You're invited!
COME JOIN US ON
THE MOUNTAIN
April 16th-21st, 2023
Black Mountain, North Carolina
A fabulous experience that exceeded my expectations. Even though I have been following this lifestyle for several years and soaking up as much information as I can, I learned SO much on this retreat. Thank you!
- 2022 Retreat Attendee
The whole team was amazing and I
could not have imagined we would
have such an amazing time.
- 2022 Retreat Attendee
A life-enhancing vacation.
This special venue is uniquely positioned on the side of a mountain, just outside Asheville, North Carolina. The historic campus is woven with hiking trails, rushing streams, and retreat amenities. Clean and modern sleeping rooms are provided and wholesome, plant-based buffet meals will inspire guests to try new things while fueling up for group activities.
CME Credit and Nursing Credits:
As part of the registration fee for this event, attendees have the opportunity to earn CME credit and nursing credit. See below for details.
An Immersive Experience
Our retreats are an immersive experience designed to give participants a powerful and in-depth understanding of both the medical and nutritional components to PLANTSTRONG living. Steeped in evidence-based education, success stories, and practical application, this experience will provide the inspiration and know-how to strengthen your journey while setting a solid foundation for ongoing success.
A Memorable Experience
I especially appreciated the knowledge of the speakers and their ability to discuss complex issues in a way that made it comprehensible to me. Also, the opportunity to meet so many people who are on the same journey to find direction for their healthcare was inspiring. The sharing and the laughter was wonderful and I will long remember this week. I came home encouraged that I had learned what I can do to improve my health and determined to do it.
- 2022 Retreat Attendee
100% of 2022 retreat attendees
would recommend to a friend!
Join The Family
Spend a week learning with the Esselstyns!
Get Inspired
Enjoy cooking demos and learn how to make meals quickly and easily at home!
Fill Your Plate
Plant-based living is about abundance, not deprivation. Each meal is an all-you-can-eat buffet!
In this 6-day retreat, you’ll discover:
The Seven Pillars of Optimal PLANTSTRONG Living
Learn the fastest and easiest way to optimize your results in adopting a whole food, plant-based lifestyle. Our program will lower your cholesterol, improve your blood pressure, and increase your insulin sensitivity (that’s a good thing!).
Recipes—Recipes—Recipes!
Every presenter will share new and inspiring meals that you can make and enjoy at home. All attendees will receive a download of the recipes!
The Surefire Path to Sustaining the Lifestyle
Tired of starting and stopping? We’ll discuss the small daily habits that yield big results in keeping you on track.
How You Can Prevent—and Reverse—Heart Disease
Learn how following a whole foods, plant-based lifestyle is your best defense against cardiovascular disease—and if you already have heart disease, how to fight back with your fork.
You guys do such an amazing job. Every staff member is so kind and approachable on top of being so knowledgeable. This was my second immersion and I loved it.
- 2022 Retreat Attendee
MEET YOUR HOST
RIP ESSELSTYN
NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING AUTHOR
FOUNDER OF PLANTSTRONG
Rip Esselstyn spent a decade as one of the premier triathletes in the world. He then joined the Austin Fire Department where he introduced his passion for a whole-food, plant-based diet to Austin’s Engine 2 Firehouse in order to rescue a firefighting brother’s health. To document his success he wrote the national bestselling book, The Engine 2 Diet, which shows the irrefutable connection between a plant-based diet and good health. He is featured prominently in the documentary Forks Over Knives and The Game Changers.
As the founder of PLANTSTRONG, Rip develops and implements a range of programs and events geared toward education, inspiring and nurturing PLANTSTRONG living for individuals, families, and organizations across the globe.
RIP ESSELSTYN
FOUNDER OF PLANTSTRONG
JANE ESSELSTYN
AUTHOR
DR. KLAPER
PHYSICIAN
DR. DOUG LISLE
AUTHOR
DR. BRIAN ASBILL
CARDIOLOGIST
DR. ELIZABETH WININGS
NURSE PRACTITIONER
BRIAN HART
EDUCATOR
ALESE JONES
YOGA INSTRUCTOR
KRISTEN TURNER
FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TRIATHLETE
DARLENE STAHELI
CULINARY SUPERVISOR
JOHN FITZGERALD
CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH
LAURIE KORTOWICH
EVENT COORDINATOR
Hosting our program on Black Mountain makes for a majestic experience. Many guests return annually to attend another PLANTSTRONG retreat. Our team is ready to guide you through an exploration of your values and a playful discovery of your best self. Afternoon free time includes many optional activities that will allow you to experience the great outdoors.
*Your event ticket is fully refundable up to January 30, 2023, when the event will be guaranteed. Please wait until after this date to purchase your airline tickets or be sure your travel arrangements are refundable.
Thank you PLANTSTRONG Team! Great retreat. Got so much out of it. Far exceeded expectations. So appreciate everyone’s passion, commitment, energy & hard work. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
- 2022 Retreat Attendee
THIS EPIC WEEK IS FOR YOU IF
YOU’VE EXPERIENCED ANY OF THESE
YOU’VE TRIED A PLANT-BASED DIET BUT QUIT BECAUSE
It’s too hard to overhaul your family’s meals
You’ve struggled to find foods you enjoy
You haven’t been able to stick with it
YOU'VE TRIED BUT YOUR CHOLESTEROL
AND BLOOD PRESSURE ARE STILL HIGH
-
You’ve heard a plant-based lifestyle can help,
but you don't know where to begin
Your doctor has prescribed statins and blood pressure medication, and you want to test the lifestyle
You've been trying to regulate your blood pressure for years and you just want to give up
YOU'VE TRIED EVERYTHING, BUT THE
WEIGHT WON'T COME OFF
You’ve tried different diets but the scale won't budge and you've tired of starting over
You've read the books and know WHAT to do, you just lack motivation
You have avoided "carbs" for years and are scared to start eating them
BLACK MOUNTAIN RETREAT SCHEDULE
Here is what a typical day will look like during the retreat!
This event includes, as part of the registration fee, an opportunity for CME and nursing credit.
Course objectives:
Demonstrate efficacy of prescribing a whole foods, plant-based eating plan in patients with heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, type II diabetes, and obesity.
Define and name examples of an evidence-based, whole foods, plant-based eating plan.
Analyze stages of behavioral change, and the hurdles that interfere with compliance (i.e. The Pleasure Trap, Esteem Dynamics).
Explain how the digestive system works and is impacted by the foods we eat.
Show how to prescribe, eat, and enjoy a whole foods, plant-based lifestyle.
Credit Information
Continuing Medical Education
Accreditation: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) through the joint providership of Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) and PlantStrong. MAHEC is accredited by the NCMS to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation: MAHEC designates this live activity for a maximum of 21.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Disclosure Statement: MAHEC adheres to the ACCME Standards regarding industry support to continuing medical education. Disclosure of faculty and commercial support relationships, if any, will be made known at the time of the activity.
Physician Assistants: AAPA accepts certificate of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society.
Physician Assistants may receive a maximum of 21.25 hours of Category 1 credit for completing this program.
21.25 Nursing Contact Hours
MAHEC is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the North Carolina Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Participants must attend 80% of the activities to receive credit.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs): MAHEC designates this live continuing education activity as meeting the criteria for 2.1 CEUs as established by the National Task Force on the Continuing Education Unit.
MAHEC will provide up to 21.25 contact hours to participants.
Jointly Provided By:
2023 Black Mountain Retreat
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE
EXPERIENCED THIS LIFE-
CHANGING EVENT. DON'T MISS IT!
Questions? Call us at (512) 815-3322 or email at: events@plantstrong.com
I thought it was a magical week, and seemed like the happiest place on earth, (better than Disneyland.) The staff put heart and soul into the week and worked hard, just amazing.
- 2022 Retreat Attendee