Tim White is a 37-year-old former master electrician turned teacher and life coach in Mississippi. He is married to his high school sweetheart Kimberly, and they have three beautiful children. Tim and Kimberly started the life coaching organization, “It’s All About the W” where the W stands for winning: winning in health, finances and relationships. They also started “The Joseph Vision” as a way to grow food to give to others, as well as teach people how to grow their own food. I had the great pleasure of sitting down and learning more about Tim and his story…
When did you adopt a plant-based diet and why did you do it?
I started following a whole-food, plant-based diet in January 2016. Back in September 2015, I was overweight, and I learned I had high blood pressure. My doctor put me on blood pressure medication. I was scared. After letting the news set in with me and thinking about wanting to be there for my wife and children, I heard a voice that told me to “…eat like Adam for a month.” I decided I would try a plant-based diet for a month. My intention was to only do it for one month. But shortly after I started, the weight was coming off and my energy levels improved. So I decided to do it for another month, then another, and I eventually decided to stay on the plant-based diet. The health benefits of doing it has helped me to keep going.
What do you typically eat?
Most mornings I start out with water and a smoothie (green smoothie with fruit). I’ll eat a plant-based breakfast with oatmeal, fruit and vegan sausages. Lunch will typically include a kale salad, beans, fruit. I like to snack on nuts and pumpkin seeds. Dinner will be plant-based burgers, sautéed onions with brown rice, vegan spaghetti or we’ll use plant-based crumbles to make tacos. We learned that most of the “traditional” animal-based meals can be made plant-based. In addition, I learned that it’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day. I wasn’t a big fan of water before, so I started infusing fruit and cucumber into the water to give it flavor. Now, drinking water is second nature to me.
What barriers or challenges did you face when you first started transitioning to a plant-based diet?
My challenges mainly involved going out to restaurants, church functions and family gatherings – and finding healthy plant-based options to eat. I found myself being selective on where to go, or I wouldn’t eat anything. Sometimes I came across people who were negative and questioning where I got my protein. It would make me feel like an outcast. I just learned to deal with it and bring my own snacks. The main thing that changed was my mindset – it gave me discipline and determination. When I knew what the food would do to my body, I had the discipline to say no and sit there and just drink water.
What surprised you the most as you were transitioning?
I was surprised at how quickly I started losing weight, gaining more energy and mental clarity. What surprised me the most was how my mood changed – I felt calmer, more at ease.
On January 14, 2019, you launched an 8-week Rebuild Your Temple Challenge on Facebook – what inspired you to do this?
I lost my parents and other relatives at an early age due to chronic diseases and I felt passionate about doing something to help people. The 8-Week Challenge is intended to show people that the body can rebuild itself if we treat it the proper way. When people think about new years they think about resolutions and losing weight, and this challenge will help with that, but its more. The first 4 weeks, participants are being on the “offense” [sports term] where they are giving what the body needs to win. Week one was all about drinking water. Week two is drinking smoothies – such as green smoothies to give the body important nutrients. Week three involves light exercise like walking – its simple and effective. Week four is juicing. When we get into weeks 5 through 8, it’ll be about being on the “defense” by stopping those things that are hindering the body from rebuilding itself, while continuing the things learned during the first 4 weeks.
To collaborate and provide support, we started a Facebook group with different health and wellness coaches to help participants. My intention is to run it throughout the year. So we’ll start the next one March 18th. Our focus is in Mississippi, because the problem is bad here. However, we’re open to anyone in the United States joining this challenge.
What advice do you have for someone wanting to take control of their health?
Start to educate yourself on what your body needs. Start slow and put those things into practice.
To connect with Tim White and learn more, check him out on Facebook at: It’s All About the W or The Joseph Vision.