Rip Esselstyn is a health advocate and New York Times best-selling author of “The Engine 2 Diet” and “My Beef With Meat.” In 2020, Rip founded PLANTSTRONG. This company aims to simplify plant-based lifestyles. They provide education, food, recipes, and support to anyone interested in living a PLANTSTRONG life.
Before his health advocacy and writing career, Rip was a premier triathlete for over 15 years. During this time, he won 14 triathlons. He then became a firefighter at the Austin Fire Department.
While Rip was a firefighter, he noticed that some of his firefighting brothers and sisters were having health problems. So Rip developed “The Engine 2 Diet” to improve the health of his colleagues. This diet plan was vetted and approved by physician Caldwell Esselstyn, MD. Rip saved many lives as a firefighter, and he hopes to save many more by promoting a whole-foods, plant-based diet. Rip eventually retired as a firefighter to fully focus on advocating for plant-based lifestyles.
Rip published his diet plan “The Engine 2 Diet” to critically-acclaimed success. This book appeared on the New York Times best seller list. Rip’s next book “My Beef With Meat” became a #1 New York Times best seller. Rip published several more books and cookbooks to great success. Rip continued his advocacy work with great success. His excellence as an activist led him to become a Whole Foods Market Healthy Eating Partner from 2009-2020. Rip also promoted and appeared in successful documentaries like Forks Over Knives and The Game Changers. He also hosts the “Plant-Strong” podcast, a consistent top 10 fitness and nutrition podcast.
Rip’s success led him to found his plant-based nutrition company, PLANTSTRONG. PLANTSTRONG aims “to empower people to take control of their health destiny and advocate for the proven benefits of plant-based living.” As the founder of PLANTSTRONG, Rip has been the driving force behind a range of programs and events designed to educate, nurture, and inspire people around the globe.
Rip’s passion and dedication to advocating a plant-based lifestyle has reached millions of people worldwide. His hope is to continue improving the lives of many so they too can live a PLANTSTRONG life.