What If?
A few years ago at the E2 firehouse!
Do you ever wonder what would happen “if” you didn’t say yes to a certain situation? Sometimes, I wonder how different my life would be if I hadn’t decided to move to Philadelphia after seeing the original “ROCKY” film for two straight weeks (when I lived in Brazil as a Peace Corps Volunteer). That movie said, “Head to Philly!”
I wonder what would have happened had I not gotten kicked off the Chestnut Hill Local in Philadelphia when I carried my bike onto the train. Because had that never happened, I would never had met my husband. It’s a long story, but one in a long litany of life events.
Of late, the one thing I think about most is this, “What would have happened had I not been selected to attend the inaugural Engine 2 Retreat in Austin, TX in 2010?” I think I know the answer.
When you make the decision to become plant-strong, it creates a label for you. Some of your friends and family members might be in question about this health change. I am a person who could have been a professional dieter. If it was a diet on a magazine cover, I was ready to give it a whirl.
But, there was something different about the Engine 2 Diet. During my week at the retreat (then called an immersion), I was lured by the science of diet. I am a very black and white person, and it seemed evident to me that research was speaking for itself. The other thing that really brought everything to a reality was sitting in the front row of Ann and Jane’s cooking classes. They are very practical thinkers and doers, and their no-nonsense approach to tackling the plant-strong kitchen was easily presented.
I think I do really know the answer to the question about my life’s destiny, had I never embraced a plant-strong lifestyle. And, all I need to do is look at my family history. Looking at my siblings, too, my younger ones are on the firing line for taking statins. Trying to convey the meaning of a plant-strong life may fall on deaf ears (which greatly saddens me), but I remind myself that I only need to be “plant-strong to thine ownself.”
That’s what I think. Had I not taken this path, my health would be in a state of decline, I would be incurring health care costs that were preventable. I’d be that statistic about heart disease, or cancer, or any other related lifestyle disease. Eating plants has safe guarded my life.
This coming March marks the fifth anniversary of concept of the Engine 2 Retreats. I realize that I was part of an amazing beginning, and to see its “swell and growth” makes me feel enormously proud of every aspect of Engine 2. The success of the Engine 2 format is based on Rip’s incredible work ethic, his hard work, and the personal touch that he adds to any event. Rip’s “pay it forward” approach to all that he does is what keeps this Engine going.
One last thing. And it is almost funny. Several years ago, Rip came to Philadelphia for the premiere of FORKS OVER KNIVES. The next day, he was at a closed event for Whole Foods Market team members. He called a friend and I to the stage. He began to talk and I remember thinking, “Gee, Rip is so nice, and he says such on-target things about people.” Then he said this.
“And this person is an older woman, and she gives Engine 2 her all.”
I remember thinking, “Who is he talking about?”
Turns out, he was talking about me. Yup, I was an older adult. But, you know what? I recently turned 65 years of age, and I know with all the love in my heart, that if it wasn’t for Engine 2 being a distinct part of my life, I would be a health statistic with various lifestyle diseases.
Engine 2 is not just about losing weight. It is about navigating ways to achieve your optimal health. And all you need to do is eat plants. Simple as that.
As Rip gets ready to celebrate a special fifth with his entire team, my healthy heart is filled with deep gratitude and lots of kale!
So, if you are sitting on the fence about following a plant-strong lifestyle, just DO IT, you will never have to ask yourself the question, “What would my life be like if I had started the Engine 2 Diet?”
And thanks to Rip for being the steward of good health that he is, and deep appreciation to Whole Foods Market for raising the wellness bar and creating the format of retreats for team members.
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