Brief Summary
Patrick Alexander discusses his journey to discovering the carnivore diet, transitioning from a childhood of rich French cuisine to veganism and eventually finding optimal health through a primarily meat-based diet. He highlights the importance of personalized nutrition, functional fitness, and sleep for overall well-being, and how he integrates these principles into his coaching practice to help others feel their best.
- Patrick's journey includes experiences with veganism, raw veganism, and ultimately the carnivore diet.
- He emphasizes the importance of listening to one's body and finding a sustainable, personalized approach to nutrition and fitness.
- Patrick's coaching philosophy revolves around functional nutrition, functional movement, and sleep, aiming to help people optimize their health and feel their best.
Introduction
Patrick Alexander explains that he didn't seek out the carnivore diet; it found him. He grew up in a European household with a French-influenced diet rich in wine, heavy meals, and various meats, including organ meats and delicacies like frog legs. Despite this, he remained skinny throughout his childhood.
From Thai Boxing to Veganism
In his mid-30s, while living in Thailand and practicing Thai boxing, Patrick noticed his recovery was poor. Introduced to nutrition through a friend and later influenced by his then-partner, he began exploring healthier eating habits. This led him to vegetarianism and eventually veganism after reading "The China Study," which convinced him to eliminate meat from his diet.
Vegan Preacher and Juice Bar Owner
Patrick became a passionate advocate for veganism, even starting a juice bar called "Living Juices" on a small island in Thailand with his partner. He also studied integrative nutrition and became a health coach, promoting veganism to his clients. He describes this period as one where he felt he had discovered the "holy grail of health."
Return to Europe and the Introduction to Carnivore
After moving back to Europe and separating from his partner, Patrick transitioned to a more vegetarian diet but still limited meat due to concerns about heart disease, which ran in his family. In 2023, a friend introduced him to a video by Anthony Chaffee about the potential harm of plants. Initially dismissive, Patrick later visited his friend, who had adopted a carnivore diet and experienced significant improvements in his mental health.
The One-Week Carnivore Experiment
Patrick agreed to try a strict carnivore diet for one week with his friend, consuming only meat and water. The experience left him with an abundance of energy. Upon returning home, he integrated regular bodyweight exercises into his routine and continued the carnivore diet, though initially struggling to completely eliminate vegetables due to cognitive dissonance.
Embracing Carnivore and Physical Transformation
Over several months, Patrick gradually reduced his vegetable intake, learned about oxalates, and stopped drinking green juices. He combined his diet with regular workouts, leading to significant muscle gain and an overall improvement in his physical condition. He contrasts this with a photo from 2019 where he appeared unhealthy and underweight as a result of veganism.
From Personal Transformation to Coaching
After a year on the carnivore diet, Patrick's friend encouraged him to start coaching others, leveraging his coaching license and personal experience. Despite still working as a web designer to cover expenses, he began building his coaching business, focusing on helping people achieve similar transformations through diet and fitness.
Nuances of the Carnivore Diet and Daily Eating
Patrick acknowledges his tendency towards extremes and clarifies that his current diet is about 95% animal protein, with occasional additions like avocado and berries. He describes his daily meals, which include a pre-workout coffee with cream and protein, a post-workout smoothie with protein, creatine, berries, and a banana, and meals consisting of meat, eggs, avocado, and sometimes cheese or organ meats like liver and kidneys.
Taste, Social Life, and the Vegan Friend
Patrick addresses the common perception that the carnivore diet is boring, emphasizing the hyper-palatable nature of foods like ribeye steak with crispy fat. He also discusses maintaining friendships with former vegans, noting that his social circle in Thailand was more focused on general health consciousness rather than strict veganism. He shares a story about a vegan friend who eventually tried steak and enjoyed it, highlighting the importance of individual experiences and preferences.
Sustainability and the Future of Carnivore
Patrick affirms his commitment to the carnivore diet, citing improved health and well-being. He recounts a holiday experience where eating more salads led to bloating and constipation, reinforcing his belief that vegetables are not essential for his health. He also touches on the ethical considerations of meat consumption, expressing a desire for more regenerative farming practices.
Facultative Carnivore and Coaching Philosophy
Patrick identifies as a facultative carnivore, believing that humans thrive on meat but can survive on plants. He emphasizes the importance of listening to one's body and not being overly militant about diet. He avoids seed oils and processed foods. His coaching focuses on functional nutrition, functional movement, and sleep, tailored to individual needs and goals, particularly for people over 40.
Evolving Coaching Business and Contact Information
Patrick discusses the evolution of his coaching business, moving from a focus on carnivore and fitness to a more holistic approach encompassing nutrition, movement, and sleep. He offers one-on-one coaching, group programs, and self-study programs. He shares his contact information, including his Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and website, encouraging people to reach out and improve their health.
