Charles Gassenheimer - From Multiple Meds to Marathons: How a Plant-Based Diet Changed His Life

For full episode show notes and resources, visit: https://www.plantstrongpodcast.com/bl... At just 43 years old, Charles Gassenheimer was 75 pounds overweight, pre-diabetic, struggling with joint pain and memory loss, and taking high-dose cholesterol medications. His doctors were managing his decline — not reversing it. Then one conversation changed everything. After meeting cardiologist Dr. Robert Ostfeld, Charles committed to a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. The results were extraordinary: he lost over 70 pounds, came off medications, reversed his cardiovascular risk markers, and returned to running. Today, Charles has completed over 15 marathons — including running the New York City Marathon faster in his 40s than he did in his 20s — while raising three plant-based children and supporting cardiac wellness programs for underserved communities. This episode is about reclaiming your health, challenging your assumptions, and making Plant Strong living non-negotiable. 00:00 Intro – Wall Street to Plant Strong 02:15 Meeting at Catskill Animal Sanctuary 04:00 Life Before Plant-Based 06:30 The Wake-Up Call 10:45 Meeting Dr. Robert Osfteld 14:30 Transition to Plant-Based 22:00 Marriage and Plant-Based Honeymoon 26:00 Returning to Running 28:30 Marathon Comeback Story 32:30 Training and Weekly Routine 34:45 Injury-Free Running on Plants 38:00 Marathon Nutrition 42:30 Running for Charity 45:00 Staying Plant Strong on Wall Street 48:00 Family and Plant-Based Kids 52:00 Simple Plant-Based Meals 56:00 Breakfast Routine 58:30 Final Thoughts – Why It’s Non-Negotiable