165: From Homelessness to High Performance: Identity, Possibility, and Plant-Based Living with Joe Roberts

In this deeply moving and inspiring episode, I’m joined by Joe Roberts, a keynote speaker, CEO, plant-based endurance athlete, and advocate. Our paths crossed since his life partner is a longtime member of Clean Food Dirty Girl Recipe Club.

Joe shares his story of transformation from struggling with opioid addiction and experiencing homelessness in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside at 22 to becoming the CEO of a multi-million-dollar business in just 12 years.

We talk about the power of human potential, the conversation with Gus and how it changed the trajectory of Joe’s life, and what happened when he pushed a shopping cart 5,625 miles across Canada to raise awareness and funds to help end youth homelessness.

We also get into plant-based eating and how his wife, Marie, adopted this way of eating while staying in an RV! Joe touches on how it transformed his athletic recovery and has supported his long-term health.

Here’s some of what you’ll take away from this episode

• Sometimes you need someone else to believe in you first. We talk about the power of having someone see your potential before you can see it yourself—and how one conversation can change the entire direction of your life.
• Your identity comes before your actions. Real, lasting change isn’t just about hitting a goal and becoming a different person. It’s about deciding who you are first, then letting your actions follow.
• Being fed up can be a good thing. That feeling of being stuck, uncomfortable, or completely over where you are in life can be the thing that gets you moving.
• You are not your past. Joe went from living under a viaduct in his 20s to running races in his late 50s. His story is a pretty damn good reminder that where you’ve been doesn’t get to decide where you’re going.
• Plant-based eating fuels endurance. Joe shares how eating plant-based has supported his long-term health and longevity.
• You don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re recovering from addiction, changing the way you eat, or reinventing your life, having people in your corner can make all the difference.

Helpful links:

• Push for Change e-book access (Use password to open the PDF: W22G9ee7)
• www.SkidrowCEO.com
• Find Joe on LinkedIn or book Joe
• Plant-based documentaries (Earthlings inspired Marie to go plant-based)
• Marie’s creative business and Facebook page
• Brittany’s Sourdough Course and podcast episode
• Recipes mentioned from Recipe Club: Eggless Egg Salad, Marinated Carrot Dogs, and Caesar Dressing
• Molly’s coaching program, Drop It Club⁠
• Subscribe to Molly’s ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sweary Saturday Love Letters

About Joe

Joe Roberts aka The Skidrow CEO is an expert on resilience and change. Having experienced both catastrophic failure and extraordinary success Joe teaches how to overcome the roadblocks that get in the way of high performance.

He helps companies and individuals redefine what’s truly possible by confronting limiting mindsets. Participants at Joes’ events leave inspired and moved to action.

What is most amazing about Joe is that in 1989 he was living on the streets of Vancouver as a homeless skid row addict. Through perseverance, determination and his resilient human spirit, Joe pulled himself out of darkness and despair, to become a highly respected business and community leader.