PLANTSTRONG

What happens when a doctor realizes that pills weren’t healing her patients—but plants were? You have the makings of a wonderful interview with triple board-certified physician Dr. Regina Ragasa.

As a specialist in obesity and lifestyle medicine, Regina opens up about her transformation from a conventional doctor (aka - “drug dealer”) to a fierce advocate for whole food, plant-based nutrition.

You'll hear how a single conversation with a colleague sparked her interest in reversing chronic illness through diet—ultimately leading to a life-changing shift in how she practices medicine.

Dr. Ragasa breaks down her three core rules for sustainable weight loss and optimal health:

1. Remove all animal products
2. Eliminate ultra-processed foods
3. Cook without oil

Each rule is backed by science and real-life success stories—including the inspiring case of her “patient zero” who reversed diabetes without medication.

Rip and Dr. Regasa dive deep into the challenges and misconceptions surrounding obesity, GLP-1 medications, and food culture and, with honesty and hope, she urges us all to embrace food as medicine and rethink the way we define health and healing.

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What if your next meal could change a life—starting with your own?

Rip sits down with Chef Kevin McGee, a 25-year veteran of plant-based living and the visionary behind the Urban Oak Initiative. From his Missouri roots and a former career in investment banking, to leading a nonprofit centered on food justice, Kevin shares a moving personal and professional journey grounded in compassion, health, and cultural heritage.

Listeners will hear how Kevin’s childhood influences—especially his mother and grandmother—shaped his culinary philosophy.

And you’ll hear a very personal story—how his daughter’s battle with cancer became a turning point in his life, igniting a new level of purpose that fuels everything he does today.

This episode is a masterclass in how food can nourish not just our bodies, but our spirits and communities as well. So grab a seat at the table—Chef Kevin is serving up something truly special.

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SPECIAL Food Promo for Podcast Listeners Only!

Use code: podcast10 to receive 10% off food orders at plantstrong.com

Upcoming Events:

Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Use Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/

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

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What if stress isn’t the enemy—but a secret ingredient for a longer, healthier life?

Rip is joined by Dr. Sharon Horesh Bergquist, physician, scientist, and author of The Stress Paradox, to explore how certain types of stress can actually help us thrive.

In this conversation, we’ll explore what she calls "good stress" and her five key stressors that can enhance our longevity and healthspan:

• Plant-based phytochemicals
• Intermittent intense exercise
• Thermal stress (heat and cold exposure)
• Circadian fasting
• Mental and emotional challenges

These kinds of stressors can actually activate the body’s repair systems and boost our physical and mental health.

You’ll also learn why modern comfort might be making us sicker, how to safely introduce beneficial stress into our lives, and practical, actionable strategies for building resilience and boosting vitality.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea that stress is something to avoid at all costs, this episode will offer you a liberating and science-backed shift in perspective.

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SPECIAL Food Promo for Podcast Listeners Only!

Use code: podcast10 to receive 10% off food orders at plantstrong.com

Upcoming Events:

Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Use Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/

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

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Rip sits down with Dr. Jules Cormier, a dynamic family physician from Shediac, New Brunswick, who has transformed his medical practice—and personal life—through the principles of lifestyle medicine.

A former sufferer of asthma, eczema, and chronic hives, Jules shares how a whole food, plant-based diet not only healed his ailments but also revitalized his family’s health and well-being.

Dr. Cormier integrates nutrition, exercise, and education into his clinical practice, empowering patients to take charge of their own health. He opens up about the challenges of shifting mindsets in a community rooted in traditional diets, and how he bridges that gap with empathy, evidence, and resources from his blog.

But Jules isn’t just prescribing leafy greens—he’s living the example. A passionate athlete and Ninja Warrior competitor, he speaks about the biochemical and emotional power of movement, and how his family trains together to stay active and connected.

Whether you're a physician, parent, or simply plant-curious, this episode will leave you inspired to take the next step toward better health—one plant and one pull-up at a time.

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SPECIAL Food Promo for Podcast Listeners Only!

Use code: podcast10 to receive 10% off food orders at plantstrong.com

Upcoming Events:

Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Use Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/

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

Leave Us a Voicemail Question

Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/plantstrong

Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstyn

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When a health scare and personal loss collided, Michelle Joy Kramer found a new path—one rooted in healing, purpose, and plants. A PLANTSTRONG retreat alum and concierge health coach, Michelle shares how she shifted from vegetarianism to a whole food, plant-based lifestyle, dramatically improving her health and inspiring others to do the same.

In this episode, Michelle reveals how she:

• Lowered her cholesterol and improved her health in months
• Navigates social settings and restaurants with intention
• Uses tech tools like Garmin for accountability
• Integrates mindfulness and meditation into client care
• Coaches high-powered professionals with compassion and clarity

Michelle’s journey is a powerful reminder that with the right mindset and support, transformation is always possible.

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

SPECIAL Food Promo for Podcast Listeners Only!

Use code: podcast10 to receive 10% off food orders at plantstrong.com

Upcoming Events:

Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Use Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/

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

Leave Us a Voicemail Question

Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/plantstrong

Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstyn

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

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Traveling while sticking to a whole food, plant-based lifestyle can be tricky—but it’s absolutely doable with the right mindset and tools.

In this episode, hosts Rip Esselstyn and his producer, Carrie Barrett, dive into the real-life challenges plant-based eaters face when away from home.

Their advice for restaurants? Don't be afraid to be FAB.

• Figure out what you can eat
• Ask for what you want
• Bring your own food

They break down each part of the FAB method with humor, empathy, and personal stories—proving that with a little planning and flexibility, you can thrive anywhere, even in the most unfamiliar food settings.

Whether you’re navigating airport terminals, hotel buffets, or international menus, this episode equips you with the tools to stay grounded in your health goals and enjoy the journey. Because being PLANTSTRONG isn’t just a way of eating—it’s a way of living.

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

SPECIAL Food Promo for Podcast Listeners Only!

Use code: podcast10 to receive 10% off food orders at plantstrong.com

Upcoming Events:

Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Use Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/

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

Leave Us a Voicemail Question

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In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Rip sits down with Lucas McLawhorn—educator, cancer survivor, and founder of the plant-based food truck Well Fed Ed.

Lucas shares his powerful story of transformation, from the classroom to the kitchen, driven by a deep desire to serve and educate his community through healthy, plant-based meals. He opens up about his battle with cancer, the life-changing role nutrition played in his recovery, and the family and cultural influences that shaped his approach to wellness.

Listeners will be moved by Lucas’s reflections on:

• The intersection of education and nutrition
• The challenges and triumphs of launching a food truck business
• His decision to return to the U.S. after living in Switzerland
• The joy of building community through food and service
• His love for the people of Eastern North Carolina and the United States

This episode is a testament to the healing power of food and the importance of purpose-driven living. Whether you're passionate about plant-based eating, curious about food entrepreneurship, or simply in need of a little inspiration, Lucas’s story is sure to resonate.

Episode Resources

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Use code: podcast10 to receive 10% off food orders at plantstrong.com

Upcoming Events:

Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Use Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/

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

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In this inspiring episode, Rip sits down with Heidi Farina to hear how she went from college athlete and biotech manager, to full-time artist and plant-based advocate.

After experiencing deep personal loss and burnout during the pandemic, Heidi realized something had to give. What followed was a powerful transformation rooted in health, healing, and rediscovery.

Heidi opens up about her decision to embrace a whole food plant-based lifestyle, how it helped her reclaim her energy and creativity, and what it really took to step away from a life that no longer aligned with her values.

She shares the emotional journey of balancing motherhood, grief, and self-care—and how she now prioritizes mental health and boundaries while pursuing a life that truly feels like her own.

She discusses:

• The impact of family’s health history on her wellness journey
• The moment she knew she needed to make a major life change
• How switching to a whole food plant-based diet jump-started her healing
• Finding the courage to go “all in,” regardless of criticism and opinions of others
• What it takes to rebuild your identity after burnout and loss
• Tips for setting boundaries and creating a life of balance
• Why it’s never too late to start over and pursue what lights you up

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Rip Esselstyn sits down with John Joseph—author, musician, and former frontman of the iconic hardcore punk band Cro-Mags—to explore a story of survival that defies belief.

John’s journey takes us far below rock bottom: addiction to crack cocaine, pills, and alcohol; a life of crime on the streets of New York; time spent in foster care and juvenile detention; and the devastating loss of loved ones to violence and substance abuse. But somehow, against all odds, John fought his way back—and now lives a life centered on service, discipline, and purpose.

Today, he’s a sober, plant-based IRONMAN triathlete, motivational speaker, and the author of the powerful new book Destroying Monsters.

John shares how the straight edge punk rock scene and the Hare Krishna movement helped transform his life, and how Destroying Monsters offers real tools for those battling their own demons.

He discusses:

• His descent into addiction and the dark underworld of crime
• How punk, spirituality, and service saved his life
• The power of discipline and Positive Mental Attitude (PMA)
• How his plant-based lifestyle fuels his endurance training
• Why Destroying Monsters is more than a memoir—it’s a guide to transformation

Whether you’re facing your own struggles or simply need a dose of no-holds-barred inspiration, this conversation will light a fire under you.

Episode Webpage

Watch the Episode on YouTube

SPECIAL Food Promo for Podcast Listeners Only!

Use code: podcast10 to receive 10% off food orders at plantstrong.com

Upcoming Events:

Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat

Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey

Use Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/

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

Leave Us a Voicemail Question

Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/plantstrong

Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstyn

https://plantstrongfoods.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