OMG OMG. I met Chuck Carroll, host of the Exam Room Podcast and Dr. Neal Barnard President and founder of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM).

The Exam Room Podcast is my FAVOURITE PODCAST. It has been the LIFELINE that has helped keep me on track, awakening me to the power within me to change my health by changing what is on my plate. Chuck talks a bit about his own personal story to weight loss champion in this older podcast episode and his addiction to Taco Bell (same parent company as the Pizza Hut giants that hooked me). As the Exam Room Live is put on by PCRM, Chuck regularly has Dr. Neal Barnard on as a guest.

To say Chuck and Dr. Barnard have helped change my life would be an understatement. I used to attend a support group for my food addiction in my hometown and when I outgrew that support group, the Exam Room Live became my lifeline. I listened any chance I got to help REMIND my brain of why I am on this health journey. My addict brain is tricky and even with success, I consistently pushed boundaries and still do! I need to keep learning and to keep connected and have found ways to sneak the Exam Room Live into my daily life – during meal prep, walks and commutes in the car.

My husband and I flew to LA to watch the first ever life taping of the Exam Room Live at the end of March. As LA had the most downloads of the podcast, PCRM decided to bring the Exam Room to LA LIVE as a thank you. We purchased tickets for the event, but the night before the event while we were eating dinner, my husband casually said ‘Chuck Carroll just walked by.’ I couldn’t believe it. Then my husband added ‘and he’s sitting back there on the patio with Dr. Barnard and I think Sarno is with them as well.’

I was shaking with excitement. I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t focus. I debated saying hi, but wasn’t sure if that was rude but NOT saying anything was taking all of my focus. I had to go say hello. Let me preface this by saying, I’m not a celebrity person. Half the time I don’t know anyone’s name and even if I did know them, what would I say? Sure Brad Pitt is a good actor, but he hasn’t changed my life in the profound way these two have. I wanted to share my success story and thank them for everything. There’s actually not enough time in the world to share with them the impact they have had on my life.

So I walked up to the table, then I walked away and went to the washroom instead. I tried again, but then walked back to the table with my husband. It’s hard to be so rude and interrupt someone’s dinner. The third time was a charm. I walked up and introduced myself. I think my lip was quivering and I’m sure my face was contorted in some weird and awkward shape. Betsy Watson, Vice President of Development of PCRM was also at the table and so graciously helped calm me down. She introduced me to the table and Dr. Barnard asked me some questions and Chuck Carrol (bless that man) stood up and by my side during the entire visit and he even gave me a hug.

I was able to share with them my awakening and hopefully properly thank them and show my appreciation. I hardly know what I said, it was an out of body experience of a lifetime. A lovely guest at the table offered to take a picture with me and Chuck and Dr. Barnard and she kindly sent it to me. I was buzzing with energy for at least 10 minutes after that interaction, it took me awhile to come back down to earth.

What I do specifically remember is Dr. Barnard asking me where I was from. When I said Calgary, he said ‘ahhh home of the Calgary Stampede Rodeo.’ Gosh darn it. What an embarrassment! While it’s awful my home city is known to promote such a cruel event, not to mention animal agriculture central, I’m glad he said this as I was able to proudly tell him that I’m now an ethical vegan. This is in part thanks to PCRM.

I signed up to be a PCRM member due to my love for the Exam Room Podcast and was initially surprised when they sent me action alerts on animals being used in laboratories or for other medical research. I recall receiving an email on one of their first success campaigns where they dropped off boxes of signatures on the steps of a University, demanding change for the animals. I had no idea that PCRM lobbied for change and was an ethical, nonprofit organization.

PCRM is also building a new way of viewing research. Since 1985, the Physician’s committee has worked tirelessly for alternatives to the use of animals in medical education and research and for more effective scientific methods.

PCRM’s also helps change the way doctors treat chronic disease such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity and cancer. In their own words, ‘by putting prevention over pills, doctors are empowering their patients to take control of their own health. Their staff of physicians, dietitians and scientists work with policymakers, industry, the medical community ,the media and the public to create a better future for people and animals.

This organization has my heart. PCRM is dedicated to ‘saving and improving human and animal lives through plant based diets and ethical and effective scientific research.’

WEEKLY CHECK IN: Took a hiatus and maintained my weight loss. Time to get back to it!

Peace, love & plants,

Michelle 😊

p.s. Learn about how you can support PCRM’s work here. PCRM has a plethora of information freely available on specific health topics, ethical science, good nutrition and their research which includes information on their groundbreaking diabetes studies from 2018. Check it out and if you found anything that would be helpful to a loved one, pass it along. This is life saving information and it has certainly helped save my life and likely my husband’s too.