Podcast Reflection – Rich Roll Podcast. Inspiring Personal Transformation.  Peace, Plants, Nutrition, Health, & Happiness.

The Rich Roll podcast began in 2013, founded by Rich Roll himself. So who is this guy? Well, the best place to answer that question is by heading over to iTunes and subscribing to his podcast, The Rich Roll Podcast, and having a listen. Alternatively, you could head to his website and read more of his story. For what it’s worth here is my take.

Rich Roll, podcaster, author, speaker, father of four, is a 50 something year old who, having transformed his own life, has gone on to become an inspiration for people around the world in regards to personal transformation, health, and well-being.

I don’t think his story is all that uncommon but his authenticity and courage to share his story is. It has been his ability to create change in life and use it to make a positive impact in the lives of those who care to listen.

Rich’s history describes one that started out ambitiously, however, after graduating from Stanford University having studied Law he went on a downhill spiral of a life of drugs, alcohol, and struggle. At the age of 31, he found himself in rehab.

After getting sober his health continued to decline. On the eve of his 40^th birthday, 50 pounds’ overweight, he shares the moment that changed it all. That came after a flight of stairs made him release two paths forward, one with good health the other that would surely lead him to a possible heart-attack and early death. He chose the path of health.

Now, of course, I don’t know the dude from a bar of soap. However, I can feel his authenticity having listened to him talk every week on his podcast for over a year and a half. It is his authenticity combined with the power to change and desire to help others that have kept me tuning in.

His story took him to competing in Ultraman triathlons and becoming one of the top performers. He achieved something many considered impossible and that was 5 Ironman distance triathlons in Hawaii in under a week. What amazed people, even more, is that he did it on a plant based diet – a vegan lifestyle.

This lead him to publish his first book Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World’s Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself. From there he started the Rich Roll Podcast that has since held position at the top of the iTunes charts, exceeding 21 million downloads. He has since gone on to author his second book with his wife Julie called The Plantpower Way: Whole Food Plant-Based Recipes and Guidance for The Whole Family.

Here is why I keep listening. Probably what first got me hooked was the amazing guests he has on his show. People from all walks of life that are doing really amazing things. They are people with backgrounds in health, fitness, nutrition, entertainment, entrepreneurship, and spirituality.

His interviews are conversational, a style I really enjoy, and done in a way that really helps share the guest’s key message and strengths in a way that has benefit for us listeners. For me these messages are inspirational, they have challenged and shifted my perspectives, they have improved my knowledge on the very broad topic of health and this has assisted me to make personal improvements that have been hugely instrumental in my overall happiness.

Warning! He is a vegan health and nutrition advocate. This influences the core of his message and the guests he brings on. But don’t let that put you off. I was not a vegan when I started to listen and only have just recently begun the process of adopting this style of diet. Rich and his guest have inspired me to experiment with this change but that is not what keeps me tuning in. I just love the value I get, the knowledge I gain and how it is delivered, without the need for sales or BS.

Like all podcasts, I listen to I am selective and that is the beauty of podcasts. I am not a triathlete and not sure I have an inclination to become one – who knows! I am, however, is very aware of the importance of health and conscious in creating a healthier lifestyle, and fortunately, I have. It has been Podcasts like Rich’s that have been a catalyst for my change.

The knowledge and information that is shared have allowed me to make more purposeful decisions in regards to my health and it is done in a way that inspires me to be that little bit better each day. If you are not one of the millions of people already tuning in weekly, then have a listen. You may be pleasantly surprised.

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Check out his website by using this link.

Check out his podcast using this iTunes link.

For the books mentioned in this episode use the links below.

Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World’s Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself By Rich Roll

The Plantpower Way: Whole Food Plant-Based Recipes and Guidance for The Whole Family By Rich Roll and Julie Piatt

This Cheese is Nuts!: Delicious Vegan Cheese at Home By Julie Piatt

Further Reading and Resource 

TED Talks: Ideas worth spreading

Psychology Today: Psychology Today is devoted exclusively to everybody’s favourite subject – Ourselves

Life Hack: Tips for Life

Elite Daily: The Voice of Generation Y

Four Hour Work Week: How to escape the 9-5, live anywhere and join the new rich.

The Minimalists: How to pursue a minimalist lifestyle and be happier.

Mind Hacks: Tips and Tricks for Using Your Brain

Rich Roll: Plantpowered Wellness Advocate

The Art of Charm: Build confidence, feel comfortable and networking differently.

American Psychological Association: The largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United State

The Art of Manliness: Encouraging men to be better husbands, fathers, brothers, citizens.

Tiny Buddha: Simple wisdom for complex lives.

Brain Pickings: An inventory of cross-disciplinary interestingness, spanning art, science, design, history, philosophy, and more.

Mind Body Green: Lifestyle media brand dedicated to inspiring you to live your best life.

Zen Habits: Find simplicity and mindfulness in life.

Creative NonFiction: “true stories well told.” 

Addicted 2 Success: Motivation & Inspiration Website full of quotes and inspiring articles for entrepreneurs.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree: science-based answers and expert insight on how to be awesome at life.

The Positivity Blog: Practical articles on happiness, self-esteem, productivity and social skills.

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