Ep. 312: Nancy Wells - She Collapsed Mid-Race. One Year Later, She Finished It—Powered by Plants

In this unforgettable episode, Rip Esselstyn sits down with Nancy Wells, whose near-death experience at the Glass City Marathon turned into a life-saving wake-up call—and a triumphant return to running and living with purpose. While racing last April, Nancy collapsed from a massive heart attack—a "Widowmaker." Thanks to the quick actions of a retired nurse and fast-acting paramedics, Nancy survived. But surviving was just the beginning. Now, joined by Rip and cardiologist Dr. Brian Asbill, Nancy shares her gripping story: from waking up in the hospital scared and confused… to discovering a powerful new path forward through a whole food, plant-based lifestyle. In this three part episode, they explore: What actually happens during a "Widowmaker" heart attack—and how fast action saved Nancy's life How nutrition played a key role in her recovery and transformation The emotional toll of surviving a near-death experience—and the mindset needed to rise again The life-changing effects of the PLANTSTRONG Meal Plan Bundle , from better sleep to lower blood pressure and a renewed zest for life and sustainable weight loss Why she laced up her shoes again—one year later—for a return to the race that nearly took her life This conversation is raw, real, and incredibly uplifting. Nancy’s journey is living proof that hearts can heal, lives can restart, and food can empower transformation. Episode Webpage Watch the Episode on YouTube Learn More About our 2026 Live PLANTSTRONG Events: https://plantstrong.com/pages/events Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey Learn More About Our Corporate Wellness Program: https://liveplantstrong.com/corporate-wellness/ COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstyn https://plantstrong.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/ https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/ Follow the PLANTSTRONG Podcast and Give the Show a 5-star Rating Apple Podcasts Spotify