The tale of how Ken Lander and Rip met is nothing short of astounding. In 2017, at 430 pounds, Ken was diagnosed with a battery of lifestyle diseases, including major heart disease. When he found out, the first thing he did was Google “reverse heart disease.” Of the 200+ books that came up, he randomly picked “Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease” by Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn. Literally, at the exact same time, and unbeknownst to everyone, Ken had a mutual friend who was trying to connect him to resources at Engine 2. It’s FATE - wouldn’t you agree?  The rest...as they say...is history in the making. Ken is now three years into his new life and has a new beautiful heart -- without the need for surgery.  From his coffee farm in beautiful Costa Rica, Ken shared his transformation story at the recent Kitchen Rescue Primer Event. Today, we share it with you.   Episode Resources: <ul> <li> <a href="https://mealplanner.plantstrong.com/">Engine 2 Meal Planner</a> Take Advantage of our Free 14-Day Trial Period! Redeem your free two week trial with the code: TWOWEEKS </li> <li> <a href="https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/6155">Theme music for episode</a> </li> </ul>

The tale of how Ken Lander and Rip met is nothing short of astounding. In 2017, at 430 pounds, Ken was diagnosed with a battery of lifestyle diseases, including major heart disease. When he found out, the first thing he did was Google “reverse heart disease.” Of the 200+ books that came up, he randomly picked “Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease” by Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn. Literally, at the exact same time, and unbeknownst to everyone, Ken had a mutual friend who was trying to connect him to resources at Engine 2. It’s FATE - wouldn’t you agree? The rest...as they say...is history in the making. Ken is now three years into his new life and has a new beautiful heart -- without the need for surgery. From his coffee farm in beautiful Costa Rica, Ken shared his transformation story at the recent Kitchen Rescue Primer Event. Today, we share it with you. Episode Resources: Engine 2 Meal Planner Take Advantage of our Free 14-Day Trial Period! Redeem your free two week trial with the code: TWOWEEKS Theme music for episode

The tale of how Ken Lander and Rip met is nothing short of astounding. In 2017, at 430 pounds, Ken was diagnosed with a battery of lifestyle diseases, including major heart disease. When he found out, the first thing he did was Google “reverse heart disease.” Of the 200+ books that came up, he randomly picked “Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease” by Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn. Literally, at the exact same time, and unbeknownst to everyone, Ken had a mutual friend who was trying to connect him to resources at Engine 2. It’s FATE - wouldn’t you agree?&nbsp; The rest...as they say...is history in the making. Ken is now three years into his new life and has a new beautiful heart -- without the need for surgery.&nbsp; From his coffee farm in beautiful Costa Rica, Ken shared his transformation story at the recent Kitchen Rescue Primer Event. Today, we share it with you.&nbsp;&nbsp; Episode Resources: <ul> <li> <a href="https://mealplanner.plantstrong.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Engine 2 Meal Planner</a>&nbsp;Take Advantage of our Free 14-Day Trial Period! Redeem your free two week trial with the code: TWOWEEKS </li> <li> <a href="https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/6155" rel="noopener noreferrer">Theme music for episode</a> </li> </ul>

Ep. 63: Transformation Tuesday: Ken Lander - New Heart...No Surgery Required

The PLANT STRONG Podcast is for people who want real answers about food, health, and longevity—without the noise, fear, or extremes.

Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic condition and want a path forward that actually supports healing. Maybe you’re an athlete looking to fuel performance and recovery. Maybe you’re a parent trying to escape the ultra-processed food aisle and feed your family real, nourishing meals. Or maybe you’re simply tired of being confused about what “healthy” actually means.

The challenge? Eating more real food can feel overwhelming. You’ve heard warnings about protein, cost, or restriction. You’ve been told it’s complicated, boring, or socially isolating.
This podcast exists to change that.
Each week, host Rip Esselstyn sits down with leading doctors, researchers, athletes, authors, and everyday people who are proving—through lived experience and science—that eating more whole plants and moving your body consistently can deliver powerful, lasting results. We’re not interested in perfection or dogma. We’re here to be extremely practical, extremely evidence-based, and extremely encouraging.

Rip’s work began more than two decades ago, when he helped transform the health of his fellow firefighters using simple, whole foods—guided by the groundbreaking research of his father, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr. That experience launched a lifelong mission to help people reclaim their health through real food and active living, and ultimately led to the creation of PLANT STRONG.

Today, the podcast is an extension of that mission: cutting through misinformation, challenging cultural norms, and showing what’s possible when you fuel your body with food that actually supports it.
You’ll hear conversations about:
Preventing and reversing chronic disease
Strength, endurance, and recovery
Gut health, inflammation, and longevity
Behavior change that actually sticks
How to build habits you can sustain in real life
You’ll also hear about REAL30™—our simple, powerful framework built around consistency, not restriction:
30 days
30 minutes of movement a day
30 different whole plants each week
REAL30 is often where listeners turn inspiration into action—and it’s a recurring thread throughout the show.

This podcast isn’t about being perfect. It’s about eating real food, building real habits, and getting real results. You won’t be weak when you eat strong food.
Welcome to PLANT STRONG.

Medicine

Alternative Health

Health & Fitness

Nutrition

The PLANT STRONG Podcast is for people who want real answers about food, health, and longevity—without the noise, fear, or extremes. Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic condition and want a path forward that actually supports healing. Maybe you’re an athlete looking to fuel performance and recovery. Maybe you’re a parent trying to escape the ultra-processed food aisle and feed your family real, nourishing meals. Or maybe you’re simply tired of being confused about what “healthy” actually means. The challenge? Eating more real food can feel overwhelming. You’ve heard warnings about protein, cost, or restriction. You’ve been told it’s complicated, boring, or socially isolating. This podcast exists to change that. Each week, host Rip Esselstyn sits down with leading doctors, researchers, athletes, authors, and everyday people who are proving—through lived experience and science—that eating more whole plants and moving your body consistently can deliver powerful, lasting results. We’re not interested in perfection or dogma. We’re here to be extremely practical, extremely evidence-based, and extremely encouraging. Rip’s work began more than two decades ago, when he helped transform the health of his fellow firefighters using simple, whole foods—guided by the groundbreaking research of his father, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr. That experience launched a lifelong mission to help people reclaim their health through real food and active living, and ultimately led to the creation of PLANT STRONG. Today, the podcast is an extension of that mission: cutting through misinformation, challenging cultural norms, and showing what’s possible when you fuel your body with food that actually supports it. You’ll hear conversations about: Preventing and reversing chronic disease Strength, endurance, and recovery Gut health, inflammation, and longevity Behavior change that actually sticks How to build habits you can sustain in real life You’ll also hear about REAL30™—our simple, powerful framework built around consistency, not restriction: 30 days 30 minutes of movement a day 30 different whole plants each week REAL30 is often where listeners turn inspiration into action—and it’s a recurring thread throughout the show. This podcast isn’t about being perfect. It’s about eating real food, building real habits, and getting real results. You won’t be weak when you eat strong food. Welcome to PLANT STRONG.

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Ep. 63: Transformation Tuesday: Ken Lander - New Heart...No Surgery Required

Ep. 63: Transformation Tuesday: Ken Lander - New Heart...No Surgery Required

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