123: Chime In Grassroots Ambassadors, We Did It Health

Peter Goldstein  00:00

For me, I've I've noticed many years ago that you know, we have the chronic disease epidemic that we don't need to have. But then we have a solution for it and that's the whole food plant based lifestyle. But the real problem is that the solution is not implemented. So my primary focus is, how is it that for four decades, we've known this powerful truth about food as medicine, and and yet less than 1% of the world population is applying it. My work right now is to find some answers. I'm primarily focusing on what I'm calling the Grassroots Ambassadors. So anybody who has ever told somebody else you know, you might want to look at this because it could help you, I'm considered them ambassador for the movement. How can we help ambassadors more effectively, get their friends and loved ones curious so they can start looking and start your starts with curiosity and commitment and become whole food plant based diet.

Narrator  01:06

Welcome to the Plant Based DFW Podcast weekly show with Dr. Riz and Maya, a show broadcasted from the Dallas Fort Worth area that focuses on lifestyle medicine. This is the use of evidence based lifestyle therapeutic approaches, such as a whole food plant based diet, regular physical exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management to treat, prevent, and oftentimes reverse lifestyle related chronic diseases that are all too prevalent. Every week, They feature a guest who speaks on one of these lifestyle medicine pillars. This show is for you, the person who is seeking to improve your overall wellness and quality of life. So whether you are driving, walking, or relaxing at home, we hope this show will provide you one more tool for your wellness toolbox. Let's meet today's podcast guest.

Maya Acosta  01:57

Peter Goldstein is on a mission to figure out how we can ignite curiosity in our friends and loved ones about the benefits of consuming a plant based diet. In this episode, we talk about the mastermind group that he has created to find solutions as to how we can effectively spread the message about the plant based lifestyle. His main initiatives are focused on supporting the Grassroots Ambassadors. These are the people who are already on board and have already started sharing the message. Also, he has created a scoreboard where you can chime in to share about how you have benefited from the plant based lifestyle. Make sure to visit wedidit.health and chime in. Also just another reminder that the Lifestyle Medicine Conference is happening here in the Dallas area November 7 through the 10th. To learn more about that visit lmconference.org. Hope you enjoy this episode. Peter is a former CEO of technology and software systems and a lifelong advocate of personal power and conscious business practices. Over the past 10 years, he's been tracking a mounting body of evidence that demonstrates that we can save as much as 75% of healthcare costs in the US and eliminate the associated human pain and suffering by simply changing food based lifestyle. Peter is dedicated to changing that calculation during his own tenor on the planet. Welcome, Peter.

Peter Goldstein  03:21

Thank you very much Maya. It's such pleasure to be here with you. That's such a beautiful introduction. And thank you so very much for your kind words. 

Maya Acosta  03:29

Well, Peter, I've seen you do a lot of work with your HippocratesDocs.com website, you've done a summit, I'm hoping that we can focus on what is important to you today. So I just read your bio. Is there anything else that we want to add to them?

Peter Goldstein  03:44

Well, my focus you know, it's I have been really intrigued with what a huge difference how powerful food as medicine, specifically a whole food plant based lifestyle really is. And I've been astonished that more people aren't practicing it. And so currently, my the my frustration the question I'm asking the the place that me and my team would like to offer value and support is to see what it is that we can be doing to accelerate the expansion of this movement. You know, this is a 40 year old movement that's been 40 years ago that Dr. Campbell uncovered in in his research in the laboratories at Cornell University, he found that cancer cells thrive on animal protein and die from plant protein. So the evidence has been mounting for over 40 years now. And we probably have hundreds of 1000s of studies at this point that showed the power of nutrition and the importance to fuel our bodies with what it is that our bodies need with the things that our immune system needs to to be able to fight off all the things that come out of throughout our lives.

Maya Acosta  05:03

So if we you've known this if there's been evidence, The China Study and so many different resources that we now have that prove that we can actually reverse disease Why? Why is it that there's not this huge movement now?

Peter Goldstein  05:16

Well, you know what, Maya? That's exactly what it is that we want to uncover. So how is it that just about every single person in this world could be healthier, happier, more vibrant, fewer aches and pains, everything you could possibly think of, If there's not, there's probably very few people who who couldn't be a little bit better at that and some people who could be a whole lot better at in their health? How is it that this people haven't embraced it? And that's the question that we're currently tackling. And with our initiative, our new website or initiative for this is wedidit.health. And so to celebrate the people who have embraced the whole food, plant based lifestyle, and and really figure out how is it that we can get the other 99% of humanity to become healthier.

Maya Acosta  06:18

And how is it that your team is kind of projecting that this will move in terms of getting people on board to spread the word?

Peter Goldstein  06:26

That's a great question. You know, maybe maybe I'm fooling myself, but I think if I am, you are too and so is Dr. Riz and everybody else. But we really believe that this is an absolute truth. I mean, there's there's things that are absolute truths, you know, like, if you drop a ball, they will fall to the ground. That's an absolute truth. You know, it's an absolute truth that everybody who's changed to a healthier lifestyle, and the whole food, plant based lifestyle, everybody has benefited? Absolutely everybody. So it's, it's a truth. It's an absolute, and it has to be and it will be. And, you know, I'm encouraged, I keep seeing evidence that it's getting more and more traction. But honestly, for something this big, and this powerful to have so little traction after 40 years is, to me is mind boggling. And at the same time, the flip side of that is that this is a huge opportunity to add value to to help make this a better world for for my friends, loved ones, my family for absolutely everybody.

Maya Acosta  07:32

As you're talking about, you know, finding solutions, I'm thinking about your background as a software developer, and really what you focused on was finding solutions. So now you're working on finding solutions in terms of really helping to build a momentum of spreading the word that a plant based lifestyle really can reverse some of the health conditions that we have or even prevent. So now, where do we start, though, and I know that we're in the process of finding the solution. But do we start with people like ourselves who are already on board and working with our community?

Peter Goldstein  08:08

Absolutely. So that's, that's where we start. We have all that in place. So our initiatives, and I really cannot claim starting anything, because obviously for at least four decades now the greatest doctors around and there's 1000s of them have have started and done so much. So we're not starting this is 40, four decades old now. But I believe that we're taking with our efforts, we're taking a different perspective on it. So the perspective so I'm wanting us to step back and take a look at at what's what's working, and what can we do better. So, for example, it would be so great to come up with a let's say a best practices list for, for when, when one of our ambassadors somebody who's practicing this lifestyle, when when we're talking to a friend or a loved one, how is it that we can get their eyes to light up. How is it that we can get them curious? Because that's where it all starts, I believe our first step is to get people who who don't understand this, who haven't embraced this lifestyle yet, to get them to be curious to say, Well, you know what, yeah, there's there's 10s of 1000s of people who bypass bypass surgery and who would didn't have to have an amputation, they reverse diabetes, people who are doing so much better. What is it what, how is it and what's in it for me? So people can look and say, you know, I'm on I'm on five different meds and it's getting worse and worse all the time. I'm obese, and I'm getting worse and worse. There is hope there's a solution. I want to know something about it. So that's that's where we're starting is how the questions How can we ignite curiosity in our friends and loved ones so that they too, will say gee maybe there's something here, I need to do a little research. Show me some of this information. Introduce me to the work of some of these great doctors.

Maya Acosta  10:09

So what you're saying is, and I'm thinking of my own life, a lot of us who are plant based, are the only ones in our family. And there's that frustration that builds up over time, a lot of us just really want this this way of living for our loved ones. We try different things, we try motivating them with documentaries, literature, tasting the delicious food, and somehow some things are not working. Are you talking about developing sort of like this protocol or program that a lot of us can follow that has been proven to work to help convert people?

Peter Goldstein  10:42

This is beautiful. Yes. And yes, and and sort of, so that's, that's, but there's nothing like it. So we're really pioneering a new frontier here. But that's, that it, and so. But when you look at how do we convert somebody, and we're, and that's such a big word, and it's not really my favorite word, in this case, by any means. But how do we ignite their curiosity? 

Maya Acosta  11:06

I like that,yes. 

Peter Goldstein  11:08

It gets gets very complex, because everybody's psychology is different. So what I might say to somebody who has one personality type of maybe one thing to get them curious, what I may say to somebody else, who has a different personality type of maybe something else. So really, what we're wanting to do is, is start conversations with people outside the movement. Well, not necessarily outside the movement. But should this suddenly in the movement, we go to our doctors and nutritionists to get the answers. And that's where all this body of evidence comes from. But let's ask some psychologists, how, what's the psychology of getting somebody to change habits? What's the psychology of getting somebody interest? So what's the psychology of getting somebody to change their values and their thought processes and their beliefs? So that's the, so it's a fresh angle, angle. So asking people so Maya, if you you were all frustrated, trying to talk to our friends and loved ones, but what succeeded for you? Do you have a situation? And if you can think of one I'd love for you to tell me about it? Can you think of a situation where you ran into somebody new, or, or an old friend or anybody who you were able to say something to? And they lit up? And they said, Wow, this is incredible. Tell me more? How do I find out more? So have you had that experience? What what worked for you?

Maya Acosta  12:32

In terms of helping other people adopt this lifestyle?

Peter Goldstein  12:37

Just even get curious about it? So somebody who, who? And I don't know what their thinking is? What are they thinking? are they thinking this is too good to be true? are they thinking that this is some wacko doctor out in a cave in the Pacific talking about this stuff? What I have no idea? What are they thinking? And what how'd you get through them?

Maya Acosta  12:55

That's a good question. There are a variety of different people that I come in contact with those that are interested, or have, you know, asked questions about this lifestyle for various reasons. One of them being just wanting to lose weight, you know, that's the initial reason why they want to adopt this lifestyle is, it's working for you, I've heard that other people can lose weight. So I'd like to adopt this lifestyle. And then of course, you hear other people that know that they can, you know, lower their hypertension or high blood pressure and maybe manage or even reverse their diabetes. So it could be hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, those are the main reasons why people take interest 

Peter Goldstein  13:39

Personally, I come out of in this chili from the human health perspective, I really get the impact that we have on the animal kingdom of the impact we have on the environment. I mean, it's amazing. So really, that's to me, that's a that's a really important really huge side benefit is, is that we're, you know, the average American takes I think 100 animal lives a year. And and you know, takes 2500 gallons of water to get a pound of meat, I mean, statistics like that I just amazing. I mean, I, I should care about the planet. And I'd love to conserve water and the air pollution and everything else too. But, but that's part of the effects. So changing to whole food plant based lifestyle is is not only impacting human health, but it's impacting the health of the animal kingdom as well as the planet.

Maya Acosta  14:30

When I think of health and you know, I'm a big believer of lifestyle medicine. And I do sort of consider myself a, a patient advocate and in terms of really wanting to provide resources for people to take control of their health. One of the things that fascinated me about lifestyle medicine, there's a psychological component when they're training physicians and dietitians to be boarded in lifestyle medicine. There's that whole knowing how to interview a patient or a client, the motivation interviewing aspect of it the psychological component to it, which is like asking these questions like where you're sort of asking, why are you interested, you know, what's holding you back and doing this goal setting, which is realistic and familiar with the process that they take. And that, for me is part of what I wish we could continue to implement. And even people that are not specialized as a physician, for example, or a dietitian, some of us could use those tools with our loved ones.

Peter Goldstein  15:31

Absolutely. That's beautiful. I am so glad to hear about that. And I'm certainly going to reach out to the American College for Lifestyle Medicine, and see, see how that process works. And, and maybe they'll work with me a little bit to see how we can adapt that to. So we're calling it our target is the Grassroots Ambassadors, so people who are not practicitioners who are not professionals, just just somebody who's a consumer, somebody who's benefited, and somebody would like to then have their friends and loved ones be healthier. So, so we consider them ambassadors. And our focus is how to how to help them be more more successful doing that. And, you know, what, what the interview process you just described is, is absolutely right on for, for, you know, certainly needs to be modified, because none of us grassroots ambassadors are physicians or practicitioners but how can we as lay people use some of those strategies. So that's, that's a beautiful idea, I'm going to reach out to them immediately and, and see if I can collaborate with them with our team with what we're doing. Because that's, that's really exactly what what we're trying to do is figure out how to how can we talk to our friends and loved ones to get them curious?

Maya Acosta  16:52

Exactly. And I like, by the way, the name of your program, or what you just said, the grassroots ambassadors, because that's really, that's how movement happens is with the people themselves at a grassroots level. And some people are on a on a spectrum, right? And I'm not even sure if that's the right word. But people are along a spectrum of readiness, I think. And then we just need to know when that they're ready, or what to introduce to move them along the way. So with our work, what we try to do is just plant a seed, and we're not the only ones planting seeds, but we're just planting the seed. 

Peter Goldstein  17:28

Absolutely. You know, it's been a long time ago that I heard, but I guess I'll never forget it, as somebody said, it takes a human, you know, six or eight times to hear about something before we start really accepting it. So if we're just just getting somebody else to hear something that that then I rejecting them, maybe we really are one step further to you know, so there's a whole process I suppose to get them curious. So what's what is that? So just and not to be antagonistic? Certainly is part of it? How do we, how do we do this? How do we watch for the clues? What are the clues that they're interested or, or resistant? Or, you know, there's so much stone cover about this? And you know what, I love that you you're liking this approach, but yes, it's maybe that's what this movement is missing is because there's so much magnificence in there's so much great resource, so many amazing that there's so many amazing people, but some some old thing is missing. So maybe the one tiny little thing that's missing is is an act of grassroots Ambassador component to this, just because every one of us were so frustrated. I mean, my sister who's a pharmacist, she leaves the room if I start talking about food as medicine and and yet, you know, she really could use better health, you know, and everybody could end but I've learned not to talk to my family about it because they get so much resistance I pick up on on that and back off. But so that's what motivated me actually. We have a very specific project that we're we're launching and as a lead project for this whole effort. And that project is is a wedidit.health scoreboard. So what we're asking people who are plant based  who have benefited from plant based lifestyle, and we're asking them to chime in, so we're asking them to to, to tell us that they've done it, and then answer one question, one multiple choice question to say, what how have they been affected? So they can tell us that they've reversed their their cholesterol that they've lost weight that they you know, some people have reverse cancer and heart disease and diabetes. So one simple question for people who have benefited just to tell us how they've benefited and then we're we're doing a live scoreboard So that means that every time somebody chimes in and somebody says, I've benefited this way, it appears on this live scoreboard. And then it's our mission to create an app that we can share with the world. So that any website can can display the scoreboard that a live ticker. So a website can constantly show Oh, you know, 500,000 people have reversed diabetes, and the average person lost 50 pounds and and these kinds of numbers and and i hope and vision is that this the scoreboard it's, it's a ticker, it will I mean, I see it on a news show, I mean, that's going to be the final successes to get a new show to display like they do with the stock tickers showing the weight that that health scoreboard that how many people have have reversed chronic diseases. And I'm hoping that there will be a very powerful talking point for the grassroots ambassadors so that, you know, when I'm talking to somebody, and I see that they're there, just don't believe it, then I can say, you know, but but 280,000 people reverse their diabetes, you know, you're coming from the doctor and the doctor's diagnosis, being pre diabetic, there is an alternative. So maybe that will get them curious to say, Wow, then many people have benefited so so that will draw them and get them curious and get them to look at some other things. And then we're building out a whole website so they can come to our website, we want to be the host for the movement. We'd love for somebody new to come in and be able to see all about all the work of the original heroes and all the greatest documentaries and the books and research studies. And you know, Dr. Greger and, and Dr. Barnard and everybody's work so that somebody who's new to the movement, they can easily look for all the things that they can be curious about and do more research and, and to find the doctors and nutritional coaches that can help them on their journey.

Maya Acosta  21:58

Couple of questions about the scoreboard before we move on to all that you just spoke about for a couple of years now you've been talking about the scoreboard now, is this a software that you've developed on your team?

Peter Goldstein  22:10

Our team is actually impressed this of developing so. So I'm really happy to share that we actually launched the project on May 31. And, and so we've launched it, and as everything, especially with technology, everything, you get it out and you keep improving it. So we're currently we've launched it, and we've decided to make some great improvements on it. So so right now it's it's some process of getting to the next version, we wanted to simplify, we actually have like 30 questions. Well, you know, we can just keep it to one question just so that somebody can come on and make it really easy for them to share their information. And then we'll have other ways to just to get more information if somebody wants to share it. But right now, we're going to launch this campaign to just answer one question, if you've benefited from a whole food plant based lifestyle. Just tell us how and we'll add you to the scoreboard and give you the opportunity to help perhaps millions of other people.

Maya Acosta  23:14

So are you saying that right now if our listeners go to that link, that website, which I'll have in the show notes, they can simply chime in?

Peter Goldstein  23:23

Yeah, so the website to go to is we did it.health. So it's not a .com it's at .health, we did it that health. And I you know, today on on June 4, they it's in the old version, we'd like for people come once we launched the new version, which will be I'm sure by the time anybody's listening to this podcast, we'll have we'll have that available. So we we would really love for anybody who's a grassroots ambassador, first of all to to take your like a minute to tell us how they've been affected that can then help millions of people with the scoreboard and then further if they would want to be part of our community and, and share information with other ambassadors and, and help us in this mission work. And we can't do this by ourselves, we need we need for for the other investors, we need to collaborate we need to be asking these questions, how is it? What would What are best practices? What are the things that work and getting somebody new, to be curious about all the magic that's happening in this movement? Really, it's magical. This healing is absolutely magical. I mean, it's just unbelievable. And and sometimes I think that the reason this movement hasn't grown so much more is because when somebody doesn't know about it, if they hear that, oh, it's diabetes and heart and heart disease, and all this is is absolutely preventable and reversible, then they say, Oh, yes, sure. Some fairy tale there's no way this is true. So if we can show them that hundreds of 1000s and millions of people are benefiting, then maybe they'll have to say Well, maybe this is true, maybe it's worth looking at.

Maya Acosta  25:03

I, you know, I, myself, you address that earlier about sort of no longer being interested in speaking to your family, because you feel like you just continue to push them away. A lot of times, I find myself in those situations where I really don't want to mention it when I'm at a gathering with my neighbors, because the last thing I want to do is create enemies or tension. So what you're kind of saying that is your program would give us the tools to know how to have these conversations with various people.

Peter Goldstein  25:32

And that's what we're looking to figure out. And, and that's, and again, that's a collaborative effort, I want to lay the groundwork, the platform, the environment for it, and, and I would like everybody who's who's interested to participate and have conversation. So that's what you know, I want to have a summit, you know, but not about songs or disease or something nutritional there's plenty of those. But I'd like to have a summit of how do we talk to our friends and loved ones who aren't interested yet, you know, and have have feature people who are psychologists and behavioral change kinds of people, as well as the doctors that are doing a part of this movement, for sure, but, but to also include other things about about behavior and psychology and bring that and I feel like that's really missing in this movement.

Maya Acosta  26:25

You are right, that is awesome. If you can do that, if you can put that together. I'm thinking also of like the the cultural component and the fear of losing a connection with loved ones, because of our culture, our social connections, also, maybe even addiction, just because we are addicted to certain additives, and preservatives and foods,

Peter Goldstein  26:47

I so appreciate you saying that. And that, you know, you and I have talked for years now. And I really look forward to collaborating with you as we bring some of this together.

Maya Acosta  26:58

Is this something that you'd like some input or feedback, you'd like to hear from our listeners about? What could possibly work?

Peter Goldstein  27:06

Absolutely, that's, that's totally what it's about. And as we're building our new website, it's it's social media based. So it's going to be a little bit like, like Facebook, we want people to interact and exchange ideas and, and make new friends. And and so and the primary topic of conversation is, how do we get through to our friends and loved ones? How do we get them curious? And then once they're curious, how can we because we all want them once they're curious, we want to help them find the resources and find and help them get started and guide them on their journey. And this is a journey, it's a lifestyle change. So it's, it's a whole new lifelong journey. So how do we get somebody curious, that's the first step. But the platform is about how do we connect? How do we collaborate? So not how but actually providing a platform so we can connect and collaborate and have events and conversations and, and, you know, panels and think tanks and summits and events and start really focused on how do we get through to the people who aren't part of this movement. And, you know, and to support the wonderful work that doctors are doing. I mean, I know, Dr. Riz and so many other doctors still they'll never miss an opportunity to talk in front of a group and explain, you know, all the medical reasons and all of the great benefits. But this this is this is the come at it from the whole other perspective come at it from the grassroots perspective,

Maya Acosta  28:40

I appreciate that. And it almost sounds like a mastermind group. You've heard the message. So there's a component that's missing. It's exactly what you said, Peter, like there's a reason why a person, despite the fact is not that they don't know the knowledge you think of, for example, smokers. And this is not at all a conversation about shaming, but many smokers have heard the message of the consequences to having years of smoking. It's not that they don't have the information. It's that creating the change is where the difficulty comes in. So this think tank that you're creating is about brainstorming, how can we help people make the change is the How to is what works, what doesn't work?

Peter Goldstein  29:22

Absolutely. And and, you know, it's interesting with smokers, that's, it's been a number of decades now that that, you know, smoking had become taboo in our culture, and a lot of people have quit smoking. But there's so many similarities and I guess the the stop smoking campaign, lifestyle change as the word is, is 50 years old or done. Well, it's, it's it happened what happened 3040 years ago that, you know, I mean, I remember and you're probably too young to remember this, but I remember people smoking on airplanes and smoking in every restaurant and smoking everywhere, I mean, people always smoking everywhere we've we've changed a lot. But so now the shaming thing. So now the people who are smoking, I think they, they feel that they don't want to they, they feel powerless. They they're struggling to quit smoking. So there's a whole different addiction status on it. But certainly, salt, sugar and oil are addictive. And, and so there is an addiction component here too.

Maya Acosta  30:29

So let's talk more about the grassroots ambassadors and how people can join that movement. And I know you've said that you're still in the process of developing a lot of this. So we'll have the link, as you said to the website, but what entails being a grassroots ambassador?

Peter Goldstein  30:45

You know, it's really simple if you if you're benefited from being plant based. And if you've ever told somebody recommended to somebody, somebody that they should take a look at it. To me that makes you an ambassador. So we have ambassadors who are, you know, really casual on that level. And we have ambassadors who are who are going door to door like an evangelist just getting talking about it every chance they get. So we have we have ambassadors at different levels, but to me, anybody who, who is frustrated that their friends, some friends and loved ones haven't heard that and don't listen, and every anybody who's gone and, and gone out of their way, or created a conversation or said something about, you should take a look at a whole food plant based lifestyle wreck. So the best way to put it as anybody who's ever recommended that somebody look at a whole food plant based lifestyle that makes them an ambassador.

Maya Acosta  31:42

Right. Okay, that sounds easy enough.

Peter Goldstein  31:45

Easy enough, so, yeah, and, and all the ambassadors I'm assuming, and that every Ambassador has shared this frustration of, of having a deaf ear turn when, when they know so deeply, so passionately, know that the person they're looking at could benefit so so greatly. So, you know, whether it's aches and pains, or getting off some medications or losing a ton of weight, or whatever it is, it's a frustration to look at a human being that we care about, look at them and and know that they could so easily have so much help, and they don't want to hear it. Yeah,

Maya Acosta  32:25

We often talk about the disparities in health care. And then of course, the food deserts. And so we talk about how we can try to fill those gaps by educating people on how they can economically make a transition where they can find some of these whole food plant based ingredients without having to spend a lot of money. there are gaps everywhere, right? I mean, we can continue to talk about the gaps.

Peter Goldstein  32:49

Absolutely. But, you know, for me, the primary gap is in somebody making a commitment. So when somebody so so it takes a while in our culture with the way and I'll use the term brainwashed, we're brainwashed to think about about food. And so it takes a while for somebody to know that, that Yeah, there's a whole different set of beliefs that that serve ourselves a lot better. So once, so that's, that's the biggest stuff. suppose somebody coming to, to make a commitment, somebody to ship something. And you know, one of my favorite teachers is Tony Robbins. And he'll tell you that we can change in a second. So if the right environment, the right thoughts, the right thing happens, we can we can shift in an instant. So instead environment, it's it's that ability to make that shift. That's, that's important, I think. And so to make this shift to, to want to do something, yes, there's things that are going on. But once we wanted, there's support there, and this community will bring that together. So let me if I may take up a couple minutes here and talk a little more about our website, because so our scoreboard is our first initiative and our first project because I think that will have a huge impact for people to really see how many people have have bypass bypass surgery and reverse type two diabetes and those kinds of things because those numbers are huge, globally, and we are we are doing this globally. But then also we want to have a huge platform for testimonials. So somebody somebody says well, you know, maybe I'm pre diabetic, I love to see what other people have done. They they'll be able to see 1000s of testimonials by people who have reverse diabetes. Another initiative is as a peer to peer mentoring program. So somebody says I'm kind of new to this. It'd be great if I could talk to somebody Was diabetic and they're further along than I am. So then, you know, somebody who's been on for a while somebody who's an ambassador, somebody who's reverse diabetes, they may want to team up and have conversations. Yeah. So in addition to doing the think tanks and, and the exploration and about how do we get people curious, we want to find ways to support each other, through this process.

Maya Acosta  35:26

Sounds like a wonderful program, you found a need, you found a missing component there that you can fill, and I like the idea of supporting each other. And then we asked grassroots ambassadors go out and support people that are making this change that are new to the lifestyle, is there anything else that you'd like to share with us, 

Peter Goldstein  35:48

I would love to say, you know, come to we did it, that health to those site and sign up for our newsletter, so we can keep you updated with as things are evolving and developing, you know, that I'm so honored to be with you, I really appreciate you, featuring our work here. But we this is we are a brand new baby, just at this moment, we're not even a week old. So we, we need everybody to help us grow and nurture us and, and so we can serve. And it's really about us all being in this together. And, you know, we're all so passionate about the world being healthier, and people that as well as animals and the environment. And, and this serves all of it. I mean, I The dream is that the scoreboard will will show everybody how many people are benefiting, and at the same time on the scoreboard will show how many animal lives we've saved the people who have transformed their lifestyle, how many animal lives and, and how, how much how much air pollution has we've saved, and how many trees and how many gallons of water because all that is is so powerful, and that will all be on the scoreboard and you know, visualizer with me to see see a news, a news program that has the ticker running across the bottom that shows, you know, 580,000 people have reverse type two diabetes and, and 800,000 have bypass bypass surgery. And, you know, and we together we've lost, I don't know 500 million pounds of weight. And that's the vision here is this the to be able to show those numbers I know those numbers are real. Once you know people are willing to take, you know, a minute to just share with us that they've they've gotten healthier and and in what ways and so they're really just one multiple choice question and and that will impact millions of lives.

Maya Acosta  37:51

You will be here in November, at the lifestyle medicine conference. Tell us what to expect How can people find you? Are you going to have sort of like an exhibit a booth or something like that going on?

Peter Goldstein  38:04

Yes, we are going to get a booth or table with whatever I'm not sure how, how its presented. But yes, we will have a commercial presence. So we will have information and so we will hope that everybody who's there will come in and search yourself so we can have a conversation and, and exchange ideas. I think this is this is for me. So very exciting. Because as as in our conversation today, our our energy, our enthusiasm has had elevated and, and I love having conversations like this, I'm looking forward to being at the American College for Lifestyle Medicine conference and and having you know, 10s, if not hundreds of these kinds of conversations.

Maya Acosta  38:50

Now, I want to add that you and I have never met in person. We had multiple conversations via zoom. So to see you face to face, it's going to be fun. A lot of fun. will people be able to chime in there? Like, will you have a setup where they can chime in? Or do will they go on their phone?

Peter Goldstein  39:08

I think we need to be at a place where people can go on their phone. I mean, it's just that simple. It's it's really going to be just one multiple choice question. And and that's easy enough to get on a on an app. So people would be able to go on their phone, I'm sure we'd have a lender on my phone if they don't have one. And so we're gonna wait for people to do it there and to become part of our initiatives. I mean, it's we're going to have subgroups to to figure out these challenges. I mean, that's that's really our initiative is to find these answers and implement these answers. So the questions are, how do we get our friends and loved ones curious because that's a huge truth and so important than and yet, you know, less than 1% I'm pretty sure that's the correct number but less than 1% of the world. This is really on board.

Maya Acosta  39:59

Oh Slowly, this initiative that you started will create a change so that we see that percentage go up, together will rise together, we will do that. I have one final question for you, Peter. Yeah. What keeps you motivated on a daily basis? and keeps you ignited?

Peter Goldstein  40:18

Oh, that's a great question. What keeps me ignited, I, you know, I feel better all the time that I'm when I'm eating healthy. And, you know, for me, my history is I've, I spend most of my adult life about 50 pounds heavier than I am now. And my triglycerides and cholesterols weren't high, they were off the charts high and, and I've lost the way that I brought my blood work back to towards normal without medication. So that's, that's what keeps me motivated. And, and honestly, I mean, I'm constantly acknowledging my, the infinite intelligence that my immune system is, and I'm, I'm loving how, how powerful it is. And I'm loving this opportunity to be able to support it with the minister, my immune system really needs to be able to stay healthy and go strong. And honestly, my lifestyle has been really challenging. I travel a lot, I, I live in Colorado, I have a 96 year old Anthony, New York City who I spent time with, she's, she's, she likes to help my company and I have family in Cleveland, my mom, my 91 year old mom, of a couple grandkids, son and daughter and, and Sister, I have all kinds of family. So I'm really on the run, I'm I'm living, I'm living in the fast lane, in a sense, and, and so what keeps me going is my appreciation that, that this wonderful body that I have is staying healthy and strong and, and keeps going and takes me to do all the things that I can do and, you know, keeps me keeps me healthy and excited to be able to play with with this solution. I mean, to me, this is, this is fun, to be able to figure this out and to make a difference. And to add some value to humanity is my dream. And that's it keeps me going as to be strong to be able to do that. And

Maya Acosta  42:20

That's true in this way of living has really made you available not only for your loved ones, but also this initiative that you started. And I think in a previous conversation, you said that you haven't been this excited in about 30 years, right?

Peter Goldstein  42:35

Well, yeah, it's probably been 30 years. But you know, I was in the early stages of my technology business. And, and I was so excited. I mean, I remember I, I'd get up at four o'clock in the morning just to have quiet and peace and quiet and I can get great work done. And I couldn't get out of bed quick enough. And I am that excited about this again. Yeah, I think at the core, my my biggest passion, or one of them is about delivering creative solutions to things. And, and this is just a huge opportunity to, to try and help figure out a solution for something that that impacts most people. And, you know, and you asked me about what keeps me going, and I look, I mean, I know that if I was living this lifestyle, I would, instead of having lost the weight I've lost, I'd be 300 pounds, I'd be on you know, like five or 10 different kinds of meds and barely getting around. And I mean, I look around people my age, and I see this huge difference in my health and the opportunities I have in my life because of my health.

Maya Acosta  43:45

Well, I appreciate you. I know you have a lot on your plate. And yet you made time for this conversation today. So I appreciate it. I know that you're caring for your aunt right now. And you only had just a little bit block of time to talk to us about this initiative. So Peter, thank you so much for your time.

Peter Goldstein  44:02

Thank you. Thank you, Maya so appreciate you. And, and, and so look forward to all the things we're doing. I've had opportunities to work with you and and you've participated in some of our other initiatives. And it's always, always been so great working with you. And Dr. Riz. I love working with, you know, Dr. Riz is awesome. And so are you. Oh, well. Thank you

Maya Acosta  44:26

Thank you. Well, there you have it. We our conversation was with Peter Goldstein. I would love if you guys would comment about our conversation in terms of really wanting to create a space with resources to support people who are not fully on board with the plant base, the whole food plant based diet. Thank you again for listening and let me know what you think. And make sure to check the link below so that you can chime in and talk about how you have benefited by becoming plant base. Thanks again for listening. You've been listening to the Plant Based DFW podcast show. If you like our content, please like, share and leave a review. Our goal is to provide quality episodes to help support the community.