From Heart Disease to Plant Based Hero | Interview with Paul Chatlin, He Learned How to Give Back
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Paul Chatlin, founder of PBNSG, was born in Detroit, Michigan and has lived in West Bloomfield, Michigan since 1971. In May of 2013, in his mid-fifties, he was diagnosed with heart disease. One artery was 100% blocked and two others were 65% blocked. Add to that, leaky valves, an enlarged heart, the thickening of the right side of his heart, a left bundled branch block and heart murmur. He was in seriously bad shape. He could not walk more than 7 steps without having excruciating pain in his chest.
The doctors did not know if he needed a heart transplant or by-pass surgery. Paul kept praying that this was not happening to him, and he promised that if he could find a way to not have this surgery, then he would give back to others. He called this his “gurney promise.” After a heart catheter procedure, a heart transplant was ruled out, but he needed triple bypass surgery. Paul’s cardiologist gave him two options: bypass surgery or trying a lifestyle change called “Plant Based Nutrition.” He said he would try anything other than bypass surgery, so his doctor picked up his cell phone while Paul was being wheeled toward surgery. He was calling Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, who answered the phone at 11p.m. to talk to the doctor. Paul did not know that Dr. Esselstyn was his doctor’s mentor in medical school. He was handed the phone and heard Dr. Esselstyn say “go on home and I will call you in the morning.” Paul knew this was a leap of faith! At 8:00a.m. the next morning, Dr. Esselstyn called him and spoke for an hour.
Thus began his Plant Based Nutrition transition. After just 3 weeks, his angina disappeared. His cholesterol levels dropped from 347 to 88 in just one year. Paul lost 75 pounds, has kept it off, and feels great! He was given 3 miracles. 1) Getting into the Cleveland Clinic in just 3 weeks; 2) Being assigned to a doctor (it could have been so many other doctors) whose mentor was Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn; and 3) Dr. Esselstyn picking up the phone so late that night. Paul knew that IT WAS TIME TO GIVE BACK!
Paul held the first official Plant Based Nutrition Support Group meeting in February 2014, and 123 people showed up. Seven years and many meetings later, PBNSG has over 9,000 members and continues to grow.
Plant Based Nutrition Support Group (PBNSG) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to evidence-based education and advocacy of plant-based whole food nutrition and an active lifestyle, to help individuals prevent or reverse chronic disease and achieve optimal health. Subscribe to newsletters at pbnsg.org
Paul Chatlin, PBNSG founder, was diagnosed with severe heart disease. His cardiologist gave him a choice: bypass surgery or plant-based nutrition. He chose plant-based nutrition and almost immediately reduced his pain and went on to reverse his heart disease.
He wondered why the power of plant-based nutrition wasn’t common knowledge. He imagined he wasn’t the only person struggling to adjust to this way of eating. Taking matters into his own hands, he decided to place an ad in the local community newspaper and start a support group.
In February 2014, Chatlin established PBNSG, based in southeast Michigan, and held the first meeting. He expected about 20 people and over 120 showed up! Since then, PBNSG has grown rapidly, has over 9,000 members, and is the largest and fastest growing community- and nationwide online plant-based organization in the country. PBNSG also has members from Canada and other countries.
PBNSG Online Presence provides information on evidence-based whole food, plant-based nutrition that is useful and inviting for individuals new to these concepts and those wanting additional resources.
Main Speaker Events and Healthy Living Seminars feature national and local physicians, leading experts, and advocates for plant-based nutrition from all over the country and world.
Culinary Classes occur virtually, featuring various local and national chefs, and are perfect for all.
Community Support Group meetings for anyone are held virtually on the second Thursday of each month. The free meetings feature various speakers, provide encouragement, social support, answers to questions about plant-based eating, recipes, and resources. pbnsg.org/support-groups
For Families: Walker’s Way helps families learn about the nutritional benefits of a whole food, plant-based diet, and provides guidance on meals, products, and easy recipes. pbnsg.org/walkers-way
For more information about PBNSG and membership, go tohttps://www.pbnsg.org/
Follow PBNSG at: facebook.com/pbnsgMI, instagram.com/pbnsg