Leading Greats #25

Since the 5th grade I remember talking about the ingredients in the food we eat and how it effects our body.

Some family members had chronic conditions from diabetes to cardiovascular unrest.

I saw the tragic impact up close what food consumption without conscious thought can do to the health and lives of those effected by these conditions, among others.

• These conditions are easily tripped by the types and amounts of food we consume, as well as the timing of that.

• If you are not impacted by this, it is easily an out of sight, out of mind concept.

I thought everyone was having those conversations back in my small grade school.

It turns out those were early days for many people to be diligent about noting what was in the food we prepare and consume.

Few people seemed to be reading food labels then - that I knew or heard much of.

• Sodium sourced in salt can be a big deal I found out early.

• This is particularly so for those with cardiovascular concerns.

Over time as I did not have conditions that required monitoring of salt intake, I might pay less attention. The same would go for sugar intake.

I could tell how differently I felt if I had consumed random amounts of these food and beverage ingredients in excess.

In the early pandemic days, I read the book “The Whole Foods Diet”, by John Mackey, Co-Founder, and long-standing CEO of Whole Foods.

• Just a word to the skeptics, I stalled on reading this book as the label “diet” is in the title. I was not looking for, nor did I need a diet.

• A few fast takeaways from the book that I put into play for my diet immediately: NO ADDED - Salt, Sugar, or Processed Fats (fats lacking the original fiber source).

To clarify, some food items have a certain amount of these ingredients, choose those wisely.

• Do NOT ADD More of these to your food for health benefits and weight control:

• Salt

• Sugar

• Processed Fats

BINGO, that took me back to my upbringing and the principles my parents were trying to instill in me about nutrition.

I make occasional exceptions, then I get back to the routine for health & well-being.

This book and those few alterations started an unplanned path to plant-based eating for me.

I never saw this coming.

• Food planning, preparation, and clean up are much simpler now as well.

• I feel great!

• So far this plant-based food regimen is serving me well - almost two years.

• This approaches the topic of food as medicine.

Plant-based farm to table dining on an organic farm in Malibu

I am just back from Malibu, California where I had the distinct pleasure of joining a plant-based farm-to-table outdoor dinner on an organic farm near the beach.

Whew, that was a lot - read that again.

• This was put on by podcaster Rich Roll, and his wife Julie Piatt - who makes interestingly delicious vegan NOT cheese: nut cheese.

• Richroll.com, Srimu.com

• I have known them and about their plant-based lifestyles for years now.

All this was the perfect set up for an early fall evening with dramatic and radiant ruby-orange sunset across the Pacific Ocean as our backdrop, with a robust fire pit lit to a roaring welcome of the night.

For added ambiance there were acoustic musicians playing guitar and hand drums around us.

• The attendees were all interested in healthy living & eating, nutrition, and food as medicine.

• There were generous random discussions around eating the right things to offer our body the chance to avoid certain over exposures and toxins, with the possibility of healing naturally where possible.

• I met several leaders in this space, indulging inspiring conversations around startup companies, apps, scientific studies, communities forming, and the like.

All were supporting this mindset and lifestyle of the nutritionally conscious consumer with increasing discussions and actions around food as medicine.

Health is wealth after all!

9/11/2001 Remembered

9/11 Waves of Flags

Pepperdine University overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Malibu has their annual “Waves of Flags” display of nearly 3,000 flags.

• Each flag represents a life that was lost in the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks.

• Also, each flag represents the national origin of the innocent victims lost in those attacks.

• Waves of Flags is a tribute that educates and commemorates the sacrifices made to keep our country safe and free.

It was a beautiful day in Malibu as I walked the well-manicured grass lawns of Pepperdine U. with the ocean breeze setting the multitude of flags in motion - to life - as I chose to see it.

I walked among these flags, and I remembered how I experienced the 9/11 attacks as I was living in New York City at that time.

• My job was just a few blocks from the Twin Towers at the time.

• I was off work that day - thankfully.

• I personally witnessed the Twin Towers fall - before my own eyes at a distance.

• I was talking to my neighbor in that moment as they screamed they had family inside the Twin Towers.

• I cannot forget how grateful I was (I still am) to be off work that day!

Another aspect of the Waves of Flags display was a small stand with the comment “Pause and Reflect”.

The stand held pens and “We Remember” comment cards with corner ties with space on one side for writing thoughts, prayers, or whatever was desired.

• These cards were allowed to be tied to any of the flag poles in honor of the memory of the 9/11 attacks and those innocent lives lost.

• With distinct memories of 9/11 - I filled out a We Remember card and attached it to an American flag post.

Here we are 22 years after the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks - going stronger after rebuilding - and many priceless lessons learned for leadership!

We Remember 9/11.

https://www.pepperdine.edu/waves-of-flags/

The World Needs More Great Leaders!

I am encouraged by the many bright leaders I get to work with who inspire me as they are focused on making our lives better from their passions and dedications to improve industries from healthcare to food and nutrition, to climate, energy, and sustainability, among other sectors.

This goes well beyond the many facets of technology - that impact most industries.

I met with members of my Personal Board of Advisors recently.

• I am doing this at least quarterly.

• We could all have access to a Personal Board of Advisors support, relationships, wisdom, and advice.

If you are not finding these in your life organically, you can seek these out.

As a Strategic Leadership Catalyst and Executive Coach I help highly motivated professionals transform culture through human centered empathy.

I help leaders master performance and well-being.

If this sounds like you, your organization, or someone you know - I can help.

That is all - for this issue - of Leading Greats!

I hope that you got something of benefit here - Thank You for your support!

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Til next time - Keep it Great,

-Ronnie

• Leadership Catalyst & Transformational Coach

• Healthcare Leader | Advisor | Speaker

• Schedule a strategy call for working together @ ronniekinsey.net

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronniekinseymba/A few additional views of the Malibu farm-to-table plant-based dinner with Rich Roll and Julie Piatt.Pictured above, Rich Roll opens the evening. Here ^ yours truly with Julie Piatt.