations in Nutrition
Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, Dr. Cole was influenced by his parents’ commitment to nutrition and wellness, which profoundly shaped his understanding of health. With a bodybuilding father and access to health food stores, he developed a passion for nutrition early on, diverging from the standard diet common in his community. This unique upbringing fostered his interest in biohacking and optimizing health through informed dietary choices. His journey illustrates how early influences can lay the groundwork for a lifelong dedication to wellness.
The Role of Education in Health Choices
Dr. Cole's education extends beyond traditional functional medicine to include insights on America's food system and public health policies. He highlights the importance of being present and appreciating daily life as a means to empower better health choices. The discussion encompasses his involvement in advocating for healthier food options and reducing harmful ingredients, particularly in products marketed to children. By linking policy and wellness, he underscores the role that informed choices and systemic changes can play in improving public health.
Confronting Food Industry Practices
Dr. Cole has been an advocate for the removal of harmful food dyes from popular cereals, highlighting a gap in consumer awareness. He points out that American cereals often contain artificial dyes while their counterparts in other countries use natural alternatives, raising questions about regulatory standards. His activism has included a well-publicized campaign against Kellogg's, addressing how food choices can impact public health—especially for children reliant on school meals. This initiative reflects a broader call for industry accountability and transparency in food production.
Understanding the Intersection of Health and Policy
The conversation reveals Dr. Cole's belief that there must be a collaborative effort between nutrition advocates and policymakers to enact meaningful change. He discusses how health-conscious consumers must push back against the food industry's norms that prioritize profit over public health. Despite differing perspectives on plant-based versus traditional diets, he emphasizes the need for a unified approach to improve food quality. By advocating for better food policies, Dr. Cole highlights the importance of collective action in reshaping the health landscape.
A Call for Informed Choices in Health
In the realm of health, Dr. Cole advocates for informed consumer choices and the significance of transparency in food labeling. He critiques the current practices of the food industry, which often obscure the potential risks of artificial ingredients. By encouraging people to be aware of what goes into their food, he aims to empower individuals to make choices that genuinely contribute to their health. This approach not only pertains to food but extends to the broader landscape of public health, urging a critical evaluation of overarching policies and practices.
In this episode, Light Watkins sits down with Dr. Will Cole, a leading functional medicine practitioner, New York Times bestselling author, and pioneer in telehealth medicine. Dr. Cole’s journey from a rural upbringing in Western Pennsylvania to becoming a trailblazer in functional medicine is nothing short of inspiring. He shares how his parents' passion for health and nutrition shaped his path and how his unconventional childhood helped him break through traditional healthcare barriers to create the first virtual functional medicine clinic 15 years ago.
Dr. Cole dives deep into the intersection of diet, emotional wellbeing, and gut health, offering insights on how small, sustainable changes can lead to profound health transformations. He explains his mission to make wellness more accessible, his role in advocating for the removal of harmful food dyes from popular cereals, and why he believes in a “both-and” approach to healthcare—balancing modern diagnostics with ancient, holistic practices.
Light and Dr. Cole also explore the importance of presence in daily life, the power of anchoring yourself to the present moment, and how it directly influences better decision-making for health and happiness. Whether you're curious about the latest in functional medicine, looking for practical health tips, or seeking inspiration to live more mindfully, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways.
Join Light and Dr. Cole for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges the status quo and empowers you to make choices that truly love you back.