Ep. 284: Chef AJ is Thriving in the Face of Cancer
PLANTSTRONG Podcast
Rip Esselstyn
4.8 • 2.3K Ratings
🗓️ 16 January 2025
⏱️ 72 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
As many know, our beloved Chef AJ announced in November 2024 that she had been diagnosed with lung cancer. Shortly after that diagnosis, she agreed to come on the PLANTSTRONG Podcast– even though there were still many unknowns. Her vulnerability and resilience is a gift for all of us.
Rather than retreating into silence, she has chosen to share her story and focus on thriving in the face of adversity, inspiring others who may be facing similar challenges.
Throughout the conversation, AJ emphasizes:
- The importance of maintaining hope
- Having a robust support system
- Her 7 Foundations to Healing or Thriving: Faith, Family, Fitness, Food, Forgiveness, Friends, Fun
- The role of a whole food plant-based lifestyle in her health journey
- How humor has become a vital tool in coping with her circumstances even when dealing with crippling anxiety
- Forgiveness and emotional healing
This heartfelt episode not only sheds light on the realities of living with a new diagnosis, but also serves as a beacon of hope for those navigating their own battles, reinforcing that diagnosis does not define destiny.
Upcoming Events:
Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Sedona - April 6-11, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/sedona-retreat
Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat
COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer
Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey
Use Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/
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/
Follow the PLANTSTRONG Podcast and Give the Show a 5-star Rating
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | I'm Ray Besselston, and you're listening to the Plan Strong podcast. |
| 0:05.2 | As many of you are aware, our beloved chef AJ announced in November that she had been |
| 0:12.1 | diagnosed with lung cancer. Shortly after that diagnosis, AJ agreed to come on and chat with me, |
| 0:19.9 | even though there were still many unknowns. |
| 0:23.2 | Her vulnerability and resilience is a gift for all of us. |
| 0:27.4 | And I'll have that conversation with Chef AJ right after this. |
| 0:34.0 | If you're enjoying the podcast, I want to include you in the conversation. Join the Plan Strong |
| 0:40.9 | online Facebook community, where I'll invite you to post questions that you'd like to hear |
| 0:47.4 | answered from our upcoming guests on the podcast. Click the show notes or search Plan Strong |
| 0:54.0 | official group on Facebook. |
| 0:57.5 | The reviews are in and are all new Plan Strong meal bundle plan is helping people unlock |
| 1:06.1 | real success, utilizing a whole food plant-based lifestyle. Susan from Fisher's Indiana says, |
| 1:13.7 | I'm on day five and feel like a million bucks. George from Hartford wrote to say, hey, rip. |
| 1:22.0 | Thanks for the new bundle and meal plan. I've gifted it to my son who has agreed to finally give the lifestyle a try. |
| 1:30.7 | He will benefit from the no-recipe meals. |
| 1:33.7 | Thanks for working to make the lifestyle accessible. |
| 1:37.0 | Well, George and Susan and everyone who's reached out, thank you for giving our new bundle a try. |
| 1:43.6 | Our team designed seven days of meals made from |
| 1:47.2 | Plant Strong products, plus a small list of ingredients that you can find at any grocery store. |
| 1:53.4 | The bundle includes a digital download of the grocery list, day-by-day menu, a quick batch cook guide, and a box of curated pantry products |
| 2:04.5 | delivered right to your door. It couldn't be any easier or more delicious to test drive the |
| 2:12.1 | lifestyle and experience what it feels like to be fully fed and fueled with Plansstrong nutrition. |
... |
Transcript will be available on the free plan in -75 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.