logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2019
1h 54m

Zach Bush, MD Wants You To Let Go Of You...

Rich Roll
About this episode



“The biggest problem we all face is the story that we tell ourselves of what our lives have been. It’s keeping us in a box. The ‘cubicle’ you’re really living in is your story.”

 Zach Bush, MD



He’s back! One of the most fascinating and popular guests to grace this platform, Today Zach Bush, MD returns for a third mind-altering bend around the multiverse.

For the uninitiated, Zach's varied interests belie attempts to properly define him — but I'll give it a try. One of the few triple board certified physicians in America with expertise in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, and Hospice/Palliative care, he is the founder and director of M Clinic integrative health center in Virginia.

In addition to his experience in functional medicine, longevity, autism, gut health, cancer, and many other areas of medicine, he is an avid environmentalist and activist involved in a multitude of projects that focus on ecology, regenerative agriculture, farmer well-being and spirituality.

To advocate for soil health & food independence, Zach is also the creator of Farmer's Footprint. Seen through the lens of farmers and their communities, it's a documentary series & grassroots movement that evaluates the impact of monocrop farming and pesticide reliance on chronic disease and planetary health — while simultaneously exploring evidence-based solutions to rebuild living biodiversity and ultimately reverse climate change.

But more than anything, Zach is a healer. A master consciousness. A gift to humanity. And someone I am very proud to call friend.


Zach's initial appearance on the podcast (RRP 353) blew minds across the world. Our second conversation (RRP 414) was one of the most moving conversations of my life. So it just seemed right to invite Zach and his holistic health coach, consultant and yoga teacher wife Jenn Perell Bush to join us on our recent retreat in Italy.

If you listened to either of our previous conversations, it would be reasonable to expect this discussion to further explore the impact of industrialized food systems on human and ecological health. However, that assumption would be wrong.

Instead, we delve inside to explore our individual and collective experience with pain, both psychic and physical.

We deconstruct our unhealthy obsession with comfort.

We stress test the stories we craft that form our identity, stunt our evolution, and ultimately hold us hostage.

And we explore a new path to freedom — liberation from that which ails us so that we can self-actualize, and together embrace our inherent divinity.

Akin to the recent episode with Gemma Newman, MD (RRP 449), this exchange was recorded before a live audience of retreat attendees in Italy (thus audio only) and concludes with Zach leading a meditation, edited down for time and the sake of the listener.

In closing, I want to express gratitude for our extraordinary Plantpower Italia community, who were collectively moved to donate $81,000 towards Zach’s Farmer’s Footprint organization and docu-series. On behalf of Zach, Jenn and the organization, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. If Zach’s message moves you to get involved, you can learn more and donate at



See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Up next
May 2022
Dr. Will Bulsiewicz On All Things Microbiome: Heal Your Gut, Sidestep Disease & Thrive
One of the most popular guests in the history of this podcast, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz ‘Dr. B' joined me back on episode #538 for a deep dive on the gut and honing our immune systems. Today we dive even deeper with a comprehensive investigation of the microbiome, why it’s important, ... Show More
3h 3m
May 2022
Roll On: Kristian Blummenfelt, The Ministry of Truth, & Sustainable Self-Growth
Welcome to another edition of ‘Roll On’, wherein Rich Roll and journalist & author Adam Skolnick riff on matters of interest across sports, culture, entertainment, and self-betterment.  Specific topics discussed in today’s episode include:Adam's latest NYT piece A Free Diver’s Tr ... Show More
1h 46m
May 2022
Gemma Newman, MD On Optimizing Hormone Health
Today’s episode explores nutrition, lifestyle  and overall well-being with a particular focus on hormone health – particularly (but not exclusively) women’s hormone health, aging, and reproductive care – with Gemma Newman., MD. A Senior Partner at a family medicine practice in th ... Show More
2h 8m
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2022
The Root Cause Of Disease That Nobody’s Talking About With Dr Zach Bush #298
I believe that conversation matters; that long form nuanced conversation is what we need now more than ever, to make the world a better place. And for me, part of that means exposing ourselves to new ideas, new concepts and new ways of thinking that we may previously have not bee ... Show More
2h 5m
Mar 2023
Zach Braff Is Processing Pain Through Art‎
We all face difficult experiences at some point in our lives: loss, grief, disappointment—feelings that can be overwhelming, confusing, and even paralyzing to confront. But what if we could transform our pain into something beautiful? What if we could use our creativity to proces ... Show More
1h 57m
Apr 2019
How Soil Health Is Reflected in the Gut
“We’ve wiped out 40 percent of biology on earth in just fifty years,” says Zach Bush, MD. “And yet that Mother Earth keeps reaching out saying: Are you sure you don't want to keep playing? Because we could have some fun together.” For Bush, the health of our soil microbiome is th ... Show More
1h 16m
Oct 2021
Immunity, Pesticides, and Gut Health with Dr Zach Bush
Dr Zach Bush and RFK Jr discuss public and planetary health and solutions in this solutions oriented episode. Zach Bush MD is a physician specializing in internal medicine, endocrinology and hospice care. He is an internationally recognized educator and thought leader on the micr ... Show More
33m 29s
Jul 2023
Dr. Zach Bush ON: Science Based Approach to Healing Your Gut Health & How to Prevent Disease with Nutrition
Have you ever considered the profound connection between being human and the natural world?  What if our true purpose is not just to exist as individuals but to embrace our role as part of a greater ecosystem?  These are only a few of the questions related to our future and the t ... Show More
1h 18m
Jul 2021
Zach Bush: The Real Roots of Disease
Dr. Zach Bush doesn't keep his ideas in a neat ideological box. Instead, paints a sweeping picture of our interconnected world — one in which topics such as regenerative farming, bio-engineering, government policy, and the human microbiome are all intimately linked. And while he ... Show More
2h 5m
Jun 2023
BITESIZE | How to Discover Your True Self | Dr Zach Bush #371
Can we truly be healthy if we see ourselves as separate from nature? Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart.  Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests. Today’s clip is from episo ... Show More
15m 30s
Sep 2021
These Small Habits Will Awaken The Best In You - Aubrey Marcus
A proper morning routine can change your life completely. We all have much more potential than we realize, and the right habits can bring out the best in us. Aubrey Marcus, CEO of Onnit, a lifestyle brand based on a holistic health philosophy, joins Vishen in this episode to teac ... Show More
42 m
Aug 2023
Zach Kornfeld Tries Medicine Without A Recipe
**This interview was recorded prior to the SAG-AFTRA strikes** Follow Zach here: https://www.instagram.com/korndiddy/?hl=en Check out The Try Guys on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/tryguys Zach Kornfeld is one of the founders of The Try Guys, internet royalty who try everythi ... Show More
1h 4m
Jan 2021
Building Self Awareness & Feeling Your Emotions with Zach Dereniowski - Ep 210
I wanted to start the year with a powerful interview, so this week I am joined by Zach Dereniowski (@mdmotivator) who is a medical student, mental health advocate and podcaster who has blown up on Tik Tok and Instagram through sharing his own struggles and vulnerabilities. What I ... Show More
54m 53s