From Struggle to Transformation
When Betsy Bragg was 49, she weighed 235 pounds, stood at five foot two, and struggled with learning disabilities, substance abuse, and depression. Her son, then a 19-year-old college athlete, noticed the effects of food on his own energy and began studying nutrition through Bastyr University. Convinced of the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle, he urged his mother to attend the Hippocrates Health Institute in Florida. After three weeks at the institute, Betsy’s transformation was remarkable both physically and mentally. That experience became the catalyst for her lifelong commitment to plant-based living.
Now, at 91, Betsy continues to thrive and inspire others to do the same.
Founding Eat to Thrive and Real Kids Real Food
After returning home from Hippocrates, Betsy’s passion for education took root. With a master’s degree in guidance from Stanford and 45 years of teaching experience, she developed a 10-week program called Eat to Thrive, which combines education, accountability, and community. The program won recognition from Hippocrates Health Institute and became the foundation of her ongoing work.
Through Eat to Thrive, participants learn how to make healthy living a lifestyle rather than a short-term diet. Each student sets three personal objectives, partners with a buddy for accountability, and learns practical skills like sprouting, cleansing, and mindfulness. Betsy describes the course as “a blend of knowledge and practice,” ensuring that transformation goes beyond the plate.
Her companion program, Real Kids Real Food, brings the same philosophy to children. The mission is simple yet powerful: to eliminate obesity, chronic disease, and malnutrition through hands-on education and healthy eating. Children learn how to prepare whole, organic meals, shop for real foods, and understand where food comes from. Parents often take the adult course simultaneously, creating a family-centered approach to wellness.
The Power of Wheatgrass, Sprouting, and Cleansing
Betsy’s journey with raw living foods began at Hippocrates, where she discovered the energizing effects of wheatgrass and sprouts. “It was wonderful,” she recalls. “We’d have four ounces of wheatgrass juice every morning and every night, and you could feel it working in your body.”
To this day, she maintains that practice, now sourcing high-quality frozen wheatgrass pellets from Dynamic Greens in Canada. When asked about growing sprouts, Betsy emphasizes that it is easy to do at home, whether in jars or soil, and that “sprouts are the life force we should all have.”
Cleansing is also central to her teachings. Students in her program learn to do three-day juice cleanses and liver gallbladder cleanses, always supported by nutrient-dense foods. “You begin to build a strong immune system,” she says. “It’s about feeling great from the inside out.”
Real Kids, Real Results
One of Betsy’s favorite success stories involves a young boy diagnosed as pre-diabetic. Through Real Kids Real Food, his family adopted a plant-based diet, took the Eat to Thrive program together, and incorporated nutritional supplements for two months. By the time of his next doctor’s visit, his pre-diabetes was gone, his sisters were losing excess weight, and his mother felt better than she had in years. “It was life-changing,” Betsy says proudly.
Her programs have reached inner-city schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, and church groups across Massachusetts. She dreams of seeing them implemented nationwide, particularly in public schools, to combat the growing childhood obesity crisis.
Living Proof That It’s Never Too Late
Now living in senior housing in Marlborough, Massachusetts, Betsy continues to model vitality and purpose. Though she laughs about being one of the “younger” residents compared to a few centenarians, she maintains her commitment to whole, raw foods and daily movement. “People in their 70s and up often don’t want to change,” she admits, “but it’s never too late.”
She credits her health to simple, consistent habits such as drinking clean water, starting the day with lemon water, eating oatmeal with oat milk and fruit, enjoying hearty salads with beans and beets, and preparing meals in advance. “It’s about making good choices easy,” she says.
A Vision for the Future
Betsy’s greatest hope is to bring Real Kids Real Food into public schools. Her goal is to train more educators to deliver the curriculum so that the program can spread far beyond her personal reach. “If anyone wants to run the program,” she says, “I’ll help you. I have all the materials, lesson plans, videos, and guides you’ll need.”
Even at 91, she remains active in mentoring others and occasionally teaching classes herself. “You have to experience the program first,” she explains. “Once you do, you’ll want to share it.”
Living Proof It’s Never Too Late
Betsy Bragg is living proof that a plant-based lifestyle can transform not only your health but your entire outlook on life. Her decades-long dedication to raw foods, education, and compassion continue to ripple through communities, from families reversing chronic illness to children discovering the joy of real food.
If you or someone you know has connections within schools or youth programs, reach out to Betsy. Her vision could change the future health of an entire generation.
Contact:
Betsy Bragg
betsy@eat2thrive.info
betsy@realkidsrealfood.org
Eat2Thrive.info
About Betsy Bragg
Betsy Bragg is the founder of Eat to Thrive and Real Kids Real Food, two groundbreaking programs launched in 2005 and inspired by the Hippocrates Health Institute. Through Eat to Thrive, Betsy empowers people to achieve their ideal weight naturally, slow the effects of aging, and embrace a vibrant lifestyle rooted in whole, living foods. Participants gain hands-on experience in preparing nutrient-rich meals, sprouting, fermenting, dehydrating, and discovering the life-giving power of natural foods with live enzymes. Her program also includes access to 27 educational videos, expert guest speakers, a comprehensive 386-page manual, recipe guides, and ongoing coaching, creating a supportive community dedicated to lifelong health.
With Real Kids Real Food, Betsy extends her mission to the next generation, offering communities a curriculum that teaches children the value of healthy eating and compassionate living. Her published works include the 400-page Eat to Thrive – 10 Weeks to Life-Long Healthy Habits and Healthy Living, along with Eat to Thrive Recipes, Real Kids Real Food Recipes, and Real Kids Real Food Lesson Plans—all available on Amazon.
Betsy’s life work centers on providing people of all ages with the knowledge, tools, and encouragement they need to embrace sustainable health and well-being.
About Kathleen Gage
Kathleen Gage is a multifaceted professional, renowned as the founder of Vegan Visibility. With certifications in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell University, she’s a seasoned business consultant, keynote speaker, and marketing strategist.
Kathleen’s impact extends to hosting the Vegan Visibility Virtual Summit, a niche event supporting vegan and plant-based entrepreneurs with top-tier training from industry experts.
Since establishing her business in 1994, she’s navigated economic challenges across various sectors, including high-tech, healthcare, and publishing.
Her influential voice resonates through popular podcasts like “Vegan Visibility” and “Plant Based Eating for Health,” where she advocates for a sustainable, compassionate world and provides guidance to thousands globally. Moreover, as an award-winning speaker and past president of Utah’s National Speakers Association chapter, Kathleen excels in crafting effective marketing strategies.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Kathleen resides in Central Oregon, where she champions animal rescue and enjoys outdoor activities. Her commitment to creating a more compassionate and sustainable world shines through in both her personal and professional pursuits.
Access her complimentary Podcast Guesting Blueprint at http://veganvisibility.com/podcastblueprint