The Doctors Farmacy with Mark Hyman M.D.
VIDEO EPISODE 43: WHY JOHN & OCEAN ROBBINS (HEIR TO BASKIN-ROBBINS) WALKED AWAY FROM THEIR FORTUNE
Ocean Robbins was raised by two planet-loving hippies (hence the name "Ocean) and as a vegetarian, however Ocean’s father John, was raised in house with an ice-cream cone-shaped swimming pool and a lifetime supply of 31 flavours of ice cream containing wheat, dairy, sugar, soy and tree nuts in the freezer. John’s lifestyle was created by his grandfather who founded the global ice cream giant Baskin-Robbins.
John Robbins declined his birth-right to run Baskin-Robbins when he had reached his mid-twenties; changing the trajectory of the Robbins family and their children’s lives. John’s brother, Burt Baskin, died of heart disease at an early age with substantial wealth, but left behind a family he loved due to him not maintaining his health.
Ocean’s dad said, “I don’t want to spend my life selling a product that’s going to contribute to more people getting sick and dying.”
John raised his children to be part of a greener, more sustainable environment. “I was born to parents who lived in a 1-room log cabin in the middle of the Canadian wilderness. They grew most of their own food, practiced yoga and meditation every day, and named their kid ‘Ocean,'” he said. “I was raised as a vegetarian, and I’ve been plant-based from day #1.” Ocean said.
Image credit: Ocean Robbins
Ocean’s values and passion for plant-based food inspired him to spend his life educating others about health food choices and live a more sustainable life.
He recently launched a book called “31-Day Food Revolution” which delves into the nasty secrets of industrialised food. Ocean wants the rest of the world to know how we can put the power back in our hands when it comes to making the right choices about our health.
Ocean says, “When you eat the Standard American Diet you get the standard American diseases. Essentially our burgers and fries are weapons of mass destruction.”
In the U.S. poor diet is responsible for 700,000 deaths each year, and a further 11 million worldwide. This is a lot more than any war or any act of terrorism – and it’s legal to sell products that will eventually lead to serious disease and ultimately death.
Statistics show the average American consumes around 55 pounds of added sugar each year, which is a major contributor towards the diabesity epidemic. However, each step towards consuming real, wholesome, organic foods reduces your risk for chronic inflammatory disease and will give you a new lease on life.
Mark Hyman M.D. from The Doctor’s Farmacy, interviewed Ocean Robbins to talk about the current state of America’s food system and what the individual can do to be part of the food revolution to create a healthier and happier lifestyle for everyone.
Ocean is also the CEO and co-founder of the Food Revolution Network — who has more than 500,000 followers and is one of the largest communities of healthy eating advocates in the world.
“Ocean also shares some of the science and concerns on another hot topic, genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, and why organic is a safer option,” says Dr Hyman.
This is a very compelling interview and we hope you find the time to be informed.