PLANTSTRONG Podcast

Our stress levels are high and food is in abundance during the holidays! How can you possibly stay on track with the many temptations?

Join Rip and health coach Cyd Notter as they discuss four ways to stay on track during the holiday season.

The key to staying motivated just might be right between your ears!

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Grief is an interesting thing, isn’t it? Sometimes a loss is overwhelming and debilitating. Other times, grief spurs us into action and advocacy.

That’s the story of Maxime Sigouin.

After Maxime's fiancée passed away from breast cancer seven years ago, he made it his mission to help others "disease-proof" their bodies with a whole foods, plant-based diet and consistent training.

The transformations of his Fit Vegan clients are nothing short of inspirational. "Taking imperfect action," he says, "is better than no action at all."

Today, he shares his tips for daily success in business and life.

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Watch on YouTube

Fit Vegan Coaching Website

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Currently there are 37 million people in the United States with diabetes and another 96 million Americans who are currently pre-diabetic - and the vast majority of those people aren’t even aware of it. About 70% of those cases of pre-diabetes will turn into diabetes unless the progression of the disease has stopped.

Unfortunately, the U.S. healthcare system isn’t designed to prevent and reverse until it’s too late, and THIS is the impetus for today’s discussion.

We’re in need of a Type 2 Diabetes Revolution and leading that charge are the authors who wrote the book with the same title- Jose Tejero and Diana Licalzi, MS, RD, CDES.

As you’ll hear today, Diana, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, along with Exercise Physiologist, Jose Tejero, want to help you achieve non-diabetic blood sugar levels while enjoying carbohydrates (yes, carbs), along with copious amounts of other delicious, plant foods.

Their book and philosophy focus on the reversal of insulin resistance - which is the root cause of high blood sugar and their approach and meal plans have successfully helped individuals reduce their A1c and fasting blood sugar, lower their need for medications, and gain a deep understanding of health and nutrition.

Even if you don’t have high blood sugar, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes, perhaps you have a loved one who does and may find it useful for the deep information dive and decadent recipes. We owe it to ourselves and our society to join this revolution together.

About the Authors

Diana Licalzi, MS, RD, CDCES, is a nationally-recognized Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist and holds her Master's in Nutrition Science & Policy. In 2019, Diana co-founded Reversing T2D, a digital health platform that helps individuals reverse, manage, and prevent pre- and type 2 diabetes. Reversing T2D uses an integrative approach to tackle diabetes focusing on plant-based nutrition, exercise, and mindset. Diana's previous books include Drinking for Two and Mocktail Party.

Jose Tejero is an exercise physiologist with a degree in Exercise Science and is the co-founder of Reversing T2D. He has worked alongside nutrition experts and plant-based physicians who treat chronic illnesses, including type 2 diabetes. He observed the positive impact that plant-based diets had on the health of their patients and decided that he would dedicate his career to promoting the benefits of this diet. Jose is passionate about guiding people on the path of developing a healthy lifestyle.

Episode Resources

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Episode Webpage

Visit the Type 2 Diabetes Revolution website

Order The Type 2 Diabetes Revolution Book

Berry Almond Rip's Big Bowl is Back!

Cornbread is Back!

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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Darin Olien is the New York Times best-selling author of SuperLife and host with Zac Efron of the hit Netflix series “Down to Earth,” but it’s his most recent work that may leave the biggest impact.

In his latest book, Fatal Conveniences, Olien explores some of the toxic products and harmful habits that are making us sick―and provides alternatives that are simple, non-toxic, and life-enhancing.

He calls them “fatal conveniences” because so many of these things are so ingrained in our daily lives - our toothpaste and deodorant, sunscreen, laundry detergent, cosmetics, and so much more. Darin sheds light on the fact that so many of these products are smothered in toxic chemicals, causing our planet and our bodies harm with conditions like chemical sensitivities, allergies, and autoimmune disorders.

Listen with an open mind and come away with ideas and alternatives to make your own lives healthier and less toxic. As Darin says today, “The more we awaken to making better choices, the more we can have agency to make change. Now that you know, you can do something about it.”

About Darin Olien

Darin Olien is co-host with Zac Efron on the widely popular Netflix docu-series called “Down to Earth with Zac Efron” and host of the top 20 ranked podcast The Darin Olien Show.

Darin is also a highly recognized exotic superfoods hunter, supplement formulator, and author of the book, “SuperLife: The Five Fixes that Will Keep You Healthy, fit, and Eternally Awesome.”

Darin worked with fitness-company Beachbody to formulate one of the top superfoods shakes in the USA a whole-food supplement called, “Shakeology”, as well as the plant based, “Ultimate Reset 21-day” detoxification program.

Darin is one of the founders of Barukas™, a new super nut from the Savannah “Cerrado” of Brazil. Through sustainable business practices, the company is committed to supporting this important biome by planting 20 million Baruzeita trees.

Darin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Physiology/Nutrition and a Masters in Psychology. Learn more about Darin HERE.

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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Berry Almond Rip's Big Bowl is Back!

Cornbread is Back!

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Episode Webpage

Darin Olien Website

Order Fatal Conveniences

If you've followed the PLANTSTRONG Podcast, no doubt you're familiar with Robby Barbaro, one of the founders of Mastering Diabetes and now, an official IRONMAN triathlon finisher!

If you don’t know, an IRONMAN is a one-day triathlon where you swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and then run a marathon! Crazy, right?! It's even more awesome since Robby did it as a plant-based, Type 1 diabetic.

In this episode, Rip and Robby talk about how he trained, fueled, and monitored his glucose during training and racing. They also talk about his mindset and training process, as he essentially started from ground zero as a triathlete.

As Robby says, you can always become a happier and better version of yourself and that’s exactly what he did. He found an area in his life he wasn’t happy with, and sought to make big changes.

We invite all of you to do it too, no matter what your goals happen to be. (and believe me, it doesn’t have to be an IRONMAN!)

About Robby Barbaro

Robby Barbaro, MPH graduated from the University of Florida and is the cofounder of Mastering Diabetes. He worked at Forks Over Knives for six years before turning his attention in 2016 to coaching people with diabetes full-time.

Robby was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 12 and has been living this lifestyle since 2006. In that time, while eating pounds of fruit every day, his HbA1c value has never exceeded 6.4%, and his blood glucose has been stable and easy to manage.

He is the co-host of the annual Mastering Diabetes Online Summit, a featured speaker at Whole Foods Global Headquarters, VegFest LA, Plant-Stock, Torrance Memorial Medical Center, and has been featured on Forks Over Knives, Healthline, Medical Medium, Vice, Thrive Magazine, Diet Fiction, Thrive Global, BestLife and the wildly popular podcasts Plant Proof and Nutrition Rounds, and is the author of the book Mastering Diabetes with Cyrus Khambatta, PhD.

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Mastering Diabetes Website

Cornbread is Back!

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

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Kate Galli is an Australian-based health coach, personal trainer, podcaster, and author.

Today, she shares her journey to a plant-based lifestyle and discusses her book, The Plant Positive Journal, which focuses on self-care and creating lasting positive habit change.

In her early days as a vegetarian coach and trainer in the “bro gym culture,” Kate admits that she was focused heavily on macros and protein, sometimes eating up to 20 egg whites a day. After switching completely to a whole-foods, plant-based diet, she is now happier, healthier, and more well-rounded in her nutrition and training, focusing instead on micronutrients, fiber, and plenty of fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

Today, she and Rip emphasize the importance of leading with love instead of anger and she shares her “ABC” process for transitioning to a more positive mindset:

• Awareness
• Brainstorm
• Commitment

They also talk through her “Seven-Step Guide to Cultivating Self-Care in a Vegan, Plant-based Lifestyle,” which includes prioritizing positive self-talk, aligning choices with values, committing to healthy habits, setting boundaries and prioritizing time with loved ones, as well as the benefits of a digital detox and having realistic expectations of ourselves and others.

Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into self-care, mindset, and nutrition in a plant-based lifestyle, and encourages listeners to embrace compassion and positivity in their journey.

About Kate Galli

Kate is qualified as a Master Personal Trainer, Life Coach, NLP Practitioner and has also completed the eCornell Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate program.

Kate first got into fitness as a way to transform her body and confidence. She has spent 17 years helping thousands of individuals sculpt a body and life they love and over the past seven years has focused on Vegan Health Coaching as one of the most powerful ways to advocate for animals is to be fit, strong, and healthy.

Her vision: To create a fit, strong, happy, healthy, compassionate vegan world.

On an actionable level, Kate's intention is: to help you create the Mindset that makes your best eating and exercising choices simple and sustainable.

Episode Resources

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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Watch the Episode on YouTube

https://strongbodygreenplanet.com/ - Kate’s Website

Order your copy of the Plant Positive Journal

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Nisha Vora was raised in a traditional vegetarian Indian household, went to undergrad at Berkeley, Harvard Law School, and then worked as a corporate lawyer for a few years in New York City.

It didn’t take long for her to realize that this was NOT what she wanted to do because, even as a young girl, Nisha loved food and cooking. She was the girl who would watch cooking shows on TV and take cooking classes for fun. And, as a corporate lawyer, she definitely didn’t have time for cooking and she wasn’t having any fun.

So, in 2016, after binge-watching food documentaries all weekend long, Nisha became fully plant-based and started a food blog side hustle – rainbowplantlfe.com. That “side” hustle has now become a full-time career as she teaches her one million YouTube subscribers how to be better cooks and consume fewer animals.

In 2019, she released her first book, The Vegan Instant Pot Cookbook: Wholesome Indulgent Plant-Based Recipes and that’s what we dive into today. People are so intimidated by this wildly popular kitchen tool and she breaks it down, teaches us how to start simple, and then shows us the magic you can create with the Instant Pot.

Rip and Nisha discuss:

• Her parent’s reaction when she told them she was leaving her law career to become a food blogger
• Transitioning from Instagram to her own food blog
• Her personal journey from vegetarianism to veganism
• Exploring the versatility of the Instant Pot and why she wanted to write this book
• How to start with the basics of Instant Pot cooking
• Her unique approach to cooking
• A sample of delicious recipes from the book including breakfasts, veggies, soups/curries, and comfort foods

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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Nisha’s YouTube Channel

Nisha’s Website - RainbowPlantLife.com

In 2006, young entrepreneur, Daniel Staackmann, took out a home equity line of credit and started Upton’s Naturals in his hometown of Chicago.

He placed his money on seitan and in his 17 years of business, that gamble has clearly paid off. Upton’s Naturals is the #1 selling brand of seitan in the United States and their products are sold in thousands of stores throughout the United States and beyond.

Dan, a 30-year ethical vegan, prides himself on being the sole proprietor of his company and his slow growth model has allowed him to avoid so many of the landmines and pitfalls of the food industry as a whole.

Today, he and Rip share the many intricacies of running a food line from labeling, brand name, sourcing ingredients, getting placement on shelves, growth strategies, and so much more.

It’s an insightful peek behind the curtain on the food industry and the amount of work and passion it takes to bring delicious food from concept to shelves everywhere!

Rip and Dan discuss:

• The humble (and personal) beginnings of Upton’s Naturals in 2006 and Dan’s “Do It Yourself” approach to entrepreneurship
• How he came up with the unique company name
• Why he chose seitan as his main product?
• His biggest wins as a young entrepreneur
• How his “slow growth” model has benefitted his business and his personality
• The nutritional value of meat alternatives and why Upton’s branched out into soups, jackfruit, and fava as brand extensions
• How remaining sole proprietor has allowed him to maintain control and avoid the "minefields" of the food industry.
• His vision for the future of Uptons and other expansions

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

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Twelve years ago, on the tail of the success of his book The Engine 2 Diet, Rip visited small-town America - Mercersburg, Pennsylvania - with the good news about plants.

Dr. Elizabeth George, a local doctor in Mercersburg, was also on a mission to help the residents of her small dairyland town make healthier food and lifestyle choices. She heard about Engine 2 and invited Rip to come to town and speak at restaurants, churches, and even the local high school - challenging them to the Engine 2 28-Day Challenge.

Not surprisingly, he was met with mixed reactions and a healthy dose of farm-raised skepticism.

For the people who took part, the results were explosive.

Luckily, Rip brought along a film crew to capture it all. And…last year, this same crew followed up with Dr. Liz and some of those residents to see how they were doing 12 years later. The result is this new film, PLANTSTRONG Legacy: 12 Years of Wellness.

So, today, we bring you a wonderful interview with Dr. Liz George and the filmmaker, Jeff Nelson, as we celebrate the release of this movie and catch up on those days when we were driving around Mercersburg spreading the good news about plants!

Watch the episode on YouTube

Watch the Film

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

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The news is out and the headlines are clear - drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy DO help people lose weight and they have become "the next big thing" for weight loss.

But, questions remain: How do they work? What long-term impacts will these have on health? Are they really helping the underlying cause of obesity and disease? Is it enough just to lose the weight? Will these drugs actually improve our health in the same way that a whole food plant-based diet can?

Rip welcomes evolutionary psychologist, Dr. Doug Lisle, back to the podcast to discuss his thoughts on these new weight loss drugs and why they may or may not be a panacea for improved health.

They discuss:

• The correlation between obesity and disease processes
• The underlying cause of obesity
• Pros and Cons of weight loss drugs
• Why people struggle to change their behavior even when they know better
• The importance of making your environment look like your goals
• Listener Question: recovering from medical cannabis withdrawal
• Listener Question: Can a whole food plant-based diet cure schizophrenia?
• Dr. Doug's thoughts on screen time and social media influence

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

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• Watch the original episode on YouTube
• Article in NY Times by Gina Kolata referenced in episode