Trapeze artists, cheerleading teams and pyramid water skiers were never something I aspired to be, but I was always in awe of those who made it look so easy to support others on their shoulders.
Fortunately, we have likely all benefited from mentors, colleagues and yes even personal heroes who have lifted us up well above where we would have been without their inspiration, standing on their shoulders to help us see more clearly, build upon what they started, make a difference in our own way.
I am so fortunate to have met and really gotten to know so many of the OG plant-based leaders over a decade ago when my journey to better health began.
Sadly, we recently lost one of my personal heroes, Dr. John McDougall. He had the broadest of shoulders and lifted so many of us up. He often spoke about the shoulders that he credited for the direction his life’s work took. Over the past few weeks, I needed some time to think about the difference he made in my life.
This is only a small sample.
I am forever grateful for his written and recorded body of work…
- His Starch Solution book and approach made it so simple to follow along with why starch matters, so much for me that I became Starch Solution certified through his training program. The program helped me to teach many others, helping them to take back control of their health.
- His library of original research, thankfully, was electronically saved before his home was taken suddenly in the California wildfires a few years ago. Thank goodness he and his family were safe.
- His prolific recordings live one whenever we need an insight or some inspiration. He surrounded himself with such talented colleagues, each of whom added to the breadth of his shoulders.
- His other books, especially Digestive Tune-Up and A Challenging Second Opinion for many years were my most gifted to clients and friends, simple, easy to understand, direct, like him.
We all cherished his in-person and very direct connection with everyone in the room…
- His in-person immersion program in Santa Rosa California was exactly the boost my husband needed to join me on this lifestyle change 10 years ago as an alternative to heart surgery, endorsed by his cardiologist. It also gave one of my dear cousins a powerful toolkit to help her fight the cancer that had come back and educate her doctors that had given up hope with her recovery. Meeting with him personally as my doctor during the program showed me firsthand what a 10-minute doctor appointment should be with the right training.
- McDougall’s adventure travel trips, in our case to Costa Rica, inspired our daughter to find her own answers for why plant-based lifestyle makes sense at any age.
He never waivered in his language or focus…….
- His candor and direct approach to communications made it easy to understand the science, the obstacles, and the needed actions. I especially loved his references to Food Poisoning.
- Whenever he got a question about medical issues and what to do next, after a thoughtful exchange about science and research, he would often point to the likely culprit – it’s the food!
He had a purpose bigger than just health….
- McDougall’s love of family, of his wife Mary, his kids and especially his grandkids inspired so much of his thinking later in life. His picture book for his grandkids that eventually became an insert in his greatest diet book ever, was easy for all to understand. He used to say, you can never unlearn this. His connection between the environment and our food choices resonated with me as I started my journey to eating this way because of my own environmental connections.
His shoulders are still supporting us, though we miss him already.
His daughter Heather, Craig, Dr. Lim, Tiffany, Mary, his extended family and colleagues, his books and videos will continue to bolster and lift us up.
And someday, if we are lucky, while still standing on his, our shoulders will help to support those who are ready to reach even further.
