Adam and Shoshana Chaim are the hosts of the most excellent Plant Trainers Podcast. Their journey of discovery and transformation is one that needs to be heard by everyone who may ever come into contact with the medical establishment. (And even more so by the members of that establishment.)
Adam was always fit and in good health, so he thought. Working out, playing sports, maintaining a healthy weight; what more could possibly be required, right?
Then one day while watching TV, he experienced a sharp shooting pain across his chest. He was too young to have a heart attack, he thought. Scared and confused, he went to the ER, his thoughts swirling around his young wife and one-year-old son. Was he going to check out this early in life?
Two weeks later, he received a call from the hospital, asking (out of the blue) if Adam had scheduled his oncology appointment yet. Oncology? Isn't that the study of cancer? What the f—?
Following the oncologist's examination, Adam was told that he had a tumor on his left kidney that was most likely cancerous, and should have his entire kidney removed. Now was the time for a second opinion, and a third. The second surgeon was slightly more conservative, suggesting removal of just 3/4 of the kidney. And the third picked up on the words “most likely” and suggested a biopsy.
You know, just for kicks, to see if whatever it was, was in fact cancer.
It wasn't. A fact that took over a month to discover, thanks to the glacial pace of the Toronto OHIP medicare system. A month in which Shoshana was becoming more and more pregnant (is that a thing? Can you get “more pregnant”?) and the stress of not knowing and fearing the worst was taking its toll on the young family.
Then came the phone call with the results. Good news and bad news.
It's not cancer. (Huge sigh of relief.)
But it's possible a rare genetic disorder, von Hippel-Lindau disease, which deposits tumors all along the central nervous system, and rarely allows people to live past 40. Adam and Shoshana googled it, which turned out to be a huge mistake. They were scared out of their wits at the future that awaited them.
Then a Friend Who Knows Things (thank God for people like that in our lives!) informed Adam that there was an easy way to diagnose von Hippel-Lindau for certain: a simple retinal exam. And that exam, once conducted, showed no sign of a genetic disorder.
It did, however, reveal clear blockages of the arteries of the eyes, a sure sign of progressive cardiovascular disease.
At this point, jerked around and fed up by the medical establishment, Adam started doing his own research. He vowed to heal himself without surgeries or medications, the two tools of choice of the medical establishment that had caused him so much needless suffering. He began by reading Thrive, by Brendan Brazier, and so lucked onto the path of plant-based eating.
Shoshana was dragged into the lifestyle, and they navigated a divided fridge for a few years. Then upon reading Skinny Bitch, she began her own transition.
[powerpress]
In our conversation, Adam and Shoshana and I covered:
- the challenges of transitioning to a plant-based diet
- “6 years of marriage pretending I couldn't cook”
- how Forks Over Knives touched Adam, but not Shoshana
- participating in a triathlon without knowing how to swim
- the mystical, magical advice from a stranger at the pool
- how Shoshana was moved by Skinny Bitch, and how she transitioned in her own way and her own time
- Adam's shrinking tumor and healing eye arteries, and the bafflement of the medical profession
- training harder and recovering faster
- Shoshana's post-partum depression and anxiety: “I thrive with PTSD”
- teaching kids about healthy eating at an early age
- starting to convince doctors to take a look at this plant-based business
- and much more…
Enjoy, add your voice to the conversation via the comment box below, and please share – that's how we spread our message and spread our roots.
Links
Thrive, by Brendan Brazier
Skinny Bitch, by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin
Adam and Shoshana's Links
Plant-Based Health, Nutrition and Fitness
Healthy Plant-Based Families
Contact Adam and Shoshana In**@pl***********.com
Plant Trainers Website PlantTrainers.com
Plant Trainers 1 Week Plant-Based Meal Plan
Support the Podcast
Like what you hear? You can contribute to the growth and improvement of the podcast by becoming a patron. Click the “Support on Patreon” or “Donate” buttons on the right to help out.
Gratitudes
Thanks to Plant Yourself podcast patrons
– Kim Harrison
– Lynn McLellan
– Anthony Dissen
– Brittany Porter
– Dominic Marro
– Elizabeth Clifton
– Barbara Whitney
– Tammy Black
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– Mary Jane Wheeler
– Ellen Kennelly
– Melissa Cobb
– Rachel Behrens
– Christine Nielsen
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– Tina Ahern
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– David Byczek
– Michele X
– Elspeth Feldman
– Viktoriya Dolomanova
– Leah Stolar
– Allan Kristensen
– Colleen Peck
– Michele Landry
– Jozina
– Julianne Rowland
– Stu Dolnick
– Sara Durkacs (rhymes with circus)
for your generous support of the podcast.
Announcements
Check out my online TV show, Triangle Be Well. This week I talk about America’s cheese addiction, and the dangers of all psychiatric drugs (and the whole profession, really).
Ready to embark on your Big Change journey?
Are you tired of knowing what to do, and still not doing it consistently? The Big Change Program, led by Josh LaJaunie and myself, will help you take the steps to finally live according to your knowledge and values.
Join the Plant Yourself mailing list (top right of this page) to learn more, and to get notified about the next Bobsled Run of the program.
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Music
The Plant Yourself Podcast theme music, “Dance of Peace (Sabali Don),” is generously provided by Will Ridenour, a kora player from North Carolina who has trained with top Senegalese musicians.
It can be found on his first CD, titled Will Ridenour.
You can learn about Will, listen to more tracks, and buy music on his website, WillRidenour.com.
Disclosure
This post may contain amazon affiliate links. I may receive amazon gift certificates from your actions on such links.
Looking for Transformational Change?
You know how when you discovered plant-based eating, you basically went, “Holy shit, how come the entire healthcare system isn't totally embracing this as one of the most powerful keys to disease prevention and reversal!”?
That's how I feel now about a psychological approach to transformational change called “Memory Reconsolidation.” Few psychologists have heard about it, and when they do hear the radical transformations it can bring about in a very short time, they're often skeptical to the point of disbelief.
But I've added Memory Reconsolidation work to my own coaching, and can attest to its amazing efficacy. So much so, that I'm devoting the next year to mastering it, studying with the best clinicians and teachers in the world, and then introducing it into health coaching through my trainings.
Right now, I want to triple my coaching practice to get more and more opportunities to do this work. And I'm lowering my fees – a lot – to make it easier for people to work with me.
If you're interested in working with me (and willing to commit to a minimum of 2 months), click the link below to open the form in a new browser tab and I'll get back to you within 3 business days.
Yes, I'm interested in Memory Reconsolidation Coaching.
You CAN Change Other People!
Well, that's what Peter Bregman and I claim in our provocative book of that title.
What we really mean is, you can help the people around you make behavioral changes in their own best interests. If you think you're powerless to help people change, it's because you've been going about it the wrong way.
Discover our straightforward, replicable process here: You Can Change Other People.
Audiobook: Use the Weight to Lose the Weight
Listen to Josh LaJaunie and me narrate our latest audiobook, about how to start moving when you're obese.
It's $10, and Josh and I split it evenly 🙂
Tip Jar
This podcast is not underwritten by advertising, so I can experience complete editorial autonomy without worrying about pissing off the person paying the bills. Instead, I pay the bills, with your help. It's free for those who can't afford to pay, and supported by those who can. You can contribute to the growth and improvement of the podcast by clicking the “Support on Patreon” or “Donate” buttons on the right to help out.
Music
The Plant Yourself Podcast theme music, “Dance of Peace (Sabali Don),” is generously provided by Will Ridenour, a kora player from North Carolina who has trained with top Senegalese musicians.
It can be found on his first CD, titled Will Ridenour.
You can learn about Will, listen to more tracks, and buy music on his website, WillRidenour.com.
Gratitudes
Thanks to Plant Yourself podcast patrons – Kim Harrison – Lynn McLellan – Brittany Porter – Dominic Marro – Barbara Whitney – Tammy Black – Amy Good – Amanda Hatherly – Mary Jane Wheeler – Ellen Kennelly – Melissa Cobb – Rachel Behrens – Tina Scharf – Tina Ahern – Jen Vilkinofsky – David Byczek – Michele X – Elspeth Feldman – Leah Stolar – Allan Kristensen – Colleen Peck – Michele Landry – Jozina – Sara Durkacs – Kelly Cameron – Janet Selby – Claire Adams – Tom Fronczak – Jeannette Benham – Gila Lacerte – David Donohue – Blair Seibert – Doron Avizov – Gio and Carolyn Argentati – Jodi Friesner – Mischa Rosen – Michael Worobiec – AvIvA Lael – Alicia Lemus – Val Linnemann – Nick Harper – Bandana Chawla – Molly Levine – The Inscrutable Harry R – Susan Laverty the Panda Vegan – Craig Covic – Adam Scharf – Karen Bury – Heather Morgan – Nigel Davies – Marian Blum – Teresa Kopel – Julian Watkins – Brid O'Connell – Shannon Herschman – Linda Ayotte – Holm Hedegaard – Isa Tousignant – Connie Haneline – Erin Greer – Alicia Davis – Heather O'Connor – Carollynne Jensen – Sheri Orlekoski of Plant Powered for Health – Karen Smith – Scott Mirani – Karen and Joe Crabtree – Kirby Burton – Theresa Carrell – Kevin Macaulay – Elizabeth Rothschild – Ann Jesse – Sheryl Dwyer – Jenny Hazelton – Peter W Evans – Dennis Bird – Darby Kelly – Lori Fanney – Linnea Lundquist – Emily Iaconelli – Levi Wallach – Rosamonde McAtee – Dan Pokorney – Stephen Leinin – Patty DeMartino – Mike and Donna Kartz – Deanne Bishop – Bilberry Elf – Marjorie Lewis – Tricia Adams – Nancy Sheldon – Lindsey Bashore – Gunn Marit Hagen – Tracey Gulledge – Lara Hedin – Meg from Mamasezz – Stacey Stokes – Ben Savage – Michael K – David Hughes -Coni Rodgers – Claire England – Sally Robertson – Parham Ganchi – Amy Dailey – Brian Tourville – Mark Jeffrey Johnson – Josie Dempsey – Caryn Schmitt – Pamela Hayden – Emily Perryman – Allison Corbett – Richard Stone – Lauren Vaught of Edible Musings – Erin Hastey – Sean Owens – Sagar Naik – Erika Piedra – Danielle Roberts – Michael Leuchten – Sarah Johnson – Katharine Floyd – Meryl Fury – for your generous support of the podcast.
Disclosure
This post may contain amazon affiliate links. I may receive compensation from your actions on such links. It don't cost you a dime, tho.
