Rip Esselstyn welcomes back Dr. Dawn Mussallem, a breast cancer and lifestyle medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic, to discuss the latest research about the profound impact of whole food, plant-based nutrition on cancer prevention and treatment.

The conversation delves into the alarming rise of breast cancer diagnoses in younger populations, emphasizing the need for early intervention and lifestyle modifications to reduce risk factors. Dr. Mussallem passionately advocates for a dietary shift towards whole plant foods (among the other lifestyle medicine pillars), detailing how these choices can empower patients in their recovery and enhance overall health.

The discussion also includes current research, including a meta-analysis showing that soy consumption is beneficial for breast cancer survivors and insights into how plant-based diets can improve quality of life during treatment.

Dr. Mussallem encourages her patients to focus on what they can control, namely their food choices, to foster better health outcomes and support their cancer recovery journey.

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Actress Toks Olagundoye shares her remarkable journey as a breast cancer survivor while navigating the entertainment industry.

Olagundoye, known for her roles in shows like 'Veep,' 'Castle' and the newly rebooted 'Frasier', opens up about her diagnosis and the critical role that diet and lifestyle have played in her health, emphasizing that she's dairy free and hasn't eaten a mammal in over 30 years.

The discussion also touches on the emotional impact of cancer, not just on the patient but also on their loved ones, particularly how her husband, friends, and co-workers stepped up to assist in her needs.

Her story is a testament to resilience, reminding listeners that while cancer can be a daunting adversary, it also presents opportunities for personal growth and deeper connections with those around us.

The episode concludes with a powerful message about the significance of laughter and joy in the healing process, encapsulated in Alagundoye's wise words, "If laughter is medicine, then I'm heavily medicated."

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How many of us try to avoid pain at all costs? When life throws us challenges—whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a job crisis, or health struggles—it’s easy to shut down or numb out with distractions like food, Netflix, or social media.

In my conversation with New York Times bestselling author Kris Carr, we talk about how avoiding pain can harm both our mental and physical health. In her new book, I’m Not a Mourning Person: Braving Loss, Grief, and the Big Messy Emotions That Happen When Life Falls Apart, Kris shares how she faced her own struggles—losing her father, a tough business period, and her 20-year cancer diagnosis—all during the pandemic.

Kris’ story is a powerful reminder that embracing grief and hardship can lead to profound growth and transformation.

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Today, we invite you to meet Shayda Soleymani and Gustavo Tolosa. These two friends are from vastly different cultures - Iran and Argentina - but what they have in common is this:  a shared love of their home country’s culture, food, and traditions.

They also share something else in common – successful health and weight loss journeys thanks to the power of a whole foods, plant-based diet. 

Shayda shares her Iranian culinary heritage and how she adapted traditional recipes, while Gustavo discusses his Argentine background and struggles with weight and mental health before finding whole food, plant-based nutrition.  

Together, they want to help you get your health back without sacrificing who you are or what you love with their book Live Your Healthiest Life, featuring over 135 SOS-free recipes (salt, oil, and sugar-free). 

 We know that family culture and tradition plays a HUGE role in our lives, and you don’t have to give that up in order to live your healthiest life. 

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Kiki Nelson first appeared on the PLANTSTRONG Podcast on episode 200, but she is back with a new book, Plantifully Simple: 100 Plant-Based Recipes and Meal Plans for Health and Weight-Loss.

This book is a treasure trove of 100 plant-based recipes and meal plans designed for health and weight loss, making meals deliciously simple and accessible.

Plantifully Simple not only provides recipes, but also practical guidance on meal planning for weight loss. She discusses her plate-building technique, which focuses on filling your plate with 50% non-starchy vegetables and 50% starches, allowing for abundant, calorie-dense meals that promote satiety without the guilt. Kiki explains how this approach helped her lose over 70 pounds and overcome weight loss plateaus by developing a better understanding of calorie density. Her goal is to help listeners discover that they can eat plentifully while also reaching their health aspirations.

And, as a bonus, Kiki whips up her simple chickpea omelets and breakfast taco recipes noting that they are not only easy to prepare but also adaptable for various meals throughout the week!

Kiki’s incredible journey and the insightful strategies she offers serve as a reminder that being PLANTSTRONG is not just about what you eat, but how you think and approach your health.

Her book, Plantifully Simple is a valuable resource for anyone looking to simplify their cooking and nourish their bodies.

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Dr. Kim Scheuer is a dynamic plant-based telehealth physician and a passionate advocate for lifestyle medicine. Affectionately known as "Dr. Kale" by her patients, she shares her remarkable journey from a traditional family physician to embracing a plant-based lifestyle after navigating her own health challenges and witnessing the impact of nutrition on diseases.

In 2011, Dr. Kim Scheuer was a burned out family physician caught in the same grind of many physicians – long hours, diminishing patient care, and running on the hamster wheel of the “healthcare” system. 

It was also around this time that Kim realized she was just one-year shy of the age her mother was when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Determined not to walk this path, she started doing her research and what she found both astonished and angered her.

Of course, she found The China Study, Forks over Knives, and other resources, but how had she not learned any of this information in medical school??! How was she not familiar with the work of Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Fuhrman, Dr. McDougall, or Dr. Esselstyn?

It didn’t take long for this self-proclaimed “Milky Way vegetarian” and food addict to radically overhaul her own lifestyle and, ultimately, her medical practice. Today, she’s a plant-based telehealth physician with Love.Life Telehealth and she’s also board certified in Lifestyle Medicine. She works with patients in 25 states with general health and wellness, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, blood pressure, cholesterol control, cancer prevention and food addiction. 

Today, you’ll hear about her very personal journey, her passion for growing her own food, her connection to nature and her very personal “why” she needed to be plantstrong.

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Dr. Ruth Heidrich is a pioneering figure in the plant-based movement and a remarkable breast cancer survivor. In 1982, she adopted a vegan lifestyle following her diagnosis of stage four breast cancer. Her journey is one of resilience and serendipity, as she not only overcame her illness but also became a celebrated marathoner, triathlete, and IRONMAN competitor.

She shares the pivotal moment when she met Dr. John McDougall, who introduced her to the principles of a low-fat, plant-based diet. This dietary shift was not just a temporary change for her; it was a lifeline that contributed significantly to her remarkable recovery and subsequent athletic achievements.

Her accomplishments are astounding—She was voted Runner’s World Magazine’s “Runner of the Year” and is the winner of more than 900 trophies (and counting!),  8 Gold Medals in the U.S.Senior Olympics, and 67 marathons including Boston, New York, & Moscow. Dr. Heidrich attributes much of her longevity and athletic success to her commitment to a vegan lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of proper nutrition and exercise in maintaining health and vitality.

Rip and Ruth also discuss her updated book, A Race for Life, which is celebrating its 24th anniversary. The revised edition includes extensive insights into the latest research and personal anecdotes that illustrate her journey, including her complicated experiences with reconstruction surgeries and implants after her cancer treatments.

Dr. Heidrich exemplifies an indomitable spirit and a compelling can-do attitude, offering insights into how challenges can strengthen rather than define a person. Her philosophy, inspired by Dr. Seuss, reminds us that in the face of adversity, we have the power to choose our response—whether to let it define us, destroy us, or strengthen us.

Ruth is a beacon of hope and inspiration for anyone seeking to optimize their health through a plant-based lifestyle. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact that nutrition and a positive mindset can have on our lives.

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Rip welcomes the incredible Chef AJ, a beloved figure in the plant-based community, known for her generous spirit and culinary expertise.

Her new cookbook, "Sweet Indulgence," comes out on August 27th, and they dive into her journey, the inspiration behind the book, and the creative process that culminated in over 150 healthy dessert recipes.

Chef AJ also demonstrates a live recipe for her famous Frozen Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake, a delightful treat that is both indulgent and guilt-free.

They discuss the health benefits of her recipes, emphasizing the importance of using whole foods and natural sweeteners like dates instead of refined sugars. Chef AJ highlights her philosophy of making desserts accessible and tempting for everyone, regardless of their dietary preferences. She shares anecdotes from her past, including her early experiences in the culinary world and her successful transition to a whole food, plant-based lifestyle.

Throughout the episode, Chef AJ's passion for cooking shines as she explains her methods, including the use of more flavorful and healthful ingredients, and the significance of recipe structure. They also touch on memorable moments at Plantstock and the supportive network within the plant-based movement.

Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, Chef AJ's approachable recipes aim to inspire joy and connection through the simple act of sharing dessert.

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Dr. Akil Taher describes himself as a former “couch potato, and a pampered consumer who feasted over the best foods without worrying about unhealthy consequences.” 

Like a lot of us, he didn’t worry until he had to, and then he eventually succumbed to the habits of the decadent western lifestyle. At age 62, this remarkable doctor had bypass surgery. “Fortunately,” he says, “Determination ran deep in my veins, so I decided to completely change my life.”  

And, wouldn’t you know, Dr. Akil Taher – now in his 70s - is an experienced marathoner, cyclist, and whole food plant-based advocate. He’s even climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro - the highest free standing mountain in the world! 

He shares his experiences before and after surgery, discussing his struggles with depression and how he turned adversity into motivation for a healthier lifestyle. The conversation explores the importance of mental health alongside physical well-being, emphasizing the role of community, spirituality, and a whole food plant-based diet in his transformation.

Dr. Taher’s insights, detailed in his book "Open Heart," serve as a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to embark on a journey of health and happiness.

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Kori Clark looks back on her childhood and doesn’t remember a time when she didn’t feel shame around food. Like many who grew up in the 70s and 80s (and the introduction of fast food), Kori LOVED Kraft Mac-n-Cheese, Chef Boyardee, and any “food” that came out of a box.

As she recalls in today’s episode, her food addiction and obsession go back as far as she can remember, to the point where she even remembers telling herself not to eat a piece of her own birthday cake - at just six years old.

Determined to lose weight, she tried everything – Weight Watchers, Paleo, Nutri-System, even phen phen pills when those were legal. And, no surprise, she would lose weight for a time, but would inevitably self-sabotage and the weight and health issues would return.

Just over a year ago, Kori watched the What the Health documentary and went down the rabbit hole of whole food, plant-based nutrition. This led to other books and documentaries including, Forks over Knives and Game Changers. She’s already dropped over 120 pounds and, according to her doctors, now has the heart of an elite athlete. Even her OB-GYN was shocked that a woman could actually lose weight post-menopause!

Yes, she’s lost weight and improved her metabolic health, but Kori is most happy to be free from her food addiction.

How did she do it?

She stresses the importance of preparation, shares her daily plant-based eating habits, and encourages listeners to consider the impact of dietary choices on health. Kori's perseverance, positive attitude, and support from the PLANTSTRONG community serve as ongoing motivation for her health journey.

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Beth Motley, MD grew up an athlete and always had an interest in nutrition. Once she went into medical school, however, she realized that good nutrition is about way more than just athletic performance. It’s about longevity, disease prevention, and disease reversal. It’s about human health. 

This inspired her to train under the greats like Dr. John McDougall, Dr. Ron Weiss, Dr. Neal Barnard, Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn and pursue family and lifestyle medicine as a career. What a resume of training, right?

Today, Dr. Motley and Rip Esselstyn dive into the importance of meeting patients where they are in their journeys and focusing on small “atomic habits” to create lasting change.

They also chat about the perks of a plant-based diet for cancer prevention and managing diabetes with personalized approaches, emphasizing the power of patient education and understanding the science behind dietary choices to effectively reverse insulin resistance.

Finally, Dr. Motley shares how she navigates her hectic life with five children, four of whom are under the age of five!

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