Ep. 262 - Akil Taher, MD - Living Life with an Open Heart
PLANTSTRONG Podcast
Rip Esselstyn
4.8 • 2.3K Ratings
🗓️ 15 August 2024
⏱️ 70 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
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.
Upcoming Events:
Register for Plant-Stock August 16th-18th, 2024: https://liveplantstrong.com/
Sedona Retreat - October 8th-13th, 2024
https://plantstrongfoods.com/pages/2024-sedona-retreat
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/
Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey
Use Code: PSSUMMER20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/
https://myplantstrong.com/b/trailblazer
Follow the PLANTSTRONG Podcast and Give the Show a 5-star Rating
Theme Music for Episode
https://app.soundstripe.com/songs/10845
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | I'm R. Besselston and you're listening to the Plan Strong Podcast. |
| 0:05.3 | Today I'm going to introduce you to a surgeon who, like so many of us, thought, |
| 0:12.0 | oh, heart disease will never happen to me. But you know how this |
| 0:18.8 | story goes at the age of 62. this gentleman needed to have open heart surgery and it challenged |
| 0:27.5 | every single belief that he had around his health and longevity. Today, Dr. Akeel Teher is a plan-strong marathoner, mountaineer, and cyclist who shares his journey with his patients, |
| 0:42.0 | and all of us in his book, Open Heart. |
| 0:45.8 | We'll meet Dr. Teher right after this message from Plant Strong team, tomorrow is the start of the 13th annual Plant Stock weekend celebration and it's not too late for you to pull up a |
| 1:06.3 | virtual front row seat to this year's Brock Star lineup. Tune in from Friday |
| 1:12.4 | August 16th through Sunday, August 18th, and be inspired |
| 1:17.0 | with fun new recipes, learn the latest and greatest science, and connect with the larger plant-based community. |
| 1:25.1 | Every single ticket includes a full recipe guide download to all the recipes |
| 1:30.4 | over the weekend and access to all 19 presenters plus unlimited video |
| 1:36.5 | replays. Your whole household can participate on just one ticket. |
| 1:42.8 | Go to live Planstrong.com today and sign on up. |
| 1:47.0 | And, and, if you want an in-person experience, |
| 1:51.0 | come join me in the whole Plan Strong team in Sedona, this October |
| 1:56.5 | from the 8th to the 13th and enjoy an interactive immersive retreat |
| 2:01.8 | amongst the Red rocks of Arizona. |
| 2:05.0 | We'll do all the cooking, you get to come, relax, meet a bunch of new friends, |
| 2:12.0 | get answers to all your burning questions, |
| 2:15.0 | enjoy some yoga, daily hikes, challenge me at pickleball, and all the while |
| 2:22.0 | you'll be fully supported by the whole Plant Strong team. |
... |
Transcript will be available on the free plan in -229 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Rip Esselstyn, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Rip Esselstyn and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.