Nutrition, Metabolism, Blood Sugar Strategies by Feel Great with Kait

How a 66-Year-Old Runs Marathons on Only Raw Food (and Takes Zero Medications) | Axay Shah

Episode 48

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 32:12

What happens when someone eats 100% raw food—only fruits, vegetables, and nuts—for 16 years? Meet Axay Shah: 66 years old, training for his eighth marathon, takes zero medications, and has no chronic diseases. He started this experiment out of pure curiosity when he noticed his energy declining.

Here's the thing: While I don't recommend a raw food diet (and we disagree on several nutrition points in this episode), Axay's results are undeniably fascinating. His energy skyrocketed, people regularly mistake him for 50, and he's been tracking his blood work for years.

In this honest conversation, we explore what worked for him, where we diverge on nutrition science (protein needs, muscle building, blood sugar management), and what lessons busy professionals can actually take from his experience—even if you're never going raw.

What You'll Learn:

  • How Axay went from standard American diet to 100% raw food overnight at age 50
  • Why his energy, skin, and body composition improved dramatically (and what role whole foods played)
  • What happened when his A1C spiked to 6.7 (prediabetic range) while eating raw food
  • How he brought his A1C back down to 5.8 by cutting red wine and increasing exercise
  • The one supplement he needs on a raw food diet (vitamin B12—and why that matters)
  • Where we disagree on protein needs (he eats 56g daily, I recommend 1g per pound of body weight)
  • How he fuels marathon training on fruits, vegetables, and nuts
  • Why his taste buds completely changed (carrots taste sweet, water tastes different)
  • His advice for people who want more energy: start with baby steps, not dramatic changes

This episode is for you if: 

✓ You're curious about plant-based diets but want a balanced perspective 

✓ You want to increase whole foods in your diet without going extreme 

✓ You're interested in longevity and aging without medications 

✓ You want to hear an honest conversation where the host and guest disagree 

✓ You're looking for energy optimization strategies


My Take: While I don't advocate for a 100% raw food diet (and Axay agrees most people shouldn't do what he did), there are valuable lessons here: eating more whole foods, eliminating processed foods, and listening to your body's signals all contribute to better health.


Resources:

  • Axay's website: rawfoodist.com
  • Book: In Nature We Trust

Does your calendar dictate your nutrition? 

  • Grab The No-Time Nutrition Blueprint: http://store.feelgreatwithkait.com/ntn

Ready to stop trading your health for your wealth?

  • Apply for coaching with Kaitlin: https://tidycal.com/kaitlin/apply