Health doesn’t begin in a doctor’s office; it starts where life actually happens: in our homes, our kitchens, and the moments shared around the table. That’s the spirit behind The Movement, the podcast from the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, where real stories show how our community connects through healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility.
Through our partnership with University Health, the YMCA is focused on helping people prevent chronic disease by making healthy choices easier, more accessible, and more realistic in everyday life. This episode is one example of what that looks like in action.
In this episode, host Mark Hulet, President and CEO, visits the Linwood YMCA/James B. Nutter, Sr. Community Center on Kansas City’s East side for a conversation that’s both personal and practical. A self-described lover of cooking, Mark reflects on the kitchen as a place of creativity, connection, and love, setting the stage for a powerful discussion about food and health.
Joining him is Gigi the Vegan, owner of Gigi’s Vegan & Wellness Café in Westport, founder of Midwest Soul VegFest, and creator of the KC Health Initiative. Most importantly, Gigi is a survivor who transformed her own health journey into a mission to help others heal, grow, and thrive.
Why This Conversation Matters
Through community health needs assessments with partner University Health, the YMCA identified three priority focus areas: mental and behavioral health, social drivers of health, and chronic disease prevention. This episode sits squarely in that third lane, bringing prevention out of the abstract and into everyday life.
The goal of this partnership is simple: listen to what our community needs most, then work together to connect people with practical tools and support that help reduce chronic disease risks over time. Sometimes that looks like movement and fitness. Sometimes it looks like stress support and connection. And sometimes, it looks like a bowl, a cutting board, and a few small swaps you can try this week.
“It’s Food.”
Gigi’s journey began in 2015 with a colon cancer diagnosis, unexpected and shocking, especially since it didn’t run in her family. Like many, she was eating what she knew: foods rooted in culture, tradition, and love. But when she asked her doctor why this happened, the answer was simple and life-changing: “It’s food.”
With surgery approaching, Gigi decided to search for the root cause. Her research led her to The China Study, where she learned how food choices can influence disease and healing. That discovery reshaped not only how she ate, but how she lived.
Healing That Reached Her Family and Community
As Gigi changed her own habits, she saw the impact on her family, including improvements in inflammation and skin issues for her children. That’s when her personal healing became a broader purpose.
Today, Gigi’s work focuses on education, access, and empowerment, especially for children and families. Through KC Health Initiative, she teaches people how to read food labels, swap ingredients, grow food, and understand what different foods do for the body.
Small Swaps, Big Impact
A major takeaway from the episode: plant-forward eating doesn’t have to be intimidating.
Gigi encourages listeners to start with what they already love, then swap ingredients:
- Spaghetti? Try rice noodles and mushrooms.
- Tacos? Swap meat for mushrooms and keep the flavor with herbs and spices.
She also addresses common concerns around protein, cost, and time, showing how everyday plant foods can meet nutritional needs, stay affordable, and fit into busy schedules.
Cooking at the Linwood Y: The “Golden Bowl”
At the Linwood YMCA, Mark and Gigi prepare a vibrant, flavorful “Golden Bowl” featuring quinoa, chickpeas, kale, zucchini, red bell pepper, avocado, and purple yams. Cooked without added salt or oil and powered by herbs and spices, the dish comes together in about 15–20 minutes, proving healthy food can still be quick, filling, and delicious.
After tasting it, Mark’s verdict is simple: “That’s fabulous.”
One Habit to Try Today
Before wrapping up, Gigi offers one simple habit listeners can try in the next 24 hours: wake up a little earlier, practice gratitude, and give yourself grace before the day begins.
Because prevention doesn’t start at the hospital, it starts at home.
And when partners like University Health, community spaces like the YMCA, and advocates like Gigi align, prevention becomes something you can actually do, one choice at a time.
🎧 Listen to The Movement Podcast
Hear the full conversation and get inspired to try your own small swaps at home.
Available now:
Note: This episode shares general wellness ideas and personal experience. For individualized nutrition or medical guidance, consult your healthcare provider.
