Rip Esselstyn
| Rip Esselstyn | |
|---|---|
| Born | Upstate New York |
| Occupation | Health Activist and Food Writer Former Firefighter and Triathlete |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Texas, Austin |
| Genres | Non-Fiction |
| Subjects | Health Food |
| Notable work(s) | The Engine 2 Diet (2009) |
| Spouse(s) | Jill Kolasinski[1] |
| Children | Kole and Sophie [1] |
| Relative(s) | Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn (father) |
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Influences
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engine2diet.com |
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Rip Esselstyn, a former Firefighter and Triathlete, is an American health activist and New York Times best seller's list food writer. He is the author of the 2009 whole foods plant-based (low-fat/salt/sugar) Engine 2 Diet, and the 2013 release, My Beef With Meat. He also appeared in the 2011 documentary Forks Over Knives.
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Background and early career [edit]
Rip Esselstyn was born in Upstate New York, named after Rip Van Winkle, and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio.[1][2] He is the great-grandson of George Washington Crile and the grandson of George Crile, Jr. His father, cardiologist Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, is one of the early promoters of a whole foods, plant-based diet in the prevention and reversal of heart disease.[3] Esselstyn attended the University of Texas at Austin on a swimming scholarship from 1982-1986.[4] During that time he was an All-American swimmer.[5]
After college, he became a triathlete and competed for approximately ten years.[6] In 1997, he retired from being a pro-triathlete and turned his attention towards becoming a Firefighter and Emergency medical technician, joining the Engine 2 of the Austin Fire Department.[7] Esselstyn eventually retired from firefighting in order to focus on becoming an advocate for plant-based nutrition.[8]
Health activism and food writer [edit]
While he grew up eating the standard American diet, Esselstyn switched to a whole foods plant-based diet in 1987, inspired in part by his father Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn's research on the subject, as well as by the changes his parents made to their diet as a result of this research. He was also inspired by Dave Scott (triathlete) who was a vegetarian.[4][9]
In 2003, when a co-worker at the Engine 2 fire department discovered that his cholesterol was very high, Esselstyn encouraged the Engine 2 team to switch to a whole foods, plant-based diet in order to help their colleague. This experience eventually led him to write the The Engine 2 Diet (with Gene Stone) which begins with a foreword by T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D, author of The China Study.[10][11][8] The Engine 2 Diet appeared on the The New York Times Best Seller List[12][13] and was endorsed by Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel (who made public appearances with Esselstyn in January 2013).[14] In 2010, Esselstyn teamed up with Whole Foods Market to become a "Healthy Eating Partner."[15]
Esselstyn also appeared (along with his father and Campbell) in the 2011 American documentary on whole foods, plant-based eating, Forks Over Knives. He later developed and starred in the follow-up documentary, Forks Over Knives Presents: The Engine 2 Kitchen Rescue with Rip Esselstyn.[16][17] In 2013, Esselstyn released another book (again with Gene Stone) entitled, My Beef With Meat.[18][19][20]
Awards [edit]
- 2001 World Police and Fire Games: First Place
- Capital of Texas triathlon: Eight-time winner
- Escape from Alcatraz (triathlon): Six-time winner[21]
Works [edit]
Books [edit]
- My Beef with Meat: The Healthiest Argument for Eating a Plant-Strong Diet--Plus 140 New Engine 2 Recipes (2013)
- The Engine 2 Diet: The Texas Firefighter's 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that Lowers Cholesterol and Burns Away the Pounds (2009)
DVD [edit]
- Forks Over Knives Presents The Engine 2 Kitchen Rescue with Rip Esselstyn (2011)
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ a b c Rip Esselstyn Biography
- ^ Lyman, Howard, Mad Cowboy Interview 07: Rip Esselstyn (Part 2), The Mad Cowboy.
- ^ Spector, Kaye. "Great-grandson of Cleveland Clinic founder offers his own advice for healthy living, The Plain Dealer, May 5, 2009.
- ^ Author/Firefighter Rip Esselstyn ’82 Promotes Health, Wellness
- ^ Lyman, Howard, Mad Cowboy Interview 07: Rip Esselstyn (Part 1), The Mad Cowboy.
- ^ Earle, Drex. "Rip Esselstyn Wants You to Eat Your Vegetables." Austin Fit Magazine, February 2009.
- ^ a b Former fireman preaches 'plant-strong' gospel in doc. Winnipeg Free Press, June 2, 2011.
- ^ *Black, Rosemary. Texas firefighter Rip Esselstyn aims to save lives - through his new diet book. Daily News (New York), February 25, 2009.
- ^ Going Cold Turkey From Meat, CBS, April 26, 2009
- ^ Firefighters Gone Vegan? Even Austin Is Impressed. New York Times, March 26, 2006.
- ^ The New York Times Best Seller List, March 15, 2009
- ^ The New York Times Best Seller List, May 17, 2009
- ^ Engine 2 Diet gets Mayor Emanuel's endorsement
- ^ Health Starts Here™ launches at Whole Foods Market
- ^ Forks Over Knives Cast
- ^ Forks Over Knives Presents: The Engine 2 Kitchen Rescue: Official Site
- ^ Words of encouragement: Better health through diet with "My Beef with Meat"
- ^ Vegan firefighter on his "Beef With Meat"
- ^ Esselstyn, Rip. My Beef With Meat. New York: Grand Central Life & Style/Hachette Book Group USA, 2013 :268.
- ^ Esselstyn, Rip. The Engine 2 Diet. New York: Wellness Central/Hachette Book Group USA, 2009 :10.
External links [edit]
- Noonan, David. "I Can’t Believe I’m Still a Vegan." The Daily Beast, March 13, 2009.
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