Well, I’m back. Most of me that is, I’m about 16lbs lighter than when I went off the grid and have a hell of a story to tell…but you may need to wait until early-mid September to get the full story. Not trying to be cryptic but I participated in a project that precludes me talking much about it unless the “powers that be” give me some latitude. Suffice to say it’s a REALLY good story and folks will dig it. I have a few updates to share with y’all and some musings, so I guess I’ll just jump in.
Paleo Solution Seminar
While I was on this recent project I had the opportunity to work with a number of folks out of medicine and academia. They are collectively great people and I came to a startling conclusion in the past two weeks: If this ancestral diet/evolutionary biology concept is to reach the masses, if it is to help as many people as it can, I need to shift my focus to 3 specific areas:
1-Developing educational curriculum for doctors and medical professionals.
2-Work to develop and promote pre-medical and pre-professional educational tracks which are built upon evolutionary biology.
3-Work to develop the Liberty Garden and Permaculture concept on a national and international level.
Now, I obviously make a living doing all this book writing, blogging and seminar stuff, but my driving motivator has been and will continue to be the desire to help as many people live as well as they can. This is why I started the blog, podcast, seminars and wrote the book and I’d say it’s worked pretty well thus far. But in the same way that I started the podcast to try to leverage my time and reach more people with my finite resources, so to do I now realize that the Paleo Solution Seminar, which I LOVE…is no longer the best use of my time. When I give a seminar I influence 100-150 people, but MOST of these people are already sold. They have read the book, the free material on the blog and listened to the podcast. What they are coming to the seminar for is community and a higher degree of understanding, which is fantastic, but ultimately I need to spend my time amongst the medical professionals and academics (non-believers). Your average doctor see’s 50-100 people per day. What will happen when we have 10,000 doctors stepped in this message? The doctors I interacted with these past 2 weeks started off the largest of skeptics but finished “sold” and hungry for more information. We are in the process of completing AMA certified CME provider hoop jumping. It’s expensive, time-consuming and I see now, vital to the next step in all this stuff.
There are several solid nutrition seminars available including Balanced Bites and Whole9. These folks started their seminars after attending my seminar several times. They cover the science and the implementation very well. Until we finish the third party accredited curriculum for coaches and trainers (pass/fail test!) I’d check out these folks and or the Mat Lalonde seminar. So, this is a long winded way of saying, the Vancouver BC and Boston, MA seminars will be the last I provide for the general public. This is one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever made but I really think that the greater good will be served by focusing on educating our health care providers, pushing for pre-professional tracks of undergraduate study, and ensuring the growth of SUSTAINABLE permaculture. The connections I made over the past month put me in a unique position to push these agendas…so it’s what I’m going to do.
Nicki Violetti: In bidness
Some of you might be aware my wife does a fair amount of business consulting. She has a BS in Economics from UCSD and is 100% responsible for the financial successes of NorCal Strength & Conditioning. Nicki has worked with hundreds of gyms ranging from CrossFit affiliates, MMA schools, yoga and Pilates. Nicki is stepping up her blogging so keep an eye out for new material, but if you own a service based business and have not read her archives you might be missing out on some seriously important material.
Paleo and Coronary Heart Disease
Pedro Bastos sent me this paper, and although it is huge and technical, there is one section everyone should be able to grasp quite easily:
No responsible cardiologist questions the value of primordial prevention before pharmacologic therapy. Individuals following a Mediterranean or Paleolithic diet who achieve ideal cardiovascular prevention would not need any therapy…
If we add to the above what we know from the study of Paleo diet Vs. Mediterranian diet in humans with heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, it makes the heart healthy option pretty damn clear.
OPT and CrossFit
I was not out of the backcountry more than an hour before I caught wind of the fallout between CrossFit HQ and OPT about some kind of endorsement gig for a competition series. In classic fashion CrossFit HQ said OPT “disparages” CrossFit and therefore Reebok could not support this competition series. I should not have been surprised, but I was. OPT has done more to perpetuate and legitimize the Sport of CrossFit than any other person. This started with winning the first CrossFit Games and has continued with his near fanaticism with programming and tinkering to find the best performance in the Sport of CrossFit, this largely built around his wildly popular “Big Dawg Challenges”. Now, I know James pretty well, follow his work closely and as far as I can tell his “disparagement” of CrossFit boils down to a recommendation to understand (and program) in a way that distinguishes between “training” and “testing”. Coaches who consistently “test” their athletes instead of training set their folks up for not just failure, but injury and burnout. This is nothing new in any sport OUTSIDE of CrossFit, but it’s apparently enough to get one bounced, even if you were the original emissary of the sport. Again, I should not be surprised by this given my situation of getting ousted for recommending food quality over some kind of food numerology, but I was. Part of the surprise is the realization this is almost some kind of 3rd world country brain drain. The thinkers and innovators are silenced or canned. Those who remain toe an uneasy line trying to eek out the most they can before the inevitable. What is interesting to me is what will happen when the kicked out, marginalized, libeled and ousted decide to band together, provide university accredited education, legitimate affiliate support (dual branding MANDATORY?), and a non-pathological leadership structure? What will that look like? Who will be in it? What will it mean for the Sport of CrossFit? Time will tell, but in the interim, I think this piece encapsulates the zeitgeist almost perfectly.
I was thinking the other day it would be really cool if you and/or Mat did some educational biology and chemistry videos ala the Khan Academy. You could build off the basics he has already posted and add in a few 10 minute videos a week to get a pretty comprehensive library on paleo nutrition. Free or not, I’d pay for it.
I second that! Perhaps even modeling something. after KStars MOBWod project.
I’m also wondering how long out will take before people like KStar, who have been around a while, just decide to leave on their own rather than wait for the inevitable…
Oh well, at least tell me I can still have my 5 fries 😉
Khan Academy or something like it would be fantastic. Also – What about a talk on Fora.tv or TED – they both get picked up by random sites and followers of straight education of the people all over the world. Plus – You do one long winded speech – it’s forever recorded and on the internet!
This is awesome. Impacting the medical establishment is so nescessary and a huge goal. After months of enjoying and learning from this website, I finally bought the book. I read it in two days and I am re-reading. My daughter and I have autoimmune issues and this diet is truly helping. We are not 100% compliant yet, but close. I asked our doctor what we can do to help prevent further conditions and her response was sad. She said there isn’t anything and if she had that info she would be rich. She needs you Robb. I love the liberty garden and permaculture concept as well. Best of success to you.
Thanks Debbie! It’s kind of a leap of faith, but it makes sense and seems like the logical next step.
Debbie,
How cool that you were able to help yourself with the information provided by Robb. Perhaps you could give Robb to your physician in the form of his book and/or website? Do you think she would read it?
I’ve attempted to bring books to my doctors in the past – books on lowcarb eating and been soundly rejected. “I don’t have time to read that…” That guy eventually was fired (by me). But, I tried.
Alternatively, maybe you could find a doctor who “gets it”. Good luck on your journey to good health!
J
Robb, I have followed you for quite a while now. I’m so excited that you are focusing on the medical community. My husband is an orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in sports medicine in the SC upstate. I would love to put him on your “list”. He is a firm Paleo believer, anything we can do to help let me know. Thanks for all you do for the Paleo community.
thanks Ashley! Getting him signed up on the Paleo Physicians Network would be a start.
One idea would be to donate a copy of Robb’s book to any and all medical school libraries that would take it. If everyone who is committed to this lifestyle donated one copy to a library near them, it would reach many!
I would love to see the evolution of Crossfit by some of the best ex crossfit gyms like NorCal and OPT. Too bad there isn’t anyone out there that knows anything and everything about running a gym and has has worked with hundreds of gyms ranging from CrossFit affiliates, MMA schools, yoga and Pilates. Maybe this mythical person would have the pull through an already amazing personal network to pull everyone together and use their gym experience to create something new…. @Nicki Violetti – just sayin
It’s hard to find a good gym these days. You don’t want a globo gym and crossfit gyms are really hit and miss these days. Many of the globo gyms are better than the fly by night crossfit gyms with no real training or experience – the crossfit gyms are just more expensive.
I’d be interested in some type of accredited educational program. I am currently researching various RD programs, but I am not in a position where I can devote 3+ years’ worth of time (without working) to learning the material. Plus, how much misinformation will I be fed?
Can’t wait to hear more.
that video is brilliant. Thank you for posting it!
I would love to see a movement toward Evolutionary Biology tracks in Medicine/Academia. A lot of docs love/respect the science behind things, and therefore might actually be swayed by the evolutionary biological aspect of paleo. And docs love seeing people get healthier and their lives change for the better, so they would get a lot of that.
I hope that this is the next natural movement of paleo – and I am sure that your hardwork will pay off! I can’t wait!
I was interested in pursuing a career in medicine/nutrition so that I could be certified to help people like I’ve been helped… until I realized that I would have to sit through YEARS of learning fallacy. And I don’t think that I could do it! I just have to spread the word through my own personal transformation, and other’s curiosity at what I eat.
Hi Robb. Have come across the following posted in the UK
http://www.linkedin.com/news?viewArticle=&articleID=614337299&gid=3233260&type=member&item=60924325&articleURL=http%3A%2F%2Fanthonycolpo%2Ecom%2F%3Fp%3D1743&urlhash=ySl7&goback=%2Egde_3233260_member_60924325
It’s a strong worded article pro high-carb diet and pretty critical of all lower-carb diets As a UK based PT and follower of Paleo, Robb Wolf and Movnat, it’s important to come up with counters to arguments like this. Any help appreciated!
Mark-
Colpo is incapable of distinguishing between a few things:
1-The sick and the athletic.
2-That paleo need not follow any specific macros. It can be modified to suit any needs.
He drums up these false contraversies…I’m not sure what more to say than that. If someone regularly engages in hard, glycolyticly demanding activity, they need carbs, period. Better quality carbs are superior to lower quality…at certain points things like maltodextrin are critical for performance…so there is no “counter argument” necessary other than knowing when certain approaches are appropriate. Anthony tries to paint the world ass morons, with him as the sole beacon of rationality.
thanks for that – I’d not come across him before. hope the ancestral symposium gets the global headlines it deserves once it happens in a month’s time
I think your direction is appropriate and for the best.
I am in the position to influence some folks in the medical establishment as I am a dietetic intern (the last step to becoming an RD) in Reno at a VA hospital. I am attending the Ancestral Health Symposium and am already slated to present about it to the clinical nutrition staff at the hospital, which I am really excited about.
Any materials or tips you have for someone like me – inside a hospital – would be useful and welcomed. I’d love to be envolved helping develop these programs if I can help.
Next time you’re in Reno, Robb, email me and we’ll get together (I know you visit Reno occasionally).
will do, and we are working on RD specific material.
Hey Robb,
If you need help putting together PowerPoint/Keynote presentations or developing handouts, please get in touch with me. I’ve been searching for a way to spread the word about the Paleo lifestyle and why it’s so important; I’m a technical writer and designer by trade and could definitely help with your new vision.
While I’m saddened that you won’t be doing any more seminars (I was waiting for the day you’d come to Phoenix!), I think that this will be a way to reach even more people more quickly. Physicians hold a lot of sway, as we all know.
Lastly, I’m so curious as to what you’ve been doing! Can’t wait to hear more.
Hey Aleen,
I’m trying to spread the word here in the UK and planning on setting up my own seminar or presentation to go around gyms and influence PT’s to get their clients eating a nutritional diet before doing anything else. Would you recommend Keynote as a software to use to create this? I’m thinking 2-3 hour long presentation covering all the basics and implementing the lifestyle.
Any help is greatly appreciated,
Alberto
So I’m reading the post and thinking “Wow, this is really cool. Robb’s going to fight BS science with legit science.” (It’s reminiscent of the upswelling of real science calling into question the paranoid alarmism that is man-made “Global Warming”…er…I mean “Climate Change”.)
Wasn’t aware of the OPT debacle, but as you stated, not surprising. (So is Welborn next?)
Then the video…OH……MY….GAWD!!! I was seriously ROTFLMAO! That is beyond classic.
Robb, Keep up the fantastic work!
JD
Robb,
Have you considered using the Paleo Physicians Network to help you reach the medical community? I’m thinking something along the lines of what Dallas and Melissa are doing with their Whole 9 emissaries. Doctors listen to their own, but often scoff at outsiders.
Yes, this is part of that plan.
Hey Robb
It’s sad to hear that Boston will be your last public seminar, but I definitely understand why and am excited for what the future holds. In regards to Boston, the last time I saw you was in Hoboken, NJ. I would like to see you in Boston but was just wondering if the planned material is markedly different from what you presented in Hoboken, because if it’s not then I’ll leave my spot open for someone else who can gain more from attending. Thanks and good luck!
P.S. The whole OPT-thing is just mind-boggling.
My husband and I heard on the radio this morning about a new medical research center being funded in our area. I mentioned how great it would be if they would use those funds to research nutrition and human biology (i.e. Paleo. . .what you are already doing) and how much more beneficial that would be to the community than studying new ways to combat diabetes. I’m SO glad you’ve decided to shift your focus to the medical community! We are pumped to get to attend the Ancestral Health Symposium and hope it gets a lot of attention from the mainstream media/medical/government communities.
We also own a small gym and were once an affiliate. After the Black Box Summit and learning so much from you and James, we just couldn’t in good conscious renew our affiliation. I can’t wait to see how this community of ‘outsiders’ grows and continues to pursue the best nutrition and fitness, as it will benefit the masses and not a small elitist group.
Thank you Robb and Nicki for ALL you do!
Hey Robb. . .good to have you back, and I think your new direction is amazing! Educating the medical establishment is a huge undertaking, but it has to start somewhere. Imagine if doctors actually helped people to live well without such a huge investment in drugs? Why, it would be revolutionary! It might even renew my faith in doctors a bit if they knew more about this, and the big thing is that I could tell friends who REALLY NEED paleo to “ask your doctor,” knowing that they would get good information. Is that just a pipe dream?
Thanks for everything you do, and for your passion for helping!!
Hello Robb,
This in regards to “banding together of the ousted”. I’ve spent the last fifteen years training to be a power athlete (high school and collegiate high jumper in track and field as well as competition dunker). About a year ago I discovered crossfit. Drove an hour one way twice a week to do it. The box owner was great! Really knowledgeable about paleo and steered me to your site. After three months I’d lost 60lbs and about 20% bodyfat. I’ve got before and after pics on my website. Anywho to make a long story short. After my six month contract was up and a HQ WOD week long event. I was destroyed. I was pretty sure I had torn several muscles the pain was so bad. Can you say reality check? So needless to say I’m back to my paleo+power\jump training and I’m flourishing. I’m jumping the way I did when I was 19 and even better in some areas. My whole arguement in my area of training experience is that it is completely contrary to what common knowledge among athletes and coaches agree upon. Something I’m sure you have no experience with right? Anyways this is getting really long. (not trying to rant) I would like to step out and start a blog myself. As well as maybe write some training manuals for sport applied training. Where and how do I start? Your paleo methods got me on the right track and I want to take it to my field help other athletes.
I’d submit some article to the Performance Menu. Great publication, great community there. Thanks for the kind words!
I am bummed to hear that there will be no further PES events, as I am new to the game and haven’t had a chance to get to one, but I understand. Perhaps in the future there will be other opportunities to learn from you in person.
Hi Robb.
I am so excited to see this post. I’ve kind of been waiting for it. I would like to help. I am involved with 2 companies that it may make sense for you to get involved with. My full time day job involves coordinating speakers and educators for a network of healthcare providers that has approximately 1500 physicians. It’s compromised of NDs, DCs, MDs, RDs etc. Being a supporter of yours for a long time, I would love to get you involved in speaking to our group. I also do some contract work for a start up that’s focus is providing evolutionary based wellness education for doctors, patient education tools, and lifestyle guides (online workouts, recipes, and journaling) for patients. At the first company I am the only current Paleo advocate, though I’ve been planting seeds. At the latter, you are a company-wide, celebrated inspiration. I would be excited to help connect you with these groups in any way I can, at least hire you for a webinar at my day job. I also sit on the Massachusetts General Hospital Institutional Review Board (Partners Healthcare). They do a lot of education for members (mostly medical Drs, surgeons, psychiatrists, etc). There may also be opportunities there.
Please let me know if you’d like more information and if I can lend my skill set to help in any way. I would like to VOLUNTEER my services, time and energy because I believe this in this vision so much. I’m actually on my honeymoon at the moment. After tomorrow night we will be hiking and traveling in Iceland for a week without Internet access for the majority. Contact me anytime, but please forgive a delay starting Friday night.
Bethany (Glaser) Davis
617-519-5425
I just emailed you…can’t say how much I appreciate the kind words and offer of help.
Wow! Great people out there!
Keep up the great work guys!
I’m trying to expand this over here in Europe.
indeed, great to see this kind of dialogue. Sometimes we lose faith in people because of how big corporations seem to see the public only as walking wallets but when we get down to it, there are far more good people than bad and Robb is a shining example as is Bethany. I wish you two all the best on these projects and all the success you deserve otherwise.
One day I hope to contribute in a more worthwhile way, but for now I’m just trying to get people to look into this matter for themselves also. The UK seems less progressive than the U.S with this stuff… but maybe thats just because we’re so much smaller and/or have less of a problem, it really does seem like less people care about nutrition though.
Robb,
I wish I would have known sooner that you were going to stop the seminars, as the Vancouver one is only 4hrs away for me and I have always wanted to go to one. Unfortunately life got in the way, Now I am disappointed I didn’t make the trip… Oh well, on to bigger and better! As long as you don’t stop my weekly dose of Robb & Greg I should be alright.
Still waiting for the podcast with Nikki?
I didn’t hear about the OPT drama until now. I’m sure OPT will continue to grow, maybe faster without CF. All the Big Dawgs will inevitably continue to follow him.
On a side note, I need an email address to send a testimonial to. Could you email me that? I sent a copy of your book to my parents and they followed it word for word.. Seriously, One day they were cooking something in a frying pan that I would normally BBQ. I asked them why, they said because it says to do it this way in the book. Needless to say they achieved amazing results in a month. Cheers!
Cam! Just send that to the contact page on the site. Interestingly…everyone seems to grow faster outside CrossFit than within.
Hi Robb – This is great news! In the past few months my doctor and my husbands doctor have both told us the paleo diet we are on is great. I also recently found out a friends mother’s doctor told her about it and she started it and of course is feeling fab. I feel the BIG SEA change coming! I am so grateful to you for all your work, effort, humor and availability. I look forward to more info on permaculture!
Wow Robb, This is awesome news! Just reading this post got my heart racing, and I may have even uttered a “Shit yah!” or two (except for the OPT part, that’s just plain horse shit). I’ve been following you and paleo since just before the whole Crossfit fiasco and it is just so cool to see how much legitimacy that this movement has garnered over the past few years. Congratulations, good-luck, and I look forward to seeing how this all materializes.
thanks Nick!
Love the updates Robb! I am thrilled to see you are working with the medical community. We are in super excited times!
Hi Robb,
Great post, and it is something I have been thinking about lately too. I was wondering what you thought the best way to reach, and help, people would be. Currently I am finishing my undergraduate work, and will receive a B.S. in molecular biology. I am currently looking at molecular and bichemistry based nutrition programs, as I thought this would be best way to improve my knowledge base and get research experience. However, it seems that you might be recommending a M.D. program as the best route rather than academia. Is this true? If you could go back what would be the path you would take to be a leader in the paleo/evolutionary health movement? Another option might be a holistic practitioner ala Chris Kresser. This has been a topic rattling around my head for a long time as I look for how to best persue my future working to help people through a paleo lifestyle.
Thanks!
Al
I’d be very clear about HOW you want to spend your day. With patients? IN a gym with clients? On the internet writing and podcasting? there are many, many ways to push this, it’s more important to do something you LOVE in a format you enjoy.
Really good stuff Robb! I’ve been thinking a lot recently about how to put this stuff together into a clinical practice. I’m not quite sure what that looks like, but it feels really exciting. The older I get the less excited I am about pushing drugs and surgeries on people. Helping them to use diet and exercise to heal themselves is just a better approach in every way.
It seems like the direction to go…we’ll see how it all takees shape, would love your input on the curriculum once we get closer to completion,
It seems like the direction to go…we’ll see how it all takes shape, would love your input on the curriculum once we get closer to completion,
Rob,
Have you considered passing the seminar torch to someone in your ever growing organization? I think Greg would bring an interesting spin to the table, LOL. 🙂
that had not occurred to me!
I’m up for it too! and for free! lol
No, seriously that’s a great idea too.
Robb, I think you made the right decision regarding the PES. We had a Whole9 seminar at our facility and it was a success. We are very happy with the way they are updating material.
I am looking forward to the curriculum for coaches and trainers.
Susan is speaking to a group of oncology nurses in ABQ in August regarding taking care of themselves. It is a short talk, with very little about nutrition per se, but I think the message and most importantly, the vision, is the same. Very excited for both of you.
We are still trying to work with Nikki. We had some family issues, but now we are no track. I have a been recently reading Nicki’s blog and, indeed, have learned some goodness.
You have a lot on your plate, take care of yourself, but most of all thanks for your leadership by living your passion.
Saul!!! Man, I was just thinking of you guys yesterday…I really mis you amigo. Nicki has some cool stuff in the works that will really streamline your business. Let me know when Susan will be in ABQ, perhaps we can drive down the hill and have lunch with her.
Kind of funny.
http://paleohobo.bandcamp.com/
Oh and my tech world and Paleo world are colliding…freaking me out..in a good way. Merlin Mann and Dan talking about Robb on Back to Work.
http://5by5.tv/b2w/23
Also saw Leo Laporte streaming Coach Rip…world’s collide!
good shizz!
Robb – Ask fellow podcaster and Paleo guy Dan Benjamin on your podcast!
http://5by5.tv/
http://hivelogic.com/
Ok…enough of the shameless begging.
and more from Merlin on his blog. I have noticed a lot of my techy people I follow going Paleo. Maybe they dig the science…heck I don’t know. Just glad it is happening.
Robb Wolf on Perfection from Merlin Mann
http://www.kungfugrippe.com/post/7251688767/true-dat
Dan Benjamin (has a similiar story to Robb)Talks Paleo and Links to Robb.
http://hivelogic.com/articles/the-paleo-diet-a-link-primer/
Pardon the links, but I just dig seeing the word spread. These folks have many followers of their work and I really think they carry great influence in the tech world.
Robb,
Could you elaborate on the third party accreditation for coaches and trainers? I’m very interested in that.
Ron-
Working on the curriculum and testing for trainers and strength coaches. It will be tough to pass, very rigorous and folks will need to know their stuff. At the end of the day it will not make or break a training practice with this knowledge, but it WILL demonstrate that folks who pass this know their stuff. University accredited etc. It’s a ton of hoop jumping and $$ but I think it will be very valuable and as a professional, I think it’s imperative to continue to learn and expand the skill-set. Hence the rigorous nature of the curriculum. Ideally, this will also allow physicians in the Paleo Physician Network to have a network of trainers and coaches that they can utilize to refer patients to for training, nutriton etc. Micro-gyms and trainers will have MD’s and otehr health professionals to refer folks, and vice versa.
Imagine what we can accomplish when this is complete!
Sounds like a superb plan. I’m a CHEK Exercise Coach and have been looking for a solid strength training certification to take my knowledge further. It seems very challenging to find – I was looking for university-level scientific rigor as well as a ton of practical stuff. This has always been my dilemma because by the time something in the strength & conditioning field gets adopted by the academia, it’s usually with a lag of several years. It seems that practical results are largely born through coaches’ experiments and only then justified scientifically through after-research. So university programs are not always up-to-date while private certs often lack rigor.
So – I decided to focus on the classics (Zatsiorsky, Verkhoshanski, etc), while waiting for a proper cert to come up. Looks like what you have cooking may just be that cert! Also I love that the nutritional aspect will be baked in there as well.
On a different note: Robb, while you were away I emailed you through this site with a question of how to volunteer for this effort. I’m already volunteering for the Ancestral Health Symposium in August as a web pro. You probably have a mountain of email to wade through; not trying to push – just reminding.
Cheers, James
Thanks James! I’ve not excavated down to that yet.
That video just made my day! Awesome! Love your work!
Robb,
I will add my name to your network. I am a pharmacist who envisions leaving my current job which mainly deals with the prescriptions for nursing home and skilled nursing facility patients…(and can you guess that nearly evey patient averages five to ten and as high as 21 “maintence medications” for their “diseaseS-(thats plural) of civilization.) Also the hospital in my community follows the Dean Ornish protocol, promoting Low-fat, high-carb, whole grain, add Soy, do cardio. I envision being the “drug rep” who shows up at all the doctors offices with his/her literature and free samples, but instead of drug info, I would offer all the evidence for “Paleo” / “real food” , etc, etc. and top it off with an apple!! and also of somehow offering this same info to the community. I need “the program” though to take it to them as I would never have the time or resources to develop something myself at this stage of my life. I will anxiously be watching your progess on this undertaking and would love to be part of taking the info to the medical community once you have everything in place..
Wow it would be wonderful to see so many of these diseases decline in incidence, but then what would us pharmacists do!! ha ha
We’d all move to Nicaragua and farm coconuts! Not a bad gig at all. Honored to have you in the network.
Robb,
I would have liked to have gone to one of your semminars, but what you say is true. We ARE sold! We need to reach the masses via what other people believe are credible people. Seems that when I talk about things people are hessitant, but are surpised to hear the same from their doctor. I hope for the best and for your continued success!
Rene’ M
Houston, TX
Robb,
I am glad to see the direction you are taking this and think it is the right thing to do. I have been seeing a holistic doctor for seven years and have believed in a natural approach to health for even longer.
Keep up the good work!
Take care,
Phillip Wylie
What a fantastic idea Rob!
I WISH there was some way that I could positively influence those around me and make them realize just how amazing the Paleo lifestyle is. It has changed my life in so many positive ways and even though people around me can see the physical changes in me, they still won’t BELIEVE that this is the right way to go for all of us.
I think that with the medical world behind it, Paleo will just grow from strength to strength.
THANK YOU for doing this and hopefully changing a LOT more people’s lives for the better. You are an inspiration!
Would there be a place in the Paleo Physicians Network for midwives? They are not doctors, but it would be a huge help for women who have to deal with some crazy OB or Midwife telling me I need whole grains…
Currently we are enrolling ANY licensed healthcare provider. Later we will split those sub-disciplines into easy to search categories. Right now it’s kind of a free for all with no QA/QC. Eventually we will list those folks who have completed advanced coursework from our program, Mat Lalonde and others.
Wow! That is the next logical step. I look forward to hearing how you convinced the medical establishment crowd and how you plan to go about educating the rest. If anyone can do it, it’s you.
Any chance or videotaping those last couple of seminars and providing the footage to those who missed out?
Thanks for all you do.
J
I’cd not planned on filming them….we’ll see.
I was going to ask you to do the same thing – and have them available to download for a small cost – Like Mat Lalonde did with his.
Yes please! I bought Mat Lelondes seminar with video and pdf’s and would happily purchase yours too. Seems something the people would be definitely be interested in. I am sure you have fine tuned your seminars so now seems the perfect time to record one for posterity.
Robb,
Great to see you back, man. And pretty intrigued by the breadcrumbs you’re dropping. About halfway into grad school for a liberal arts program, I started thinking about going into kino/health promotion or some other track where I could help folks. But the idea of being immersed in that kinda CW-plagued crap was too much, if I couldn’t even take hearing one more argument about post-modernism.
If and when you get a program up, it may be what actually entices me to get back in school. Color me interested. Also, count on community support, at the very least. I’ll do whatever I can to get the word out, blog it, facebook it, whatever the common joe can do.
–B
Most of us already listed on the Paleo Physicians’ Network will welcome the opportunity to see the Paleo message spread amongst our colleagues and to raise (really, to create) a standard of care and competence.
Regrettably, I already see evidence of turf wars with various members of different health professions claiming to be the torchbearers of truth in evolutionary medicine or the only ones capable of managing health and disease. With a common goal of spreading the message and science of ancestral health, I hope your efforts are successful in a paradigm shift that will not only knock down the walls of conventional wisdom but also of professional misunderstanding.
Robb,
I’m a long-time follower of your blog, and a military physician (already joined the PPN). I’m so excited to hear your interest in spreading the word amongst the medical community. This information is sorely needed, since it’s just NOT being taught in medical schools, resdiencies, fellowships, etc. I’m tired of getting into arguments with the nutritionists at my hospital, and so frustrated with the misinformation being given to my patients. It’s also nearly impossible to undo a lifetime’s worth of misconception about nutrition in at a 20 minute appointment (which doesn’t stop me from trying). Getting the medical community on board is definately going to be a crucial step in actually changing our country’s health problems. I’m thrilled your taking on the challenge. Looking forward to more information on this in the future.
I really don’t think the Nazi’s will be all that thrilled being associated with Castro …. :O
It is a step down…
Holy hell, that’s an accurate statement!
I am a nurse practitioner who has worked in gastroenterology for the past 10 years. I see so many patients on a day to day basis suffering from a wide range of GI and liver diseases who could improve the quality of their lives simply by picking up your book. I have done a lot of research in the past 6 months initially to improve my own quality of life and have learned a tremendous amount about nutrition from this site and related sites. We certainly don’t learn this in school. You are absolutely right to focus on CME accreditation. As a health care provider it is hard to break out of the daily grind to learn a new paradigm of thinking about health and nutrition, CME courses allow us to do just that. I feel amazing and I am now trying to figure out how to guide my patients through these changes.
In addition to the AMA, you should also focus on the AANP, ANCC and AAPA who also provide CME accreditation for nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants–this is a very large group of health care providers. Good luck, I am excited to see what is coming!
Jaime-
We are shooting for ACCME first…It’s the most stringent, but once we get that most other organisations recognize it. thanks for the encouragement as this is a literal “leap of faith” leaving the tried and true seminars I’ve been doing to embark on this next chapter.
Robb, in light of this could you PLEASE get an audio/video crew to record the boston class and offer it for sale on DVD.
Thanks for everything!
Yes, immortalize the PSS, do it 🙂
Sounds like exciting times ahead!
^ This!
Awesome news on how this is moving along. Very interested in the curriculum, although unless it’s online/web delivered I doubt I will see much of it in the UK (hint, hint).
The OPT stuff is pure bull. The guy did more for inspiring people to CrossFit than anyone I can think of, and poured his heart and soul into it. More Craziness from HQ that makes me despair of the whole thing.
I would buy a couple copies for friends and family.
me too
me three!
I think I knwo what everyone on my Christmas list is getting this year. I kind of feel guilty waiting until December though.
I was thinking the same thing! Another vote for a DVD set of your seminar.
Heretics! All of you! Crossfit is th only true path to fitness! And the Zone, that too is the only true path! And wearing Reeboks! And eating at Panda Express! And wearing Skinz! And Progenix! Five fries damnit!
Robb,
I have been reading and listening to your work for several years. It saved me from the extremes of low carb.
Have been founding and developing companies in the on-line education industry for 12 years. I have substantial experience with on-line CME, much of which is of extremely low quality, for ROI reasons.
Strikes me that your proposed venture could up the quality ante for online CME in the nutritional field, given the enduring nature of much of your material and the reasonably large potential market, which results from the potential universal relevance of clinical practice across geography and a number of medical and allied health care professions.
Happy to discuss further. Good luck.
Robb,
Like Jaime said… nurses are a very large group of health care workers. Nurses are the biggest workforce in America. I hope you have taken nurses into account with your planning. Many of us would love to give the help… and there are plenty of nurses that need the help also.
Keep up the good work. I like the direction you’re going with all this. But I imagine you’ll get some push back somewhere.
Thanks.
Not that I watch much TV anymore, but I do hope that your “3 weeks” off the grid was you on a version of a TV show called something like “Vegan/S.A.Diet Rehab” where you make vegans and sorry “Standard American Dieters” eat sensibly or choke them out.
I would totally DVR that.
-jj
Are you going to continue with recording the weekly podcast?
Yes!
cool, glad to hear that you will continue with the podcast. I appreciate that it must take a lot of time for you to do (researching/looking into the questions etc.)
The way you talk about certain issues and provide the blog/podcast (and of course you’re book which I’m trying to get people to read now) really shows you care and I wish you success in the work you are doing now…
I really want to know the story but I guess I can wait until September 😛
I have been following paleo for around 5months (though I did change my diet before that it wasn’t as dramatic an energy/feeling improvement) with the occasional blip (rarely, special occasions such as going out with friends or the like) but for the most part being compliant and avoiding what I know might be doing me harm overall. I’ve lost about 63 (started at 279) lbs, which I know… overall weight, why bother tracking it 😛 and over 8 inches from my waist. I’ve tried to lose weight for many years now and for the first time feel that I’m guaranteed to succeed and loving every minute of expanding my knowledge on the subject (I tend to go crazy overboard when I get interested in something). 🙂
Cheers Robb,
Hi Robb,
This past year has been a transformative one for me. I am sure my story is very similar to many you hear, I was turning 50 and not happy with myself. I am a 7 yr. breast cancer survivor (stage 3a), had fallen into a routine that just surviving was enough but obviously I was so wrong. About 8 months ago, I joined a gym, got a trainer and he introduced me to the Paleo way. I can honestly say I was at first skeptical because i couldn’t imagine following it but now I can HONESTLY say I can’t imagine eating/living any other way. I have currently lost 65 lbs (goal is to lose 35 more), lost many inches, working on lifting heavy and I feel the best I ever have. My allergies are no longer a problem – no more medications. I have some chemotherapy side effects that cause some issues but my trainer and I do our best to work with them. but my bottom line and what makes me write to you at this time is I recheck with my oncologist every 3months (he keeps me on a tight line) and he is amazed at my results. I have explained to him what I am doing and told him about the book but I think if you could focus to get the info out to the medical community it would be rewarding for the movement and helpful to the masses. My doctor tells me to keep up the good work and the program works for me but I do not believe he will put this in his data bank to recommend to others based on the results of one. My doctor is very open minded but needs the “scientific” proof. I want to thank you for the dedication to the Paleo lifestyle and will continue to enjoy my new found self and preach about the benefits to those who will listen. Cheers! Karen D. Martin
Great story Karen. This does seem to be the direction to go.
Hi Karen,
That is an awesome story. Congratulations!!! I just had to chime in.
Karen,
Did you have lymph nodes removed? Any issues with lifting heavy and lypmhedema?
I am a 36 y/o male that was diagnosed with breast cancer in November of last year. I had 17 lymph nodes removed and really want to avoid lymphedema. I had just started Mark Sisson’s Primal Blueprint fitness plan before diagnosis and would love to go back to it, but I am concerned that it may be too much for my arm.
Just curious what your experience is.
Thanks!!
Jacob
Robb,
I work at the Cleveland Clinic and would love to have you come here but i just the contacts at the clinic that could get you in but I’m not sure about how to approach them. Would you need accreditation first? How had it worked for you at other places?
Ankit
Other hospitals have sponsored the CME’s, it’s a boon for them as it’s mandatory education that is often hard to find.
When will the course be CME? When it’s close I’ll run it up the flag pole.
Robb,
As sad as it was to read you will not be doing your seminars….I was more thrilled with your new found leadership by heading to the medical community. In visiting my doctor recently, I was completely scolded for the foods I eat and it was even commented “it obviously wasn’t working!” Had it not been for the communication with Diane at Balanced Bites, I may have jumped ship. However, I am a digger for information and learning facts about me specifically, as I truly am a case of bewilderment, so many thyroid issues…I found that truly truly PALEO is the place to be! No arguments!
So, if by leaving your seminars to move-into the medicine community and educate them….a BIG, BIG…applause and lots of HURRY UP and teach them so they can pass on the great news to patients like me!
Can’t wait to hear about your adventures and the loss of 16lbs…totally not needed (the loss that is)…anxious to hear!
Regards…
debbie m.
Robb, great stuff. My wife is a family physician and I have been trying to get her into the paleo gig for quite some time, with little luck. A CME course would be perfect to get the info to her and her co-workers. I think the courses need to be open to all medical professions, not just RDs, as I know my wife has complained a few times about how some insurance companies, or maybe it’s medicaid??, will not help people pay for a consult with a dietician unless they have diabetes or some other dietary illness (obesity does not count). As a result the only information about health and diet is through their primary physician, who has received little education on nutrition. Thanks for all the work you do and lets get this ball rolling ASAP!
Hi Robb,
Thank you for everything you have done and will continue to do. I would pay for a dvd of the Boston seminar and know many people who would also. Since the goal is to reach as many people as possible, this would be a good passive way to educate lay people while focusing your active efforts on the medical community. Good luck!
Kim
Awesome initiative Robb, do you know who would be doing the same thing in the UK or anywhere in Europe?
Cheers,
Greg
Hi Robb
You are headed in the right direction, your program needs to be taught to a wide variety of health professionals. Get everyone on the same page and get the info out there. Don’t get discouraged if Big Pharma doesn’t accept the information or research. Chiropractors have been facing the same issues for over 100 years. It would be absolutely fantastic to see every health profession working together.
Robb,
Welcome back! Congratulations on what must have been a mind blowing experience. I’ll echo what’s already been said the direction in which you are headed is exactly what needs to happen. This stuff does actually work and when it does go mainstream ‘modern diseases’ will be replaced with modern health!
Here’s my 5 second intro–lost 100 pounds, became a trainer, co-own a warehouse gym, started triathlons, burned out, found your work and Paleo and have been putting all of the pieces back together. This is actually funny–you don’t know me but you are mentioned frequently in my home and with my clients. We’re all curious and speculating about your recent journey–the results are already awesome!
In a word, sign me up for your certification. My life, my training and my approach to clients has transformed with your work and that of Chris Kresser, Art DeVany, Coach Poliquin, The Kracken, Sarah Fragoso–on my bucket list is to share an awesome Paleo meal with all of you.
Robb- Just a thought but have you considered recording one of your last seminars and making a video available for download from your store? I’ve found that both reading your book and watching clips of the seminars on youtube I am better able to understand the concept. I have attended Whole9’s seminar but like hearing it from different points of view.
I can’t say this enough, thanks for all you do!
Robb, so glad to hear about your interest in permaculture, I’ve taught it for nearly a decade. Having now combined it with Paleo has made a huge turn around in our families health and well being. Can’t wait to find out just what you’ve been doing off the grid.
Hi Robb,
Invigorating post! I am sure the movement is getting closer to the “tipping point”.
Do you have an estimated timeline for the completion of your “third party accredited curriculum for coaches and trainers” ?
Tim
I read this, as I do everything you write, and was encouraged by your plan to concentrate on bringing this message to the medical community and then I watched Food Matters.
It occurred to me that you might be able to get assistance, going up against the pharmaceutical companies, from the producers of the paleo foods we eat who will benefit from the exposure.
Does this mean that the Paleo for Power Athletes book with Wellborn (sp?) is on hold?
Nope, working on that.
Nope, it’s rolling.
Wow it’s happened again. This is the thought that I had is that the only competitors business has is arrogance and complacency. I don’t know any of the involved parties but I hear and sense that arrogance has become the greatest enemy. I am interested in your thoughts on legitimate affiliate support. We have talked to Nicki and right now we just don’t have enough money, but we will and have gotten help from her and from her blog. It is interesting that we pay 2000.00 a year and then nothing.
Anyway I’m just putting random thoughts down. If you hear anything of a new organization forming with the “cast offs” please let me know.
Thank You for your help, we also have some great testimonies from our clients with the Paleo help they have received. One client stopped taking his insulin after 15 years every day. He also dropped his cholesterol 400 points, yes I said 400. His doctor said I don’t know about this Paleo or gym your going to, but do whatever they are saying.
And remember your only competitor are arrogance and complacency, not CrossFit.
Way to take matters into your own hands, Debbie! 🙂
Jan.26 is it?
When I think of Aquarius what comes to mind are all the friends who have been completely out there, free-spirited, rebellious and brilliant.
The Waterbearer represents the container holding the water and not the water. Aquarians are the vessels for spreading information; Aquarians are the mouthpieces for innovative ideas. Aquarians are often 3 years or more ahead of everyone else’s views therefore you are seen as strange or genius but whatever, most people do think you are a bit out there.
Aquarians are very social, friendly, charming and outgoing and you love helping others and going on crusades for the betterment of mankind.
—-
Proposed mechanism: Given particle sized universe at instant of big bang, and quantum entanglement – possible influence on fetal brain development.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh8uZUzuRhk
Robb,
Indeed it is sad that you are moving away from your seminars, but influencing the medical professionals of this world has to be the way forward. It is obvious that you have helped so many people; through your seminars, your podcasts and your book…but even if you can turn one medical professional around to your way of thinking you will literally help hundreds of people.
I have been a victim of the medical profession’s ignorance and closed-minded thinking, thankfully I came across a “gem” who has helped me along my journey with ridiculous numbers of food allergies/intolerances and chronic stress rather than disregarding my concerns and trying to pump me full of pharmaceuticals.
Thanks to you for still maintaining the podcasts. They are the highlight of my week and I love that you provide all the reasoning as to why you provide the advice that you do…many should learn from this!
Keep up the good work. You are influencing so many people and will continue to do so with your fountain of knowledge (those jokes of 6-9 listeners are long gone :D, but still I laugh at them when I revisit the early podcasts).
Best of luck to you with your new goals. You certainly like a challenge!
Claire
Hi Robb, As a Med 1 (starting in august), a lifelong athlete, and a recent convert to the paleo-diet I would be so ecstatic to have the option of a CME type program about paleo living. I am committed into going into primary care especially in a rural setting and would absolutely love having this knowledge to pass on to my patients. I come from a family of physicians, and although none of them eat paleo, they do support me and my paleo habits. I am currently reading your book and hope to pass it on to my family. I am also curious how the info you present will be presented in my med-school classes!
I will also add that I owe my conversion to paleo to my fiance who has been slowly trying to get me to eat this way for 2 years, and I finally gave in!
Thanks for everything, and hopefully in 4 years as an MD I will be able to attend one of your seminars.
Robb
I am pleased to hear you will be shifting your focus to the medical community. It is terrifying to see where our country is headed in regards to our weight and dietary choices, I truly believe that unless we make some dramatic changes ultimately our fat asses will be the cause of the end of our great nation. I have been spending a lot of time thinking about a career change myself, as I have grown so passionate about how much a Paleo lifestyle can help someone. I am an RN and I currently work in an intensive care setting in the hospital. I am unsure of where to take my current career or weather to go back to school to receive a new degree in a new field. I enjoy working with patients. I have thought about getting my Nurse Practitioners license since health care is shifting in that direction these days or I have thought about maybe getting out of nursing all together. Any suggestions on what route to take my career to reach more people and help spread the gospel of Paleo? The nursing field is a very large field of diverse people working in so many different settings. I don’t know how we as nurses could best apply our education, skills and talents to the nutrition community but since so much of what we treat our patients for could be prevented first through nutrition it would seem like a great contribution in spreading the word. Sorry about the long post. Thanks for all you do! Best of luck in your new endeavors.
Elizabeth
HQ’s reaction to the Black Box seminar was a great thing. The viral publicity led me to this site and your pod casts. In turn, I have given away a couple of dozen copies of your book to my various fat friends with STUNNING results. Even getting the attention of an internal medicine doc.
While I new about OTP, your post sent me over to his site, which I’d not looked at in a while. I was all set to sign up just on principle, but $360 in one shot for a year or mandatory $60/mo for 12 months? I wish him all the best, but I fear that revenue model will limit his influence to a very small universe.
I’ve heard that the Glassmanian spin on the Black Box Summit is that I PLANNED our ousting as a media grab.
The Paranoia’s Gonna Destroy-ya.
OPT may not want to do the Ponzi-scheme approach.
Mid September? Aligns with the next season of biggest loser…. Would be awesome if that’s the case.
I think your new direction makes a ton of sense. Why spend your time preaching to the converted? But when it comes to swaying doctors and other medical professionals, don’t neglect consumer demand, and the importance of spreading the message among the unconverted. One reason doctors prescribe pharmaceuticals is that patients come in asking for them based on the advertising they see from drug companies. So, while you’re busy educating doctors, it would also be useful to reach even more consumers. You need funds for this, which means fund raising. Maybe you (or Nikki) should start an association (similar to groups that represent people with certain disorders/diseases) that could seek funding and produce awareness-raising messages. Think about it: how many of us would buy a tee-shirt if proceeds went directly into awareness raising? I sure as heck would!
So now that your down 16 lbs I assume you have a 4x bodyweight back squat?
Seriously man, reading this comment thread is exciting as hell. My wife is super pumped about attending in Boston and I’d love to go but after 7 months of travelling through SE Asia we are broke and recovering financially. Love the book, love the podcast- love what your doing.
I know there is probably a lot involved in the AMA hoop-jumping, but please don’t forget about other specialities. I’m a D.C. and while I’m sure you probably have a lot of other chiros on board, there are a lot that are still getting the ADA/AHA B.S.
I’m sorry I will not get the chance to take a seminar with you. I’ve just bumped into this paleo thing after doing a lot of work in my practice with nutritional rehabing folks with autoimmune conditions, endocrine disorders, etc. Lots of GF diet prescribed, admonishments to base a diet on meats & veggies, etc. Anyway, I’ll be in NYC on the 20th at a seminar all about the autoimmunty of gluten!!!
Doc-
We are looking at everyone, but the ACCME is kinda the “gold standard”. Get that and most everyone else recognizes that. In that way we could have a bunch of DC’s,MD’s, DO’s etc ALL getting CME’s at the same gig instead of offering ten different productions.
Greg Glassman doesn’t even work out. That says all I need to know about CrossFit.
It is funny: follows neither his own training nor nutrition advice. Hmmm.