Bryan Dennstedt’s Plant-Based Journey

Hi, I’m Bryan Dennstedt, executive in the CTO space, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for healthy living. Today, I want to share my personal journey into the world of plant-based eating. It’s a story that started over a decade ago, changed my body, mind, and spirit, and continues to shape how I live my life today.

Life Before Plants

Twelve or thirteen years ago, I was living the typical fast-paced corporate lifestyle. I was always on the road, dining out on an expense account, and not paying much attention to what I was putting in my body. I didn’t see myself as overweight, but the truth is, I was slowly and steadily gaining weight. My metabolism had shifted in my 30s, and it started to show. Looking back at old photos now, I realize just how much I had let myself go.

One of my favorite pastimes was going to the movies, especially for big opening nights. Little did I know that one of those nights would change my life forever.

The Turning Point: Forks Over Knives

I attended the premiere of Forks Over Knives, and it was nothing short of eye-opening. The documentary hit hard. It covered the devastating health impacts of the Western diet, the environmental consequences of industrial food systems, and the ethical considerations of animal consumption. It also introduced me to The China Study, a pivotal work that connects diet with long-term health outcomes.

Then came Rip Esselstyn, former firefighter and elite athlete, climbing a fireman’s pole and chanting, "Real men eat plants. Real men eat plants." That was it for me. I walked out of the theater and went vegan cold turkey for 30 days.

The First 30 Days

It wasn’t easy. Up to that point, my diet had revolved around buffalo chicken sandwiches. Suddenly, I had to re-learn how to eat. But even in that first month, the results were undeniable. I lost 8 or 9 pounds and saw a noticeable drop in my cholesterol levels (which I track regularly through blood donations).

From Vegetarian to Whole-Food Plant-Based

After that first month, I eased into a vegetarian lifestyle. Part of the reason was simple: cheese and ice cream are highly addictive. But I still continued losing weight and eventually transitioned fully to a whole-food, plant-based diet. That meant cutting out not just animal products, but also cholesterol, excess salt, and highly processed foods.

The payoff? I lost about 50 pounds overall and dropped my cholesterol by nearly 30 points. It was transformative.

New Tastes, New Life

The idea that I’d miss meat or cheese? Not at all. In fact, my taste buds have completely changed. I’ve fallen in love with mushrooms, with hot sauces, with whole, vibrant flavors I never noticed before. My energy levels are higher than ever, and I wake up each day excited to chase after my goals.

You Can Do This Too

If you’re curious about making a change, I challenge you to try it, whether it’s 10 days or 30 days. Just give it a real shot. You don’t have to go it alone either. We’ve got great resources through Real Men Eat Plants and a growing community of men sharing their stories and supporting each other.

Changing your diet can change your life. It can also change the world. Every time we make a food choice, we vote, with our wallets, with our health, and with our values.