Tourganic: Healthy Living On The Road

Avery Sharpe has had an amazing career performing with many of the greats in the history of jazz and most notably was a key member of McCoy Tyners band for over 20 years. McCoy was a member of the John Coltrane’s legendary and seminal quartet that is one of the most important musical groups of the 20th century and Avery is a direct part of that lineage. He tells his story how he klinked up with McCoy and his early days of playing in the bands of both Archie Sheep and Art Blakey, playing with a very young Wynton Marsalis and shares some incredible stories about how that all that fell into place. Health and diet have been a central focus for Avery going completely plant based in 1977.  He was blazing the trail and a pioneer showing that musicians can tour the world while being healthy through diet and exercise.

My fellow Team VPA athlete Seam Michael offers insight on training, coaching and his mainly fruit diet which can consist of up to 30 bananas a day for example! Check this episode out for some great info and inspiration from a 2:43 marathoner and overall badass athlete.

The inspirational songwriter, actor, herbalist and reiki master Johanna Warren on talking with plants, staying in line with her values while on the road as a musician, connecting with herbalists throughout the US on her Plant Medicine Tour,  pushing through struggles with chronic illness and much more

Henri Morales is a competitive triathlete based in Southern California and has competed in multiple Ironman World Championships. He is a force in all three disciplines and especially crushes the swim. Henri is vegan athlete and is a wealth of information on training, nutrition and how to optimize your abilities on race day.In this episode, Henri drops all kinds of knowledge about training and recounts some crazy stories from races, including his wild experience at Ironman Cozumel.

Corey Wallace is a certified run coach, holistic nutritionist, sub 3 marathoner and overall huge positive force and leader in the running community. In this episode we go over ways to get into Boston + NYC marathons that you may not have known about, Corey's history and evolution into an endurance athlete, nutrition tips, how he trained for sub 3, his upcoming goals and why his voice is an important one in the craziness of the social media atmosphere.

My conversation in this episode is with bassist Noga Shefi. Noga is now the bass player for a band I love, Rubblebucket and also helms her own project. I dug having the opportunity to catch up with Noga and hear her story of moving from Israel to the states as a young musician, taking on a diagnosis of Crohns with a intense focus on diet and eventually reversing the effects of the disease altogether without the use if pharmaceuticals, steroids or immunosuppressants. Intro music: 'Do you?' from DB3 album 'Firebrand' Episode interludes are taken from: Noga Shefi "MHA" + "Catch", Yafo "Fire is Over"  In this conversation: Coming up in Israel through the Army Diagnosis Crohns Disease Minimal diet- Eliminate foods that cause inflammation Cure through food- Trying different diets Healing through Meditation/Yoga Transitioning to Veganism Kelly Brogan- A Mind of Your Own Gut Biome/Gut Brain Connection Daily diet- Mushroom elixers- Food Bag- Preparation Healthy Food on the Go Intermittent Fa

My conversation this week is with drummer, multi instrumentalist, activist and all around inspirational guy Chris St Hillaire. After more than a decade with his band the London Souls, Chris is now touring with Sinkane. Chris is also a founding member of the Sound Mind Collective who's "aim is to to connect independent musicians and artists with our local communities to encourage meaningful positive growth through education, social justice advocacy and creativity." Chris insight into the connecting the worlds of activism and music is inspiring and so important Intro music: 'Do you?' from DB3 album 'Firebrand' Episode interludes are taken from: Chris St. Hillaire "Strangers" and "Road March", London Souls "Steady Are You Ready" and Sinkane "Everybody"   In this conversation: Sound Mind Collective Operating in a conscious way SMC and community based issues beyond music ie policing- mentorship to incarcerated kids Musician business workshops Lack of organizing in younger musicians Activism on tou

It is such an honor to kick off the 2nd season of the Tourganic Podcast with the legendary Sonny Rollins. Sonny is one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, whose career spanned nearly 70 years. The saxophone master has released over 60 albums as a leader as well as collaborating/recording with the preeminient lumineers of jazz such as Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey just to name a few. His daily Williamsburg bridge practice sessions during his 1959 sabbatical have become iconic piece of New York history. Sonny has been on a lifetime spiritual quest to expand his consciousness and a path of discovery that he has worked to achieve through a committed Yoga practice since the late 50’s. His journey continued when he moved to India to live in an ashram and commit fully to his spiritual practice. Sonny's words are inspiring, thought provoking and deeply meaningful. This episode covers a lot of ground. Intro music: 'Do you?' from DB3 album 'F

This episode's guest is bassist Pete Shand from the New Mastersounds. Pete is a road warrior and has been through the hard partying cycle of touring and now is striving to create a more sustainable way of life on the road through a plant-based diet and daily stretching routines. Physical issues with his back also forced Pete to take a hard look at touring lifestyle and search for answers on how to continue to keep bringing his talents to the world. In this conversation: His daughters influence on going vegetarian and finding a healthy way to maintain on the road Making the most of your time offstage while on tour to improve your show performance  The importance of stretching for his back problems and physical issues Daily plantbased protein shake w flax/chia seeds coconut water and garden of life greens Avoiding burnout over years on the road Getting back to show ready before tours Discipline of being in the military and transferring those skills after discharge Perspective gained from tr

This episode's guest is bassist Pete Shand from the New Mastersounds. Pete is a road warrior and has been through the hard partying cycle of touring and now is striving to create a more sustainable way of life on the road through a plant-based diet and daily stretching routines. Physical issues with his back also forced Pete to take a hard look at touring lifestyle and search for answers on how to continue to keep bringing his talents to the world. In this conversation: His daughters influence on going vegetarian and finding a healthy way to maintain on the road Making the most of your time offstage while on tour to improve your show performance  The importance of stretching for his back problems and physical issues Daily plantbased protein shake w flax/chia seeds coconut water and garden of life greens Avoiding burnout over years on the road Getting back to show ready before tours Discipline of being in the military and transferring those skills after discharge Perspective gained from tr

This episode's guest is Rapper Kuf Knotz. Kuf has been putting out killer records and touring all over for years and does so while maintaining a vegan lifestyle and sharing his positive message throughout the world. In this conversation: Not having phone for a year and the freedom he gained from that experience Personal crisis and tragedy leading to growth Kuf’s spiritual path and exploration His path to veganism, stemming from his fathers death and learning from his family medical history Dr. Malachi York Importance of fasting 3 to 4 month cycle of diet: Fasting/Cleanse>Raw foods>Strict Vegan>Vegan His record Positive Light and making a positive album in the current culture of hiphop and how that record was a direct result of a raw diet. The effect that had on writing, lyrics, message Touring plant based vegan as a band and what that brought to the band as a whole, the performances and the value of eating together/building together XPN- Community outreach through music The

This episode's guest is Rapper Kuf Knotz. Kuf has been putting out killer records and touring all over for years and does so while maintaining a vegan lifestyle and sharing his positive message throughout the world. In this conversation: Not having phone for a year and the freedom he gained from that experience Personal crisis and tragedy leading to growth Kuf’s spiritual path and exploration His path to veganism, stemming from his fathers death and learning from his family medical history Dr. Malachi York Importance of fasting 3 to 4 month cycle of diet: Fasting/Cleanse>Raw foods>Strict Vegan>Vegan His record Positive Light and making a positive album in the current culture of hiphop and how that record was a direct result of a raw diet. The effect that had on writing, lyrics, message Touring plant based vegan as a band and what that brought to the band as a whole, the performances and the value of eating together/building together XPN- Community outreach through music The

This episode's guest is Kalmia Traver- singer, saxophone player, songwriter, band leader and completely inspiring individual Kalmia Traver from the bands Rubblebucket and Kalbells. We cover a lot of territory in this episode from her transformation as a sax player in the horn section to front woman of an successful touring band. Her battle with cancer and the amazing story of touring while undergoing treatment and what helped her get through that time to her current state of living cancer free. We talk about how that experience affected her diet and the discipline to maintain that level of nutrition on the road. We also get into how mindfulness and meditation was a crucial factor in her survival and ability to thrive in the face of adversity. Kalmia's story is an inspiration to all of us who face tough challenges in our lives and how to look those straight in the face and beat them back. Her ability to thrive in the toughest of moments is incredible. In this conversation: -Transformation from section sax play

This episode's guest is Kalmia Traver- singer, saxophone player, songwriter, band leader and completely inspiring individual Kalmia Traver from the bands Rubblebucket and Kalbells. We cover a lot of territory in this episode from her transformation as a sax player in the horn section to front woman of an successful touring band. Her battle with cancer and the amazing story of touring while undergoing treatment and what helped her get through that time to her current state of living cancer free. We talk about how that experience affected her diet and the discipline to maintain that level of nutrition on the road. We also get into how mindfulness and meditation was a crucial factor in her survival and ability to thrive in the face of adversity. Kalmia's story is an inspiration to all of us who face tough challenges in our lives and how to look those straight in the face and beat them back. Her ability to thrive in the toughest of moments is incredible. In this conversation: -Transformation from section sax play

Wenzl McGowen is an incredible force on the saxophone and member of the band Moonhooch. This episode includes practical life advice for the touring musician, why the band went vegan together, the depth of the impact that meditation has had on his life as a musician and well constructed concepts about the nature of the universe and cosmos. We cover lots of ground in this episode from his upbringing on a completely isolated commune in Portugal to his touring life with Moonhooch. In this conversation: The dynamics of touring with a band and concepts of conflict/resolution Playing in the moment and striving for freedom with his instrument and the tools he is using to achieve the 'flow state' Wenzl's path of Meditation. How he got into it, what it means and how it has manifested on his life including how meditation has transformed his stage experience Upbringing in a commune in Portugal. Lessons learned from his father who created and ran the commune and turning negative experiences into positive lessons in

Wenzl McGowen is an incredible force on the saxophone and member of the band Moonhooch. This episode includes practical life advice for the touring musician, why the band went vegan together, the depth of the impact that meditation has had on his life as a musician and well constructed concepts about the nature of the universe and cosmos. We cover lots of ground in this episode from his upbringing on a completely isolated commune in Portugal to his touring life with Moonhooch. In this conversation: The dynamics of touring with a band and concepts of conflict/resolution Playing in the moment and striving for freedom with his instrument and the tools he is using to achieve the 'flow state' Wenzl's path of Meditation. How he got into it, what it means and how it has manifested on his life including how meditation has transformed his stage experience Upbringing in a commune in Portugal. Lessons learned from his father who created and ran the commune and turning negative experiences into positive lessons in

Tom Garrington is not only a great drummer but also a committed vegan, animal rights activist and outspoken advocate for the plant-based movement. In this conversation: The "Best Speech You'll Ever Hear" and the moment where Tom's life changed direction and he became a strict vegan How Tom has been able to positively affect so many others and help them make the transition to a vegan diet The concept of voting with your dollar and the power we possess as consumers Developing the skills to face adversary and see difficult moments as oppurtunities for growth Specific documentaries, Vlogs, websites, activists and books that have been influential in Tom's path to veganism How important keeping an open mind has been in Tom's success as a musician and in his learning about the impacts of veganism  Please take a moment to rate and review the podcast in iTunes and visit www.tourganic.com for more info on this episode and living healthy on the road Tourganic Podcast Theme song 'The Path' written by Davi

Tom Garrington is not only a great drummer but also a committed vegan, animal rights activist and outspoken advocate for the plant-based movement. In this conversation: The "Best Speech You'll Ever Hear" and the moment where Tom's life changed direction and he became a strict vegan How Tom has been able to positively affect so many others and help them make the transition to a vegan diet The concept of voting with your dollar and the power we possess as consumers Developing the skills to face adversary and see difficult moments as oppurtunities for growth Specific documentaries, Vlogs, websites, activists and books that have been influential in Tom's path to veganism How important keeping an open mind has been in Tom's success as a musician and in his learning about the impacts of veganism  Please take a moment to rate and review the podcast in iTunes and visit www.tourganic.com for more info on this episode and living healthy on the road Tourganic Podcast Theme song 'The Path' written by Davi

I was recently asked by a guest on the podcast what Tourganic is all about. This short episode is a my response. I describe the journey of how and why I created the Tourganic blog and then made the move to expanding it into a podcast. Please take a moment to rate and review the podcast in iTunes and visit www.tourganic.com for more info on this episode and living healthy on the road Tourganic Podcast Theme song 'The Path' written by David Bailis

Eric Benny Bloom is the trumpet player extraordinaire from the bands Lettuce, Pretty Lights and his group Sonic Bloom. Eric is both hilarious and insightful when it comes to discussing health on the road. In this conversation: What factors contributed to Eric making the transition to being vegan and how that affected his life overall and as a musician on the road What making the transition to a plant-based diet did for Eric’s trumpet playing Making the move to New Orleans and what continues to inspire him about being a part of the musicians community in NOLA Living as a vegan in New Orleans, a city traditionally characterized with a diet rich in animal products Show preparation, his diet on show days and eating before performances The importance of being truly educated about your endeavors and taking chances in life Please take a moment to rate and review the podcast in iTunes and visit www.tourganic.com for more info on this episode and living healthy on the road Tourganic Podcast Theme song 'The