

Chef AJ LIVE!
Chef AJ
Hi! I’m Chef AJ, the author of "Unprocessed", "The Secrets to Ultimate Weight Loss", and "Own Your Health". This is where I interview interesting people and post my weekly Weight Loss Wednesdays. I have been following a plant exclusive diet for over 40 years and I like to show people how to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their diets in ways that are easy, delicious, and fun. If you’d like to get in touch with me, my website is https://www.chefaj.com/. Thanks for stopping by my channel. I’m Chef AJ and I make healthy taste delicious.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 21, 2025 • 1h 27min
Lose Weight & Transform Your Health with the McDougall Program - Dr. Anthony Lim & Heather McDougall
Lose Weight & Transform Your Health with the McDougall Program - Dr. Anthony Lim & Heather McDougall by Chef AJ

Aug 19, 2025 • 60min
Thriving 10 Years After Lung Cancer Dr. Madeleine Long Shares Her Story with Dr. Michael Klaper
Thriving 10 Years After Lung Cancer Dr. Madeleine Long Shares Her Story with Dr. Michael Klaper by Chef AJ

Aug 14, 2025 • 1h 23min
Lung Cancer Update The Treatment Path I’ve Chosen with Dr. Matthew Lederman
Lung Cancer Update The Treatment Path I’ve Chosen with Dr. Matthew Lederman by Chef AJ

Aug 12, 2025 • 1h 3min
Breaking Food Addiction and Overeating Why Abstinence Beats Moderation with Joel Fuhrman, MD
Breaking Food Addiction and Overeating Why Abstinence Beats Moderation with Joel Fuhrman, MD by Chef AJ

Aug 7, 2025 • 1h 11min
Day 29Healing From The Inside Out - How I Finally Learned to Manage My Anxiety with Mark Ideta
Transforming your health is more fun with friends!
Join Chef AJ’s Exclusive Plant-Based Community.
Become part of the inner circle and start simplifying plant-based living - with easy recipes and expert health guidance.
Find out more by visiting: https://community.chefaj.com/
To make an appointment with Mark IdetaCollectionConnection@gmail.com
ORDER MY NEW BOOK SWEET INDULGENCE!!!
https://www.amazon.com/Chef-AJs-Sweet-Indulgence-Guilt-Free/dp/1570674248
or
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144514092?ean=9781570674242
GET MY FREE INSTANT POT COOKBOOK:
https://www.chefaj.com/instant-pot-download
MY BEST SELLING WEIGHT LOSS BOOK:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1570674086?tag=onamzchefajsh-20&linkCode=ssc&creativeASIN=1570674086&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1GNPDCAG4A86S
Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes.
Mark Ideta graduated from the University of Southern California, Santa Barbara, and completed his graduate studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena. He brings elements of Internal Family Systems and Nonviolent Communication to his approach of connecting to self and to others. He has been studying Nonviolent Communication since 2020 and he is a candidate on the path for trainer certification with the Center for Nonviolent Communication. He has been studying Internal Family systems since 2022 and is considered IFS informed. His passion is to heal and he has been a private coach for 2 years. Mark lives with his wife and three sons whom they homeschool.
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idetaconnectioncollective/

Aug 5, 2025 • 1h 1min
DAy 28 7 Year Brain Cancer Survivor Rebecca Devine How Cancer Saved Her Life and Changed Her Story
Transforming your health is more fun with friends!
Join Chef AJ’s Exclusive Plant-Based Community.
Become part of the inner circle and start simplifying plant-based living - with easy recipes and expert health guidance.
Find out more by visiting: https://community.chefaj.com/
ORDER MY NEW BOOK SWEET INDULGENCE!!!
https://www.amazon.com/Chef-AJs-Sweet-Indulgence-Guilt-Free/dp/1570674248
or
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144514092?ean=9781570674242
GET MY FREE INSTANT POT COOKBOOK:
https://www.chefaj.com/instant-pot-download
MY BEST SELLING WEIGHT LOSS BOOK:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1570674086?tag=onamzchefajsh-20&linkCode=ssc&creativeASIN=1570674086&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1GNPDCAG4A86S
Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes.
Rebecca aka That Brainy Blonde is the creator and host of the The Brainy Blonde Podcast. Mother of four, entrepreneur and cancer outlier, Rebecca was given months to live after receiving a terminal brain cancer diagnosis, the same cancer that took her mom fifteen years before. Rather than say why me, Rebecca asked why not me and decided this was a wake up call to really live her life and be the main character in her own story. Since that day seven years ago, Rebecca has been researching better ways to thrive, using food, fitness, progressive medicine and mindset. She is on a mission to empower others to do the same: change the story about their lives after a cancer diagnosis, even if someone already tried to ruin the ending.
Website :https://rebeccadevine.wixsite.com/thatbrainyblonde
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatbrainyblonde/
brainyblondepodcast https://www.instagram.com/brainyblondepodcast/

Jul 31, 2025 • 59min
Day 27 17-Year Cancer Survivor & Advocate Fighting Stigma & Funding Inequity in Lung Cancer.
Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes.
Francis Spruit, born in Djakarta, Indonesia, June 1959
The Netherlands - USA dual citizen
Married to my high school sweetheart Roslyn
Four kids and seven grand kids!
Technology Program Manager, a mere two months away from retirement.
Diagnosed December 2007 with Non Small Cell Lung Cancer, Stage 1B
Treatment: right upper lobectomy on Christmas Eve 2007. Four cycles of Cisplatin and Etoposide chemotherapy in the spring of 2008.
No active treatment since then. Annual chest CT scans to ‘keep an eye on things’.
Actively advocating for the lung cancer community since 2012. Making our representatives in DC aware of the significant funding inequity of Lung Cancer research.
Ready to enjoy retired life in Northern California and the Algarve.
Transforming your health is more fun with friends!
Join Chef AJ’s Exclusive Plant-Based Community.
Become part of the inner circle and start simplifying plant-based living - with easy recipes and expert health guidance.
Find out more by visiting: https://community.chefaj.com/

Mar 1, 2025 • 1h 9min
Day 7 Dr Doug Lisle's Surprising Truth About Managing Cancer Fear
Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes.
Dr. Douglas J. Lisle, Ph.D.is the co-author of The Pleasure Trap available here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1570671974?tag=onamzchefajsh-20&linkCode=ssc&creativeASIN=1570671974&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1GNPDCAG4A86S
Dr. Doug Lisle is an evolutionary psychologist and co-author of The Pleasure Trap: Mastering the Hidden Force that Undermines Health and Happiness. He and his colleagues (Jennifer Howk and Richard Seidel) have developed a revolutionary method for approaching life challenges and improving self-confidence and self-esteem. They describe their approach as Esteem Dynamics — an approach with clinical insights derived from evolutionary psychology.

Feb 22, 2025 • 1h 38min
Day 16_ From Doctor to Patient_ Resilience and Finding Joy with Cancer Previvor Dr. Simran Malhotra (1)
https://www.coachsimranmd.com/
ORDER MY NEW BOOK SWEET INDULGENCE!!!
https://www.amazon.com/Chef-AJs-Sweet-Indulgence-Guilt-Free/dp/1570674248
or
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144514092?ean=9781570674242
GET MY FREE INSTANT POT COOKBOOK:
https://www.chefaj.com/instant-pot-download
MY BEST SELLING WEIGHT LOSS BOOK:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1570674086?tag=onamzchefajsh-20&linkCode=ssc&creativeASIN=1570674086&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1GNPDCAG4A86S
Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes.
Simran Malhotra MD DipABLM CHWC
Dr. Simran Malhotra is a triple board-certified physician in internal medicine, hospice & palliative care, and lifestyle medicine as well as a certified health and wellness coach. She was recognized as a "Top Doc" by Baltimore Magazine in Palliative Medicine for three consecutive years (2019, 2020, 2023). Dr. Malhotra is a diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) and has completed several certifications, including T. Colin Campbell's Plant-Based Nutrition (2019), CHEF Culinary Coaching (2020), and WellCoaches Health and Wellness Coaching (2022).
With nearly a decade of experience in both inpatient and outpatient palliative care, Dr. Malhotra leverages the invaluable lessons learned from end-of-life care to advocate for the importance of lifestyle medicine and a positive mindset in enhancing overall well-being.
As a mother of two and a BRCA 1 previvor, Dr. Malhotra is deeply committed to her mission. After undergoing a risk-reducing bilateral mastectomy & total hysterectomy at 32 years old due to her strong family history of cancer, she founded Wellness By LifestyleMD, a platform dedicated to educating busy parents about the transformative power of lifestyle & mindset changes on wellbeing, quality of life and longevity.
In addition to her entrepreneurial pursuits, Dr. Malhotra writes a column for Everyday Health called "Awaken Your Wellness" and has been featured in various media outlets (TIME, Glamour, Yahoo, MSN, etc.), blogs and podcasts, sharing her unique insights from both her work in palliative care as well as her experiences as a patient and genetic mutation carrier passionate about using lifestyle as medicine.
Website: Wellness By Lifestyle MD | By SimranMD
https://www.coachsimranmd.com/
This is the viral video she reffered to where her husband sings to her:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GojJnrqpeE
Shop Dr.Simran's Favorite Lifestyle and Wellness Tools Here:
https://www.searchbubble.com/drsimran.malhotra?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaKcnXfpgCEfg6ORr5JmAn03UOQ-64T9bNP1tXmWV9BZ5XD50C3wwfxwpg_aem_UW7k5m26dzvVWFVHGYc4bQ
Awaken Your Wellness Columnist at Everyday Health
https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/awaken-your-wellness/
Co-Author of the book “How Healers Heal”
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1961549018?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzchefajsh-20&creativeASIN=1961549018&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1GNPDCAG4A86S&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_s_ofs_mixed_d_asin
Instagram: Simran Malhotra 𝘔𝘋, 𝘋𝘪𝘱𝘈𝘉𝘓𝘔 𝘊𝘏𝘞𝘊 (@drsimran.malhotra) • Instagram photos and videos: https://www.instagram.com/drsimran.malhotra/?hl=en
Facebook: Simran Malhotra https://www.facebook.com/simran.malhotra.5
Facebook Page: Simran MD | Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/CoachSimranMD
Linkdlin: Simran Malhotra MD | LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simran-malhotra-md-66240110b/
dr. Malhoitra on Building Community:
https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/awaken-your-wellness/building-community-thriving-amid-cancer/

Feb 22, 2025 • 1h 24min
Day 26_ Integrative Medicine Approaches for Living Well with Metastatic Cancer with Dr Michelle Loy
ORDER MY NEW BOOK SWEET INDULGENCE!!!
https://www.amazon.com/Chef-AJs-Sweet-Indulgence-Guilt-Free/dp/1570674248
or
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144514092?ean=9781570674242
GET MY FREE INSTANT POT COOKBOOK:
https://www.chefaj.com/instant-pot-download
Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes.
The science behind plant-predominant whole-food nutrition, joyful movement, and restorative sleep in enhancing quality of life and promoting recovery.
From Evidence to Wellness: Integrative Medicine Approaches for Living Well with Cancer
In this enlightening episode, Chef AJ welcomes Dr. Michelle Loy, MD, DipABOIM, DipABLM, DABMA, FAAP, a trailblazing physician in integrative and lifestyle medicine, to discuss how evidence-based, patient-centered, holistic approaches can enhance quality of life for those living with cancer. Dr. Loy delves into her innovative work and shares practical tips for incorporating nutrition, mind-body practices, and other integrative therapies into conventional state-of-the-art cancer care.
Dr. Loy is a board-certified physician in Integrative Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, Medical Acupuncture, and Pediatrics. She serves as an Assistant Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, where she provides consultations addressing complex medical issues across all ages.
A Harvard graduate with an MD from Cornell, Dr. Loy completed her Integrative Medicine fellowship at Columbia University/Stamford Hospital and earned Medical Acupuncture certification from SUNY Downstate Medical Center and the American Board of Medical Acupuncture. Her dedication to advancing integrative health is reflected in her leadership roles with the AAP Section of Integrative Medicine, American Board of Integrative Medicine, and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
Insights into the evidence surrounding medical cannabis, culinary mushrooms, herbs, and botanicals for individuals facing cancer, including guidance on their appropriate use.
The dangers of cancer misinformation, emphasizing the importance of seeking trusted, credible, evidence-based information, and guidance on discerning reliable resources.
Complete list of published works at PubMed at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/michelle.loy.1/bibliography/public/
More About Dr. Loy:
Dr. Loy is a Lecturer for the Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate Program at Cornell University and serves on the medical advisory board of Plant Powered Metro New York. Her "Shop with the Doc" Culinary Medicine series and Virtual Shared Medical Appointments have been transformative for patients, offering innovative, evidence-based solutions for better health.
In her free time, Dr. Loy enjoys exploring farmer’s markets, cooking plant-forward meals for her husband and five children, and staying active through running and yoga.
Follow Dr. Michelle Loy:
Weill Cornell Profile: https://weillcornell.org/michelle-h-loy-md
Getting to Know Dr. Loy - Weill Cornell News: https://weillcornell.org/news/getting-to-know-michelle-loy-md-of-integrative-health-and-wellbeing
Doximity: https://www.doximity.com/pub/michelle-loy-md