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Published Nov 11, 2018

He Lost 200lbs & Became An Athlete: Josh LaJaunie | Rich Roll Podcast

Explore Josh LaJaunie's remarkable transformation from weighing over 400 pounds to becoming a celebrated athlete, highlighting the power of community support, yoga, and plant-based living in overcoming obstacles and fostering spiritual and personal growth. His inspiring story showcases the impact of authenticity and resilience in achieving lasting health and well-being.
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Episode Highlights

  • Injury Management

    shares his journey of managing injuries sustained from his past as a football player and his current passion for ultramarathons. He reveals that a severe protrusion in his spine, worsened by years of football and obesity, has been a persistent challenge. Despite this, yoga has become a transformative practice for him, helping to alleviate pain and improve his running performance 1 2.

    Yoga has been a life changer. I've been doing yoga at least three, four times a week for a few months now. That has been monumental.

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    and Josh discuss the importance of listening to one's body and the discipline required to back off when necessary, a lesson Josh learned the hard way 3.

       

    Cultural Resistance

    Josh reflects on the cultural challenges he faced while transforming his lifestyle, particularly in a community where traditional foods are deeply intertwined with identity and family. He describes the difficulty of breaking away from these traditions, which often involve unhealthy eating habits, and the resistance he encountered from loved ones 4.

    It's a slap in the face to your uncle so and so who fries the best fish or fries the best Gratons.

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    Josh emphasizes the importance of consistency and the support of a like-minded community to overcome these cultural barriers 5 6.

       

    Health Awareness

    Josh discusses the critical need for health awareness and education, especially in communities where unhealthy lifestyles are normalized. He stresses that health is not just about weight loss but about preventing serious conditions like heart disease, which is prevalent in his family 7.

    If you're eating the standard American diet, you are going to be on the road to at least being on the bevy of cardiac medications.

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    and Josh talk about practical steps for those looking to change their lifestyle, highlighting the importance of taking action, even if imperfect, to inspire change in oneself and the community 8.

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