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
Jun 25, 2020 • 57min
Ep. 46: Father's Day Q&A with Essy
In honor of Father’s Day last week, I gathered up your questions and called my Dad, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, affectionately known as Essy to many. There’s nothing he loves more than helping you understand the importance of what you put on your forks to fight disease and to create and sustain healthy and vibrant endothelial cells. Essy is the ultimate taskmaster and, much to everyone’s disappointment, he doesn’t prescribe a 90% plan. He’s 100% ALL IN and he expects the rest of us to follow suit. While he may not believe in moderation, he does believe in you and your ability to tackle this head-on and bring heart disease to its knees. Nobody said this was going to be easy and that’s ok. All of us need a really good challenge in our lives to push outside of our comfort zones, test our limits, and see exactly what we’re made of. You're stronger than you think. Topics covered? A huge variety, thanks to you, our listeners and fans. Among them: Nitric Oxide and why chewing your greens is your best defense against chronic western disease, including COVID-19. Why fluoride toothpaste is a no-no for your health Dr. Esselstyn's opinions on statins and supplements Your fear of not getting enough protein ...and more Essy speaks the truth and never rounds up to make an argument land in his favor. He simply wants us to live our best and most vibrant lives and, at the young age of 86, I think he's on the right track. Episode Resources: Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food. Visit the episode page at plantstrongpodcast.com to claim their offer of up to 50% your purchase. The NutraMilk - Make Alternative Milks and Butters in Minutes Use code: PLANTSTRONG for $50 off Plant-Stock 2020 Details and Registration Theme music for the episode
Jun 18, 2020 • 1h 7min
Ep. 45: Dr. Ernie Ward - Is Your Dog Plant-Strong? Think About It.
Over 65 million households are homes to dogs and cats. In fact, one of the silver linings of the coronavirus quarantine has been a substantial increase in pet adoptions for companionship and, as a member of the family, you want to feed them the best possible diet for long-lasting health and vitality. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths out there when it comes to the best diet for your pet, and today, Rip and renowned veterinarian and author, Dr. Ernie Ward, dispel some of those misconceptions, particularly around meat and protein consumption for pets. What is healthy pet food and what do pets really want. Ward’s latest book, “The Clean Pet Food Revolution: How Better Pet Food Will Change the World,” explores these questions as well as the significant environmental impact of the animal food industry, largely unknown by the general population - even those of us who are pet lovers. Just like in humans, over-feeding and under-exercising our pets can cause inflammation, obesity, and disease, BUT, as Dr. Ward explains, also just like humans, it is reversible with the right diet: a plant-strong diet. Episode Resources: Dr. Ernie Ward Website and Social Media Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG at checkout for 40% order Plant-Stock 2020 Details and Registration Theme music for episode
Jun 4, 2020 • 1h 12min
Ep. 44: Chef Del Sroufe - Cooking Up a Storm with Chef Del
We were overwhelmed with the positive response of last week’s episode with Chef Ken Rubin, so we decided to keep that momentum going this week with Chef Del Sroufe. If his name isn’t familiar, his work will be. He authored, “Forks Over Knives: the Cookbook,” “The China Study Quick and Easy Cookbook,” and “Better than Vegan,” the story of his struggle with weight loss and gain, and how he managed to lose over 200 pounds on a low fat, plant-based diet. Not only does he share some of his favorite practical cooking tips for common staples in your home - beans, potatoes, veggie stock, and even low-fat recipes for delicious cheese substitute sand guacamole (that you won’t want to miss), BUT - he also talks openly about his own struggles with health and weight. Like many of us, Del has fallen victim to overstress, overeating, and finding comfort in the wrong foods. Sound familiar? He’s in the middle of his own personal reset just like many of you, so let’s do it together with love and empathy. His transparency may just be what you need to help you right now. Episode Resources: Chef Del Sroufe Website Tips and Recipes from the Episode Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG at checkout for 40% order Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan. Theme music for episode
May 28, 2020 • 1h 19min
Ep. 43: Ken Rubin of Rouxbe Online Cooking School - Flavor Bombs and Simple Sauces
Ken Rubin is the Chief Culinary Officer of Rouxbe Online Culinary School, training people to become more creative, confident, and HEALTHY in kitchens around the world. A silver lining of the Covid-19 quarantine has been a trend back to rediscovering the joy of a home-cooked meal with the family. Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated and, in fact, it can be fun! Rip and Ken introduce simple ways to level up your cooking with tips on roasting, sauteing, and boosting the flavor of pastas, sauces, soups, and more. If you’re on a quest to do more cooking at home, or if you want to increase the depth of flavor in the meals you’re already cooking, this episode will definitely wet your appetite! Episode Resources: Rouxbe Online Culinary School Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG at checkout for 40% order Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan. Theme music for episode
May 21, 2020 • 1h 1min
Ep. 42: Ethan Brown, CEO of Beyond Meat - Animal Agriculture’s Awakening Hour
Ethan Brown is the Founder and CEO of Beyond Meat, a disruptive and innovative plant-based meat company. This interview was recorded pre-Covid 19 so, while we don’t discuss it, the episode is so timely since one of the areas most affected by this horrific disease is our food supply chain; namely, the animal food supply chain. Conditions are deplorable for both the animals and the humans at these meat processing plants, and the health of both is compromised daily. Ethan discusses in detail how his company is improving the efficiency, safety, health, and environmental impact of his Beyond Meat production and the benefits are staggering. We know that the average consumer, even those who eat animal meat, are aware and very concerned about these health and social issues. As Ethan has says, “I believe there is a new dawn for American agriculture and this conversation is our awakening hour.” Here’s to having the heart of a hero and not being afraid to challenge the status quo. In fact, instead of being divisive, it’s time we come together and work together to solve these problems on behalf of the animals, the longevity of our planet, and our own health. Episode Resources: Beyond Meat Website Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan. Theme music for episode Recent News Articles: Cramer: Coronavirus could propel Beyond Meat into a Amazon or Facebook — CNBC Perspective | Wet markets breed contagions like the coronavirus. The U.S. has thousands of them. Trump orders meat plants to stay open in pandemic — The Washington Post The Milk Situation
May 14, 2020 • 1h 6min
Ep. 41: T. Colin Campbell, PhD - T is for 'Trailblazer'
For 65-years, Dr. T. Colin Campbell has been a courageous truth-seeker and unapologetic truth-teller in the scientific research and study of nutrition. Of course, most know his work from The China Study, Whole, Forks over Knives, and his repeat visits to Plant Stock, but recently, Dr. Campbell released two articles that speak to this “revolutionary idea” that the best defense against Covid-19 is whole food plant-based diet. In fact, not only is it the best cautionary measure you can take, but it’s also the most responsible to protect the strain on the hospital system, our global environment, and the food supply chain, which has been severely compromised. Dr. Campbell and Rip discuss his body of work over the last six decades and explore the contents of his recent essays on his ideal prescription for optimal health - a whole-food, plant-based diet. Episode Resources: Register Now for the Plant-Strong Primer Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order T.Colin Campbell Center for Nutritional Studies Recovery From the COVID-19 Pandemic: Testing, Tracing, & Nutrition Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list, and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan. Theme music for episode
May 7, 2020 • 1h 39min
Ep 40: Dr. Will Bulsiewicz - Build the Gut of a Hero
In 2018, after an interview about building a healthy gut on a plant-based diet went viral, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz knew he needed to do something. He wanted to continue to spread this message to a wider audience. The result almost two years later? His brand new book Fiber Fueled: The Plant-Based Gut Health Program for Losing Weight, Restoring Your Health, and Optimizing Your Microbiome. Fiber Fueled is the playbook to optimize and restore your gut health on a plant-based diet, and this entire episode is dedicated to the one nutrient that has the most positive impact on your gut health - FIBER. Dr. B dishes on: His F-GOALS: Those super plant-foods to optimize gut health Straight talk on paleo, keto, lectins, and other misinformation floating around Honest dialogue on probiotics and prebiotics And, yes, a topic like fiber wouldn't be complete without a discussion on poop! It's empowering to know that you're not born to have disease. You're born for health and it all starts with the relationship between your microbes and fiber - fiber from plants. Fiber really is sexy! Episode Resources: Plant-Strong Primer Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list, and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan. Dr. B Website Fiber Fueled Book Page Fiber Fueled on Book Shop (Buy local! Support your local bookstore!) Fiber Fueled on B&N Fiber Fueled on Amazon Dr. B Facebook Dr. B Instagram Theme music for episode
Apr 30, 2020 • 55min
Ep.39: Dan Buettner - Finding Blue Skies During Covid-19
Dan Buettner is an explorer, National Geographic Fellow, award-winning journalist and producer, and a New York Times bestselling author. He discovered the five places in the world—dubbed Blue Zones—where people live the longest, healthiest lives. Today, Dan and Rip discuss the Power 9, those nine mutually supporting characteristics that these Blue Zones areas have in common to promote health, happiness, and longevity. They include: Move Naturally Purpose Downshift 80% Rule Plant Slant Wine at 5 Right Tribe Loved Ones First Belong I encourage you to explore ways to adopt and implement as many of these as possible into your own lives - especially now - when the entire planet is on the precipice of change. We can use these uncertain times for our own good - and the good of the world. It starts now and it starts with you. Episode Resources: Plant-Strong Primer Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order Blue Zones Website, Books and Resources Blue Zones Power 9 Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan. Theme music for episode
Apr 23, 2020 • 1h 32min
Ep. 38: Chris Wark - How Chris Beat Cancer
“I just couldn’t wrap my head around this idea that you can poison your way back to health.” In 2003, Chris Wark received a grim colon cancer diagnosis at the young age of 26. And, as most of us know, when it comes to cancer treatment, much of the decision-making is based around FEAR. Who wouldn’t be afraid if you were told you basically had a 50-50 shot at surviving? Chris, however, took a different approach. Instead of using fear to drive his decision on chemotherapy, he turned to facts and his faith. Instead of pumping chemo drugs into his body, he pumped in as many anti-cancer foods as he could and turned his body into a nutritional powerhouse. He built his body up instead of tearing it down. That was 13 years ago. Today, Chris is the best selling author of the book Chris Beat Cancer, and a robust website of the same name, ChrisBeatCancer.com. He’s also the father of two beautiful girls and public speaker. Episode Resources: ChrisBeatCancer.com Chris Beat Cancer - A Comprehensive Plan for Healing Naturally Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order Thank you podcast listeners! Join our Million Downloads giveaway - enter here to win one of the following great prizes, no purchase necessary! Winners announced on April 27th. Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan. Theme music for episode Plant-Strong Podcast Website
Apr 16, 2020 • 1h 21min
Ep. 37: Damien Mander - Conservation Crusader
Damien Mander is founder and CEO of The International Anti-Poaching Foundation and, if you’ve seen “The Game Changers” documentary, you’ll also, no doubt, remember his powerful contribution to the film as a former hunter-turned-conservationist. In this candid interview, Mander describes his former self - the alpha male who used to take aim at the vulnerable through the hunting, killing, and eating of animals. A chance meeting with an elephant transformed him from a meat-loving Aussie to a plant-strong crusader with a personal mission to protect animals and the world’s natural heritage for future generations. You’ll hear all about the initiatives of the IAPF and their valiant efforts to protect over 20 million acres of the African wilderness. In 2017 Damien founded ‘Akashinga – Nature Protected by Women’, an IAPF program that has already grown to over 170 employees, becoming the only group of nature reserves in the world to be protected by women. Their goal is to employ 1000 women by 2025, protecting a network of 20 nature reserves, all managed by the IAPF. We’ve recently seen first-hand just how delicate our ecosystems are and, thanks to people like Damien, we are fighting valiantly, with thought-provoking conversations just like these that inspire us to action. Episode Resources: International Anti-Poaching Foundation Damien's Mander's TEDx Talk Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order Help us improve access to the Engine 2 Food Line! Survey closed 4/20/20 Thanks! Seeking a solution for making the plant-strong lifestyle convenient and inspiring? The Plant-Strong Meal Planner offers 1000s of recipes customized to your preferences, an integrated shopping list and grocery delivery! Our Engine 2 Coaches are on hand to offer support and answer any questions. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: HEALTHNOW to save $20 off an annual plan. Theme music for episode
