Plant Sumo Interviews - Kate kunkel

Kate Kunkel

Kate Kunkel is a vegan nutritionist, sound therapist, and brain health mentor. She is the creator of the Eight Weeks to a Better Brain program, a holistic approach to preventing dementia and creating a healthier, more vibrant future, which she features in her latest book, “Don’t Let the Memories Fade”.

Checkout Kate’s: Website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Email

What is the book (or books) you’ve given most as a gift, and why?

Most gifted: Don't Let the Memories Fade Three Books that influenced me: Buddhism and Veganism, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, The World Peace Diet

When You Feel Overwhelmed Or Unfocused, Or Have Lost Your Focus Temporarily, What Do You Do?

Walk on the beach.

In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life?

Going completely vegan.

If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it — what would it say and why?

Everything you do to improve the world is better than nothing, and anything is enough.

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success? Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?

Favorite failure: Dropping out of law school.

What is the most significant thing that someone much younger than yourself has taught you?

From a young woman here in Ecuador that family is all that really matters.

Tell us about your business. What does it do and what value do you add?

I am a brain health mentor. That means I help people improve their brain function and prevent dementia with a whole foods, plant-based diet, exercise, mental and emotional support and continual learning. The end goal is to improve memory and cognition and protect their memories.

Where do you see your industry in the next 5 years?

Hopefully more accepted, that people will understand that they have to take the initiative to look after their brains, and will follow the advice and guidance that I and my contemporaries share.

Tell us about someone you admire and why you admire them?

I admire my Mom, even though she has passed away. She was yanked out of school at the age of 11 to look after her big sister's children, even though she was very smart. She became a successful businesswoman and gave many people joy. She was difficult and stubborn, but she was strong and the best mom ever.

What is a useful skill someone could learn in one minute?

To meditate using circular breathing.

How has Covid-19 changed your industry?

More online coaching.

How has Covid-19 changed your company?

Not at all - I was always online!

What's your favourite colour?

Purple

What's something exciting you're currently working on/learning that only a few people know about?

I am studying for Dr. Daniel Amen's brain health certification. Wow!

Are you vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian or something else entirely?

100% vegan

What's your favourite sport?

Swimming

What's a myth about fitness that you most people believe to be true that's actually false

That you have to get pumped and push it to the max for it to be worthwhile.

What's the most underrated type of exercise in your opinion?

Walking - even though many people do it, it is not given the respect it needs.

Who do you want to be when you grow up?

I'm all grown up - I just want to be healthy.

What's your star sign?

Scorpio

What purchase of £/$100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months?

It was a program from Alina Vincent on creating programs. I created my Tune Up Your Brain program because of it.

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?

For people who have been diagnosed with dementia, doctors tell them or their families to "Prepare for a steady decline and do your best to ensure a good quality of life."

What's your favourite vegan meal?

So many - probably an Asian stir fry with wild rice, lots of coconut and curry flavor.

What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made?

I invested in business coaching a few years ago - It was a couple of thousand USD, but worth every penny for this one line: You can't sell to the whole jungle. Pick the monkeys or the tigers, but sell to just one. If the monkey likes your message to the tiger, he will buy it, but if you sell to both of them, neither will buy it.

When did you first become a rebel?

Age 10 when I told my bible-school teacher she was full of crap for telling us that all the heathens in Africa would go to hell if they didn't accept Jesus as their savior.

What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student about to enter the “real world”? What advice should they ignore?

Learn a trade.

What careers advice would you give to your 21-year old self?

I did just about everything I ever wanted to so I would probably just say to my 21 year old self - do what you love.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

None. I've been many other things including a harpist and paralegal, a screenwriter and post-production manager, so I've done everything I want to. I'm happy helping people protect their brains.

What is a 'hack' you have for success that most people don't know about?

Not sure I have one - I just do what I feel needs to be done every day, and don't get caught up in "should" or "must".

What one song can you listen to every day non-stop?

Victoria's Lullaby (It's one I wrote for my Mom on harp)

What is the most surprising thing you've seen in your industry?

That people still recommend meat for brain health. Gak!

What's your favourite holiday destination?

My own place here in Ecuador - Casas Pacificos.

What popular celebrity do you admire the most and why?

None - I have basically no use for celebrity

What one thing in life do you consider to be overrated?

Celebrity heroes!

What's your favourite vegetable?

Sweet potatoes

What's your favourite type of exercise?

Swimming

If you could only do ONE type of exercise for the all around fitness what would it be?

Swimming

What are you NOT Very Good at?

Anything that requires hitting a ball.

What did you have for breakfast this morning?

A vegan anti-inflammatory muffin made with lots of spices, sweet potato and coconut flour.

About the Author

Heather Wilkinson

Heather Wilkinson is a globe-trotting content creator and PR enthusiast who’s finally put down roots in her native UK. When she isn’t working, you’ll find her pretending to care about Minecraft for her son’s sake, while secretly reading the latest Ace Atkins novel (or sleeping – her second favourite past-time).