On March 28, 2014, Dave Willits suffered a heart attack at work, and died at the hospital later that day.
Several times, in fact.
Luckily for him (and us), he was revived every time, and awoke from his surgery vowing never to take another day for granted. Dave had thought himself in good shape at the age of 53, so he quickly realized that all his assumptions about how to have a healthy heart were flawed.
He immediately began searching the Web for information. He checked out vegetarian diets, the Mediterranean Diet, and on a tip from his sister, looked up the raw vegan Hippocrates Institute.
He soon discovered that the best heart health diet – indeed, the only one ever shown in a clinical setting to reverse heart disease – was the one promoted by Caldwell Esselstyn, MD, of the Cleveland Clinic.
He viewed every talk given by Dr Esselstyn on YouTube, watched Forks Over Knives, and ordered Esselstyn's book, Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease via amazon next-day delivery.
After reading it cover to cover, Dave penned a short note to the email address given at the back of the book. Later that morning, Dave's cell phone rang with an Ohio number. “This is doctor Caldwell Esselstyn,” the resonant voice said.
And the rest is history.
[powerpress]
In our conversation, we explore Dave's conversion to a plant-based running lifestyle, and the lessons it holds for the rest of us. We covered:
- his Day 1 “leafy green disaster”
- why he refused a widow-maker stent (and his cardiologist's warning)
- the outrage of doctors predetermining patient non-compliance
- “you're healthier than I am; see you in a year”
- lessons from 25 years in the pizza business
- how he learned plant-based eating by trial and error
- from Egg McMuffins to daily oatmeal
- the benefits of lack of variety
- Dave's staple go-to meals and menu items
- a couple of simple and delicious Instant Pot soups
- food as fuel (vs getting triggered by every billboard and advertisement)
- the value of listening to his body
- taking up running on the one-year anniversary of his death
- the importance of 100% commitment
- Dave's running life
- Dave's impact on his friends, family, and co-workers
- 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
Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, by Caldwell Esselstyn, MD
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September 22, 2016 by Healthy_MindBodyHoward's line-up of interviewees touches on every aspect of the whole-food plantbased lifestyle, really driving home the message that — now more than ever — what we put in our mouths every day affects not only our own health, but also the health of our planet and the wellbeing of ALL our fellow Earthlings. A must-subscribe for everyone, regardless of where you are on the plantbased continuum.
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Check out my online TV show, Triangle Be Well. This week I talk about nothing, because I had a nasty head cold and I stayed in bed and made pitiful noises until someone brought me tea.
My stuffed nose made it easier to watch the debate, however, as I was able to play a sniffing game with the Republican nominee that took my mind off the actual words being spoken.
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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.
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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.
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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 🙂
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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.
LOVED this podcast. What an inspiration he is. Seeing himself about to get shocked with the paddles….woah.
I am going to listen to this as I have a husband who could really benefit from this. I am so grateful to this community–going plant-based turned my health around as well. I still have a ways to go, but I already enjoy a better life. Thank you.
Thanks, Cara, for your kind feedback.
You and your husband may want to check out the Big Change Program that Josh LaJaunie and I will be running in November. It might be just the ticket. Are you on my mailing list? If so, you’ll get notified soon. If not, there’s a signup box on the right of every page on PlantYourself.com!
Howie, your podcast seems to have a brain-altering effect. After listening to this today (one of the many plant-based-athlete transformation stories I have listened to here), I just impulsively registered for my first 5k race ever and first footrace of any kind since grade 7.
Awesome, Vicki! Are you on Strava so I can follow your progress and cheer you on?