As part of the new web series, The Role Model In You — here is the most recent interview. The Role Model In You series discusses how individuals were influenced as a child to lead a healthy lifestyle. It covers who influenced these individuals, the changes they made in their life to be healthy, and the message they would like to convey to the youth of today. Our guests include doctors, soccer stars, Super Bowl champions, NBA players, Olympic gold medalist, entrepreneurs, celebrities, and just regular people looking to share their story. We hope you enjoy it!

1. Your name, title, and age? What do you do (or did you do) for a living?

I am Susan Schenck, age 56, author of The Live Food Factor: The Comprehensive Guide to the Ultimate Diet for Body, Mind, Spirit & Planet, as well
as Beyond Broccoli: Creating a Biologically Balanced Diet When a Vegetarian Diet Doesn’t Work.

I am semi-retired in Cuenca, Ecuador where I write and teach raw food classes and weight loss workshops/coaching.

2. Who was the person that inspired you as a child to eat healthy and stay fit? What was their relationship to you?

When my parents divorced, for six months I was sent to live with friends of the family. The mother was Barb Lysohir and she was on a diet. I was age 15 and wanted to lose weight. She taught me about low carbs and calorie counting. I lost 10 pounds of my first diet. After that, I was always aware of nutrition, calories, and how they impact heatlh.

3. What did they do to inspire you?

See above.

4. How did their lesson change your life?

All my life I have felt in control of my weight and health. I started reading nutrition and health books since then, and have all my life. When most people have no clue about how certain foods can impact their health, I am there to educate them. For example, if someone is always feeling cold, I’ll say, “Heat up your thermostat with more protein!” Or if they are constipated I’ll tell them to toss out all wheat and dairy from their diet. If they are dragging, out goes the sugar and in comes the green smoothies for high powered energy!

5. Do you convey their message to kids in your life presently?

I don’t have kids but I do teach classes on this.

6. What would be your main message to children today to lead healthy lifestyles?

Ditch all processed foods! Also, eat only organic, because if it isn’t organic, it is likely GMO which is proven to cause cancer and even infertility.
If you want to lose weight or keep slim you have to avoid all high fructose corn syrup, as it keeps you hungry and insatiable all the time!

7. Do you have a web site you would like to promote….web address only?

I mainly promote my books on amazon and kindle…but my website is www.livefoodfactor.com