Susan Rigg
From Cheesemaker to Health Advocate: How a Renowned Chef Shed 70 Pounds and Reclaimed Her Mobility
Background
Susan Rigg is the celebrated Chef, Founder, and CEO of River Whey Creamery in Central Texas. An authority in her field, she sits on the board of the American Cheese Society, has been featured in 'Culture Cheese Magazine' for producing one of the world's best cheeses, and is recognized by TasteAtlas for her gourmet brand.
Despite her immense success and scientific approach to cheesemaking, Susan's personal health had taken a backseat. Weighed down by the demands of running a business, caring for an ill family member, and the long-term effects of a severe car accident from her youth, she found herself at a crossroads.
For years, Susan had accepted chronic knee pain and mental fog as her new normal. But she knew a significant change was necessary not just for her well-being, but for her future. Her transformation began not with a diet, but with a decision to apply the same systematic 'mise-en-place' she used for her business to her own life.
The challenges
- Weight: 285 pounds (BMI 40.8 - Class III Obese)
- Physical Limitations: Chronic knee pain from a past injury severely limited mobility.
- Professional Demands: The high stress and long hours of running a successful creamery left little time or energy for personal health.
- Personal Impact: Constant bloating, tiredness, and mental fog, which she had come to accept as 'normal'. Health had become the last priority after her business and family responsibilities.
"Between family responsibilities, my household, my partner, and running the company, my health took a backseat. No question. Then I started seeing my chef friends dropping weight and thought, 'Okay, there's something to this.' That was the moment I decided, 'Okay, I'm going to do this.'"
The Solution
A Tailored Approach for the Culinary Professional
A Structured Framework for a Scientific Mind
The program's systematic approach immediately resonated with Susan's methodical nature as a cheesemaker. The concept of 'mise en place'—setting yourself up for success—provided a solid, familiar foundation for building new habits one step at a time, ensuring she never felt overwhelmed.'As someone who runs a decent-sized operation, having a structured framework is everything. Starting with the concept of mise en place—that's something all of us in the culinary world understand.'
Mindset Before Mechanics
Before diving into nutrition or exercise, the initial focus was on the 'why.' This foundational mindset work helped Susan reconnect with her goals and build the mental resilience needed for lasting change. It shifted her perspective from seeing challenges as roadblocks to viewing them as opportunities for growth.'A big part of it for me was the mindset work right at the beginning... it was all about: “What are you doing? Why are you doing it?”'
Building Food Freedom & Overcoming Fear
The program demystified concepts like intermittent fasting, transforming fear into empowerment. Susan discovered that she didn't need to eat constantly to have energy; in fact, the opposite was true. She gained control over her food choices without feeling deprived, learning to create delicious, healthy meals that fueled her body and mind.'I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything... I don't feel like I've been deprived. This works for me in a way that no other program ever has.'
Achievements
The Transformation...Total Weight Loss
73 pounds lost. From 285 lbs down to 212 lbs.
BMI & Health Improvement
A 25% BMI improvement. Cholesterol lowered from 222 to 180.
Body Measurements & Wardrobe
- 6.5 inches lost from waist
- 8 inches lost from hips
- From XXL to shopping at regular-size stores
Mobility & Surgical Success
- Regained knee range of motion unseen in 30 years
- Lost enough weight for a successful knee replacement surgery
- Renewed energy and desire to be physically active
Energy & Performance
Eliminated mental fog, bloating, and fatigue. Gained clear thinking, better sleep, and increased productivity at work.
Lifestyle Integration
Fitness became a non-negotiable part of her weekly schedule. New nutrition strategies are now second nature and sustainable for life.
"Because I feel well in my body now, I can look in the mirror and go, ‘Damn girl, you're doing good here—don't backtrack.' It's about maintaining these habits we've built. Honestly, once you figure it out, it gets easier."
Professional Impact
Enhanced Leadership & Productivity
Susan's transformation had a profound effect on her professional life:
- Increased daily energy and mental clarity for business decisions
- Improved patience and calmness in interactions with staff and clients
- Became an inspiring leader, demonstrating that profound change is possible
- Enhanced productivity and a more positive workplace presence
A Newfound Presence & Creative Energy
The changes were noticed by everyone around her. This newfound vitality also reignited her creativity with food in her personal life.
"I've been more creative with food. I know how to cook... Last night I did a big stir-fry: snow peas, bean sprouts, shrimp, shiitake mushrooms. It was stupid easy... and no carbs. And I didn't miss them. I wasn't sitting there going, 'I need noodles with this.' That would've never happened before."
Conclusion
Susan's Final Insight: It's About Getting Back to Yourself
Susan's journey demonstrates that transformation is not just about the number on the scale. It's about reclaiming your life from physical and mental limitations. By embracing a structured, mindset-first approach, she shattered decades-old barriers, underwent life-changing surgery, and redefined her relationship with food and her own potential.
Her story is a powerful testament to what busy professionals and leaders can achieve. Despite immense responsibilities, she proved that prioritizing one's own health is the ultimate key to enhancing performance in every other area of life.
In Susan's words: "People think this is just about weight loss. But it's not. It's about getting back to yourself. The version of you that can handle things. That feels good. That's in control. And honestly, that's priceless."
This video is hosted on YouTube. To view it, please accept YouTube's cookies. For more info please see our Privacy Policy.
Coached by Leo Amorim
Certified Nutrition & Wellness Coach
After 10 years working in hospitality, Leo understands the unique health challenges facing industry professionals. As a certified fitness coach, he's spent the last 5 years helping chefs and hospitality professionals build sustainable wellness routines that work with their demanding schedules.
For Individual Chefs & Staff
Feeling inspired by this story? You can achieve results like this, too. Take the first step towards a healthier, more energetic you.
For Hospitality Employers
A healthier team is a more productive, resilient, and loyal team. Learn how our program can reduce turnover and improve performance.
Customer Success Stories
See how our program transforms lives
Ian Feiwus
How an Executive Sous Chef lost 130 pounds and Transformed His Health While Managing a Demanding Career
Jose Casals
From Foodie Plateau to 5K Finisher: How a Corporate Chef Transformed His Health
James Canter
From Food Network to Fitness: How an Award-Winning Chef Lost 68 Pounds and Reclaimed His Adventurous Spirit
Jenny Placette
From Restrictive Diets to Lasting Results: How a Culinary Educator Lost 58 Pounds and Reclaimed Her Life
Evan LeRoy
How a Michelin-Starred Chef Lost 53 Pounds While Scaling His BBQ Empire
Michelle Gayer
From Survival Mode to Thriving: How a James Beard Chef Lost 75 Pounds and Reclaimed Her Life
Shehu Fitzgerald
From Procrastination to Peak Performance: How an Executive Chef Lost 53 Lbs and Reclaimed His Health
JJ Layton
How a Hospital's Food & Nutrition Manager Lost 100 Pounds While Serving 5,000 Meals a Day
Susan Rigg
From Cheesemaker to Health Advocate: How a Renowned Chef Shed 70 Pounds and Reclaimed Her Mobility
Stephan Klein
From Crippling Illness to a New Life: How a Chef Overcame Crohn's, Lost 72 Pounds, and Doubled His Income
The information on this website is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Results may vary.
