Ep. 264: A Race for Life: Dr. Ruth Heidrich's Journey from Cancer to a Plant-Based Champion
PLANTSTRONG Podcast
Rip Esselstyn
4.8 • 2.3K Ratings
🗓️ 29 August 2024
⏱️ 78 minutes
🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS
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Summary
Dr. Ruth Heidrich is a pioneering figure in the plant-based movement and a remarkable breast cancer survivor. In 1982, she adopted a vegan lifestyle following her diagnosis of stage four breast cancer. Her journey is one of resilience and serendipity, as she not only overcame her illness but also became a celebrated marathoner, triathlete, and IRONMAN competitor.
She shares the pivotal moment when she met Dr. John McDougall, who introduced her to the principles of a low-fat, plant-based diet. This dietary shift was not just a temporary change for her; it was a lifeline that contributed significantly to her remarkable recovery and subsequent athletic achievements.
Her accomplishments are astounding—She was voted Runner’s World Magazine’s “Runner of the Year” and is the winner of more than 900 trophies (and counting!), 8 Gold Medals in the U.S.Senior Olympics, and 67 marathons including Boston, New York, & Moscow. Dr. Heidrich attributes much of her longevity and athletic success to her commitment to a vegan lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of proper nutrition and exercise in maintaining health and vitality.
Rip and Ruth also discuss her updated book, A Race for Life, which is celebrating its 24th anniversary. The revised edition includes extensive insights into the latest research and personal anecdotes that illustrate her journey, including her complicated experiences with reconstruction surgeries and implants after her cancer treatments.
Dr. Heidrich exemplifies an indomitable spirit and a compelling can-do attitude, offering insights into how challenges can strengthen rather than define a person. Her philosophy, inspired by Dr. Seuss, reminds us that in the face of adversity, we have the power to choose our response—whether to let it define us, destroy us, or strengthen us.
Ruth is a beacon of hope and inspiration for anyone seeking to optimize their health through a plant-based lifestyle. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact that nutrition and a positive mindset can have on our lives.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | I'm Ray Besselston and you're listening to the Plant Strong podcast. |
| 0:05.9 | Today we have an opportunity to meet an icon in the Plant Bay Space, Dr. Ruth Heidrich. |
| 0:19.1 | Ruth went vegan in 1982 long before it was a thing, was able to beat breast cancer and has become a legendary marathoner, Iron Man competitor, and author. |
| 0:27.2 | You may recall that she was featured in the groundbreaking documentary, Forks Over Nives. |
| 0:32.4 | Her book A Race for Life celebrates its 24th anniversary with |
| 0:38.2 | updates and anecdotes and we're going to learn about this extraordinary woman, Dr. Ruth Heydrich, right after a few words from Plant Strong. |
| 0:51.0 | Hey Plant Strongers, it's not too late to join me and the Plant Strong team for our next in-person experience. |
| 1:00.0 | Come join us in beautiful Sedona, Arizona from October 8th to the 13th. |
| 1:06.2 | We have nine slots available for this exclusive and very immersive retreat. |
| 1:12.2 | Spend a week among the Red Rocks of Arizona and |
| 1:15.0 | wool do all the cooking. That sounds awesome. You get to come relax, meet new friends, get answers to all your burning questions, |
| 1:26.0 | enjoy yoga, hikes, endless buffets of plant-based meals. |
| 1:32.0 | You get to be entertained and educated with our world-class |
| 1:35.3 | presentations. You can challenge me at Pickleball and all the while you're going to |
| 1:41.0 | be fully supported by our incredible spectacular team. I can't |
| 1:46.6 | wait to meet you. Simply register at liveplandstrom.com or send us an email with all your questions at hello at |
| 1:55.1 | Plant Strong.com. Here's another fun milk mustache update. If you've been |
| 2:00.9 | thinking about trying our plant-based milks, now is the time. |
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| 2:11.0 | you'll be a fan that I'm going to offer a two-pack for just two bucks |
| 2:15.9 | when you spend $50 on any of our other products. Come to Plan Strong.com, |
| 2:20.8 | fill your cart with $50 worth of delicious and nutritious products |
... |
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