PLANTSTRONG Podcast

In June 2024, Dr. Dean Ornish and his team at the Preventive Medicine Research Institute revealed for the first time that an intensive lifestyle intervention—including a whole-food, plant-based diet—can significantly improve cognition and even halt the progression of Alzheimer’s disease!

Dr. Dean Ornish shares details of his compelling protocol and insights into his randomized controlled clinical trial study that demonstrated the effectiveness of dietary and lifestyle changes in reversing early stages of dementia.

With nearly 7 million Americans currently living with Alzheimer's, the potential to shift this alarming trajectory offers a sense of hope. Dr. Ornish's study highlights not only the importance of nutrition but also the critical role of exercise, stress management, and social connections in promoting brain health.

It's an inspiring conversation that underscores the power of simple, yet transformative lifestyle choices in combating one of the most feared diseases of our time.

Takeaways:

• Nearly 7 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's, with projections rising dramatically by 2050.
• Dr. Dean Ornish's lifestyle intervention significantly improves cognition and function in Alzheimer's patients.
• A whole food plant-based diet is central to reversing the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
• The study found that 71% of participants in the intervention group showed cognitive improvement.
• Lifestyle changes can effectively reduce Alzheimer's symptoms, contrasting with traditional drug treatments that only slow decline.
• A supportive community and love are crucial components in managing Alzheimer's and improving quality of life.

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Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/

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COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer

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Walking is not only a fundamental human activity, but a cornerstone for improving health and longevity as discussed in this conversation with Brad Kearns, co-author of Born to Walk: The Broken Promises of the Running Boom and How to Slow Down and Get Healthy One Step at a Time.

This new book challenges the long-held belief that we were all born to run, arguing instead that walking is a far less stressful and more beneficial form of exercise.

In this episode, Rip is also joined by his co-producer, Carrie Barrett - an avid endurance runner and triathlete.

They discuss:

• How walking is often overlooked, but is a powerful catalyst for health and longevity.
• Why many people mistakenly believe running is essential for fitness, but walking can be more beneficial.
• How the running boom has led to increased injuries, especially among recreational runners.
• Why so-called 'supershoes' are really a marketing gimmick
• A significant number of runners get injured each year, even more than NFL players.
• How improving aerobic conditioning through walking can help avoid the risks associated with running.
• How to determine your "Fat Max" heart rate level of training
• Slowing down your workouts to maximize health benefits and promote sustainable fitness
• Laying out a fitness plan that centers primarily on walking, but also includes a sprint intervals

And, as you lay out your fitness goals for 2025, we hope you're inspired to take that first step toward a healthier lifestyle—one step and one walk at a time.

Episode Webpage

Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Learn More About Our Corporate Wellness Program: https://liveplantstrong.com/corporate-wellness/

COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer

Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstyn

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https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong

https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/

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Eating more plants is not just a dietary choice; it's a crucial step towards better health and longevity.

In this live episode that premiered in January 2023, Rip discusses the importance of incorporating whole plant foods into our diets to combat rising health issues such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.

Key takeaways of this live Q&A include:

• Why Plants are the Mothership of Health
• Why We Love Whole Plant Foods
• The Difference Between Processed Carbohydrates and Whole Food Carbohydrates
• The Abundance and the Importance of Macronutrients and Micronutrients found in Whole Plant Foods
• The Benefits of Fiber for our Health and Microbiome
• A Live Q&A with Audience Questions

Rip invites the audience to embrace a plant-based lifestyle for vibrant health because, as he says, our lives depend on it!

Episode Webpage

Watch the Original Episode on YouTube

Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Learn More About Our Corporate Wellness Program: https://liveplantstrong.com/corporate-wellness/

COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer

Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstyn

https://plantstrong.com/

https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong

https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/

https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/

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What does it take to turn your life around?

Molly Patrick, co-founder of Clean Food, Dirty Girl, knows the answer better than most.

In this powerful podcast episode, Molly shares her deeply personal journey from a life of heavy drinking and smoking to embracing a vibrant, plant-based lifestyle.

Discover how Molly overcame social anxiety and addiction, faced the discomfort of change, and built a life filled with health, purpose, and joy. Alongside Rip, she dives into topics like:

• Navigating the challenges of major lifestyle shifts.
• The art of ‘embracing the suck’—why discomfort can lead to growth.
• Simple strategies to set your future self up for success, including meal prep and intentional living.

With her candid storytelling and passion for creating irresistible plant-based recipes, Molly inspires us to celebrate our imperfections and embrace every step of our unique path toward health and happiness.

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Learn More About Our Corporate Wellness Program: https://liveplantstrong.com/corporate-wellness/

COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer

Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstyn

https://plantstrong.com/

https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong

https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/

https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/

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Rip welcomes Jacque Salomon, founder of the Seeds to Inspire Foundation.

Jacque recounts the traumatic events that shaped her early life, including a challenging upbringing in New York City that was fraught with generational trauma, chaos, and food scarcity.

Jacque also shares the heart-wrenching experience of losing her son at just 11 years old, and how this tragedy sparked a profound commitment to transform her life and health through a whole food, plant-based diet. (Thanks, also, in part to a viewing of Forks over Knives.)

As she reversed her Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, GERD, and other ailments—all while losing an impressive 164 pounds—Jacque became passionate about sharing her message of hope and recovery with others by founding Seeds to Inspire, an organization dedicated to addressing health equity through 'food as medicine' initiatives, love, and compassion.

She now dedicates her life to educating others about health equity and wellness, emphasizing the importance of nourishing our bodies with love and compassion. By sharing her story, Jacque not only illustrates her personal recovery, but also highlights the collective need for community and support in overcoming trauma.

Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Learn More About Our Corporate Wellness Program: https://liveplantstrong.com/corporate-wellness/

COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer

Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstyn

https://plantstrong.com/

https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong

https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/

https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/

Follow the PLANTSTRONG Podcast and Give the Show a 5-star Rating

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Ozempic, Wegovy, and other weightloss drugs are all over the news these days promising quick and permanent weight loss but – like every other miracle weight-loss drug in the past- is this another “too good to be true” moment?

Our friend, Dr. Michael Greger, puts these new wonder drugs “to the test” in his new book, OZEMPIC: Risks, Benefits, and Natural Alternatives to GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs.

Leave it to Dr. Michael Greger to cut right to the chase when it comes to the latest trends in diet and weight loss. In his latest book, Dr. Greger explores the research behind these new “miracle weight loss drugs” and answers the questions that so many of us have:

• What are they?
• How do they work and what is their role in suppressing your appetite?
• What are the side effects?
• Is the weight loss really permanent?
• Does insurance cover these drugs?
• And, is there another (less extreme and expensive) way to lose weight?

Dr. Michael Greger shares the real science behind the marketing fluff and answers our burning questions.

Rip, Jane, Brian, Ann and Essy all gather for a heartwarming and informative Q&A session that celebrates the importance of plant-based nutrition, especially around the holiday season.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Insights from Dr. Esselstyn on preventing and reversing heart disease through nutrition.
• The incredible benefits of leafy greens and nitric oxide for cardiovascular health.
• Inspiring stories from the Esselstyn Foundation’s mission to educate and empower communities toward healthier choices.
• Thoughtful reflections on daily habits and the role of compassion in dietary decisions.

Join us as we explore how to embrace a PLANTSTRONG lifestyle and make choices that nourish not only our bodies but also our sense of community and well-being.

Episode Webpage

Watch the Original Full Episode on YouTube (from September 2023)

Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Learn More About Our Corporate Wellness Program: https://liveplantstrong.com/corporate-wellness/

COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer

Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstyn

https://plantstrong.com/

https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong

https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/

https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/

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We’re thrilled to introduce our newest podcast theme: “Ax it or Stack it!” – designed to help you sift through the clutter of wellness advice and make confident choices for your health.

This week, we’re taking on three hot topics: olive oil, oatmeal, and creatine. Are they beneficial for your wellness journey, or should they be left out? The wellness industry is rife with confusion and misinformation so we want to cut through the noise and offer clear-cut advice.

To guide us, we’re welcoming back David Goldman, Director of Research at Metabite and nutrition expert behind The Game Changers documentary.

Get the science-backed insights you need to build a sturdy foundation for your health.

Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Learn More About Our Corporate Wellness Program: https://liveplantstrong.com/corporate-wellness/

COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer

Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstyn

https://plantstrong.com/

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https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/

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On today's episode, we introduce the PLANTSTRONG by Metabite Corporate Wellness Program, a cutting-edge initiative designed to enhance workplace health through plant-based nutrition and education.

This comprehensive 12-week program aims to make plant-based living more accessible, ultimately helping companies reduce healthcare expenses while boosting employee well-being.

Metabite founders, David Goldman and Michael Quarshie, share their perspectives on how group coaching and community support can foster sustainable dietary changes. Their insights underscore the importance of collective encouragement in achieving lasting lifestyle improvements.

The episode also spotlights the impressive outcomes from our pilot programs, including:

• Notable weight loss
• Improved cholesterol levels among participants
• Increase in productivity
• Increased productivity and job satisfaction
• Sizable cost savings for businesses

Interested in bringing the power of plants into your workplace? Visit liveplantstrong.com to learn more or email us at [email protected].

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Episode Webpage

Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Learn More About Our Corporate Wellness Program: https://liveplantstrong.com/corporate-wellness/

COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer

Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstyn

https://plantstrong.com/

https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong

https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/

https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/

Follow the PLANTSTRONG Podcast and Give the Show a 5-star Rating

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Rip welcomes Dr. Monica Aggarwal back to the podcast for an in-depth breakdown and discussion of her recent study on the impact of oil consumption within a whole food plant-based diet, particularly focusing on extra virgin olive oil (EVOO).

Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the study titled, Recipe for Heart Health: A Randomized Crossover Trial on Cardiometabolic Effects of Extra Virgin Olive Oil Within a Whole‐Food Plant‐Based Vegan Diet , revealed that individuals adhering to an oil-free whole food plant-based diet experienced greater improvements in cardiovascular markers than those incorporating extra virgin olive oil.

This intriguing finding challenges the long-held belief that olive oil, often touted for its health benefits, is a necessary component of a heart-healthy diet. This research not only highlights the efficacy of a plant-based lifestyle, but also raises important questions regarding the actual health benefits of olive oil amidst the growing trend of plant-forward eating.

As PLANTSTRONG listeners know, Rip passionately advocates for an oil-free approach, emphasizing the potential drawbacks of consuming extra virgin olive oil, which he describes as calorie-dense and highly processed.

Dr. Aggarwal also shares:

• The study design and breakdown of participants
• Her motivation for pursuing the study
• Key findings on heart health improvements with oil-free, plant-based eating
• Surprising insights into the limitations of EVOO in promoting cardiovascular health
• The advantages of whole plant foods over concentrated oils
• How social connections enhance dietary adherence and health outcomes

Rip and Dr. Aggarwal also discuss the need for more nutrition-focused education in healthcare, promoting a shift toward heart-healthy, whole foods.

For the PLANTSTRONG community, this study brings compelling evidence that supports our commitment to oil-free, whole food, plant-based nutrition.

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrongevents.com/

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Learn More About Our Corporate Wellness Program: https://liveplantstrong.com/corporate-wellness/

COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer

Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstyn

https://plantstrong.com/

https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong

https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/

https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/

Follow the PLANTSTRONG Podcast and Give the Show a 5-star Rating

Apple Podcasts

Spotify