The Amazing Story of Melissa Urban: How She Built the Whole30

After an intense Olympic lifting session at CrossFit Boston, Melissa Urban sat down with her original co-founder and came up with a plan.

The idea was simple: “What if we just did this squeaky clean, paleo-based 30-day thing and eliminated everything from our diet that didn’t fit this protocol?”

 

And just like that, Melissa handed over her Thin Mints to a friend and they started that day.

The results were amazing. Her energy skyrocketed, her sleep improved, and for the first time, she was able to step away from the scale and the mirror. The experience inspired her to share her experience on her CrossFit training blog, and by July 2009, she was leading about a hundred people through the program. The results were equally transformative for them, marking the birth of the Whole30 as we know it today—a movement that has since helped millions of people.

In today’s episode, Melissa Urban shares the story behind the Whole30, from its humble beginnings to becoming a global wellness phenomenon. She also discusses her journey as a New York Times bestselling author, offering valuable insights for aspiring writers on publishing, working with literary agents, and staying true to one’s vision. Whether you’re looking to transform your health, pursue entrepreneurship, or build a meaningful platform, Melissa’s story is sure to inspire.

Takeaways:

  • Embrace Evolving Perspectives: Discover how moving away from rigid beliefs can open up more realistic and adaptable approaches in your health and life.

  • Unlocking the Power of Community: Discover how focusing on long-term community-building can lead to enduring success and deep trust.

  • Balancing Life and Work: See why setting strong boundaries and having a supportive partner is crucial for managing both entrepreneurship and family life.

  • Offering Free Value: Learn why offering valuable content for free can create a loyal following and drive transformative engagement.

  • Transparency in Success: The importance of recognizing and acknowledging the support and privileges that contribute to your achievements.


Chapters

00:00 The Impact of Moving and Finding the Perfect Home

03:02 Discovering the Family-Centered Community of Franklin, Tennessee

11:16 The Growth and Acceptance of Functional Medicine

15:15 The Accessibility and Reach of Telehealth in Functional Medicine

21:22 The Power of Writing and Sharing Knowledge

23:44 Navigating the Book Publishing Journey

26:02 The Importance of a Literary Agent

30:57 The Reality of Writing a Book

34:53 Building a Loyal Podcast Following

43:53 Challenges in Work-Life Balance

51:54 Concerns about Autoimmune Conditions and Infertility

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How to Get Published and Build a Loyal Following with Dr. Will Cole