Will you do this for me?

Yes, I'm coming right out and asking. Here's why.

Today, I’m going to advocate for my hopes and dreams, and ask you to pre-order The New Whole30. But first, I’m going to share why THIS version of the Whole30 may be the version you’ve needed all along.

You know when you find something that really works for you, and you want to share it with everyone? Maybe it’s a style of eating, a type of exercise, a music festival, or a new self-care practice. You try it, you love it, and it has a huge impact on your life. So much so, in fact, that you believe if everyone tried this, they too would see their life immediately change for the better?

This was me and CrossFit in 2006. This was me and eating meat again in 2007. And this was me and the Whole30 in 2009. CrossFit made me fitter than I had ever been in my whole life. Eating meat again gave me so much more energy. And the Whole30 got me off the scale and out of the mirror, reestablished a healthy relationship with food, and made me feel better than I’d ever felt in my whole life.

Obviously, I thought everyone needed to do the Whole30. But more than that, I assumed everyone would be better off if they just stopped consuming added sugar, alcohol, grains, legumes, and dairy. Like, ever. Also, because I didn’t find that aspect of the program—or any other—hard, I really couldn’t imagine how any of this might be hard for others. (I had no idea about Enneagram 8s, or Upholders, or the concept of privilege.)

My intentions were excellent, but I was rigid and dogmatic in my views. I saw the world only through my own perspective—a healthy, thin-bodied, able-bodied person. I talked to you the way I talked to myself—critical, tough, challenging. There was little room for error, no acknowledgement of context, and hardly an understanding of what it’s like to, I don’t know, have a kid or chronic health issues or a limited grocery store budget?

As a result, many of you read, heard, and watched that Melissa and thought, “This program is not for me.”

The evolution of everything

Since 2015, the Whole30’s rules or structure haven’t changed much. It’s the same elimination and reintroduction framework. You’re still encouraged to complete the program with strict adherence, because that’s how elimination diets work best. You’re still giving up many foods that you probably love for a whole month.

But The New Whole30 (and the program it represents) is a thousand times more accessible, practical, welcoming, and attainable. Because I’ve changed, and my understandings have evolved, and as a result, so has the Whole30. In this version:

• I share all the reasons the program can be hard instead of insisting it shouldn’t be—and offer proven, practical support to help you accomplish your goals

• I encourage you to let good enough be good enough in every area, from meal planning to snacking to following the rules

• I reinforce how much I trust you to make the best decisions for you, so the Whole30 is no longer “this way or the highway”

• I offer you the most realistic, generous, integrated approach to the Whole30 if you have a weight loss goal

• I explicitly call out the things I got wrong in the past, apologize where it’s needed, and tell you how and why I’m doing it differently today.

The Whole30 still won’t be for everyone; you know who you are. But if you’ve always been ready and willing to change your own life—you just needed a more supportive and understanding environment to do so—The New Whole30 has what you’ve been missing.

Now here’s the part where I ask for your support.

Cast your vote in support of me

If you’re ready to try the Whole30, return to the program, cook our delicious recipes, or just want to see for yourself what this “new era” is all about, I’m going to ask—straight-up ASK—you to pre-order the book. Pre-orders make a huge difference to a book and its author. HUGE.

When you speak, bookstores, the media, and sales people listen. And nothing speaks louder than thousands of you ordering a book that isn’t even out yet. Which means The New Whole30 and its life-changing message makes its way into your local discount store, independent bookstore, and everywhere you shop and support—not just the big online retailers. And it means I get more opportunities to help people change their lives through the program.

If you have the capacity, I’m just asking you outright to please pre-order my book. (Knowing me, this should not be a surprise.) I’m asking because this book, and the Whole30, are immensely important to me. Like, it’s basically the summary of my life’s work? And support from you, my community, would mean a lot to me, personally.

If you have appreciated the articles, advice, guidance, and connection I have shared, this is how you can support me in kind. If you’ve benefited from the Whole30 program at any point in your life, this is how you can help other people benefit, too. If you appreciate the evolution of the program (and my own), this is how you say, “I’m proud of you, Urban.”

Here are five ways to support me (thank you)

1. If you live near Toledo, Atlanta, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Salt Lake City, or Austin, you can buy a ticket for an in-person event in August. Your ticket comes with a signed copy of the book and a free hug from me, if you’re a hugger.

2. If you want to join our virtual book tour event (broadcast live from Book Passage in Corte Madera, CA), buy a ticket here. It also comes with a copy of the book.

3. If you pre-order through this link, you’ll get a signed and personalized copy of the book! Plus you’ll be supporting my local independent bookstore, The King’s English. (We love our indies.)

4. If you want to pre-order through your local bookstore, just call them up and ask for it by name: The New Whole30, by Melissa Urban. (URBAN!) I’m sure they’d love the support.

5. Or use one of the drop-down links on my website to pre-order online through your retailer of choice in the US or Canada.

Plus, everyone who pre-orders (in any format) or buys a ticket to any book tour event will get exclusive pre-order bonus content, including free access to a September Whole30 kick-off virtual event. 

I could not have written this book without your support, your encouragement, your kindness, and the generous way you share your experience of the Whole30 with me. I promise to keep showing up for you—and today, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing up for me.

XO, MU