Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Samantha Salmon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Samantha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?
I was working in a fast-paced, high-pressure job that demanded my full attention and dedication. Like many others, I was caught up in grind culture, which drove me to experience burnout, fatigue, and immense stress to the point of exhaustion. One day, while going through my daily ritual of pulling a card from Trisia Hersey’s “rest deck,” I stumbled upon a powerful message: “Your body is sacred, and exhaustion does not honor the sacred.” These words struck a chord deep within me and prompted me to reflect on the importance of being in the right space at the right time. Fear was holding me from making the next best move for myself and my mental health and well-being.
Inspired by the message on the card, I delved into the writings of Tricia Hersey and her book, “Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto” and the content from Stephanie Perry on YouTube. They have been my liberation mentors. Tricia’s work reminds me to listen to my body when it feels like I am pushing it too hard in pursuit of my mission and making sure to live within my own value of not being a martyr for the cause. She and Stephanie Perry encourage Black women to embrace rest, comfort, and rejuvenation. Their words resonated with me, as I realized that I didn’t want to be consumed by grind culture and in fact, I no longer needed to. I went from a high cost of living city to Orlando and the need to overwork myself to have a quality of life I feel I deserve was no longer needed. I wanted to find a way to build wealth and make an impact without sacrificing my well-being. In my deep reflection, I realized I was already building wealth and the only change I needed to make was how I use my gifts to meet my mission so I am not sacrificing my health.
Other books came to me at this time as God frequently works this way when I come to Him with thoughts and questions. One of them was “The Company of One” by Paul Jarvis, which emphasized the value of staying small, raising rates, and mastering one’s craft. Paul’s book sheds light on the inefficiencies and challenges of working in large organizations, where decision-making processes are slow, departments work in silos, and the overall vision becomes diluted.
My experiences working with national organizations further cemented the notion that larger entities often struggle to adapt and implement necessary changes. Paul, in his book, was directly speaking to my experience and frustration that was causing regular anxiety within me.
During this time, I also had the privilege of being coached by Rachel Rodgers, who emphasized financial success and the pursuit of a seven-figure business through her program, “We Should All Be Millionaires Club.” Rachel’s teachings helped me elevate my income and achieve my goals faster than I had anticipated. Yet, I couldn’t ignore Tricia Hersey’s message about avoiding burnout and the detrimental effects of constant stress. So with all of these teachers and listening to my body for its internal wisdom, consulting God and putting faith in Him to support me on the next step, I made the choice to leave the organization. I’m embarking on a Summer long trip in Europe and working to expand my network deeper to keep fulfilling the mission of my coaching business.
Preserving my health has always been a priority for me, as I have witnessed the toll it took on my family members. Chronic diseases and stress-related health issues have affected my loved ones, and I have been determined to break the cycle. Understanding the physiological impact of stress, particularly in communities disproportionately affected by conditions like hypertension, deepened my commitment to self-care and overall well-being.
Stress can lead to severe health complications, including high blood pressure and its related risks. Black communities, in particular, face significant disparities in hypertension rates, and stress plays a pivotal role in exacerbating these issues. This knowledge fuels my dedication to addressing stress and promoting healthy habits as a means of mitigating its impact.
Through personal experiences, it is clear to me that stress is a silent killer, capable of eroding all the efforts we put into our physical and mental well-being. While pursuing goals and success was and continues to be essential, it shouldn’t come at the expense of my health and happiness. There is a way that works for each of us so that it aligns completely with our values on all levels. This is the kind of success and wealth worth having.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am Samantha Salmon, the founder of RawFoodMealPlanner.com, a health coaching service specializing in brain health, weight loss, type 2 diabetes, menstrual health, raw foods, and energy. My journey into the health and wellness industry began after I obtained my economics degree from New York University and opened a raw vegan organic restaurant called Earth’s Healing Café in Chicago. Prior to opening the restaurant, I witnessed the transformative power of raw foods and plant-based nutrition on my own personal journey. I decided to delve deeper and obtained my health coach certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. The certification exposed me to over a hundred dietary theories and equipped me with practical lifestyle coaching methods.
With a personal connection to type 2 diabetes, which I write about in my book You Can Afford to Be Healthy, and a strong desire to help others, I started coaching and educating on how to prevent and reverse type 2 diabetes. My coaching services are tailored to individuals in the helping professions who seek to improve their health and feel comfortable in their bodies. These professionals often face the toll of their demanding jobs and look to me for guidance on clean eating practices, finding joy in movement, and reducing stress. My aim is to help them step into the identity of health and enhance their quality of life as they age.
One of my proudest accomplishments is my involvement with the 10 Million Black Vegan Women movement. Working alongside the visionary founder, Tracye McQuirter, and the passionate team, I contributed to the development and management of the 21-Day Vegan Fresh Start live and On-Demand programs and the online community. This initiative has fostered a vibrant community of Black women who are making positive changes in their local communities and embodying health leadership.
I have an unwavering commitment to health equity and a mission to eradicate type 2 diabetes. I actively engage in the health equity space, collaborating with organizations such as the LA Food Policy Council’s Good Food Economy Working Group, AltaMed, and the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine. I collaborate with co-conspirators to create a culture of health through my work.
I am deeply passionate about guiding individuals toward optimal health by emphasizing the importance of nutrition, lifestyle changes, and the mind-body connection. My coaching, advocacy work, and involvement in transformative movements allow me to inspire and facilitate positive change in the lives of my clients and the broader community.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
“We might well admire someone who puts another’s needs before their own in a crisis, or the leader of a struggle for the rights of many, but such sacrifices are undertaken in a conscious and time-bound manner, appropriate to the situation at hand and with full awareness of the risks.”
— The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture by Gabor Maté
Yes, there have been several resources that have significantly influenced my management and entrepreneurial thinking. One book that stands out is “The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture” by Gabor Maté. This thought-provoking book explores the impact of trauma and the ways in which our culture’s norms can be detrimental to our well-being. The quote above was particularly meaningful to me especially since I am a health leader who works with leaders.
Maté’s insights on sacrifice and the importance of conscious decision-making resonates deeply with me. The quote reflects the idea that while selflessness and sacrificing for others can be admirable, it should be done with awareness and within appropriate boundaries.
In addition to books, I have also found videos, like this one from the Slave Food Project https://www.youtube.com/live/14IA_reNgDw?feature=share and essays like this one from Medical Economics https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/health-care-inequities-are-costing-billions-across-the-united-states to be influential. Talks on topics such as leadership and health equity have expanded my understanding of effective management and provided practical insights for running my coaching business and how I want to expand my work.
Furthermore, engaging with various thought leaders and experts in the field through podcasts (like my podcast, the Raw Food Health Empowerment Podcast) and a new favorite of mine called the Health Coach Power Community by Michelle (Pfennighaus) Leotta has been instrumental in shaping my business.
Ultimately, my management and entrepreneurial thinking are shaped by a continuous pursuit of knowledge and exposure to diverse perspectives. I believe that remaining open to new ideas and challenging conventional norms is crucial for personal and professional growth.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Recently, I did preliminary research on a grant proposal to bridge the gap between the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) space, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practitioners, and plant-based doctors and other public health professionals. The grant’s objective was to support the leadership development of public health professionals and address the racial health gap that exists in our society.
By convening individuals with diverse expertise, we can take a holistic approach to tackling health disparities in our communities. It’s encouraging to see organizations like the CDC funding initiatives like this, as it allows public health professionals to come together, understand the challenges faced by underserved communities, and explore innovative solutions.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure, particularly among Black women, is a critical issue contributing to health disparities. While under-prescription of medications is not the sole reason for these higher rates, cost and lack of access to healthy foods, AKA food insecurity, play a significant role. Many lower-cost food options are high in sodium, which can lead to high blood pressure when consumed excessively.
Food insecurity disproportionately affects Hispanic and Black women, resulting in higher risks of uncontrolled blood pressure and poorer health outcomes. Poverty, unemployment, low income, lack of affordable housing, chronic health conditions, and limited access to quality healthcare all contribute to this issue.
As health leaders, it is crucial to prioritize addressing food insecurity and advocate for policies supporting affordable housing, good jobs, and holistic healthcare. Collaboration is key in increasing access to healthy, affordable food options in our communities and supporting fair and sustainable food systems, such as transitioning to plant-rich meals and sustainable farming practices.
Culturally specific interventions and community health worker programs are essential for improving chronic disease management and cardiovascular risk factors. By ensuring language and cultural competence and regularly screening for food insecurity, we can better support underserved populations.
I have collaborated with organizations like Vegans of LA and the American Heart Association to increase the availability of fiber-rich foods in food banks. Ultimately, our goal should be to ensure that access to healthy, affordable food is seen as a basic human right.
Programs led by plant-based doctors, with support from DEI practitioners and individuals from the CDFI space, can have a significant impact in addressing health disparities within communities. These collaborations can bring about a transformative shift in our healthcare system and foster a culture of health.
To effectively address health disparities, a connected and collaborative approach is necessary. By leveraging the expertise of individuals from various fields, we can develop sustainable solutions that tackle the root causes of these disparities. Together, let’s work towards making a difference in our communities and promoting health equity for all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rawfoodmealplanner.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rawfoodmealplanner/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RawFoodMealPlanner/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-salmon-a5635a25/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/RawFoodMealPlan
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK3O16deqVbuPv4SQBSEWEw
Image Credits
Samantha Salmon