“I’d Rather Die Than Give Up BBQ!” These were the words of Brian Rodgers when he was considering bariatric surgery due to being morbidly obese. At 300 pounds, he was not willing to give up his love of BBQ.
When the surgeon told him he would likely lose his desire for the taste of BBQ, he stormed out of the surgeon’s office.
Knowing he needed to get his health under control, like virtually any undertaking of this magnitude, Brian threw himself into figuring out the solution to losing weight while enjoying the flavor of good ole’, down-home BBQ.
Enter plant based eating and Fool’s Gold BBQ.
As a certified Pit Master, and the winner of The American Royal coveted award, Brian was determined not to let his love of BBQ be a deterrent to his health.
Now down 140 pounds from his highest weight of 300 pounds, Brian is clear on his mission.
“My mission is to raise awareness about the health benefits of plant based eating with a strong focus on childhood obesity. I’ve fought my own weight issues since I was eight. It’s very traumatizing. My goal is to raise $10,000,000 through the sale of Fool’s Gold BBQ. All proceeds go to programs to do with childhood obesity. Currently, we’ve sold over $1,000,000 worth of sauce.”
One of Brian’s greatest passions is cooking plant-based meals for large groups of people such as his local homeless shelter and schools. Due to COVID-19, some of that is on hold, but as soon as restrictions are lifted and it is safe, Brian plans to do a boatload of cooking.
Brian’s wife is a doctor and hospital administrator who thanks her lucky stars her husband took control over his health and is so committed to the health of others.
During the pandemic, he has cooked plant-based meals for over 200 nurses and doctors.
In Memory of Joe Diffie
Asked where he thinks he would be right now with the COVID situation if he didn’t get control of his health and he is quick to say, “Dead!”
“I was near dead before I made a drastic change. Going plant based was about losing weight. Plain and simple. I had to do something that would get me dramatic results. I have friends who are at very high risk. I lost one very close friend who was in the same boat I was in. Country legend, Joe Diffie. We talked a couple weeks prior to him being admitted to ICU. Within a couple days, he was dead. I miss him terribly and this interview is in his memory. “
Over the last 20 months, Brian’s life went from one of disease and frustration to one of vitality, energy and freedom.
Fast forward from August 1, 2018 to today. Here are some of the obvious results. All of the following are now a thing of the past.
-140 pounds
-Liver disease
-Hypertension
-Sleep Apnea
-Dyslipidemia
-Morbid Obesity
-Buffalo Hump
-Chronic Bronchitis
-IBS
Advice to High Risk Individuals
Get honest about where you’re at.
Start tonight. Give yourself today to indulge and then, that’s it.
First thing every morning, take a walk. Even if it’s to the end of your block. Walk. Build from there.
Find something plant based in your home to eat. It could be beans. But find one thing and grow from there.
Bottom-line… it’s all about accountability. To yourself, your family, your community and the doctors. Give the doctors a chance to help you by you helping yourself.
https://www.facebook.com/brian.rodgers.5473
https://www.linkedin.com/company/fool-s-gold-bbq/
https://www.instagram.com/plantbasedbbq/
https://www.instagram.com/plantbasedbbq/
