Meet Howard Jacobson of Plant Yourself

Tell me a little about your business…

I guide people to make big changes in their lives, starting with diet and exercise. I've co-written two books with T. Colin Campbell, author of The China Study, and after meeting and talking with readers and fans of the books, I realized that implementation was the missing piece. As a former digital marketing strategist, executive coach, and teacher, I realized that I had a lot of skills and strategies that could help people struggling to adopt healthier lifestyles. I teamed up with Josh LaJaunie, a former 420-pound ex-football player from Louisiana who was just featured on the cover of Runner's World magazine for his ultra-marathoning feats, to create the Big Change Program, a year-long odyssey that begins with food and running, but really encompasses the human quest to excavate and celebrate our best, most authentic selves. I also host the Plant Yourself Podcast, with over 190 episodes dedicated to supporting a joyful, healthy, engaged plant-based life.

What brought you to Simplero?

My friend and mentor Rob Goyette started using it, and I had been struggling for years with an aging ecommerce platform that was getting harder and harder to use (and more and more expensive). I gave Simplero a try, and was enchanted both by the elegance and functionality of the software, and the heart and soul of the team behind it.

How have you integrated Simplero into your business?

I've replaced MailChimp, Aweber, 1shoppingcart, and Wishlist member, and am running all my emails, courses, and commerce through Simplero. It's so nice to have 1 system that is integrated, with all parts thought out to fit together, rather than the hodgepodge of services I used to use.

How has Simplero benefited your Business?

I can serve more people and spend less time doing the administrative work, and more time creating and thinking and teaching and writing.

What's something you've learned in business you'd wish someone had told you when you were starting out?

Models are great, but breakthroughs come from ignoring conventional wisdom and capitalizing on your unique passions and quirks.

What's a fun fact about you that someone would never guess?

I once played the recorder and Brooke Shields danced as we waited for our laundry to finish.

Howard Jacobson, PhD is a health educator, author, and broadcaster from Pittsboro, North Carolina. He is host of the Plant Yourself Podcast and contributing author to Proteinaholic, by Garth Davis, MD, and Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition, by T. Colin Campbell. Howard is also co-founder of the Big Change Program, with Josh LaJaunie. Howard coaches, consults, and speaks on health and fitness for individuals, families, organizations, and communities.