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 2, 2020 • 1h 15min
Ep. 36: Dr. Michael Klaper - Health and Hope Amidst a Lockdown
Dr. Michael Klaper is a friend, a philosopher, and a humanitarian. Today, he returns to the podcast for the third time to talk about the coronavirus and to answer your health questions. In this ever-changing landscape, we are dedicated to providing you with a compass - pointing you towards facts, science, and the world’s most well-trusted medical authorities on health and nutrition. In addition to talking through the origins of the COVID-19 virus, as well as tips on how you can maximize your health and minimize risk, Dr. Klaper also provides HOPE! In fact, as he says, there is room for magic in this “pandemic of possibilities.” Hopefully, we will all emerge with a renewed sense of awareness and appreciation for our planet, our animals, and each other. Episode Resources: Dr. Michael Klaper Website and Social Links Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order Know your numbers! Plant-Strong has partnered with the nation’s leader in direct-to-consumer lab testing. For a list of recommended tests and a money-saving bundle, visit our website. 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
Mar 26, 2020 • 1h 2min
Ep. 35: Q&A with Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn
During this time of uncertainty, we are more committed than ever to bring you science, facts, and answers to your health questions. We put the call out and you responded in a huge way and this week, we go straight to the top -- a Q&A session with my father, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn. Like most of us, he and my Mother are practicing social distancing from their home in Cleveland, Ohio, so we recorded this conversation over Zoom. Whatever lack of quality there is in the recording is made up in spades with the information and answers that he provides to YOUR questions - ranging from cholesterol tests, how to order food at restaurants, the effects of caffeine on the body, the six most important leafy greens your should be eating daily, and the importance of nitric oxide and more. Enjoy this always-educational conversation with Dr. Esselstyn. Episode Resources: 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. Music credits for Episode
Mar 19, 2020 • 47min
Ep. 34: BONUS: Brian Hart, M. Ed. - Reflections on Food and Pandemics
This week, during these uncertain and volatile times, we present a special episode with Brian Hart, M. Ed. Hart is a highly experienced educator with over twenty-five years in the field as a teacher, administrator, and advocate for school change in both the public and private sectors. He is also Rip's brother-in-law and the Executive Director of the Esselstyn Family Foundation, a 501c3 public charity that strives to get the plant-based message out, free of cost, to as many people and medical organizations as possible. Brian recently wrote a thought-provoking piece for Medium.com entitled, "Food Choice and COVID-19: Reflections on Food and Pandemics." Today, he and Rip discuss the hope-filled lessons from this article and the silver linings we can take away during these uncertain times. Episode Resources: Food Choice and COVID 19 Esselstyn Family Foundation
Mar 12, 2020 • 52min
Ep. 33: Nina and Randa Nelson - Clear Skin Crusaders
At age 26, identical twins Nina and Randa Nelson are strong voices in the plant-strong movement. In their early 20s, both were struck with severe acne that left them depressed, confused, and out of work...just as they were pursuing careers in the entertainment industry. Not wanting to settle for traditional antibiotics and powerful medicines with terrible side-effects, Nina and Randa refined their already-clean diet even more to remove excess oils and toxins. Within days, the acne started to clear dramatically. Today, they share the six guiding principles from their book, "The Clear Skin Diet," so that others can put the plan to work. Acne affects millions of young people and has a dramatic impact on self-esteem and social development. Share this episode with anyone who wants to heal their skin from the inside out. Episode Resources: Theme Music Join one of our 2020 Plant-Strong Immersions - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for any five or six day retreat Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order Register for Camp Plant-Stock - August 14th-16th, 2020 Clear Skin Diet Website Nina and Randa Nelson Website Somewhat Relatable Podcast
Mar 5, 2020 • 47min
Ep. 32: Dr. Michael Klaper - Get Off Your 'Buts'
“Heaven forbid, you get a heart attack or a stroke. It's only you in that hospital bed. It's not the people at work. It's not your daughter-in-law. It's not the people you go out to dinner with. It's you. You're a grown man. You're a grown woman. It doesn't matter what people think at this point and you don't owe anything to anybody. It's nobody's business what you order for lunch.” Not many people tell it like it is better than Dr. Michael Klaper. As a revered member of the Plant-Strong retreat team, this nutritional Paul Revere always inspires with his infinite wisdom, caring spirit, and straightforward approach. It’s also this fervor that drives his quest to expose and awaken tomorrow’s young physicians to the power of plant-based healing with his Moving Medicine Forward Initiative. This candid interview is true-to-form as Dr. Klaper and Rip ask the audience to let go of their sacred cows and get off their ‘BUTS’ to make positive changes for long term health. Life is made up of small changes, and the food we eat every day changes us from the inside out. When you switch to a whole food plant-based diet, you have a self-healing mechanism and the body gets itself back into balance. So, why not eat the cleanest fuel possible for your metabolic engine? There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Every bite matters. Episode 10 Resources Join one of our 2020 Plant-Strong Immersions - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for any five or six day retreat. Know your numbers! Plant-Strong has partnered with the nation’s leader in direct-to-consumer lab testing. For a list of recommended tests and a money-saving bundle, visit our website. Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order Dr. Klaper Website Moving Medicine Forward Dr. Klaper Episodes from Season 1: Paleo: The Devil’s Bargain Keto with Doug Lisle Theme Music (https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/6155)
Feb 27, 2020 • 1h 9min
Ep 31: Jane and Ann Esselstyn Dish Up Some Kitchen Confidence
Whenever we introduce this lifestyle to a new group, the most common question we get is, “What in the world are we going to eat?” The preconceived notions about how “limiting” a whole plant-based lifestyle can be are so incredibly erroneous. In this episode, you’re going to get a primer on what to eat directly from the Mother Source - Rip’s Mothersource. Who better to whip up some culinary creativity than Ann Crile Esselstyn, along with Rip’s sister, Jane Esselstyn? Together, these two have amassed thousands of followers on their YouTube channel and they give their audience the confidence to roll up their sleeves, try new recipes, and create simple and tasty meals that will satisfy even the most stubborn. Jane and Ann have become experts on healthy plant-based cooking and there isn’t a plant they aren’t afraid to try. Today, they talk about their favorite simple snacks, sandwiches, sauces, and dressings. Prepare to be inspired and get a little saucy with Ann and Jane Esselstyn. Resources for Episode 9 Jane and Ann Esselstyn YouTube Channel Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order Join one of our 2020 Plant-Strong Immersions - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for any five or six day retreat 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 - all for $1.90 a week when you sign up for a year. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today! Music credits for Episode
Feb 20, 2020 • 1h 1min
Ep. 30: Robby Barbaro - Having Diabetes Has Been a Gift
Robby Barbaro is a seeker. After being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 12, Barbaro set off on a quest to optimize his health, buck conventional beliefs and thrive in spite of his illness. His drive for truth has become his life’s work. “It’s not the banana’s fault,” he stresses, when it comes to the confusion and lack of understanding around eating fruit and managing diabetes. Barbaro is the co-founder of Mastering Diabetes, a comprehensive program developed to help people both understand the science of insulin resistance and take control of their health through a low-fat plant-based diet. Together with Dr. Cyrus Khambatta, they just released their first book by the same name. Type II diabetes, in particular, is preventable and even reversible if you put the right lifestyle habits into play. And, contrary to what you may have heard, all forms of this devastating disease can be mitigated with a whole-foods, plant-based diet. If you’re willing to communicate and be vulnerable, he says, you can optimize your health and enjoy this wonderful diet of abundance and not deprivation. Episode Resources: Mastering Diabetes Website Robby Barbaro Instagram Robby Barbaro Facebook Mastering Diabetes: The Revolutionary Method to Reverse Insulin Resistance Permanently in Type 1, Type 1.5, Type 2, Prediabetes, and Gestational Diabetes Know your numbers! Plant-Strong has partnered with the nation’s leader in direct-to-consumer lab testing. For a list of recommended tests and a money-saving bundle, visit our website. Support for this week's episode comes from Wild Earth Dog Food - use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for 40% order
6 snips
Feb 13, 2020 • 1h 6min
Ep 29: Jesse Itzler Lives Outside the Box
Jesse Itzler does not negotiate his goals. He’s the author of the New York Times bestsellers, Living with a Seal and Living with the Monks, the cofounder of Marquis Jet, the world's largest private jet card company which he and his partner sold to Berkshire Hathaway/NetJets, and he also partnered with Zico coconut water, which he and his partner sold to The Coca-Cola Company. On top of everything else, he’s also an owner of the Atlanta Hawks NBA team! Clearly, Itzler has never shied away from prioritizing personal growth and adventure. “If you don’t prioritize adventure,” he says, “You get a calendar filled up with responsibilities and appointments.” These days, he’s helping others to prioritize adventure and to “build their life resumes” with his 29209 Everesting events. He and his team literally bring Everest and 29,000 feet of vertical climbing to mountains across the United States. Part “Burning Man,” part “Ironman,” these weekend adventures are all about satisfying that hunger we all have for experience, challenge and growth. While we all may not aim to literally climb Everest, this episode contains a mountainful of actionable steps that will inspire you to begin fixing the things that may be broken in your life to find the hero within. Whether it’s the plant-strong food on your plate or your morning movement ritual, learning to start your day with small wins and creating one winning habit or behavior a month not only set a positive tone for the day, but also accelerate your success and happiness. What can be a better investment than that? Episode Resources: 29029 Everesting Jesse Itzler Website Know your numbers! Plant-Strong has partnered with the nation’s leader in direct-to-consumer lab testing. For a list of recommended tests and a money-saving bundle, visit our 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 - all for $1.90 a week when you sign up for a year. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for $10 off your annual subscription! Esselstyn Family Foundation - Our family foundation is committed to healing the world through the promotion of whole food plant-based nutrition.
Feb 6, 2020 • 1h 5min
Ep. 28: Dr. Michelle McMacken - Why She Created a Broccoli Hotline
After attending a lifestyle medicine conference, Dr. Michelle McMacken changed her philosophy about patient care overnight. Now, she routinely prescribes plants over pills in her practice and, through compassionate consultations, opens wide the door to change. At Bellevue Hospital in New York City, McMacken is the lead physician on a plant-based pilot program designed to provide people with education and support. During the launch in 2019, overwhelming interest forced McMacken to set up a “Broccoli Hotline” to field calls from hundreds of New Yorkers who wanted to participate. Clearly, Dr. McMacken has the Heart of a Hero. Not only is she saving lives through her work, but she is setting a trusted example for hospitals around the world to follow. How? She starts by asking her patients a single, revolutionary question: “What foods do you like to eat?” Please enjoy today's conversation. Episode Resources: Know your numbers! Plant-Strong has partnered with the nation’s leader in direct-to-consumer lab testing. For a list of recommended tests and a money-saving bundle, visit our website for more details. 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 - all for $1.90 a week when you sign up for a year. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today!
Jan 30, 2020 • 39min
Ep. 27: LIVE Game Changers Q&A hosted Jon Stewart
"Behavioral change is the holy grail of medicine," said Dr. Robert Ostfeld at the recent Monmouth University screening of The Game Changers hosted by the Hockhockson Farm Foundation. "We all know that eating kale is good for us, but getting ourselves to do it is the hard part. Behavioral change is challenging, which is why documentaries like The Game Changers are so vital in continuing the dialogue around the power of a plant-based diet. On November 17th, 2019, that discussion extended across an all-star screening and panel discussion moderated by Jon Stewart featuring: James Wilks - Producer and Star of The Game Changers Joseph Pace - Producer of The Game Changers Rip Esselstyn - Plant-Strong by Engine 2 and cast of The Game Changers Dr. Robert Ostfeld - Cardiologist at Montefiore Medical Center In this lively and humorous Q&A (How could it NOT be funny with Jon Stewart at the helm?), the experts discussed: Reactions to the film The importance of busting the multiple stereotypes and myths that are often perpetuated by industry Advice on next steps and how to find resources and build community As Rip says, "There is a veritable smorgasbord of delectability" when it comes to eating a whole food plant-based diet. And, there is a smorgasbord of resources starting at plantstrong.com We're here to help and we hope you enjoy this continued discussion on The Game Changers. Episode Resources: Game Changers The Movie 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 - all for $1.90 a week when you sign up for a year. Visit our Plant-Strong Meal Planner today and use promo code: PLANTSTRONG for $10 off your annual subscription!
