Firefighters are heroes. We look up to them because they’re strong, they’re brave and they put themselves in danger to help others. But more firefighters die each year from heart attacks than in the line of duty. How can plant-based eating help? And what can their success with diet changes teach us all?
WELCOME TO THE DARIN OLIEN SHOW
Rip Esselstyn saved a firefighter’s health with plant-based eating. Now he wants us to save ourselves.
As one of the premier triathletes in the world, Rip Esselstyn joined the Austin Fire Department to begin a career as a first responder. He was surprised to learn that the firefighter culture was full of unhealthy eating habits. Determined to change that, Rip stepped in to help a brother firefighter transform his poor health with a diet overhaul. He then documented his approach and results in his best-selling book The Engine 2 Diet. Rip and his friend’s experience with plant-based eating was even featured in the popular documentary Forks Over Knives.
Now, as the founder of PLANTSTRONG, Rip develops and implements a range of programs and events all geared towards educating people across the globe on how to live a “plantstrong” life. He’s even launching a new line of plant-based foods like granola, popcorn, soups and stews that will be sold in grocery stores across the nation.
This incredibly dedicated man reminds me so much of myself, guys! I was so grateful to connect with him and get to share such a meaningful conversation. Rip shares my vision of spreading the plant-based message. And just like me, he just wants more people to eat more plants. We both were blessed with fathers that we adored and loved, and looked up to so much. Rip shared beautiful memories of his Dad that inspired his entire life’s mission and how he still uses his teachings every day. This bad-ass firefighter is such an inspiration, and I can’t wait for you to hear his story.
ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:08:05] Rip’s memories of his dad
[00:15:00] What a vegan triathlete eats
[00:19:05] The transition to firefighter
[00:26:50] The nitty-gritty of being a first responder
[00:30:00] How Rip convinced his fellow firefighters to try plant-based eating
[00:31:42] The plant-based firefighters
[00:44:25] What’s next for Rip
LINKS:
Order PLANTSTRONG Foods
PLANTSTRONG
Follow Rip on Instagram - @ripesselstyn
Check out PLANTSTRONG on Instagram - @goplantstrong
Get 15% off your Barukas Nuts with code “DARIN”
Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Podcast Intro
Darin: You are listening to the Darin Olien Show. I’m Darin. I spent the last 20 years devoted to improving health, protecting the environment, and finding ways to live a more sustainable life. In this podcast, I have honest conversations with people that inspire me. I hope that through their knowledge and unique perspectives they’ll inspire you too. We talk about all kinds of topics, from camping up your diets to improving your well-being to the mind-blowing stories behind the human experience and the people that are striving to save us and our incredible planet. We even investigate some of life’s fatal conveniences, those things that we are told might be good for us but totally aren’t. So here’s to making better choices in the small tweaks in your life that amount to big changes for you and the people around you and the planet. Let’s do this. This is my show, the Darin Olien Show.
[00:01:11] Guest Intro - Rip Essylstyn
Darin: Hey, everybody, this is Darin Olien. This is the Darin Olien Show. Thanks for tuning in. I’m stoked to have you here. I have an amazing guest, Rip Esselstyn, who’s a stud, a brother from another mother without a doubt. He’s got an incredible story of how he got there as a stud, ironman triathlete, a firefighter, just overall strong, powerful, cool, heart-centered dude. And whenever I get to meet another strong brother like that, I love it because I relate on a blue-collar level. I like to work hard.
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