By: Lennard M. Goetze, Ed.D / Charlene Rejichian, Ph.D
Introduction: A Life on the Line
Russ Allen’s story is more than just about losing weight—it is about
saving a life. After enduring five heart attacks, multiple strokes, cancer, and
years of living with obesity-related illness, Russ didn’t just turn his life
around—he created a movement to help others do the same. From standing on the
floor of the New York Stock Exchange with NFL alumni to lying on an operating
table after emergency bypass surgery, his journey is a powerful testimony of
transformation, resilience, and purpose.
A History Written in Heart Attacks
Russ’s wake-up call came later in life, at age 55, when he suffered his
first coronary event. He had already received two cardiac stents by then, but
that was just the beginning of a dangerous cascade. By the time he underwent a
quadruple bypass, Russ had survived five heart attacks, three ablations, and
multiple hospitalizations. At one point, he even had a stroke—brought on, in
part, by poor lifestyle choices and stress—after celebrating a friend’s 70th
birthday with wine.
During one of the most alarming episodes, he drove himself to the hospital in the middle of having a stroke. “That kinda flipped them out,” he recalls. Remarkably, thanks to timely administration of Eliquis and immediate care, he recovered quickly. But the lesson stuck. Russ realized that everything he was experiencing—heart disease, stroke, and even prostate cancer—was the direct result of a lifetime struggling with obesity.
At his peak weight of 238 pounds, Russ knew something had to change. Using a medically supervised meal replacement program, he dropped to 193 pounds. But beyond the number on the scale, what changed was his mission.
Russ became the Director of Wellness for the NFL Alumni Association,
overseeing a wellness program that, under a Novo Nordisk grant, helped former
athletes lose weight. “The average guy lost 35 pounds,” he notes, “and about
50% of them kept it off.” This work grew into a broader campaign: Tackle
Obesity, which has since been recognized by the city of
Russ’s message is personal and profound: “Cancer, heart disease, and stroke are all resulting from my obesity. So now, I’ve committed my life to helping others avoid what I went through.”
The Science and Simplicity of
Prevention
Russ is a strong believer in preventive healthcare, and he’s especially
passionate about the power of ultrasound imaging as a
non-invasive tool for identifying early risks associated with obesity—such as
arterial blockage, fatty liver disease, and organ inflammation. He praises
ultrasound as “the best screening solution out there,” citing its
affordability, accessibility, and safety compared to more invasive diagnostics.
Lifestyle Overhaul: Movement,
Mindset, and Marriage
Once sedentary, Russ now embraces movement as medicine. He gave up
golf—not active enough—and took up biking and rowing, often alongside his wife
Kay. “We do things together now,” he says, emphasizing that sustainable change
requires partnership and enjoyment.
His home routine includes strength training with resistance bands and a rowing machine, all part of a holistic plan to maintain his heart health and avoid relapse. More importantly, Russ reflects on the emotional drivers behind his earlier weight gain: chronic stress, poor food choices, and ignorance about the true impact of lifestyle on health.
“High-carb, high-calorie foods, stress, and cortisol—it’s a deadly combo,” he admits. “I had the disease because of my lifestyle.”
Perhaps the most chilling part of Russ’s story is how normal his previous life had seemed—until it nearly killed him. From the outside, he was a successful businessman, a leader in wellness, and a public advocate. Inside, his body was deteriorating. As he puts it, “I’ve had prostate cancer, five heart attacks, a stroke… all of which trail back to my obesity.”
He’s quick to challenge the reliance on pharmaceutical fixes, pointing out that while drugs like GLP-1s have their place, they should not replace lifestyle change. “The more an individual can achieve their goals without pharmaceutical agents, the better,” he insists.
Tackling the Stigma, Broadening
the Message
Through his companies Wellness Now and Optimal
Wellness, Russ continues to spread his message. He sees educational
materials, animations, posters, and clinical tools like ultrasound as essential
in reaching the public—especially those who don’t realize how closely tied
obesity is to life-threatening diseases.
Lessons Learned: Obesity Is
Treatable, Life Is Worth Saving
Russ Allen’s journey teaches us that obesity isn’t a cosmetic issue—it’s
a chronic disease with deadly consequences. But it is treatable,
and prevention is possible. His story underscores the importance of regular
screenings, holistic health strategies, and emotional support systems.
Key Takeaways:
· Obesity is a gateway to cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
· Lifestyle—not luck—is the deciding factor in most health outcomes.
· Prevention tools like ultrasound and red light therapy can help people detect risks early and take meaningful action.
· Community and accountability, like Russ’s work with the NFL alumni, significantly improve the chances of sustainable weight loss.
· Living well is a choice. Russ’s transformation was not accidental—it was deliberate, disciplined, and driven by love for life.
As Russ puts it, “There’s nothing better to do to prevent cancer than to get control of your weight.” From the edge of death to a beacon of hope, Russ Allen's story is a reminder that even the deepest health setbacks can spark the greatest comebacks.
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AFTERTHOUGHT
By Dr. Robert L. Bard
Diagnostic Imaging Specialist, Wellness Advocate
Three open-heart surgeries, a stroke, and prostate cancer would be enough to make most people give up. Instead, Russ made the decision to fight back. He didn’t just lose over 100 pounds—he reclaimed his life and created a program to help others do the same.
What strikes me most is his clarity on the why. Weight loss wasn’t cosmetic. It was survival. It was legacy. It was proof that wellness begins with ownership.
From my perspective as a diagnostic specialist, stories like Russ’ validate the importance of prevention and early intervention. His life reinforces what I try to teach my patients every day: real change begins with seeing the truth—whether through imaging or self-reflection.
Russ is now a living testimonial, not just of transformation, but of accountability in action. He’s not selling a miracle; he’s offering a roadmap—one that could save countless lives.
And for that, I applaud him.
