Ten Lessons I’d Give My Younger Self (If He’d Listen)
I turned 73 this month, and I've been thinking about a question people always ask me: If you could go back and give your 25-year-old self some life advice, what would you say? My answer usually surprises them: my 25-year-old self probably wouldn't have listened, and...
Why Great Leaders Embrace Polarity
What made the Beatles one of the greatest bands in history? Talent, good timing, and the combination of two things we usually think of as opposites: competition and cooperation. Lennon and McCartney pushed each other hard. There was real rivalry there, with each one...
Why I’m an Optimist: In Business and In Life
Most people don't think about why they hold the worldview they do. They absorb it from their friends and family, the news, their past experiences, and social media. And if those inputs are mostly negative, their default lens becomes one of fear and scarcity. I'm an...
What a Broken Neck at 72 Taught Me About Aging and Living Well
On September 7th, 2025 — the final day of my 210-mile section hike on the Colorado Trail — I was about three miles from the end when I stumbled and lost my balance. It happened fast. Stumbling on the trail isn't uncommon because roots and rocks are a part of the...
John’s Must-Reads
Here are three books I've read recently that I keep finding myself recommending to people. They cover very different ground, but each one left a real impression on me. Moving Medicine Forward: What More Doctors Should Know About Nutrition — and How It Can Save Your...
Delegation and Empowerment: The Leadership Skill That Multiplies Impact
A question I often get asked is why being able to delegate and empower Team Members is such an important leadership skill. I truly believe delegating is one of the most underrated yet most transformative skills a leader can possess. On the surface, it sounds simple,...
Why I Love A Jeffersonian Dinner: One Question. One Conversation.
My friends and I often host Jeffersonian dinners, and we've had so many wonderful and memorable conversations. At a Jeffersonian dinner, everyone at the table participates in a single conversation. The host opens the evening by posing one thoughtful question to the...
Ten Things I’ve Learned About My Health That I Wish I Knew in My 30s
Now that I’m 72, hindsight has made a lot of things about health much clearer. Here are ten lessons I wish I’d learned much sooner: 1. You can retrain your taste buds Our taste buds change over time, so teach them to like healthy foods. Once your taste buds...
Notes From God: A Conversation with the Soul
I recently had a fascinating conversation with Dr. Mark Hyman on his podcast. Mark shared an idea that really resonated with me — something he calls “Notes from God.” He described how, as we move through life, we’re constantly given little signs or “notes,” moments...
Living with a Win-Win-Win Mindset
I’ll start with a confession: I used to operate from a win-lose mindset, especially in business. Most of us do. It’s how we’ve been conditioned to think. Whether it’s a game, promotion, or closing a deal, we assume that for one person to win, another has to lose. But...
Whole Foods Market Foundation 20th Anniversary
Entrepreneurs often share an immediate bond. Our circumstances may be very different, but we’re wired the same way. We look out into the world and see opportunity.Twenty years ago, I sat in a circle with about ten women in a small village in the high country of...
45 Years of Whole Foods Market: 45 Things I’m Proud Of
This September marks the 45th anniversary of Whole Foods Market (though it’s technically 47 if you count Safer Way, which opened in 1978). It’s incredible to think that one small natural foods store in Austin, Texas, has grown into what it is today. Looking back, I...
Our Healthcare System is Sick—Holistic Healthcare is the Cure.
America's healthcare system is at a breaking point. Despite remarkable advancements in science and technology, Americans are sicker than ever. While much of the current vitriol is aimed at insurance companies and coverage, I believe the problem is more foundational:...
John’s Must Reads: Spirituality Edition
Growing as a human being means growing emotionally and spiritually. These dimensions of health are just as essential as physical well-being and are often deeply connected. When we’re stuck in fear, judgment, or unresolved trauma, our bodies feel it too. We’re at a...
The Missing Pillars of Health: Emotional and Spiritual Well-Being
When we talk about health, most people think of diet, exercise, stress management, and sleep. And yes, those are essential. But there’s more to the picture, something many people often overlook and underprioritize: emotional and spiritual wellness. But why do so few...
Are We Overdoing Protein?
Protein sparks strong opinions. From fitness influencers to scientists, the message is everywhere: “You need more protein!” Experts like Dr. Gabrielle Lyon and Dr. Peter Attia recommend consuming one gram of protein per pound of lean (or desired) body weight. That’s a...
The Key to Longevity You May Be Overlooking
When we think about what it takes to live a long and healthy life, the usual suspects come to mind: eating well, staying active, effectively managing stress, and getting quality sleep. While these are foundational to health and longevity, there’s another powerful, yet...
The Evolving Role of the CEO: The Single Most Important Question You Must Routinely Ask
During my 44 years as CEO of Whole Foods Market, I learned that the role of a leader, especially a founder, doesn’t stay fixed. As the company grew and evolved, from one store in 1978 to over 540 stores when I retired in 2022, my role as CEO evolved too. In the early...
Redefining Capitalism
I recently gave a talk in London at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship on the need to reshape the narrative around capitalism. As an unapologetic capitalist, I believe capitalism is the greatest driver of human progress and value creation in history. I want to...
John’s Must-Reads
Looking for something to read this winter? Here are a few of my recent favorites— let’s dive in! The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson In The Splendid and the Vile, Erik Larson takes readers inside Winston...
The Entrepreneurial Approach to Risk
One of the biggest differences I see between entrepreneurs and most people is how we approach risk. While many contract into fear, constantly worrying about what could go wrong, entrepreneurs acknowledge the risks but tend to focus more on what could go right. Most...