From acne and underweight struggles to becoming The Kale Crusader, dietitian and writer Andy DeSantis shares how soccer, kale, and persistence shaped his life. We dive into gut health, fatty liver, inflammation, magnesium, and the myths of quick-fix diets. Andy also reveals lessons from building a practice, writing books, and learning to specialize in a crowded industry. A raw look at food, health, and entrepreneurship with humor and heart.
00:00 – Introduction: Meet Andy DeSantis, the Kale Crusader
01:09 – Gut health, humor, and making nutrition fun
01:41 – How soccer and skin struggles led to nutrition
04:32 – Living underweight & developing empathy as a dietitian
07:20 – Why kale? The origin story behind his brand
11:34 – The PowerBar phase & early mistakes in nutrition
14:22 – Polyphenols, flavonoids, and anti-inflammatory foods
15:32 – Inflammation explained: acute vs chronic
18:16 – Why quick fixes don’t work in nutrition
19:12 – Working at Diabetes Canada & the early career shift
20:16 – Launching private practice with a blog & Wix site
22:46 – Observing entrepreneurship in his family
23:28 – Rest, balance, and what “recovery” means as a business owner
24:44 – How his business evolved: writing → video, courses, graphics
26:48 – In-person vs online clients: why personal connection still matters
27:50 – From generalist to specialist: why focus is key today
28:54 – Why fatty liver disease became his specialty
31:27 – Fatty liver explained: what it is & why it matters
33:11 – The connection to diabetes & hormone health
38:41 – First steps in reversing fatty liver: movement & supplements
40:04 – Omega-3s, probiotics & the high-polyphenol Mediterranean diet
45:48 – The importance of magnesium & where to get it
53:34 – Magnesium, cognition & dementia risk
55:44 – Why dark chocolate is part of his routine
Andy has been a registered dietitian in private practice for the last 10 years, combining his desire for private client coaching with reaching a larger audience via his books and social media content. A master's nutrition graduate from the University of Toronto School Of Public Health, Andy started his career in the R&D department of Diabetes Canada before starting his own general private practice and beginning the road towards focusing on liver and metabolic health.
Connect with Andy
Email: [email protected]
IG & TikTok: @andytherd
Course: https://www.fatty-liver-masterclass.com/watch
Website: https://andytherd.com
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⚠️ Disclaimer
The information in this podcast/video is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any questions about your health, medical conditions, or before making changes to your diet, exercise, or treatment plan.
