In 2014, Mike Cobb, an IT consultant and long-time cyclist was diagnosed with a very rare sarcoma (soft-tissue cancerous tumor) located in the lower abdomen just outside the prostate and bladder. Now at the age of 64, he’s made some lifestyle changes – adopting more of a plant-centered dietary pattern that has improved his health and quality of life. (Photo above: Mike with his wife Fay and grandson Hayden.)
What lifestyle changes have you specifically made?
From a nutrition standpoint, I’ve been eating more of a plant-based diet. I’m not a complete vegetarian, especially with the holidays, but I will say that now crave raw or steamed vegetables and when I can’t get my hands on them, I notice a difference in how I feel. I do a lot of beans and vegetables.
I also gauge my progress towards a plant-centered diet based on the use of my grill. I’ve reduced the intake of meat to the point, where over the Thanksgiving holiday of 2018, I was charged with grilling chicken for the family, and I cleaned the grill and could barely get any propane gas to come out because I hadn’t used it in two years. The grill was so inactive for so long, I believe the propane had lost its pressure. I’ve grown used to making dinner in 15 minutes, whereas grilling the chicken for the family took almost two hours to prepare.
That’s great, so eating plant-based has saved you time. When did you begin your journey towards a more plant-centered diet and what motivated you?
I started the spring of 2015 following my cancer surgery at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. As far as what motivated me, I grew up on a farm and had always been exposed to a “do-it-yourself” attitude for creating and solving problems. When I was diagnosed, I wondered, “what the hell did I do to myself?” Was it being around heavy smokers for much of my life? Was it due to exposure to chemical fertilization and herbicides? I’m now more careful about limiting chemicals when I garden and using protection such as gloves when I do. I also thought, was it my diet due to heavy meat consumption and limited vegetables? Today, my freezer is stocked full of a variety of vegetables that I can easily take out to prepare.
Did your doctor talk with you about eating more a plant-based diet?
I had such a rare form of cancer; the doctor didn’t offer much in terms of lifestyle change. However, I have a very good friend that I’ve come to know over the years in the cycling community who is very dedicated to the plant-based philosophy. I’ve watched her go from being in the back of the group to the front. I figured if it worked for her, maybe it’ll work for me.
You mentioned you are not a strict vegetarian or vegan, tell me more about what you eat. What does a typical day look like?
For breakfast, I’ll usually eat two eggs and a bagel. After that [breakfast], I eat primarily raw and steamed vegetables and beans. I enjoy a wide variety of vegetables, raw and steamed, including broccoli, carrots, Asian-style mixed vegetables. It used to be that I would force myself to eat vegetables, now if I don’t have it, I actually crave it like my body needs it. Where some people would say I need (crave) a raw steak, I have those cravings with vegetables.
It sounds like you’ve changed your microbiome by changing your diet to incorporate more whole plant-foods. Have you eaten meat lately? If so, what did you experience?
Yes, I had an errand to run after Thanksgiving. I was very hungry and saw a Wendy’s fast food restaurant and I decided to go through the drive thru. I ordered a junior hamburger and 15 minutes later, I wanted to throw up. I felt awful! I’m thinking to myself, I will never do this again – ever! How bad this beef burger must be for me to trigger this reaction.
Knowing what you know now about health, what would you say to your younger self?
I would tell the younger version of myself to start cycling sooner and eat more of a plant-centered dietary pattern. Since I changed my diet, I’ve lost about 17 pounds of excessive body fat and I feel so much better.