Today I’m really excited to welcome Rip

Esselstyn to the Health, Happiness & Planet podcast.

Rip is a former professional triathlete and firefighter who turned a simple idea inside his Texas firehouse into a global movement. What began as an effort to help his fellow firefighters improve their health grew into the Engine 2 lifestyle and eventually into PLANTSTRONG, his company dedicated to making whole-food, plant-based eating accessible, practical, and convenient for families everywhere.

But Rip’s story is about more than food. It’s about leadership, consistency, and living what you believe. Plant-based living runs deep in the Esselstyn family. His father, Caldwell Esselstyn, is a pioneer in the prevention and reversal of heart disease and I had the pleasure of speaking with him on a previous episode number 37 of this podcast.

Rip has been featured on national television, appeared in the documentary Forks Over Knives, and served as executive producer of The Game Changers, helping challenge long-held myths about meat, protein, and strength. Through his books, his podcast, retreats, coaching programs, and the PLANTSTRONG food line, he continues to make plant-based living practical and accessible.

At the heart of it all, Rip’s message is simple: health doesn’t have to be complicated. When we align our daily habits with what our bodies are designed for: movement, real food, sunlight and connection-everything changes.

And that’s exactly what we’re exploring in today’s conversation.

Timestamps:

02:55 Introduction to Health, Happiness, and Planet.

06:35 Rip's Journey into Plant-Based Living.

09:40 Raising Plant-Based Kids.

18:40 Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Lifestyle.

20:45 Top 5 Fatal Diseases Related to Lifestyle in US Today.

23:25 Debunking Myths About Fish and Meat.

28:40 Understanding Inflammation and Its Impact.

33:45 Rip’s Morning Routine.

38:15 The Role of Sunlight and Circadian Rhythms.

42:25 Should You Be Afraid of Fruit?

46:30 Incorporating Variety in Plant-Based Eating.

49:15 Understanding Processed vs. Ultra-Processed Foods.

51:20 Engine 2 Movement.

55:20 The Hanging with Rip Challenge.

59:20 Navigating Fat Consumption in a Plant-Based Diet.

01:06:05 Plan Strong: A Mission for Healthy Eating.

01:06:50 Rip’s Definition of Happiness.

Where to find Rip:

Website: https://plantstrong.com/ & https://liveplantstrong.com/

Instagram: @goplantstrong & @ripesselstyn

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rip+esselstyn

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ripesselstyn/

Rips’s Podcast: https://www.plantstrongpodcast.com/

Where to find Juan and Wave Business Excellence Footprint:

Website Wave BEF: https://www.wave-bef.com/

Website: Health, Happiness & Planet: https://www.wave-bef.com/health-happiness-planet

Instagram: Health, Happiness & Planet: https://www.instagram.com/health_happiness_planet/

LinkedIn Juan Steigerwald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-eduardo-steigerwald-01710b1/

YouTube WAVE BEF: https://www.youtube.com/@wavebusinessexcellencefoot1034

Feel free to contact Wave team at any time.

What if embracing a plant-based lifestyle could transform not just your health, but the way you live, and connect with the world?

Today’s guest, Molly Patrick, has spent her life exploring exactly that; from her unconventional childhood to leading one of the most supportive plant-based communities on the planet.

Molly is the co-founder and CEO of Clean Food Dirty Girl, a global community with over 280,000 people helping others eat more delicious plant based food, live cruelty-free, and embrace their perfectly imperfect selves. She has never eaten meat in her life. Growing up in New Mexico on a rugged, self-built estate taught her resilience, creativity, and an appreciation for life’s messy, beautiful moments.

Molly has created more than 400 plant-based meal plans and a thriving, supportive online community lovingly known as the “Dirties.” Her approach is straightforward, fun, and often hilarious. She is also a certified coach.

On today’s episode, we’ll dive into Molly’s unconventional journey, her philosophy on conscious living, and the lessons she’s learned about joy, resilience, and embracing imperfection in all areas of life.

Timestamps:

03:40 Molly's Unconventional Childhood.

05:40 The Connection Between Food and Environment.

07:15 Navigating Peer Pressure and Dietary Choices.

11:05 The Evolution of Plant-Based Parenting.

13:00 The Importance of Reliable Information.

14:10 Introducing Plant-Based Foods to Kids.

18:40 The Abundance of Plant-Based Options.

20:35 The Birth of Clean Food Dirty Girl.

24:40 Embracing Imperfection in Veganism.

30:10 Building a Supportive Community.

35:00 Services and Plans Offered by Molly (Meal Plan Club)

39:20 Empowering Weight Loss Through Plant-Based Living.

42:40 The Connection Between Health and Purpose.

44:40 Overcoming Family Resistance to Plant-Based Eating.

48:50 The Power of Delicious Plant-Based Food.

53:00 Embracing a Playful Approach to Plant-Based Living.

56:10 Essential Foods for a Healthy Plant-Based Diet.

59:40 Overcoming Digestive Challenges with Legumes.

01:02:10 Community Favorites: Delicious Plant-Based Recipes.

01:04:40 Traveling as a Plant-Based Eater.

01:09:40 Molly’s Definition of Happiness.

Join Clean Food Dirty Girl Meal Plan Club today and save $15! You’ll lock in three months of membership to the tastiest club around, where every recipe is whole-food plant-based and good for both you and the planet.

This listeners-only deal is available for a limited time only, so check it out soon!

Here’s the link for my listeners:https://join.cleanfooddirtygirl.com/podcast/hhp

Where to find Molly:

Website: https://cleanfooddirtygirl.com/

Plant based weight loss makeover https://mollypatrickcoaching.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleanfooddirtygirl/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CleanFoodDirtyGirl

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollypatrick/

Where to find Juan and Wave Business Excellence Footprint:

Website Wave BEF: https://www.wave-bef.com/

Website: Health, Happiness & Planet: https://www.wave-bef.com/health-happiness-planet

Instagram: Health, Happiness & Planet: https://www.instagram.com/health_happiness_planet/

LinkedIn Juan Steigerwald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-eduardo-steigerwald-01710b1/

YouTube WAVE BEF: https://www.youtube.com/@wavebusinessexcellencefoot1034

Feel free to contact Wave team at any time.

What if luxury was not about what we own, but about how gently we move through the world?

Welcome back to Health, Happiness & Planet, the podcast where we explore how to live well for ourselves, for others, and for the planet we share.

Today, I’m joined by Emmanuelle Bonham, the founder of Kind Luxury, a lifestyle movement redefining what it truly means to live beautifully without causing harm. Through her work, Emmanuelle blends aesthetics with ethics, showing that elegance and compassion do not just coexist, they elevate every part of how we live.

With more than nine years of experience in plant-based nutrition, wellness, and advocacy, Emmanuelle has partnered with global names such as Adidas and Greenpeace and mentors those seeking deeper alignment between their values, health, and lifestyle. Her mission is to prove that true luxury lies not in excess but in awareness, purpose, and kindness.

In our conversation, we explore the philosophy of Kind Luxury and how compassion can become the new status symbol. We discuss what it means to shift from excess to fulfillment, why alignment leads to lasting happiness, and how to make sustainable and ethical choices in fashion, travel, and everyday life.

Emmanuelle also shares her personal journey, her work in animal rescue and advocacy, and her vision for the future of conscious living. Together, we uncover why living beautifully and consciously is not about perfection but about progress, intention, and care.

If you have ever wondered how to live with both elegance and ethics, this episode will invite you to see luxury through a new lens—one rooted in kindness, purpose, and true wellbeing.

Time stamps:

03:50 Introduction and Personal Journey.

09:05 Understanding Kind Luxury.

13:50 Compassion Over Consumption.

14:30 Shifting from Excess to Fulfillment.

19:45 Breaking Stereotypes in Veganism.

37:50 Aesthetics and Ethics in Kind Luxury.

40:20 Embracing Imperfection in Eco-Conscious Living.

43:55 Navigating the Clothing Industry: Sustainable Choices.

50:20 The Hidden Impact of Fashion on the Environment.

52:10 Traveling Sustainably: Finding Joy in Eco-Friendly Experiences.

58:25 The Journey of Animal Rescue and Advocacy.

01:03:00 Services Offered by Emmanuelle and Her Future Projects.

01:06:50 Defining Happiness: A Personal Reflection.

Where to find Emmanuelle:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmanuellebonham/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=emmanuelle%20bonham

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/EmmanuelleB100

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/emmanuellebonham/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emmanuellebonham

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuellebonham/?originalSubdomain=ae

Where to find Juan and Wave Business Excellence Footprint:

Website WaveBEF: www.wave-bef.com

Website: Health, Happiness & Planet: https://www.wave-bef.com/health-happiness-planet

Instagram: Health, Happiness & Planet: https://www.instagram.com/health_happiness_planet/

LinkedIn Juan Steigerwald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-eduardo-steigerwald-01710b1/

YouTube WAVE BEF: https://www.youtube.com/@wavebusinessexcellencefoot1034

Feel free to contact Wave team at any time.