Ep. 319: Kori McClurg - Beyond Willpower: Why Self-Compassion Is the Secret to Transformation
PLANTSTRONG Podcast
Rip Esselstyn
4.8 • 2.3K Ratings
🗓️ 18 September 2025
⏱️ 61 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
What if the only thing standing between you and your true potential… is you?
Rip welcomes Kori McClurg, author of the new book Get Out of Your Own Way. Kori’s journey from self-loathing to self-love is one of courage, vulnerability, and the transformative power of plants.
Like so many, Kori spent years battling the weight of diet culture, mental health struggles, and a body that reflected her inner turmoil. But through honesty, self-compassion, and a shift to a whole food plant-based diet, she discovered a new path — one that nourished both her body and her spirit.
Here’s what you’ll take away from her story:
- Vulnerability is power — When we open up about our struggles, we create space for healing.
- Food is medicine — Shifting to a whole food plant-based lifestyle can dramatically improve health and vitality.
- It’s not about willpower — Real change happens when we address the emotions behind our habits.
- Self-compassion changes everything — Treating ourselves with curiosity and kindness opens the door to growth.
- Start small, move with grace — Sustainable transformation comes from compassionate, incremental steps.
Kori’s story is a reminder that transformation doesn’t start with a strict diet or sheer determination — it starts with love. When we get out of our own way, we create the freedom to thrive.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | I'm Ray Besselston, and you're listening to the Plan Strong podcast. |
| 0:04.6 | What if the biggest thing standing between you and your best life is you? |
| 0:12.2 | This week, I welcome Corey McClurg, author of Get Out of Your Own Way, |
| 0:17.4 | who shares her powerful journey from self-loathing to self-love and how a whole food |
| 0:24.2 | plant strong lifestyle helped unlock her true potential we're going to have her inspiring story |
| 0:30.5 | right after these words from plant strong all right listen up. |
| 0:38.3 | If your idea of a good time happens to include hiking in the mountains, eating outrageously |
| 0:45.1 | plant delicious food, and leveling up your health with a crew of like-minded rock stars, |
| 0:52.0 | then I have got the perfect getaway for you. |
| 0:55.3 | This November, join me in Black Mountain, North Carolina for our Planned |
| 0:59.9 | Strong retreat. |
| 1:00.6 | It is six days of feel-good movement, expert-led inspiration, deep connection, and meals so good, |
| 1:10.6 | you'll wonder how we did it without oil, sugar, or salt |
| 1:14.7 | overload. |
| 1:15.8 | It's camp for grownups, minus the junk food, plus the health transformation. |
| 1:21.5 | Don't wait. |
| 1:22.8 | This retreat always sells out. |
| 1:24.7 | Head to liveplansstrong.com and click on events and save your spot before |
| 1:30.8 | they're gone. Whether you're struggling to make peace with your body trying to break free from |
| 1:38.1 | unhealthy patterns or simply need a dose of hope, today's episode just may be the message that you need to hear |
| 1:46.6 | today. My guest, Corey McClurg, knows exactly how you may be feeling. Once trapped in a cycle |
| 1:53.7 | of self-loathing, alcohol abuse, poor health, and the pressures of diet culture, she found a new path, one fueled by emotional |
... |
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