PLANTSTRONG Podcast
Rip Esselstyn
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 15, 2021 • 54min
Ep. 80: Michael Jacobson - Salt: The Good, The Bad, and the Truth
Do you have a love affair with the salt shaker? Having trouble breaking yourself of the pre-packaged food addiction? Do you have a ballpark guess for the recommended amount of sodium you should be consuming on a daily basis? What about the devastating consequences of too much salt in your diet? Don’t be alarmed or ashamed with any of your answers if you just don’t know. It’s not your fault. We all fall prey to marketing and the lure of salty foods and today Rip speaks with researcher and author, Michael Jacobson, about his recent book, “Salt Wars - The Battle over the Biggest Killer in the American Diet.” Michael Jacobson is one of the preeminent scientists who has been fighting on the front lines in Washington DC - literally going to political battle for our health for more than 50 years. He is co-founder of the Center for Science and the Public Interest, which was developed in 1971 as a Health Advocacy Group for Food Safety and Nutrition. The CSPI may not sound familiar to you, but their work will - they are responsible for nutrition facts labeling on food products, getting junk foods out of schools, and removing trans fat out of the food supply -- to name a few of their landmark efforts. Today, though, he speaks with Rip about our love affair with salt. Why has it become so prevalent in our diet (much of it without us even realizing!)? What are the impacts on our health? And, most importantly, how can we ditch the desire for that extra dash at every meal? Michael F. Jacobson, Ph.D. is a co-founder and long-time Executive Director of Center for Science in the Public Interest (CPSI), now serving as a Senior Scientist. Jacobson has written numerous books and reports, including Salt Wars: The Battle Over the Biggest Killer in the American Diet; Eater’s Digest: the Consumer’s Fact Book of Food Additives, Nutrition Scoreboard; Salt: the Forgotten Killer; and Liquid Candy: How Soft Drinks are Harming Americans’ Health. He has also been honored with such awards as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Hero Award (2010), the American Public Health Association’s David P. Rall award for advocacy in public health (2011), and the Food Marketing Institute’s Esther Peterson Consumer Service Award (1992). His Ph.D. in microbiology is from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources: PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking! Learn More About our In-Person Sedona Retreat - October 11th-16th, 2021 Center for Science in the Public Interest Website Theme Music for Episode Promo Theme Music
Apr 13, 2021 • 2h 18min
Ep. 79: Rip's Rescue - Make Yourself Heart-Attack Proof
Welcome to a special BONUS episode of the PLANTSTRONG Podcast. A few weeks ago, we hosted our first of many Live “Rip’s Rescue'' events. The theme of this first presentation? “Make Yourself Heart-Attack Proof” with Dr. Brian Asbill, my parents- Ann and Essy, and special guest Jim McNamara - one of my father’s patients. The response to that event has been so overwhelming and positive that we wanted to share this audio version with all of our podcast listeners. If you or a loved one has had a cardiac event, or if you’ve been told that you’re at high risk, think of this episode as your own two-hour appointment with some of the best medical providers on the planet. Cardiologist Dr. Brian Asbill was on the podcast for a solo interview just a few episodes ago and my parents, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn and Ann Crile Esselstyn, really need no introduction! This special episode is a crash course on how adopting a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle can help you avoid a heart attack, stent, or even bypass surgery. Some of the topics we cover? Dr. Asbill talks about cholesterol and helps unpack your lipid panel numbers He also gives his take on lifestyle intervention vs. surgery My Dad talks about Nitric Oxide - what is it and how can we all get more of it And, in only the way she can, my Mother digs into the foods you need to fight back against heart disease Plus, you’ll definitely want to hear an inspiring plantstrong success story from Jim Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources: Video Version of this Episode Dr. Brian Asbill Podcast Episode PLANTSTRONG Website with all of our Resources PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking! Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community Theme Music for Episode
Apr 8, 2021 • 1h 6min
Ep. 78: Jane Esselstyn- The Birds, Bees, Twigs and Berries
Rip welcomes his sister, Jane Esselstyn, back to the PLANTSTRONG Podcast. Many know Jane as a charismatic and energetic voice in the whole food, plant-based space, especially alongside her mother, Ann, in their fun YouTube Cooking Channel. What you may not know is that she is also a registered nurse who uses her charisma and passion to teach Sex Education to middle schoolers! Jane is an advocate for helping both kids and adults to understand that part of being a healthy grown-up should include a healthy sex life. It can be awkward to talk about these things and that’s why Jane really shines. She uses a healthy dose of empathy, compassion, and humor to talk about these subjects that both teens and adults are often too embarrassed to talk about. Listener Note: We do use many of the clinical anatomical words because, as you’ll find out today, one of the components of a healthy sex life is communication. So, let’s start talking about it! A plantstrong life has many benefits above AND below the belt - and a strong sex life should be one of them. Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources: PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking! Join the free PLANTSTRONG Community Jane Esselstyn YouTube Channel Jane Esselstyn Website Theme Music for Episode Promo Theme Music
Apr 1, 2021 • 1h 1min
Ep. 77: Dr. Gemma Newman - A Gem of a Doc from Across the Pond
Rip heads across the pond to talk to a true plant-based gem -- Dr. Gemma Newman. Gemma is a senior partner in a family medical practice in the UK and author of the new book, “The Plant-Power Doctor - A Simple Prescription for a Healthier You.” Like many of us, Dr. Newman was stuck in all of the popular diet wars and tried them all to get rid of the weight she gained during medical school. However, even though she was the doctor in the family, it was her husband’s marathon training that ultimately changed the course of Gemma’s life and medical practice forever. Today, she is passionate about plant-based nutrition, holistic health, and lifestyle medicine. In fact, it is the most powerful instrument in her medical toolbox. In this episode, Rip and Gemma dig into some of the highlights and patient stories from her new book “The Plant-Power Doctor,” including: Her Own Testament to the Power of Plants Inflammation in the body - causes and benefits of a plant-based diet to combat inflammation The Power of Antioxidants Hormonal Health for Women And we even talk a little Harry and Meghan gossip and British slang along the way! It’s undeniable that medical practices both here and in the UK are burdened with so much competing information, lack of time, and a fast-paced ‘fix-it-now’ society - BUT, with doctors like Gemma Newman fighting for long-term health and vitality, we are on the RIGHT PATH and we hope you’ll stay right here with us because the proof is in the plants! Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources: Buy The Plant Power Doctor Book by Dr. Gemma Newman Gemma Newman MD Website PLANTSTRONGFOODS.com Want to be the first to hear about new PLANTSTRONG foods? Text the word, FOODS to 77174 and we’ll add you to the VIP list for early access. We have a couple of our heritage products available on our website - including the crowd favorite - our stone-baked, 100% whole grain, oil-free pizza crusts. PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking! Theme Music for Episode Promo Theme Music
Mar 25, 2021 • 57min
Ep. 76: Robbie Balenger - Running with Robbie Across the US of A
This week, we’re digging into inspiration and exploring your personal limits with a major dose of true grit! In March 2019, Robbie Balenger set sail with his sneakers from Huntington Beach, California to run across America all the way to Central Park, New York in just 75 days. He was relatively new to running as well as to a PlantStrong lifestyle. So, why on earth would he do something like this? Well, as it turns out, the earth had EVERYTHING to do with it. Environmental issues, fitness, and plant-based nutrition had become so important to him that he wanted to spark more conversation and spread his message across the country. And what better way to do that than by setting the physical example for what can be done. And - spoiler alert- He DID IT! Today, we look back at this incredible “feat” and dig into his value-driven life, which has only grown stronger since his successful trip across the country just two years ago. In fact, just this past weekend, Robbie did it again! He broke the record for the most number of consecutive loops run in Central Park during open hours with 16 loops and over 100 miles. Now THAT is some PLANTSTRONG peak performance. Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources: PLANTSTRONG Rescue 10x - Visit the site to register for the upcoming Spring session PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking! Robbie Balenger Instagram Theme Music for Episode Promo Theme Music
Mar 18, 2021 • 1h 13min
Ep. 75: Team Sherzai MD - Your Brain's Destiny is in the Palm of Your Hands
If you want to know what service and passion look like, look no further than today’s guests - Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, affectionately known as ‘Team Sherzai.’ Dean and Ayesha make a return visit to the PLANTSTRONG Podcast to dig into their new book, The 30-Day Alzheimers Solution - The Definitive Food and Lifestyle Guide to Preventing Cognitive Decline, which is being released March 23rd. Undoubtedly, everyone has been affected or knows someone who has been affected by the devastating effects of dementia and Alzheimers. Whether you are at risk, or if a loved one is suffering from cognitive decline, Team Sherzai lay out actionable, research-based solutions to this rapidly growing issue in our society. They recall their own personal galileo moment as physicians- when one public event influenced and changed the course of their area of study - to develop education and support around preventative neurology and brain health through behavior and lifestyle change. Today, these world-renowned neurologists are co-Directors of the Alzheimers Prevention Clinic at Loma Linda University and founders of the NEURO Plan. What is the NEURO plan, and what are those factors that can drastically improve your brain health? That's what they dish in this beautiful conversation that will inspire you to build your cognitive connectivity, find purpose in every activity, and "rewire, don't retire" your brain. Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources: PLANTSTRONG Rescue 10x - Visit the site to register for the upcoming Spring session PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking! Team Sherzai - Season 1 Episode 3: Who Needs Sleep? Team Sherzai Website and Book Pre-Order Theme Music for Episode Promo Theme Music
Mar 11, 2021 • 52min
Ep. 74: Dr. Brian Asbill - A Cardiologist’s Switch from Stents to Sweet Potatoes
It’s not often that a doctor is inspired to make a lifestyle change because of a patient, but this is exactly the incredible Galileo moment that Dr. Brian Asbill shares today on the PLANTSTRONG podcast. As a cardiologist for 19 years, Dr. Brian Asbill had become adept at diagnosing and treating patients with medications and procedures, a variety of chronic diseases, and yet many of his “optimally managed” patients continued to suffer from recurrent cardiovascular events. A couple of years later, a patient gave him a copy of Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn and, shortly after finishing reading it, he met with a patient who was having daily angina and had been told that he would require a third open-heart surgery. Instead of immediate surgery, Asbill gave him the book and told him to come back and see him in three months unless his symptoms worsened. Three months later, that patient returned and both of their lives were irrevocably changed. He had lost 27 pounds, dropped his cholesterol by 100 points, and, within a week of changing his diet, had started walking on a treadmill thirty minutes daily while requiring NO nitroglycerin tablets for relief of chest pain. Procedures and prescriptions would not have matched the difference that he had made by simply changing to a whole-food, plant-based diet. Why was this not routinely taught in medical school? Because of this new truth, in August 2018, Dr. Asbill made the decision to fully transition from cardiology to lifestyle medicine, becoming the first in the world to do so. It was time to leave the “sickcare” system behind and begin building a true “healthcare” system founded upon optimal nutrition, physical activity and stress management. He is now part of Ruckus Health and committed to helping clients prevent, treat, and even reverse their chronic medical conditions through permanent lifestyle change. Today, Dr. Asbill shares his personal journey and the inspiring stories of his patients. " Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources: Rip's Rescue - "Make Yourself Heart-Attack Proof - LIVE on March 18th with Dr. Asbill and the Esselstyns. Register for FREE Ruckus Health with Dr. Brian Asbill PLANTSTRONG Rescue 10x - Hop on the waitlist for our next session. PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking! PLANTSTRONG Foods - Pizza Crust is Back in Stock. Bookmark this page for upcoming food announcements! Theme Music for Episode Promo Theme Music
Mar 4, 2021 • 50min
Ep. 73: Paul de Gelder - Remaining Resilient
It’s always wonderful to catch up with friends and fellow plantstrong powerhouses! Today, we're thrilled to welcome Paul de Gelder back to the podcast. You can catch his first interview here in season one. In 2009, Paul was a Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diver on a training exercise in Sydney Harbor when he was viciously attacked by a nine-foot bull shark. He came precariously close to death, as you’ll hear him recount today. As a man who faced death face-on, he knows a thing or two about fear. How do you handle fear and uncertainty? How do you navigate dark times and turbulent waters? You double-down on structure, routine, and strength, as Paul emphasizes today. From the start, instead of anger or depression, Paul committed his recovery and new life to one of conservation, compassion, and commitment - not just to our planet, but to the animals that nearly killed him. He's a regular host of Sharkweek on the Discovery Channel where he takes celebrities like Will Smith and Mike Tyson on shark dives to raise awareness of the beauty and importance of these creatures that humans fear most. It’s so easy to be inspired by Paul and, as he says, “Once you get past the fear of dying, life becomes more refreshing and free." Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources: Paul de Gelder Instagram Rip's Rescue - "Make Yourself Heart-Attack Proof - LIVE on March 18th - Register for FREE PLANTSTRONG Rescue 10x - Hop on the waitlist for our next session. PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking! PLANTSTRONG Foods - Pizza Crust is Back in Stock. Bookmark this page for upcoming food announcements! Theme Music for Episode Promo Theme Music
Feb 25, 2021 • 50min
Ep. 72: Dr. Reshma Shah - Food and Family
Last week, we spoke with registered dietitian and author, Brenda Davis, about her latest work called, Nourish: The Definitive Plant-Based Nutrition Guide for Families--With Tips & Recipes for Bringing Health, Joy, & Connection to Your Dinner Table. This week, we continue with part two of this important topic with co-author, Dr. Reshma Shah. Dr. Shah is a board-certified pediatrician, mother, plant-based home-cook, teacher, and student. She has nearly two decades of experience caring for children and families, and currently sees patients at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, and serves as an affiliate clinical instructor at Stanford University School of Medicine. We know it’s hard to bring an entire family on board the plant-based journey with you because there is a real fear around community, judgment, and nutrition requirements. We also know that you want what’s best for your families and it’s time we have positive conversations around food — with your doctors, friends, and especially your family. Dr. Shah reveals some of the tools, resources, and recipes from the book that will bring joy, abundance, and nutrition back to the family table. It will also instill confidence in knowing that you’re making powerful and positive decisions for the benefit of your entire family for years to come. It's never too late to make changes and bring the family along the adventure with you. Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources: Dr. Reshma Shah Website Nourish: The Definitive Plant-Based Nutrition Guide for Families PLANTSTRONG Rescue 10x - Hop on the waitlist for our next session. PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking! PLANTSTRONG Foods - Pizza Crust is Back in Stock. Bookmark this page for upcoming food announcements! Theme Music for Episode Promo Theme Music
Feb 18, 2021 • 60min
Ep. 71: Brenda Davis, RD - Nourish: Finding Balance at the Table
She has been called the "Godmother of Vegan Dietitians" and the "High Priestess of Vegan Nutrition" and today, we're proud to welcome friend, author, and plantstrong pioneer, Brenda Davis, to the podcast. Brenda is the author of 12 books and she’s been a speaker at our Plant-Stock events for years. Not only does she captivate with the energy of a teenager, but her evidence-based research leaves folks inspired regardless of where they are on their own journey to health. That’s why we're excited to discuss topics in her latest book, “Nourish: The Definitive Plant-Based Nutrition Guide for Families” that she co-wrote with Pediatrician, Dr. Reshma Shah. We're often asked about how we do it in the Esselstyn house. People want to know how to feed their children healthy foods in a fast-paced, junk food society without sacrificing the nutrients needed in order to grow and thrive. Today, Brenda addresses some of these common concerns that parents may have...Things like - of course- protein...iodine, calcium, iron, zinc, B-12...you know...all the same things we worry about as adults! The goal of this book is not to just provide confidence in plant-based nutrition for health at any age, but also build a life-affirming connection within your family. “Nourish” offers the solution parents have been waiting for when it comes to deciding what and how to feed their families. Episode and PLANTSTRONG Resources: Brenda Davis Website and Resources PLANTSTRONG Rescue 10x - Hop on the waitlist for our next session. PLANTSTRONG Meal Planner - use code: STARTFRESH for a 14-Day Free Trial. Yes, you have to enter a credit card - but you won’t be charged if you cancel before the trial ends and that’s a click of a button. Enjoy the test drive and get cooking! PLANTSTRONG Foods - Pizza Crust is Back in Stock. Bookmark this page for upcoming food announcements! Theme Music for Episode Promo Theme Music
