066: John Durant on Voting with Your Dollars to Make Health Changes

One of the trickiest things I do as a health blogger is decide which companies and products to use for my family and to recommend to others. I take this responsibility seriously, so I know I’m in good company when I spend time with my friend John Durant, aka Paleo Jesus, one of the 100 Most Influential People in the health world.

Now as a venture capitalist, John Durant makes it his primary mission to find and fund the best health-focused companies through his company, Wild Ventures.

He’s the best person I know to give insight into the future of health—and how we can vote with our dollars to support companies willing to shape and change it for the better.

John Durant, Modern Caveman

First, a little about John Durant, because he’s a fascinating person. His New York Times bestselling book The Paleo Manifesto rocketed the Paleo diet into popularity, and he continues to pursue health with a passion.

On any given day you might find John Durant running barefoot through Central Park, experimenting with intermittent fasting, or doing a polar bear swim in the Atlantic. Now a sought-after health expert, he’s been featured by The New York Times, The Atlantic and appeared on The Colbert Report and NPR.

John’s portfolio includes some of my favorite companies, where he works behind the scenes to make them successful: Thrive Market, Exo, AO Biome, and Kettle and Fire just to name a few.

Let’s find out the inside scoop on how companies, big and small, play a part in our health future.

The Mighty Dollar … in Your Pocket

I’ve been criticized before for sometimes supporting large companies that offer some—but not all—health-conscious products. And there is of course good reason to be wary. Huge corporations have a track record of often not having our best interests in mind.

Still, when we spend our dollars on healthy products, these companies listen and respond. And the bigger the company that makes a change toward healthier products, the wider the impact. Even in the last few years, we’ve seen an exciting amount of change for the better.

At least that’s what I think … and I do even more so after hearing John’s insider perspective on the health future and where we’re headed.

Change the demand, and they will follow! We as consumers are in control!

In This Podcast, You’ll Learn

all about the real power consumers have to shape markets … with just their dollars!
which health trends companies respond to (and why)
what John Durant really thinks about Walmart and big box stores (it’s not what you might think!)
the inside story on successful startup companies like Thrive Market and US Wellness Meats
why the way we shop and what we buy has a ripple effect on the environment
why supporting companies you like is more effective than boycotting ones you don’t
the downsides to regulation and how it works against mission-focused startups
why being a “health fanatic” isn’t the only way to wellness
and more!