Jordan Rubin’s journey to becoming a leader in the natural health movement is one of cultivation, perseverance, and faith. Today, as the co-founder of Ancient Nutrition, Rubin is on a mission to bridge the gap between historical wellness practices and modern scientific rigor. In a recent interview, Rubin shared how his battle with a debilitating illness led to the creation of a supplement empire rooted in “real food” and regenerative principles.
Following his recovery, Rubin transformed his personal triumph into a professional mission, authoring the New York Times bestseller, The Maker’s Diet, to chronicle the 40-day health experience that saved his life. His career has since been defined by a commitment to regenerative agriculture and the development of whole-food nutrition, leading him to acquire farmland and eventually co-found Ancient Nutrition in 2016.
Even after facing and overcoming a subsequent diagnosis of metastatic cancer in 2008, Rubin has remained steadfast in his pursuit of health freedom, recently releasing The Biblio Diet to share healing secrets that integrate biblical wisdom with modern wellness strategies.
From a Wheelchair to Wellness
Raised in a household centered on natural health, Rubin was introduced early to the concepts of clean eating and holistic living. However, despite this healthy upbringing, he faced a catastrophic health decline as a teenager following a diagnosis of Crohn’s colitis. The condition was relentless, and Rubin sought answers from the most prestigious medical minds available at the time. After visiting 70 medical experts worldwide and finding no relief through conventional medications or emerging functional and integrative medicine, Rubin reached a breaking point. He described a period of profound physical suffering where he was plagued by chronic pain and a digestive system that had essentially shut down.
“I was down to 104 pounds and in a wheelchair at a height of 6’0”,” Rubin said. “I was literally wasting away.”
The turning point came when he encountered a mentor who suggested a lifestyle based on historical dietary principles – what Rubin described as a diet “proven through history and confirmed by science.”
This approach focused on whole, unprocessed foods that aligned with his personal faith and biological needs, and moving away from the toxic chemicals and processed items that have become commonplace in the modern diet. Within 12 weeks of adopting this real-food regimen and incorporating specific supplements to help restore his microbiome, Rubin experienced a radical transformation that defied his previous prognosis.
“I literally felt like a different person,” he recalled. “For the most part, I feel like I healed in just 40 days.”
This recovery was more than a personal victory; it was the catalyst for a lifelong commitment to health advocacy and formulation. Having looked death in the face, Rubin committed his life to sharing a message of “health and hope” with the world, specifically targeting those suffering from serious, chronic conditions. He noted that the experience of combining a real-food diet with products that support gut health completely changed his course, leading him to start his first nutrition company at just 22 years old.
The Foundation of Ancient Nutrition
After founding Garden of Life at age 22 and becoming a regenerative farmer, Rubin launched Ancient Nutrition in 2016 alongside Dr. Josh Axe. The brand was built to address what Rubin identified as a deficiency in the modern food supply: depleted soil and highly processed ingredients.
“The real idea here is to bring ancient nutrition to the modern world,” Rubin said. “We want to provide what’s missing back into the diet and create products that are both scientifically validated and historically proven.”
Ancient Nutrition distinguishes itself through rigorous standards, including cGMP compliance and FDA-audited facilities. Rubin emphasized the importance of third-party verification to avoid “greenwashing,” noting that the company developed the first-ever Regenerative Organic Certified® supplements.
A Vision for Regenerative Stewardship
Beyond the laboratory, Rubin’s commitment to health extends to the very earth that produces his ingredients, reflecting a philosophy where the quality of a supplement is inseparable from the soil in which it was grown.
Through Ancient Nutrition’s R.A.N.C.H. Project (which stands for Regenerative Agriculture, Nutrition, and Climate Health), Rubin is spearheading a movement to transform the supplement industry from a purely extractive model into a force for environmental restoration. By managing thousands of acres of certified regenerative organic farmland in Tennessee and Missouri, he has shifted his role from a messenger of health to an active steward of the land.
This transition into regenerative farming was born from a realization that even the most well-formulated supplements are limited by the nutrient density of their source materials.
His farming philosophy centers on building rich topsoil, sequestering carbon, and fostering biodiversity through no-till planting and holistic grazing. Rubin views these methods as a mechanical necessity to fix a broken system, noting that today’s food supply is often less healthful because modern industrial farming has stripped the soil of the vital minerals our ancestors once consumed.
By utilizing regenerative practices, Ancient Nutrition aims to heal the planet while simultaneously feeding the world with nutrient-dense superfoods that are “source-verified” and ecologically responsible.
For Rubin, the mission is dual-purpose: to provide a convenient form of ancient wisdom for the modern consumer while ensuring the agricultural ecosystem remains vibrant for future generations.
Innovation Through Multi-Kingdom Nutrition
Rubin’s formulation philosophy focuses on the synergy of ingredients from across the animal, plant, fungal, and bacterial kingdoms. A key focus for the brand has been the development of Multi Collagen Protein and Bone Broth Protein, which offer different types of collagen.
“If the body has several types of collagen, why not introduce those?” Rubin asked.
He noted that while other formulations might use just one or two types, some of Ancient Nutrition’s formulas incorporate 10 types of collagen to support whole-body health, particularly the gut.
“You’re not what you eat, you’re what you digest,” he added.
Addressing Future Health Challenges
Looking ahead, Rubin sees a significant shift toward “source-verified” food and regenerative agriculture. He believes consumers will increasingly vote with their dollars for products that benefit both personal health and the planet. Despite the rise of ultra-processed foods and socioeconomic barriers to nutrition, Rubin remains optimistic about the movement toward high-protein diets and resistance training.
To those just beginning their health journey, Rubin suggests starting with fundamental, “free” behaviors before investing in expensive supplements or equipment.
“You can get sunshine, and it’s free. You can go to bed earlier and sleep longer. It’s free,” Rubin said. “Your health is not up to anyone else. It’s not up to your doctor. You have to take control of your health and make the decision that will impact you for a lifetime.”
A Legacy of Hope
With a new book, The Biblio Diet, and the continued expansion of Ancient Nutrition, Rubin continues to champion the integration of faith, nature, and science. His goal remains as ambitious as it was 30 years ago: to transform global health by returning to the foundations of nutrition.
“There is tremendous hope no matter what health condition you’re facing,” Rubin said. “It’s more than just you; it’s about others that count on you and care about you.”
This article was published in partnership with Ancient Nutrition. To learn more about Jordan Rubin and Ancient Nutrition, visit ancientnutrition.com.
