The Rich Roll Podcast - Prophets Walk Among Us: Stories From Our Listeners Part II

Episode Date: December 19, 2022

Last year, we debuted a new episode dedicated to compilations of stories sent in by our listeners. The result was Prophets Walk Among Us: Stories from Our Listeners, an incredible achievement that showcased the talent, drive, perseverance, and inspiration of the amazing humans that comprise the RRP multiverse. And if you haven’t listened to that episode yet, I highly encourage you to do so. After calling for more stories and curating the best responses, my team and I are proud to present to you: Prophets Walk Among Us, Part Two. Heartfelt stories of real-life transformations, tales of perseverance, and wisdom earned submitted by listeners of the show. I sincerely hope you enjoy this episode. It was made with love, for and by you. Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Peace + Plants, Rich

The Rich Roll Podcast Hey Rich, hello, greetings Hi Alright, take two Your podcast is a little beacon of light every week Rich, it's an absolute honor and pleasure to be able to leave a message like this. I'm from the Bronx, New York. I live in Cody, Wyoming.

I'm from Philly, hence the accent and slang. From Atlanta, Georgia. Calgary, Alberta. From Massachusetts. I'm actually running on the treadmill right now, listening to the latest roll on. I'm 34. I live in Madrid, Spain. I'm calling all the way from Australia. Calling you from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

Thank you so much for doing this and giving us, the listeners, the opportunity to share our stories. The podcast has not just kept me company, but it's given me immense hope and confidence in the power of subtle transformation. I've been listening to the podcast since it started in the first episode. I've probably listened to over 300 podcasts and it really has changed my life. The biggest gift that your podcast has given me is that I shared it with my daughter, Katie.

She loves it. She's overcome a lot of challenges in her life, and a lot of your guests and information and books really help her, inspire her to make changes. So it's really been a great relationship builder between her and I. We always had a good relationship, but this takes it to another level. Every time I listen, it just makes me want to become a better version of myself. Your podcast has really made me think about what am I doing? Just like when someone said to you, what does your podcast do? It made me think about what I'm doing.

I know you've been pondering the question, what does your podcast do? And though I may not be able to tell you what your podcast does, I can tell you what your podcast does for me. It provides inspiration, not only through your own story, but the vulnerable way in which you tell it. What does your podcast do? Such a simple question. It changes lives, it changed minds, and implanted values and lessons. What does your podcast do? It inspires, feeds desires, and fans the flame to our intuitive fires.

What does your podcast do? It plants seeds, pulls weeds, and does good deeds. What does your podcast do? It shifts perspectives, gives directives, and casts light toward the dark and neglected. At the end of last year, we debuted a new format for this show with an episode dedicated to compilations of

stories sent in by our listeners. The result was an incredible achievement that showcased the talent, the drive, the perseverance, and the inspiration of the amazing humans that comprise the RRP community. If you haven't listened to that episode yet, I highly encourage you to do so. But this year, we decided to do it again. And after putting out a call for more stories and curating the best responses, we're super proud to present to you Profits Walk Among Us Part 2. And it's all coming up quick, but first. And it's all coming up quick, but first. We're brought to you today by recovery.com.

I've been in recovery for a long time. It's not hyperbolic to say that I owe everything good in my life to sobriety. And it all began with treatment and experience that I had that quite literally saved my life. And in the many years since, I've in turn helped many suffering addicts and their loved ones find treatment. And with that, I know all too well just how confusing and how overwhelming and how challenging it can be to find the right place and the right level of care. Especially because, unfortunately, not all treatment resources adhere to ethical practices. It's a real problem. A problem I'm now happy and proud to share has been solved by the people at recovery.com who created an online support portal designed to guide, to support, and empower you

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It's not hyperbolic to say that I owe everything good in my life to sobriety. And it all began with treatment and experience that I had that quite literally saved my life. And in the many years since, I've in turn helped many suffering addicts and their loved ones find treatment. since, I've in turn helped many suffering addicts and their loved ones find treatment. And with that, I know all too well just how confusing and how overwhelming and how challenging it can be to find the right place and the right level of care, especially because unfortunately, not all treatment resources adhere to ethical practices. It's a real problem. A problem I'm now happy and proud to share has been solved by the people at recovery.com who created an online support portal designed to guide, to support, and empower you to find the ideal level of care tailored to your personal needs.

They've partnered with the best global behavioral health providers to cover the full spectrum of behavioral health disorders, including substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, gambling addictions, and more. Navigating their site is simple. Search by insurance coverage, location, treatment type, you name it. Plus, you can read reviews from former patients to help you decide. Whether you're a busy exec, a parent of a struggling teen, or battling addiction yourself, I feel you. I empathize with you. I really do.

And they have treatment options for you. Life in recovery is wonderful, and recovery.com is your partner in starting that journey. When you or a loved one need help, go to recovery.com and take the first step towards recovery. in starting that journey. When you or a loved one need help, go to recovery.com and take the first step towards recovery. To find the best treatment option for you or a loved one, again, go to recovery.com.

Okay, as I said in last year's episode, this show is and has always been for and about you, the listener. Without you, the conversations that make up the bulk of this show just don't move the needle in lives beyond my own. Because the true impact of this platform is inspiring positive change in the lives of people within and beyond our community. In other words, you matter to me. It's why I do what I do. And what follows is your voice. This is your community. These are your stories, and I can't wait to share them all with you right now. Hello, greetings. This is Yemi Odetola-Brown from Atlanta, Georgia.

I want to say thank you for sharing your truth on the podcast. I am a new listener and I find your platform authentic, inspiring, and enriching. enriching. Your message of self-love and nurturing of community for the greater good resonates so deeply and is beyond refreshing. You are truly a soul brother, my friend. I find that though we are from different cultures, we speak the same truth. I am Nigerian by birth and started listening to your show recently and some of the words that you use and the language that you use are so rich and so similar to what I say every day. And so without a doubt, you are elevating the individual and collective consciousness with your work. May the universe continue to conspire to light your path and fill your heart with joy and abundance.

In 2015, I was morbidly obese, so I took up walking. And I strolled while listening to your podcast and imbued my tracks with purpose, feeding Indian people on the streets of Toronto with homemade vegan sandwiches. And crazily, I lost 100 pounds. I've walked, hiked, and ran more than 62,000 kilometers by foot across six continents, as well as completed 600 freestyle marathons. Listening to Rich and Adam and all your wonderful guests along the way, your pod really has kept me company on my tracks, as well as inspired me when the going gets tough on hundreds of marathons.

And I just want to let you and the listeners know that I'm proof positive that having this positive combos continually piped into your ears over years and years can really power some unbelievable outcomes. And this really can't be understated. Anyway, I'm about to dedicate all of 2023 to breaking the Guinness World Record for most marathons in the year, which is more than 240, which I'm choosing to do solo. This means no support crew and across 50 to 100 different

countries to up the ante. And I'll definitely be an ardent listener next year, as I really need the wind in my sails once again when the going gets tough. Hi. I just listened to the first installment of Listener Stories, and in true fashion, I'm coming in late, but it doesn't matter because I'm coming in and I'm showing up. That is just one of many lessons I've learned through your podcast. So my story, eight years ago, I moved from Rhode Island to Spain. And a big catalyst for that was my mother's drinking. Single parent, only child. My grandma helped as much as she could, but my mother was just dealing with wretched childhood drama through immigration to the point where, I mean, I don't think she's functioning, but heart-wrenching. And it seems like it was just one emergency after another. Motorcycle accident, house fire, hospitalization.

I mean, searing anxiety for me. I didn't officially quit college, but I wasn't going for a year. Managed to get out of all of that, and I moved to Spain. I needed distance, and it's taken even longer to learn about emotional distance. And because it's been so normalized, it took until a tenant of my mom's house that she bought to tell me, your mom is unconscious on the stairs and going to the hospital

because she's an alcoholic, sweetie. And I just, I was shattered. And it took me a long time to separate from all of the entangled feelings that came with my mother's pain from her past and that her only way of dealing with it was from drinking. But I found this podcast. I had already started running a few years ago. It's just such a great channel for emotion. And I've been able to find my identity and no longer just observe, but rather do through examples and thoughtful conversations about resilience and temperance and faith and trust through your podcast. So thank you. And really, I can find my identity apart from my mom's suffering.

And I don't drink anymore. Life is good. I feel absolutely with it. And I think what I've learned through your show, and I just learned this yesterday, through your show and through life, of course, through doing these hard things, is that I'm stronger than pain.

I've done my own pain. I'm stronger than that. And I can always love. And thank you for what you do a million times over peace plants namaste friends hello my name is Will Koka uh you guys took my call over a year ago it was the NFT episode that you guys did for on the roll-on. I just wanted to know if you guys had any advice on starting over for folks who have kind of lost it all. I was overweight. My father had passed away and I was in a slump. I ended up in the hospital diagnosed with type 2 diabetes,

A1c of 11.1 and had a bad infection. I remember the advice you guys gave me and it really kind of resonated with me when I was kind of in bed and just dealing with the infection and getting ready to make a plan. I remember Rich said, this enemy that you're facing is comparing yourself to this person that you were seven years ago. Comparison is the thief of joy. So stop comparing yourself to this person that you were seven years ago. Comparison is the thief of joy. So stop comparing yourself to your past self or to other people. It's not about that. It's not about training where you think you should be.

It's about accepting and embracing where you are right now and doing what you are capable of doing because that's the only way that you get anything done or make any progress. So it started with eating right, getting rid of all the food that got me in this place, and also walking to the mailbox, taking the dog around the block. And a walk became a jog, and a jog became a run. I tapped into the advice you guys gave me. I took it a day at a time,

a step at a time. little decisions, little steps, made big, big, big outcomes. And I want to thank you guys so much. I had my checkup two months ago and I got my A1C down to 5.3. Doing my third half marathon in October. And I want to thank you guys again for not only giving me the tools to do things physically, but emotionally as well, and really work on that part of me as well as the other stuff. It truly is true when you say mood follows action. And it sure did. Thank you guys for everything you do. I found your podcast back in 2017 when I was struggling with extreme chronic fatigue. I had been an avid cyclist and was working for an active travel company,

planning bike tours in Europe when I got sick. Almost overnight, I went from healthy and active to unable to walk up stairs on my own. After months of going to doctors, barely able to function, I was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr and chronic fatigue syndrome. I found that my well-meaning doctors had little to offer in terms of treatment or hope of recovery, and I was even recommended that I accept my new limitations and perhaps get a wheelchair to make life easier. Needless to say, it was extremely frightening and depressing. I decided that I needed to believe in something different that I could recover,

and I set out to figure out how. It was in my dive into healing, health, and nutrition that I found your podcast. Over the last five years, your podcast has influenced my recovery in both practical and emotional ways. You introduced me to plant-based eating, of course, and I changed my diet, finding body aches reduced. You introduced me to Wim Hof, and I used his breathing practices to help my body heal. I started using acupuncture as a powerful part of my recovery after hearing your conversations with Colin Hudon, as well as Julie's own story of healing a type of goiter on her neck with the use of herbs and Eastern medicine. But it was hearing your own story of Recovery Rich, as well as the story of so many of your guests all overcoming adversity, that gave me a sense of hope and determination.

Listening to your podcast helped me see my situation as an opportunity for growth and something I would be grateful for one day. I saw getting through my challenge as my ultra-endurance race. I'm happy to report that five years later, I'm back on the bike. What's more, I quit my job in January of 2020 and enrolled in a four-year master's program in acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. My goal is to help others to heal from similarly misunderstood chronic illness. Deciding to make such a pivot at age 41 was daunting, but knowing that you completed your first endurance race at 42 helped me to see that it's never too late to make a big change. 42 helps me to see that it's never too late to make a big change.

Rich, oh man, there are so many ways in which you've influenced my life. Let me throw out number one on the short list. Mood follows action. Your mantra has helped me see many obstacles sitting between me and the life I've wanted to live over the past few years. In the interest of time, I'll give you one example. Ever since I read The Outsiders in seventh grade, mind you, I'm now 51 years old, I've wanted to write a novel. I've had flashes of inspiration and ideas for plots and characters over the years, but always told myself, once I get through X, accomplish Y, or have Z in the bank, I'll pursue my dream. Well, a number of factors converged two years ago that led me to leave my career in finance. As I did the responsible thing and began networking from a next job, the little boy in me kept raising his hand, started talking back, then ultimately shouted, stop waiting around to feel ready to write that book. Just start writing so we can all feel better.

So I started. Then COVID hit. By then, the action of getting started had triggered such an avalanche of positive vibes that a day hasn't passed since when I haven't worked on my book about growing up, making mistakes, tragedy, running, and recovery. As I leave you this message, I'm giving the manuscript for Beyond Spirit Hill a final read-through. Thank you and stay tuned. and stay tuned. KS2, that follows curiosity, has discussions on philosophy, and is the biggest catalyst for change in our lives quite possibly. On November 4th of 2021, my four-year-old son was diagnosed with heart failure and admitted to the hospital where he waited for transplant. And while we were waiting, his heart was so bad that he had to be hooked up to a machine

to help his heart beat for about seven months until he got his transplant. And during that time, you know, I had been an avid listener to the podcast, and I took a lot of the lessons that I had learned through what I've learned through endurance sports, through running, and mental toughness into that experience. When you're waiting for a heart, you don't have any idea if you're going to be there for six weeks or 18 months. weeks or 18 months and having a three-year-old at home and my four-year-old in the hospital it was really trying between going back and forth and our family being separated and i was shocked at how many of the lessons that i took from endurance training and running seemed to translate on the long night when we didn't know what was on the other side of the coin while we were waiting. And really, I just wanted to say thank you so much to this podcast

for giving me the mental toughness and strength and lessons that I needed to get through that time. Jake is now five years old, almost six actually, on December 20th and doing great and we are enjoying all the pre-Christmas activities and having a great time and we're so grateful to the Children's Hospital here that got us through and I personally am very grateful to this podcast which was really the thing that got me through. Thank you so much. I discovered your podcast about nine years ago. I needed something to listen to while training for an ultra. And your show came on and I downloaded an episode, not knowing the impact it would have.

At first, I listened almost out of kind of amused sense of curiosity because I was very much eating a typical Western diet at that time, maybe even more so in terms of animal products as I was doing the whole keto thing. But after almost two years of listening to your show, I suffered an injury to my leg and I underwent surgery. My leg was wrapped in a calf and I was bedridden for two months. I wanted to reduce the swelling. and I remembered that you and your guests talking about how a plant-based diet reduces inflammation, so I switched to it. I started eating palates and drinking fruit smoothies, and the most amazing thing happened. Despite being unable to move for two months, I somehow lost weight.

And when the cast came off, the doctors were shocked at how much the swelling had gone down. And that was the proof that I needed to make the change. Since then, I've embraced the plant-based diet, not only for myself, but I've seen it help others as well. People like my teenage son who was struggling with acne, friends with high blood pressure, my dad who had a high PSA and possible prostate cancer. Plant-based diet has been a huge help to them all, and I owe that to you and this show. And not only has the show helped heal my body, it provided me the tools I needed mentally as well. Because as a result of that injury, I was unable to run again. And I went from crossing the finish line of an ultra to six months later

being a therapy and learning how to walk again. And that was very hard for me. It's a loss of something that I love doing, and more than that, it's been the loss of part of my identity. And I still struggle with it to this day, but it just so happens that right before my injury, he had on the show a guest named Ryan Holiday, who was talking about his book, The Obstacle is the Way, which introduced me to this philosophy of stoicism and the principles of

acceptance, and to only worry about things that you can control. And amor fati, love is your fate. And I've embraced that as well. And without it, I honestly don't know how I would have coped in the years since that injury. But it's given me a better framework for life. I'm in my mid-50s. I'm in my mid-50s. I'm 55. I grew up in New York City in the 70s and 80s and life, which then led, I was very busy raising children and being a single mom to two boys, now men. And so I was focusing on that, and I actually ran three marathons in my 30s, the Vermont City Marathon, the New York City

Marathon. And then I hit my 40s and everything fell apart. The trauma that I had experienced hit me hard and I pretty much lost a decade of my life. I gained a lot of weight. I became dependent on alcohol and diagnosed with PTSD in a hospital. And that was about four years ago. And I changed my lifestyle altogether. I became vegan. I became vegan, and I got back right into exercising again. I'm a runner and a swimmer and a biker, and your podcast inspires me so much to continue following my dreams and following my athletic endeavors, me with relief from depression and anxiety and also offer me just an amazing way of experiencing this world. Rich, it is so good to call into your podcast. I'm an Army officer calling from the Fort Bragg area. And although I've been an endurance athlete since high school and college,

and I've been plant-based for two years, my journey of transformation did not truly begin until just over a year ago, when my mom killed herself on July 12, 2021. Leaving me heartbroken without parents or an immediate family, grief was hard for me, especially as I was juggling it while doing an overseas move and starting a new job path. However, I truly believe the universe conspires to help us

if we let it. Because this past December, I began to crawl out from underneath the tragedy and trauma when I told some friends that I would train for a triathlon this spring. And days later, while on a date with a woman who's now my fiancé, I was introduced to your podcast and it has been a constant companion and guide. From Lisa Miller, I learned to lean into the opportunity that grief provides to deepen one's spirituality. And Alexi Pappas, I found solace in her story of an almost identical trauma, and she gave me insight into trauma being an injury to the brain.

She inspired me to put actions first and the thoughts will follow. She voiced many of the thoughts, questions, and concerns that I had about my mom while she talked about hers. Lastly, Susan Cain offered encouragement for me to continue turning my pain into something beautiful, which has led me to continuing to work on a poetry book. Rich, in all of your conversations, you've reminded me of the power of human agency and the power of belief. Every day I choose to be grateful. Every day I choose hope.

I choose life. Because although existence is full of pain and heartbreak and suffering, we cannot throw up our hands and succumb to nihilism. We must believe in ourselves. We must choose hope for our futures. We must choose the vulnerability of loving another despite the fact that we could lose them at any moment. And we must choose life. Thoughts follow actions, and the best training bike is the one in the corner collecting dust. Now, I've completed three triathlons, one being a half Ironman, I've bought a house, and I'm engaged. The universe inspired. Thank you, Rich, for all that you do,

and for all that you provide to us through your podcast. Bye for now. Hello to everyone at the Ritual Podcast. I'm Sierra Winters. I'm 23 years old, originally from North Carolina, and I've been listening to the podcast for a little over five years. And it was one of the influences that helped me go vegan at 18. The voices of Rich and his guests have been with me over countless training runs and indoor rides, inspiring me to keep taking that next step.

Listening to guests speak about the inner spiritual power of sport and diet, as opposed to the typical weight loss narrative, has helped me overcome my own struggles with my body as a young woman. It has also helped me remember that while triathletes can be obsessive, sport is a means to self-improvement of the inner personality, and that my identity is not the athlete. Hearing from people who have traveled the world and dissolved their identities as they learn more about the greater meanings in life has also helped me as I have moved to India. I live there now with my husband, and the cultural shocks seem to be never-ending. But now I see them as opportunities for growth.

I see them as stepping stones to becoming my strongest self, someone who can selflessly support others without all the comforts of a Western lifestyle. someone who can selflessly support others without all the comforts of a Western lifestyle. And this podcast has definitely played a significant role in developing that kind of outlook. All right, so my story is I used to be a mess before. I hadn't paid my taxes from like 2008 to 2019. I was doing a bunch of drugs. I was starting to do too much cocaine, you know, drinking all of that, all the bad habits. And I really needed to turn my life around. So,

what I did in 2019, early 2019, is I went to a Vipassana retreat and this transformed my life. And as I came out of the Vipassana retreat, somehow this role came along in my life and carried me through the last three or four years since which has been the best years of my life like i said i was a mess before and now went in 2019 i decided to start running when i came out of the vipassana because i couldn't afford to pay a gym membership so i said fuck it you know i'll just run so I didn't know what to expect but I ended up really enjoying running I still run today so I went from like not running being a couch potato to running the New York City Marathon in 2019 I had to raise like five thousand dollars in the worst to run the marathon which was an amazing experience and then I ended up doing a triathlon. I did a Ironman. I did a backyard race this year,

which I did 114 kilometers in 17 hours. And I'm currently training for another marathon. So it's been a blessing. And I could go on and on, but yeah, the podcast has really inspired me. And in the end, what I take away from it is that mood really does follow action.

Thank you, Control. Okay, back to the show. My story of personal transformation perhaps actually begins with the sound of my voice right now. It is scratchy because I'm a public high school English teacher, and I've been reading Of Mice and Men with my 10th graders and lost my voice. of ultras and a mother and a survivor of trauma, which you've presented in your most recent two podcasts that I've listened to. But a wide array of your podcasts have changed my life and transformed me. But when I was 15, I walked home from school with a friend, and we were approached out of nowhere by a complete stranger with a gun who threatened our lives, abducted us, and sexually assaulted me. And that trauma, well, the changes did not happen overnight.

They took decades. But that trauma changed me for better and worse, or maybe I should say for worse and then for better. And your podcast has been a part of that transformative journey. I now do a run to support the students that I teach every year at Louisa County High School. Most recently, in the spring of of 2022 i ran from my high school to washington dc without stopping 105 miles i was on the today show it got quite a bit of press but i've actually done runs like that for the last seven years to raise money for students who have overcome obstacles in their lives and And that all goes towards scholarship

funds for those students. Again, your podcast has been transformational. It's supported me in my plant-based lifestyle. You've helped me in all kinds of ways with my running. I wasn't even a runner until I was 35. Your most recent podcasts have been very, very valuable to me as I've continued to explore my experiences growing up in therapy, but also on my own in many ways. And I just want to thank you so much. Hey, Rich, Steve Prochno in Hawaii. The podcast in your book inspired me to go to my first teacher training, which was in Hawaii. And from that point on, I became a yoga teacher and have taught hundreds of thousands of people in the Buffalo area because of that first training, which I just credit partially towards the podcast of giving me that push.

Also from the podcast, as you know, it led me to start the November Project Buffalo chapter. Your podcast with EG was the catalyst for me to say yes, and I did that for five years. And your podcast over the years is a staple for me to stay in the work. Both my parents have gone through and still going through cancer treatments. And having your eclectic people on the podcast has given me that ability to have something in my life that is consistent. I look forward to it every Monday. And when I receive something from your podcast, it helps me give out to my family and to the world. And so I know it sounds silly, but the podcast has had a huge impact on me from

yourself, Rich, of being such an incredible person. And then all of your genuine guests have just helped me continue to be a student of life, which allowed me to share that into the world and make a direct impact on your podcast has made a huge difference in my life, which has impacted so many others. Back in 2017, my husband and I were taking a road trip, and we were listening to a recent episode of your first interview with Bruce Friedrich, the executive director of the Good Food Institute. Friedrich, the executive director of the Good Food Institute. And at the time, I had recently left a 13-year career in pharmaceutical sales, and I was looking to find work that was more meaningful and aligned with my values and something I could do that would make a positive

impact on the world. And when I heard about GFI and its theory of change, working to make alternative proteins more accessible, more affordable, and more delicious, I was sold. I was just convinced. I was like, this is what I want to be doing. I love the theory of change of this organization, and I want in. So as a result of hearing Bruce interviewed on your podcast, I applied to the Good Food Institute. And it took me a couple of times because the job openings didn't exactly align with my skill set right away. But in July of 2018, I was hired by the organization. And since then, I've been working with brilliant, kind, compassionate people to improve the future of food. And I owe that to the Rich

Roll podcast. I don't think I ever would have learned about GFI, or at least not as early as I did without hearing Bruce interviewed on your show. So thank you so much for opening my eyes to the fact that this organization exists. And I'm thrilled to be doing meaningful work that aligns with my values. And I just want to express my very deep gratitude for helping me find this work. And for all you do, keep up the amazing work. You are a gift to this world. What does your podcast do? It harnesses pain, releases shame, and readjusts our lens to a new frame. What does your podcast do? It reads books, loves to cook, and has a knack for knowing where to look. What does your podcast do?

It takes inventory, redefines glory, and unpacks the every person's story. I've always loved running. Ever since I was young, even in elementary school, it was my passion. It was where I solved problems, where I coped with stress. It really allowed me to stay in super physical condition. It was just what I loved and what I really enjoyed, and it got me to healthy foods and a diet.

In fact, on one run in Fort McMurray, Alberta, I was face to face with a large black bear on the run, but it went away well in 2017, I was diagnosed with a weird disease called Parkinson's disease. I was 60 years old and noticed I was starting to get tremor and rigidity on my right side and was worried, but I still was running even though it kind of was a weird gait. Well, as the years went by, I struggled more and more to run. Up to that point, I'd run over 45 marathons and ultra marathons and just knew running was what mattered most. Well, eventually in 2020, I realized I can't run anymore. What can I do? But I realized, as you always said, Rich, mood follows action. I had to adapt. I had to change. I had to transform myself. And I think

your podcast over the years really inspired me to do that and make a difference. I decided, you know what? You can ride your bike, your road bike, or your mountain bike. You can go hiking. You can go to the gym. You can work out and lift weights. There's other stuff you can do to make a difference to still feel strong and healthy. And your podcasts have always inspired me to continue to do that, to try different things. Even though I can't run anymore, I can still do these other things.

And it really has transformed my life. Greetings from the suburbs of Yellowstone Park. I first came across you, Rich, when I did a Google search for authors who had written their story. I devoured Finding Ultra and started listening to the podcast. And I'm happy to say that I, too, visit the rooms and sit at the table and tell my story of recovery. It's been a long 30-year journey in and out, and right now I am all in. I intend to stay this way one day at a time. Thank God.

My ministry and mission in life revolves around the Desmond Tutu quote. We shouldn't just be pulling people out of the river. We should be going upstream to find out what's pushing them in. I've created a life for myself, doing what I love for a living, which enables me to be standing at the place where our fellows may be thinking of jumping in the river. I teach yoga to all ages at a little studio here in Cody. I teach art classes to kids because the local school district just cut the elementary art program last year. I feel for me anyway that yoga and my own creativity have saved my life time and time again,

a theme that has woven in and out of your podcast throughout the years. I want to share this with as many people, young and old and in between, so as to help people learn to cherish their minds, their bodies, and their spirits, as well as cherishing others. And I know from you, Rich, with consistency and showing up, in 10 years from now, I will have made a difference, and people will stop jumping in the river, and people will stop drowning. I consider you my great teacher and guide, Rich Roll.

We are kindred in spirit, and I can't even find the language appropriate to express my deepest appreciation for what you do, how you live, and the work you do. Being able to see your lighthouse, your podcast, your truth, your transparency, your vulnerability has helped me become who I am, considering that it took about 50 years to discover who I am, and I'm currently 53 years old. It's one of those things that you can never, ever imagine that somebody that you've never met or know from afar could have such a lasting impact the way you have on me.

Because for most of my life, I coasted. For most of my life, I just flew by the seat of my pants. Yes, there were times where I had to put the pedal to the metal. Yes, there were times that I avoided a lot of different behaviors, patterns, and habits that were crippling me as a human being, the people that I hurt along the way, the first marriage that failed in part because of the way I behaved and the way I didn't take control of myself, of my situations at that time. And to think between 45 and 50 was such a rough stretch internally, emotionally, psychologically,

spiritually, that I had to be able to put all my cards on the table. I had to be able to push whatever it was, not necessarily aside because I didn't want to avoid it, but to push all of the doubt that I had, all of the inferiority that I had about myself, and all the issues that had been accumulating over the years from being a child to teenager, young adult to adult. And through my own self-discovery and obviously through the podcast and all the wonderful guests that you've had, I've been able to break out through the other side. But as we all know, and like you say best, there is no finish line.

I must continue to persevere because I want to continue this journey to be on the right path to success, more so for me internally than it is externally. And I just want to thank you for all that you do, for all that you've done for me, and I'm sure thousands and thousands of many other people out there just like me. Around the time your podcast started, I found myself diagnosed with an autoimmune that had no cure and no treatment. And I had been vegan

a year and a half, worked out six days a week, just incredibly healthy, turned 40. And I ended up in a wheelchair. And I was in that wheelchair for five years, went through a stem cell clinical trial and got better. And all of this has been since 2012. So the stories, the conversations, it's all just been a guidepost for me to listen to and be encouraged as I've taught myself to walk again, use my hands and get out of the chair and, you know, regain life, so to speak. And the lessons that I've learned in being present and getting through the difficulties and being told no by world-renowned hospitals that I'd never get better and there wasn't any hope,

it's just been really encouraging to hear the stories of, even though I'm not an athlete, some of these athletes that have, you know, really been told no as well. So I thank you for putting all the goodness out in the world and hopefully my little story will help you keep going because it does matter. You keep going because it does matter. My name is Dan, and I'm a 62-year-old pediatrician from Virginia. Eleven years ago, I had a life-altering accident that rebooted who I am. While body surfing in North Carolina, I suffered a cervical spinal cord injury that left me limp from the neck down.

The universe must have been watching because strangers saw me and dragged me out of the water. Things happened quickly. A helicopter ride to the closest trauma center, multiple tests, neck fusion surgery, and then I was parked in the ICU, paralyzed. Life can change in a second, and that hit me with a walloping impact that day, but I turned out to be one of the lucky ones. I was an avid cyclist, and I think my level of fitness helped me out. After four months in the hospital doing intensive rehab, I regained the ability to feed myself, take care of my own bowel and bladder issues, and I gradually clawed my way back to being able to walk, albeit with crutches or a cane.

I made it my mission to scratch back as much as I could. I was able to return to work and return to cycling by way of a recumbent trike. Last year, I rode 3,500 miles on my trike. Always looking for inspiration, I read Finding Ultra and I loved your book. The book and podcast have catalyzed many changes for me. These include a vegan diet, meditation, renewed dedication to exercise, and focus on sleep. Perhaps the biggest change is a refocusing of my values. I have a much stronger sense of just how amazing it is to have this moment of beauty we call a light

on this blue dot floating in the immense universe. What a miracle. Your podcast helps me truly realize what's important. Possibility, openness, curiosity, listening, love, and gratitude. These values are undergirding my efforts. It's made me a better person, a better father and husband, and a better doctor. I see these strivings in the bright eyes of my patients. From the first smiles of a two-month-old to a giggling five-year-old

to a struggling teen who finally makes a breakthrough. And I see these values in the loving eyes of their parents. Thank you, Rich. So I first came across the podcast through Finding Altar in 2015. My story is a little crazy. I'm 51, and when I was 26, like Tommy Ribs, I got laid up in a coma. Mine was a different illness, a rare autoimmune illness called vasculitis that attacked my brain. I was in the hospital over two months. My heart

stopped a few times. It's probably a good thing I don't remember much of it. I had to relearn how to walk, talk, read, write, name it. Long story short, thank God I got better, but I had a lot of anger, shame, and denial buried pretty deep, and I dealt with it the way I knew best, throwing myself into training, fitness competitions, running, making sure I was so physically exhausted I didn't have time to deal with what was going on in my head. I'm not proud of some of the choices I made during that time, but I think about Gabor Mate saying, trauma is something that leaves your brain different than it was before, and it helps me understand and have some peace. Nobody talks about mental recovery after extreme illness, only the physical.

Twenty-five years ago, they didn't anyways. In 2015, I finally decided to face my illness. That's when I came across Finding Ultra and your podcast. I connected with your journey, albeit different. You threw yourself into ultras, went vegan, and recreated your life. I went vegan, 100% cold turkey that same month. So here's a funny thing that happened. Prior to going vegan, I'd had vasculitis, flares, crazy headaches, memory and speech issues. Once I went vegan, no flares, zero. I can't tell you how life-changing that's been. And it's not just the plant-based lifestyle that's helped me on my

wellness journey. It's Gabor Mate about trauma, Dr. Matthew Walker on sleep, Dr. B on gut health, and Julie on spirituality and so many more. Through the podcast, I learned there are so many elements of wellness. Thanks so much. A few years ago, I was working kind of at an agency, sort of living what I thought was my dream life as a writer. A lot of partying, a lot of not healthy habits. And I was always listening to your show, but nothing had really stuck yet. And about two years ago, I got really sick and I was in the hospital and almost died, kind of a freak bacteria thing. And when I left the hospital, I kind of felt like,

you know, everything I've been giving up to that point was wrong, and I wasn't living the way I wanted to live. So through listening to your show on a continual basis, I actually picked up Autobiography of a Yogi, which was a book that Adam Sklunek recommended as one of his favorite reads. And I read that in the summer, and I ended up signing up for the Self-Realization Fellowship. So now I'm in a really deep meditation protocol that I do every day. I quit drinking two months ago, which has been just amazing in so many ways. And I actually signed up for a marathon in six months from now. So two years ago at this point in time, I was literally on my deathbed and I left the hospital.

I had to relearn how to walk again. And, you know, my life has just changed in all these like really insane ways. And I have to attribute a lot of it to the podcast. And I mean, I could talk at length about the different ways that your show has influenced me in these really powerful ways. But I would say the takeaway at this point is my life looks totally different. I'm meditating. I'm mostly plant-based. I don't drink and I'm running all the time. So just trying to become you apparently. Thanks so much. Bye. I've always loved the quote, it is no measure of health to be well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society. Jiddu Krishnamurti. I remind myself daily that if I

am guided by my own internal compass, the universe will inevitably conspire to provide. My personal growth has been scary, painful, uncomfortable, and the most precious and valuable asset I have. I've had to diligently unlearn a way of life that did not serve me, and I won't go back. Thanks, Rich, for being there on long walks before I broke my knee and being there to keep the light while I listened through hours of daily physical therapy exercises on the living room floor.

Your wisdom and experience has watered the seeds of my growth and encouraged me when others have doubted. I have gone through the worst experience a parent could. My daughter passed away May 2019 from cancer. She had Ewing's sarcoma and she was 11 when she died. I've slowly been kind of coming back to life, living it again, not just surviving.

Still in survival mode, but I think coming out of it listening to your podcast you know just reminds me that I am NOT the only one going through something we all have our stories some may be more tragic than others but everyone's got something and just hearing the survival and getting through of the stories of all the others and a lot of the psychology and things like that really just helps me remember that I'm not alone in this and if other people have gotten through well so can I so I just I just wanted to share that. Thanks. Bye. I've been a longtime listener, and I was drawn to you because of my own trauma and tragedy that I was so desperately trying to make sense of.

In 2003, our family was involved in a rollover car accident that left my strong, athletic husband a c5 quadriplegic luckily my kids who were only five and eight at the time were okay but our world was turned upside down we had family and friends walk away and my health suffered with severe medical issues that resulted in three major surgeries and I finally a diagnosis of Goods Syndrome, a rare immune deficiency disease. My mom, who had been our biggest supporter, got cancer and died very suddenly. And just as I was catching my breath from that, our home burned down in the horrific car fire. my breath from that, our home burned down in the horrific car fire. Then, of course,

COVID happened, which was extra difficult being a very immunocompromised person. However, all that has led me on the most important journey of healing and of trying to make sense of my life, trying to make peace and survive while dealing with such tremendous pain and grief. Your podcast has most importantly tried to change the story in my mind that has been replaying. And most recently, Dr. Conti and Dr. Mati have been huge sources of knowledge and inspiration. Your podcast has given me the tools to go plant-based and then explore what it means to be vegan. And Rich, you've shared your story and struggle so openly and with such vulnerability and emotion that I find myself taking something important from each guest that has helped in my life and my road to healing.

So as you can see, you've touched my life and my road to healing. So as you can see, you've touched my life in so many ways. I'm just so grateful for the opportunity to share a little of my story and to hear others as well. What does your podcast do? It asks questions, suggests introspection, cares for Mother Earth, her inhabitants, and their protection. What does your podcast do? It asks questions, suggests introspection, cares for Mother Earth, her inhabitants, and their protection. What does your podcast do? It examines systems of belief, serves a dose of therapeutic relief, and finds bittersweetness in grief. What does your podcast do? It battles resistance, goes the distance, and is a roadmap for persistence. It's with my most humble gratitude that I thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything and all that you are. Thank you for your consistency, dear one. And please, please keep coming back.

It's been an amazing transformation for me. Every episode resonates with me. Love the conversations. Keep up the great work. And I thank you for the way that my life has been transformed as a result. Thank you for the chance to express how much this show has meant to me. So I want to thank you, Rich, Julie, Adam, and the whole team for inspiring me to stay curious and believe in the possibility of recovery of all kinds. I don't think I could have done it without you.

Thanks again. Have a good one. I'm a psychotherapist. I'm an addiction specialist at Kaiser Permanente's addiction medicine department in Sylmar, California. Your podcast has totally inspired me and I use you constantly for a resource to give to my people when I do group and when I do individual therapy and they absolutely love you. You have just created such a beautiful thing for all of us to tap into. If there were a badge for a Ritual podcast superfan, I would proudly display it because I love your show so much and love sharing it with others. Please never stop posting episodes because they make my week every week. Bye!

posting episodes because they make my week every week. Bye. This was a labor of love for my team. It was a labor of love for me. And I'd like to end this episode in that spirit, in the spirit of gratitude by thanking you for listening and thanking each and every one of our callers who submitted their stories with such vulnerability, with such humility and grace, because it's no easy thing to share your struggles with strangers. And I'm just grateful beyond words for your courage and for your generosity.

You have truly put wind in my sails going into the new year and have strengthened my hope in the goodness of humanity, truly. But most of all, I wanna thank you for letting me serve because it is in service that I find purpose, that I find meaning and a sense of deep satisfaction that positively infuses every aspect of my daily life experience. I simply cannot overstate the extent

to which your experiences humble me, hold me accountable for my own actions, inspire me to do and be better and ennoble me to soldier on in the face of whatever obstacles I may personally face. Finally, I wanna be very clear. I in no way wanna take credit whatsoever for anybody's journey,

any improvements our callers make to their lives are on them entirely. I just love hearing the stories. It helps me feel more connected to you and it helps to dry the cement on this community bond I just love hearing the stories. It helps me feel more connected to you. And it helps to dry the cement on this community bond that I'm trying to foster because giving back is what it means to be part of a community.

Thank you for listening. Peace. Plants. Namaste. Thank you.