Love Over Money: How John Robbins Redefined Success and Wellness
Chances are you’ve never heard of John Robbins and if you have it’s easy to associate him with clean eating, plant-based living, and compassion-driven health choices. But what makes Robbins such a pivotal figure in the world of wellness isn’t just his dietary philosophy, it’s the radical life choice he made in the name of ethics, environment, and human potential. Quite a story.
From Ice Cream Heir to Health Revolutionary
John Robbins was born into legacy. His father, Irv Robbins, co-founded Baskin-Robbins, the iconic ice cream company that became a symbol of American dessert culture. John was poised to inherit the business and all the wealth and comfort that came with it. But something didn’t sit right with him. In a now-famous (billion dollar) decision, Robbins walked away from the family fortune, not out of rebellion, but out of deep concern for human health, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability. He saw the rising tide of chronic diseases in America and began to question the impact of dairy and processed foods on long-term health. So instead of building an empire of 31 flavors, Robbins chose to build a life based on truth and transformation.
The Breakthrough Book: Diet for a New America
In 1987, Robbins released Diet for a New America, a book that would become a turning point for countless readers around the world. Part memoir, part investigative journalism, and part wake-up call, the book exposed the devastating effects of industrialized animal agriculture on health, the planet, and animals. It went on to become a national bestseller and earned Robbins a spot on Oprah and other major media outlets.
The book was far ahead of its time. In the ‘80s, veganism was still fringe, and plant-based diets were not widely accepted, mainstream topics. Robbins laid out powerful connections between diet and chronic illness (like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer), and highlighted the cruelty inherent in factory farming. His message was clear: what we eat matters - not just to our bodies, but to the entire ecosystem.
Food Revolution Network: Advocacy for the 21st Century
John didn’t stop with just one book. Over the years, he published several others including:
• The Food Revolution (2001)
• Healthy at 100 (2006)
• Voices of the Food Revolution (2013, co-authored with his son Ocean Robbins)
And speaking of his son, Ocean Robbins co-founded the Food Revolution Network (FRN) with John in 2012. This global movement has since grown to a massive platform that provides cutting-edge health insights, exposes food industry corruption, and promotes plant-powered living. The FRN hosts an annual Food Revolution Summit featuring world-renowned doctors and scientists like Dr. Michael Greger, Dr. Dean Ornish, and Dr. Neal Barnard.
Love Over Money: The Documentary
In 2024, John Robbins' extraordinary journey was captured in the documentary Love Over Money. Directed by James Colquhoun, Laurentine ten Bosch, and Enzo Tedeschi, and executive produced by vegan actor Joaquin Phoenix, the film chronicles Robbins' decision to reject his inheritance and pursue a life aligned with his values.
The documentary delves into Robbins' early life, his bittersweet departure from the Baskin-Robbins empire, and his subsequent work in health advocacy. A particularly poignant moment in the film is when Robbins' father, facing serious health issues, turns to his son's book, Diet for a New America, for guidance. This act not only improves his health but also heals their strained relationship.
Love Over Money is available for streaming on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Gaia, and Kanopy.
Legacy and Ongoing Resources
John Robbins may have passed the torch to Ocean in many ways, but his impact is still felt. His voice continues to guide the Food Revolution Network, and his books are still recommended by health coaches, physicians, and environmentalists.
Here are some current resources to explore his work:
Food Revolution Network: A hub for webinars, plant-based recipes, eCourses, and an active community of health-seekers.
Food Revolution Summit (Annual Event): A free online event where John and Ocean interview health experts on how to prevent disease and thrive through food.
Media Appearances: John’s lectures and interviews are available on YouTube and wellness platforms like Gaia.
John Robbins isn’t just a wellness icon, he’s a catalyst. He’s proof that one person can choose a different path, reject inherited privilege, and still create an enormous ripple effect for good. He turned his back on ice cream but gave the world something far richer: a recipe for health, sustainability, and conscious living.
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