You can’t please everyone, and you shouldn’t try. When I first started sharing my story and advocating for the proper human diet, I encountered a lot of criticism. People questioned the diet, doubted the science, or just flat-out disagreed with me. I spent too much time trying to convince everyone instead of focusing on the people I could help. Over time, I learned that not everyone will agree with your message, and that’s okay. What matters is staying true to your mission and helping those who are ready to listen.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kerry Mann Jr.
Kerry Mann Jr. is a health advocate, filmmaker, small-town theater owner, and the personality behind the YouTube channel HomesteadHow. After transforming his life through a carnivore-based diet — losing 100 pounds and reversing serious health issues — Mann is now producing the documentary Healing Humanity. His goal is to highlight the benefits of a “proper human diet” and offer hope to those on their own health journeys.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
My journey to this path started with my own struggles. For years, I battled heart disease, IBS, gout, and obesity. At my heaviest, I was 100 pounds overweight, and it felt like I was losing control of my health and my life. When I discovered the power of a proper human diet, everything changed. I lost 100 pounds, reversed my health conditions, and regained my energy and hope. That transformation lit a fire in me to help others who feel hopeless, which is why I’m now producing our documentary *Healing Humanity: The Power of a Proper Human Diet*. Through this project, I want to show that there is a way out of chronic illness and despair, and it starts with the food we put on our plates.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
One of the most powerful stories I’ve come across is Bill Nott’s. Bill was 700 pounds and had been housebound in Alaska for four years. He had lost hope and was physically and mentally trapped in his own home. After discovering the proper human diet, Bill’s life transformed. Over the course of a year, he lost nearly 260 pounds and gained a new lease on life. One of the most emotional moments of my career was capturing Bill on film as he opened his front door and walked outside to freedom for the first time in years. To see him reclaim his freedom and health was nothing short of inspiring. His story is the perfect example of why I’m so passionate about this work and why I believe this documentary, *Healing Humanity*, has the power to save lives.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
One of the funniest (and most stressful) mistakes happened during our 24-hour carnivore livestream. We had thousands of people watching live, and at one point, I decided to take a break to cook a steak and demonstrate it for the audience. In the process, I accidentally ended the entire livestream! We had built up a huge audience, and suddenly it was all gone. But instead of panicking, we stayed calm, persevered, and quickly started the stream back up again. The whole experience taught me a few valuable lessons: always be careful with technology, and, more importantly, to stay calm in stressful situations. Mistakes happen, but how you respond to them makes all the difference.
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
I receive countless videos, emails, and comments nearly every day from people who watched one of my Proper Human Diet videos on YouTube. Many of them say, “KERRY, YOU SAVED MY LIFE.” It’s incredibly humbling and powerful to hear those words over and over again. These people are finding healing — whether it’s reversing chronic illnesses, overcoming mental health struggles, or losing significant amounts of weight. What’s even more impactful is that these individuals then go on to influence others in their lives to heal as well. The ripple effect is incredible. It’s not just about helping one person; it’s about sparking a movement of people reclaiming their health and spreading that healing to others.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
In addition to Bill Nott, another powerful story comes from Renee. She reached out to me after watching my videos and starting the proper human diet. She told me that the diet saved her life. Renee had a severe condition that was greatly impairing her mobility, and she credits me with helping her regain her ability to walk. On top of that, she overcame crippling depression and anxiety. I’ve had similar conversations with several people who have overcome hopeless, suicidal depression, type 2 diabetes, and various skin disorders. Hearing these stories fuels my passion for this cause, and it’s why I’m so committed to sharing this message with the world.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Absolutely. First, people need to understand that the root cause of nearly every health issue is poor nutrition. Educating the public about the critical role food plays in our health is the first step to real change. Second, healing humanity begins with each individual. When people take responsibility for their own health and heal themselves, they inspire others to do the same. It’s a ripple effect that can transform communities and beyond. Lastly, hospitals and healthcare systems should prioritize true healing over profits. When financial gain becomes the primary motivation, people remain trapped in a cycle of sickness and medication that never addresses the root cause. Shifting the focus to healing would bring about real, lasting change.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
To me, leadership is about inspiring others to take action by setting an example and empowering them to believe in their own potential. It’s not about commanding people but guiding them through your own experiences and showing that transformation is possible.
For example, in my journey with the proper human diet, I don’t just tell people what to do — I share my own story of healing. By being vulnerable and open about my struggles with heart disease, obesity, and other health issues, I’ve been able to connect with others on a personal level. Leadership is about creating that connection, encouraging others to take control of their health, and showing them that they have the power to change their lives.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
- Nobody has it all figured out. When I first started my journey, I looked at others and assumed they had everything perfectly mapped out. But the truth is, everyone is figuring things out as they go. Early on, I often compared myself to more successful people, thinking I was far behind. Eventually, I realized that the real progress comes from adapting and learning along the way, not from having all the answers up front.
- Wisdom is more valuable than money. I used to think that success was measured by how much money you made, but over time, I’ve learned that wisdom and the experiences that teach it are worth far more. For example, when I adopted the proper human diet, the wisdom I gained about how food affects my health became invaluable. No amount of money could buy the knowledge and transformation that changed my life.
- Life is so short. We hear this all the time, but it really hits home when you see people suffering from preventable diseases. My own battle with heart disease and the stories of others, like Bill Nott, who was trapped in his house for years, taught me how fragile and fleeting life is. I wish someone had emphasized just how important it is to take care of your health and make the most of every day.
- Health is everything — without it, we have nothing. This is one of the most crucial lessons I’ve learned. I’ve seen firsthand that all the money or success in the world means nothing if you don’t have your health. I struggled with several health issues for years, and it wasn’t until I found the proper human diet that I realized how much I had been missing. Now, I prioritize health above all else, because without it, everything else falls apart.
- You can’t please everyone, and you shouldn’t try. When I first started sharing my story and advocating for the proper human diet, I encountered a lot of criticism. People questioned the diet, doubted the science, or just flat-out disagreed with me. I spent too much time trying to convince everyone instead of focusing on the people I could help. Over time, I learned that not everyone will agree with your message, and that’s okay. What matters is staying true to your mission and helping those who are ready to listen.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
If I could inspire one movement, it would be the Return to Natural movement. I believe that so many of the modern world’s health problems — whether physical, mental, or emotional — are rooted in our disconnection from nature. We’ve lost touch with natural foods, natural environments, and even natural rhythms like proper sleep and movement. This movement would encourage people to return to whole, natural foods, like a proper human diet, and embrace natural living — more sunshine, fresh air, and connection with the earth. I believe that by healing ourselves individually through a return to natural living, we could heal humanity on a larger scale. This movement could have a profound impact on reversing chronic illness, mental health crises, and helping people lead healthier, more fulfilling lives
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite life lesson quote is, “You are what you eat.” It might sound simple, but it’s incredibly powerful. For most of my life, I didn’t realize just how true this was until I started the proper human diet. My body reflected the poor choices I was making — heart disease, IBS, gout, obesity — and I paid the price with my health. When I changed what I ate, I changed my entire life. This quote is a constant reminder that the food we choose to fuel our bodies with is the foundation for our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. What we eat literally becomes a part of us, and it has the power to heal or harm.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I would love to have steaks with Dr. Ken Berry. His advocacy for the proper human diet has transformed so many lives, including my own. He’s been a pioneer in exposing the lies we’ve been told about nutrition and health for decades, and his mission to empower people to take control of their own health aligns perfectly with mine. Sitting down with him to discuss his journey, the challenges he’s faced, and his vision for the future would be invaluable. I know we’d have an incredible conversation about how to further spread the message of healing through proper nutrition.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
My YouTube Channel is HomesteadHow and you can learn more about the Healing Humanity documentary as well as donate to our cause on our website.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Thank you for the opportunity!
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Kerry Mann Jr of Healing Humanity Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.