Who am I...?
My name is Rod Cartocci. On August 28, 2024, I turned 78 years old. I am a Nutrition and Physical Fitness specialist with a Bachelor of Science and a Masters Degree in Health and Physical Education. I also hold two, additional college diplomas: one in Comprehensive Nutrition and another in Sports Nutrition. I have also, 20 years experience as a certified Hatha Yoga teacher in the Zen style, and hold also certification as a Level Two Reiki Practioner.
As well as teaching Health, Nutrition, Physical Fitness and Movement Education in public shool and college settings, for many years I have maintained a "Wellness" email list of almost 100 health-minded friends and acquaintances, sending , on a regular basis, health, nutrition and fitness information, and answering related questions.
In 2012 along with best-selling science journalist Gary Taubes, Nutritional Epidemiologist, Registered Dietician and nutrition activist Adele Hite and Hero for Health Award winner Dr. David Weed of Fall River, Massachusetts, I co-founded The Reduced Carbohydrate Clinicians Network, which, today, has an international membership of well over 200 physicians, dieticians, nutritionists, authors and other health professionals. Our mission is to reestablish truth and ethical practice in the formulation of Nutrition guidelines and reports through exclusive reliance upon science-based research and discovery.
My life and passion continue to consist of daily research and study, exploring science-based, holistic discoveries dealing with improvement of health at every level of being, proactive prevention and treatment of disease, and the successful realization of optimal well-being.
WHY ... ?
Why do I do this? What brought me to choose and dedicate my life to this path?
My story truly begins in 2001 when I was faced with a dire health diagnosis. Yes ... I had always been an athlete and a sports enthusiast. But, by age 55 I found myself overweight with high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, and high glucose ... all of which led to cancer and subsequent surgery.
This was a genuine "wake-up call", and, after I recovered from treatment I vowed to do anything and everything I could to prevent ever getting cancer, or ANY serious illness again ... in ANY form.
I began by making an appointment with a naturopathic physician who, after a thorough review of my case, put me on a regimen of nutrition and supplements, and suggested books on all levels of health for me to read and study.
After a relatively short time I was amazed at the improvement I experienced. I found the process of my new lifestyle and condition fascinating, and began to do more study and research on my own. I began taking graduate level courses in nutrition, and, in 2009, I earned my diploma in Comprehensive Nutrition.
As a result of my newly-gained knowledge of genuine nutrition, and while working as a Health/Nutrition teacher in the Barnstable, Massachusetts Public School System, I became appalled at the quality and content of the district's school cafeteria food. The food service corporation in charge of supplying this toxic melange attempted to justify their inclusions on the basis of their adherence to the [laughable] USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans. I immediately began to organize my own campaign to improve the schools' cafeteria offerings, and to re-vamp the Health Education Nutrition and Physical Education curricula.
I was shocked at the "pushback" I received from [most of] the school administration and town officials. To them it was all about politics and money. However, my newly-acquired nutrition credentials afforded me some extra and significant credibility and "clout", and, with the gracious advice, patience and support of author and science journalist Gary Taubes, I was able to pioneer some healthier practices for our students and, concurrently, co-found our Reduced Carbohydrate Clinicians Network.
In 2012, after another two-year bout of study, I earned another diploma, this time in Sports Nutrition, and began working with athletes and other exercise/fitness aficionados as well as with my usual nutrition clients.
That, over the course of 20+ years, I have not only survived and defeated cancer, but also have turned my health and well-being around to a point where I am stronger, fitter and healthier than I have ever been is a tribute to the prodigious amount of studying I have continued to perform, the practices I have adopted, and, also, to the help and support I have received along the way from the brilliant and dedicated professional, natural health experts like those listed above, and including best-selling author of THE BIG FAT SURPRISE, Nina Teicholz, Dr. Jason Fung, author of THE OBESITY CODE, authors Ivor Cummins and Dr. Jeff Gerber of EAT RICH LIVE LONG, Dr. Georgia Ede of www.diagnosisdiet.com and who also writes for PSYCHOLOGY TODAY, and many others who are now my friends and colleagues..
Along with healing my own life, I have helped many people to achieve their health and wellness goals. Further, I treasure the many testimonials I have received from my former students and their families, my friends and my clients, informing me of the successful health and lifestyle improvements I helped them to realize. You can read these comments on my "TESTIMONIALS" page.
By establishing CARTOCCIHEALTH.COM, my desire and plan is to reach and assist many more, by employing a significantly more versatile and far-reaching approach.
I appreciate your interest, and I will apply my capable best to be an effective resource for your personal journey.