Rich聽Roll聽is a busy guy. Father of four, entertainment lawyer, plant-based diet advocate, ultra-endurance athlete and now author of his first book,聽.听The book talks about his transformation from 40-year-old, overweight father to his very first vegan-powered , which he’s now done two times, along with the ,聽five triathlons in five days.

Since then, he has been featured on CNN, done countless interviews and launched , a company, founded with his wife Juile Piatt, that promotes healthy living from a plant-based diet and spiritual and physical point of view. I got a chance to talk to聽Rich聽about how his former bad habits were transformed into something good.

How did your early addictions get you to where you are now?
My struggles with addiction and my journey in recovery provided a prism through which I tend to perceive my world and approach my interconnectedness to everything鈥攆rom relationships to food, to exercise and to everything in between. Embracing sobriety required hitting a bottom that compelled me to see through the denial that was preventing me from understanding how my using was destroying my life and hurting others. Similarly, it took a health scare on the eve of my 40th birthday to snap an even deeper denial鈥攖hat I was a very unhealthy and out of shape middle-aged guy living a rather lazy and gluttonous lifestyle.

When I decided to change my diet, I initially experimented with a vegetarian diet. Why? Not because I read a bunch of books and concluded it was the healthiest approach. It was attractive because it was so black and white. In recovery, you are either using or you are sober鈥攏o middle ground. As a vegetarian, you are either eating meat or you are not. I could wrap my brain around that.

If I had said to myself, “I am going to eat healthy and go to the gym,” that is a fine notion, but it doesn’t mean anything. It lacks specificity. So vegetarianism made sense to me when applying the principles of recovery to changing my diet. It gave my relationship to food a context that I could understand and adhere to. That experiment morphed over time into a 100-percent plant-based diet when I removed the dairy and processed foods from my regimen.

It’s easy to say that my attraction to ultra-endurance is simply a transferred addiction鈥攆rom drugs and alcohol to an extreme focus on fitness. Admittedly, it’s the perfect outlet for an obsessive-compulsive addict, providing a wide berth for escape, not to mention a bottomless pit of self-inflicted pain. But channeling that compulsive energy in a healthy direction can be good. It has been a key ingredient in my athletic success and personal growth. It has made me a better husband, father and person鈥攁 more giving, actualized, authentic version of myself, if you will.

That said, it’s imperative for me to exercise caution in my relationship with training to avoid falling down that pit of obsession. As a husband and father of four, family is most important to me. Balance is a fickle lover I continue to court. The tools of recovery help me keep the bigger picture in proper perspective.

In your book, you wrote that alcohol was your social lubricant. Now that you are no longer drinking, are you still shy? What other coping skills have you developed?
Alcohol allowed me to numb these innate and very powerful, destructive feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. It quelled the fear and empowered me to interact socially. For a while, it worked. Then it took everything away, leaving behind an empty shell鈥攁 raw bundle of nerves and extreme discomfort.

But through much hard work over the years, I am no longer uncomfortable in my skin. I am still an introvert at heart. I’d much rather hang out with my kids or ride my bike than go to a party and socialize with people I don’t know. But I’m fine doing that, too, because聽I know who I am. I no longer need to prove anything, impress anyone, or make you like me. I am at peace with my weaknesses, my failures and my humanity. When those feelings of anxiety arise鈥攁s they tend to do鈥擨 can easily control them by going to an AA meeting, working the steps or simply heading out alone for a long trail run鈥攎y form of active meditation.

It鈥檚 common for addictive behaviors to become non-destructive life goals. At what specific point did ultra-endurance fill that gap?
I have seen plenty of friends in recovery transfer their addictive behaviors to other activities鈥攇ambling, tattoos, motorcycles, relationships, you name it. And I have (non-addict) endurance-junkie friends who ended up divorced because their training became paramount to their relationship鈥攐r an escape from an unhappy union.

As mentioned above, it is understandable to presume that ultra-endurance has become my current addiction of choice. I suppose there is some truth to that. There have been times in my training when my life was temporarily out of balance so I could achieve a certain performance goal. But it’s not fun and it’s not sustainable when the pursuit is addiction-based.

I work hard to maintain a healthy relationship with my sport, trying to find the joy in it, because it isn’t worth pursuing if it comes at the cost of all the good things I have worked hard to achieve in my life鈥攎ost importantly, my marriage and my kids. When these things are balanced, my training is my bliss. Addiction is defined by something that tears apart your soul and destroys you. But through ultra-endurance I have quite literally been reborn as a happier, more actualized and service-oriented version of myself.

Are you obsessive about food? Have you eaten anything non-vegan in the last year?
What I put in my mouth is important to me, but I wouldn’t characterize it as an obsession. I have been plant-based for over five years, and it has become so routine that I don’t even think about it that much. I eat a wide variety of plant-based foods close to their natural state and try to always make the best choice, but that is often dictated by what happens to be in my fridge that day. I don’t weigh my food, count calories or even pay all that much attention to my ratio of carbs to protein to fat. In this sense I think I am far less obsessive that many athletes or non-athletes on a “diet.鈥�

The only time I have eaten something non-vegan in the last year is the occasional accidental scenario when I found out after the fact. For example, a dinner entr茅e at a restaurant that was advertised as vegan ended up having some butter on it鈥攖hat kind of thing. I don’t cheat, but I am human. My weaknesses are certain foods that are technically vegan but not the healthiest, things I call “vegan junk food,” like Kettle Chips, Tofurky, and the very occasional veggie dog.

How do you you fit in your training and wellness with your successful book tour?
When the book came out, I was intent on maintaining my 20-25-hours-per-week training schedule, with an eye on competing in Ultraman this November. But I quickly realized I just couldn’t do both well and would probably end up doing both quite poorly. I am so grateful for the success of the book, and I made the decision to stop competing this year so I could devote my best energy to traveling around and trying to connect with as many people as possible. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I didn’t want to look back on the experience a year from now and wonder, “What would that have been like if I wasn’t on my bike all day?” I know I made the right decision. The tour has been amazing, and I will never forget all the people I have met.

Still, I have remained relatively fit. I bank some good training when I am home and run every day while on the road. I do a little pre-travel research before each trip to identify the healthy restaurants and markets in my hotel vicinity. And many of the tour stops have been vegetarian festivals, so there is often plenty of good stuff to eat.

My perspective on racing has also changed. My results have given me a platform to promote a healthy message, and the book has taken it to a new level. Now, my focus is on helping to improve lives. My current travels have afforded me the opportunity to connect with a lot of people and to spread a message of wellness. It’s been an amazing journey.

You’ve done the Ultraman twice, and five聽Ironmen聽in five聽days. Now what?
Good question! The training is so time consuming and intense, so I have to be really enthusiastic about the event I am preparing for. Right now, I am looking for something to ignite that flame. I’m not sure yet what it will be but will figure out a challenge soon. I’ve just begun training for 2013, so stay tuned.听

Is your entire family鈥攊ncluding your four lovely children鈥攙egan?
My wife is 100-percent plant-based, as are my two teenage boys, who have really taken to it on their own accord without any mandate on our part, along with my 21-year-old nephew Harrison, who lives with us about half of the time. My two daughters (eight and five) are about 95-percent there.

We cook vegan at home, but if they go to a friends’ house and have pizza or attend a birthday party where there is cake, I’m not going to be the guy who tells them they can’t have it. We try to involve them in the food shopping and meal preparation as much as possible鈥攖each them recipes and lead by example. This way, they develop an emotional attachment to the process, as well as a deeper connection to the food and where it comes from鈥攑articularly when we visit the farmer’s market and learn about how and where the food is grown. As parents we don’t make strict rules, so there is nothing for them to rebel against. Ultimately, it’s up to them to make the decision that is best for them.

You and your wife聽Juile聽founded聽Jai聽Lifestyle, which offers products, coaching, and consulting. If I sign up, what can I expect?
If you sign up on JaiLifestyle.com, you will automatically receive a seven-recipe download, excerpted from our Jai Seed eCookbook, which is also available for download and purchase from the site. We also have an athletic-recovery product called Jai Repair, which is an all-in-one post-workout supplement. With three types of plant-based protein (hemp, sprouted brown rice, and pea), l-glutamine, antioxidants such as resveratrol and grape skin extracts, vitamin B12, and cordyceps-mushroom extracts (which improve lung capacity and the efficiency of oxygen utilization), it’s everything you need when you return from a hard session.

We are actively working on some new nutrition products鈥攙olume two of our cookbook, as well as some consulting services鈥攖hat should launch this winter. And in the near future we will be announcing our first retreat: a five- to seven-day intensive, designed to change your life through diet, fitness, yoga, and meditation.

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The Queen of Pain is what they call her on . But she’s also been called “,” which tells you a bit more about who Rebecca Rusch is and what she does. That title didn’t come easy: In more than 15 years as a professional, Rusch has won the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race three times and also claimed six world championships.

Rebecca Rusch.

Rebecca Rusch.

Heidi Volpe recently talked with Rusch about the state of women’s mountain biking, the hardest races she faced this year, and how she hopes she’ll be remembered.

You’ve won Leadville three times, you’ve been a world champion. Now what?
Now what? That’s a good question! I’ve always sought out adventures and races that inspire me. 聽I’ve been around the world a few times and I still have a wanderlust to see more. I’ll never stop exploring, but I’m also inspired by sharing my experience and motivating others to get outside.

My work is now a combination of racing, women’s clinics, product development, and marketing. The backbone behind all of the different things I take part in are to be inspired myself and continue to push my boundaries and encourage others to do the same.

The podiums and championships are awesome to have on my resume and are validation of many years of hard work. I’m super proud of my wins, but they are not the ultimate end goal. The adventures along the way are what really inspire me.

How did the Gold Rusch Tour come about?
The came about because I kept seeing holes in the cycling industry when it came to women’s participation. I wanted to help change the small numbers of women racing, working in media, female pros not getting exposure, women who want to learn to ride, but didn’t know how. I’ve always shared my experiences because outdoor sports changed my life and I’m happy to bring more people outside. The SRAM Gold Rusch Tour was just a way to put on some official events that would encourage women’s participation in all aspects of cycling and give them the opportunity and confidence to go for it. Each event is different and I choose great places to ride and try to hit all sort of markets such as New York City; Sun Valley, California; France.

How you are moving female mountain biking forward?
My goal is to be inclusive, share my experience and make it easier for women to ride, learn about their bikes, and break down the intimidation barriers.

There are so many great athletes out there, sometimes women just need a little confidence and a push from someone they can relate to. Even in the short time I’ve been mountain bike racing, I’m seeing more moms, daughters and female participation than ever before. The tide is starting to turn and it’s so great to witness and be a part of.

Are you done racing?
No, and I probably never will be. I’ve been racing and competing in one sport or another since high school and I expect I will always line up. Pushing myself like that on a regular basis is part of what I need to do in order to stay fit, motivated and inspired. I won’t always be standing on top of a podium as the next generation takes over, but I will always be lining up and pushing myself in races.

What do you wish your legacy to be as a pro athlete?
Longevity: That you can keep racing, competing, and kicking ass for a long, long time. Inspiration: That it’s never too late to learn a new sport, push yourself and try something that seems impossible. Passion: Seeking and experiencing things that you love to do will make you a better person. And perseverance: Getting up after you fall to try again.

What was your hardest race this year?
Physically, the Titan Desert stage race in Morocco was the hardest thing I’ve done this year. It’s a six-day stage race in the sand dunes of Morocco. Each day was nearly 100 miles in the heat, sand and scorching sun. Each night was rough, camping in the desert and very little recovery while trying to clean the sand off my bike and body. It was an epic adventure.

Mentally, the USAC XC National Championships were my hardest event this year. The race was in my backyard, on my home town trails. I was attempting to defend my single speed national champ win from 2011. I felt super strong, was in the lead and was having a great race when I flatted about 10 minutes from the finish. That started a frustrating 20 minutes of fixing the flat, getting another flat, running my bike, asking for help from other competitors and finally crossing the finish line in third. It was a hard lesson in patience, sportsmanship, accepting bad luck and getting back on the bike. No use crying over flat tires. It doesn’t really change things.

What’s happening with women’s bike technology these days?
What’s happening with women’s bike technology now is that bike companies are listening to us. They’re hearing that we want great gear and bikes that fit us, perform well and look great. The products are being developed and women are getting more educated and vocal as consumers about what they want. The manufacturers are listening.

My race bike, the Specialized Fate, is the lightest, fastest race machine I’ve ever ridden. I’m certain that I was able to break my own Leadville 100 record because of this bike. People always ask about the difference between men’s and women’s bikes. The best analogy I can give is that it’s like a pair of jeans. Some women fit fine in men’s jeans and look great. However, most women’s bodies fit better in jeans designed specifically for women. Women’s vs. men’s bikes are the same thing. Also, like jeans, I feel it’s essential to try a bike before you decide to buy.

What has changed for you with regard to nutrition and training now that you are a master pro athlete?
I’ve gotten smarter as a more experienced athlete. I now train with a coach, Dean Golich from Carmichael Training Systems, and having his guidance helps me train quality vs. quantity. I spend less time training than I have in the past, but am still getting better and faster results. I think a road map from a coach is essential for anyone who wants to be faster. You don’t need to be a pro to benefit from coaching.

I’ve also learned to rest and recover better with Restwise. I’ve taken a good look at my nutrition and eliminated many processed and packaged foods. I get more sleep, stretch a little more and generally take care of myself better than I did when I was in my twenties. It’s made a difference and I’m fitter and faster than I’ve ever been.

Are you excited about the Olympics?
I am so excited about the Olympics because I have friends and teammates racing. Two of my Specialized teammates Todd Wells and Lea Davison are racing. Todd’s going on his third Olympics and Lea her first. I watched the last Olympic mountain bike race via the Internet while I was at a race with Lea. It was the first time I met her and her energy and riding ability blew me away. Here she is four years later as a Specialized pro and representing the U.S.

Georgia Gould, our other female MTB athlete, is from Idaho and learned to ride a bike here. I’ve known her for years and her career has skyrocketed as well. Sam Schultz will be racing for his first time and I know him too. These four are some of the nicest athletes I’ve ever met, so I’ll be cheering for all four of them.

As a Specialized pro, I’ve also had the fortune to be able to meet the Specialized-Lululemon women’s road team. They have 10 athletes in the Olympics this year from various countries. Kristin Armstrong, a fellow Idahoan is also defending her Olympic time trial win four years ago. Knowing all of these athletes is going to make it hard to know who to really cheer for.

Why Idaho?
I’ve lived out of my truck around the West for years. I surfed many couches and checked out plenty of outdoor towns along the way. In all of my wandering, Idaho is the only place that felt like home the moment I got here. The terrain is out of this world, the mountain biking is world class and there’s a welcoming small town vibe that embraces you immediately. It’s a friendly, off the beaten path place with an outdoor playground that can’t be beat.

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