The Future of Paleo with Robb Wolf

Audio Only: iTunes, Stitcher

This week on Barbell Shrugged, we catch up with best-selling author of The Paleo Solution, Robb Wolf.

Just like anyone, we first learned of the Paleo diet and lifestyle from the research of Dr. Loren Cordain, and of course, through Robb’s work. But the diet stuff was only half of it. We were actually way more informed and inspired by Robb’s podcast in those early years.

At the time, around 2012, it seemed like the only way to reach people was to travel around the world speaking and teaching. I still hope to do way more of that, sooner rather than later, but the truth is that Barbell Shrugged has already been all around the world 174 times now. That’s the power of modern podcasting, and it’s something anyone can do!

At least that’s what we told ourselves at the time (it turned out to be true).

Thanks @komainuapparel for the awesome gear!

A photo posted by Robb Wolf (@dasrobbwolf) on Jan 18, 2015 at 2:14pm PST

Together with The Joe Rogan Experience, Robb’s efforts in new media made our show possible. It’s very true. For that alone we will always be thankful. Without these guys we’d all be a little more chubby, inflamed, and mostly unaware of the educational might of podcasts.

Yes, Robb helped write the book on Paleo, so to speak. Through his writing, podcasting, and continuous speaking gigs like PaleoFX, he has helped to educate and inform a new generation of athletes, coaches, and healthcare professionals.

That’s extraordinary, but there’s limited value in education alone. As the great psychologist Carl Jung said, “You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.”

It’s not enough to know. If it were, far more people would be living healthier, stronger, more fulfilling lives. What’s more, for Robb it’s not enough to write books and talk about the problem from neon keynote stages. He’s done his part to educate, and he doesn’t plan on stopping of course. You have to keep pushing the message out. You have to keep talking about it. But you also have to do something, right? You have to show people there’s a better way to train and fuel their bodies. With that they can take action, change their lives, and serve as a neon-bright example to others.

What more could you want?

The Powerful Robb Wolf together with our other podcasting mentor, Joe Rogan. 

A great example of action and effect is what Robb has accomplished with the Reno, Nevada Police force. The problem was serious and obvious – Many serving officers were chronically stressed, inflamed, malnourished and sleep deprived. Overall, about 19-22% of screened police officers were deemed to be at risk for developing metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance.

Bottom line: Cops and service people were dying prematurely from health related disease, and according to Robb’s data, a whole lot more were on right behind them. That’s just not ok.

A very simple strategy was implemented. Following the initial risk assessment, at risk officers have participated in a Paleo lifestyle that includes low-carb meals, proper strength training and conditioning, as well as sleep and stress modulation. You can imagine the results.

To date, this program has changed a lot of lives and has saved more than $22 million in healthcare costs. With any luck, this program and these service people will serve as a lasting example to departments and special populations all around the globe.

Robb’s book is a must read. This stuff works, folks. 

The next big challenge Robb is taking on is raising awareness around food sustainability and desertification.

No, this is another level beyond what you eat, when and why. You also have to carefully consider the effect that food production has on the environment. You should be very concerned when agriculture or any other factor disturb local eco-systems, like when herbivores are allowed to overgraze and smash a landscape due to the absence of apex predators and conscious farmers.

You likely know all about the health benefits of pasture-raised beef. It couldn’t be any better for you. But you also have to think way beyond what goes in your mouth. You also have to consider your community, your lands, the entirety of the whole eco-system.

The consequences of this lack of awareness threaten our food supply, entire habitats, and the health and well-being of future generations. Robb, sounds like we’re going to have to dig into that during round two!

Cheers,

Chris