This week, we interview Dave Sinick, the CEO of PaleoHacks, a multimedia platform for experts and those interested in eating better to share their advice, recipes, and other best practices for living your best life.
Dave is a driving force in making PaleoHacks the go-to source for those fully entrenched in the Paleo lifestyle as well as those who are looking to try eating a Paleo diet for the first time. Formerly the CEO of an Internet marketing agency, his passion for finding ways to eat healthily led him to the world of Paleo.
We caught up with Dave to talk Paleo, grass-fed beef, and more.
ButcherBox: What is PaleoHacks and how did you leverage your understanding of online marketing with your interest in healthier eating?
Dave Sinick: PaleoHacks is the largest Paleo community on the web, featuring a blog with health, fitness, and recipe content. We also have a Q&A platform with an active social community, cookbooks, and health programs.
PaleoHacks kind of fell into my lap in that the previous owner was looking for help to turn it into an active business. I had a lot of direct response experience selling products from previous ventures, and selling something I was passionate about (health information) was a natural fit for me.
BB: When did you realize the importance of being selective about the foods you consume? What about getting involved in Paleo?
DS: In 2011, I was tired but couldn’t sleep; I was depressed, anxious, couldn’t remember anything, etc. I started having some serious bloat issues that wouldn’t go away, and I realized I needed to make a change.
I moved to San Diego where my roommate had just started Paleo for his own reasons. He mentioned that it involved eating a lot of quality meat, fruits, and vegetables — foods I already enjoyed — and I dove in.
BB: What has been most surprising, looking back, about the response to PaleoHacks?
DS: I always assumed that PaleoHacks would be a community for advanced Paleo people and cross-fitters, but our audience includes a lot of beginners and people discovering the Paleo diet for the first time.
BB: What is your take on grass-fed beef?
DS: It’s all I eat. If you can find it, it’s a million times better.
BB: What made you feel that way about grass-fed?
DS: I saw how factory farms work, the types of treatment the cows get, and I realized there’s no way that you can be healthy by eating an animal that is basically a meat slave.
BB: What is your take on the meat industry in general?
DS: It’s grossly backward, too focused on profits as opposed to creating a high-quality food item, and I would like for it to change so that we can get easier access to grass-fed meat.
BB: What differences have you noticed about eating grass-fed meat versus grain-fed?
DS: I think grass-fed beef tastes better, to be honest.
BB: What do you value most when making decisions about the foods you eat?
DS: Food is fuel to me, so it’s about how healthy the food is and what’s in it.
BB: What is your opinion about the dieting industry?
DS: If it helps people, it’s great. I just think there should be less religion about diets. It’s just food.
BB: How do you separate PaleoHacks from the other noise in the dieting space?
DS: We just try to be real and reasonable. We publish a ton of desserts because we know that although a dessert isn’t a ‘diet’ food if that’s your entry point into Paleo and healthier eating and living, that’s great.
BB: How important is it for you to maintain authenticity in being an authority on food recommendations?
DS: Very important. I wouldn’t recommend anything that I wouldn’t eat myself.
BB: Thanks for the time Dave! Great to get some real insight into what’s vital to the those seeking healthier ways to eat and live. If you haven’t had a chance to yet, you should check out PaleoHacks for yourself.
