Skip to Content

Rip Esselstyn

« Back to Glossary Index

**Rip Esselstyn’s Background and Career:**
– Born on February 16, 1963, in Upstate New York
– Son of surgeon Caldwell Esselstyn and grandson of surgeon George Crile, Jr.
– Father advocated for a plant-based diet for heart disease prevention
– Switched to a plant-based diet in 1987, inspired by vegetarian Dave Scott
– Wrote ‘The Engine 2 Diet’ after a co-worker’s high cholesterol
– Book appeared on The New York Times Best Seller List and endorsed by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
– Married to Jill Kolasinski and has three children

**Rip Esselstyn’s Achievements and Works:**
– First place at the 2001 World Police and Fire Games
– Eight-time winner of the Capital of Texas triathlon and six-time winner of the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon
– Set the U.S. Masters Swimming 200 Meter Backstroke record for men 55-59
– Authored books like ‘My Beef with Meat,’ ‘The Engine 2 Diet,’ ‘The Engine 2 Seven-Day Rescue Diet’
– Created DVDs like ‘Forks Over Knives Presents The Engine 2 Kitchen Rescue with Rip Esselstyn

**Vegetarianism Pioneers and Literature:**
– Pioneers include William Alcott, Thomas Allinson, Ernest Bell, Ragnar Berg, and George Black
– Notable vegetarianism literature: ‘What is Vegetarianism?’ (1886), ‘Shelleys Vegetarianism’ (1891), ‘Behind the Scenes in Slaughter-Houses’ (1892), ‘Why I Am a Vegetarian’ (1895), ‘Figs or Pigs?’

**Influential Figures in Vegetarianism:**
David L. Katz, Michael Klaper, Susan M. Levin, Robert Downey Jr., Robert O. Young
– Advocates for plant-based diets and healthy living

**Health Benefits of Vegetarianism and Culinary Advocates:**
– Health benefits include improved heart health, lower risk of certain cancers, weight management, reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, and lower blood pressure
– Culinary advocates like Nava Atlas, Mayim Bialik, Gypsy Boots, BOSH!, and Rip Esselstyn promoting plant-based diets and healthy eating.

Rip Esselstyn (Wikipedia)

Rip Esselstyn (born February 16, 1963) is an American health activist, food writer, and former firefighter and triathlete. He is known as an advocate of low-fat, whole-food, plant-based diet that excludes all animal products and processed foods. He calls it a "plant strong" diet, a term he has trademarked. He has appeared in two documentaries about plant-based nutrition: Forks Over Knives (2011) and The Game Changers (2018). He is the author of The Engine 2 Diet (2009), My Beef With Meat (2013), Plant-Strong (2016), and The Engine 2 Seven-Day Rescue Diet (2017).

Rip Esselstyn
Esselstyn in June 2013
Esselstyn in June 2013
Born (1963-02-16) February 16, 1963 (age 61)
Upstate New York, U.S.
OccupationHealth activist, food writer
Alma materUniversity of Texas, Austin
SubjectLow-fat diets, whole-food diets, plant-based diets
SpouseJill Kolasinski
Children3
RelativesCaldwell Esselstyn (father)
George Crile, Jr. (grandfather)
George Washington Crile (great-grandfather)
George Crile III (uncle)
Website
plantstrong.com
« Back to Glossary Index