The conversation starter
If you saw this on the road or in a campground, and following the website link brought you here, then I say mission accomplished. My Quebec neighbor Claude at a Florida camp RV resort is the person who coined the term “conversation starter,” and I believe he nailed it. This opens the door to great discussions!
Funny and moving update: one morning I stepped next door to meet my new neighbors. They greeted me, and the wife said “Wait, you’re Greg!!” I thought ‘oh jeeze, what did I do, who is this, why is my memory so bad!’ Turns out she and her husband had checked out this website the night before, and she said it brought her to tears because her own doctor had just advised her to begin an oral steroid regimen; the same one I had taken 15hrs prior to my stroke. We became fast friends, only to learn we live less than 45 mins from each other in FL. This is how we build relationships!
Meet Brisket
Caution: You are entering a tofu-free zone! Interestingly enough, this idea came to me after a little over a year of an extended vacation with my family. You’ll have to read My Story to understand how I came to be in an RV in the first place.
Brisket is a 43′ long, 18,000lb 5th wheel Alliance Paradigm 390MP RV. It has a full size washer and dryer set, full-size kitchen, residential refrigerator, prep and wash island, 2 BR, 1 loft, master bath, fireplace, 4 burner stove, and an oven equivalent to what I’d find in a home. It has surround sound, a 60″ big screen TV, a sofa, electric reclining loveseats, a dining room, and more storage than most folks need. It came in the standard Alliance Paradigm livery, and I changed it. The company’s motto is “Do the right thing.” And I have to say, they stand behind that. In the RV world, it’s difficult to find a vehicle that is perfect from the start. I’d say there aren’t many RVs anywhere from anyone that came off the factory floor ready to use with zero problems. Brisket was no exception. However, every issue was addressed, and the company owners and employees are literally like a family. We share holiday communications, annual rallies, and some I talk to weekly.
I move 
Brisket with a Ford F350 dually which is more than up to the job. It’s extremely comfortable, and sure-footed in demanding environments. It has been tested in 50mph winds driving through New Mexico, where I was prepared to stop if the winds reached 60. I traverse mountain inclines with confidence. I learned a very long time ago that it isn’t what you can tow, but what you can stop. These diesel engines have engine brakes that take a load off the wheel brakes.
The RV is a fantastic living space, albeit large and unable to fit in some campgrounds. You can own much smaller RVs and be quite happy. For those who don’t know, there are a few options. Class A is the large breadbox you see, typically with a single rear axle, but also with dual rear axles. It looks more like a bus, and some are buses. Typically there will be a car in tow, as once you’re at a campground, your ability to travel is either with a towed vehicle or a hired ride service. The next is Class B, which is a converted van. These are much smaller, but very agile. Next is a Class C which is a combination of a truck and box van. These have more room than a Class B, and are easier to drive than a Class A. Then there is the Super C, which is a large truck (think Semi truck) with a large box on the back. After this is a towable, whether it’s a compact and small space, a pop-up, or a very long and large vehicle. Your limitation with towables is the vehicle you tow it with. Then there’s the 5th wheel. It got its name from the 1850’s when 4 wheel horse-drawn carriages had a 5th wheel placed in the front for stability. A horse could pull it much easier. Today, that wheel is replaced with a hitch mounted in the bed of a pulling truck.
I’m on an extended vacation with the 390, as being retired, I can do this. Brisket is the perfect suitcase, and I find myself much more comfortable in it than I do in a hotel room. Everything I need is right here onboard. With so much empty white space outside, it provides me with the perfect canvas to spread the message of health; a rolling billboard of sorts. I can assure you, this is the only RV in the history of the world that has ever looked like this. No commercial trucks, no cars, no trucks. Brisket is the first and perhaps will be the only one of its kind. On a good day of travel, I can see about 8mpg. It’s extremely comfortable whether it’s 18 or 109 outside! I can be set up or torn down in approximately half an hour, but a bit longer if I am setting up the outside space for more than a couple of days.
I never get claustrophobic. I certainly do not miss raking and blowing leaves, cutting grass, and tending to honey-do lists in a traditional sticks-and-bricks home. If I don’t like my neighbor, I either suck it up buttercup for a couple of days, or I move. It really is that easy. It’s a bit harder and more expensive to move away from your nutty sticks and bricks neighbor the previous homeowner didn’t warn you about!! The RV life has its challenges, but those are mostly related to travel days.
I stay 10mph under the speed limit and try to never exceed 60. If I’m late, I find a place to park for the night. There’s always tomorrow. The thought of being holed up in a hotel for weeks or months while the RV is being repaired because I got in a hurry, or because someone hit me, causes me anxiety! I’ll arrive in one piece because as Marc Leach teaches: Slow is Pro.
On the back of Brisket you will find the Pixar characters Buzz and Woody holding on for dear life, much like the famous scene from the original Toy Story. This was our bit of humor to give others a smile on the road-rage-laden highways of America. It worked! People would take photos, pull alongside, and laugh and wave, we would honk the train horn, and onward we would drive. Of course, this managed to infuriate people in a hurry, because as I said, I drive 60. The characters caused slight traffic jams on occasion. I suppose that’s what compelled me to create Brisket because I knew it would get attention and start a conversation that may eventually help others. Interestingly, several butchers have seen it and commented that “you got it right!” People frequently ask if I am a butcher. Nope, just a connoisseur!
The Camping Life
Most people who know me know I love to talk. Camping allows me to meet a lot of like-minded people with a willingness to share, entertain, and hang out. We all have so much in common, but underlining the greatest is that we enjoy our freedom.
Freedom from the typical ties that hold us to a property, freedom from neighbors we may not like so much, freedom to explore, freedom to meet new people, freedom to be out. When you own a “sticks and bricks” you have obligations that keep you there, whether it’s housework, honey-do lists, or more. If you happen to luck up on a bad neighbor, you can’t move so easily. But with an RV, it’s no problem. Typically you just move the RV to another spot or tough it out for a few days at the most.
You’re probably aware of Jeep and Harley Davidson motorcycle owners and how they have camaraderie. Whether it’s a wave to each other on the highway, or meet-ups, or social media group chats, it’s a brother and sisterhood. RV’ing for the most part is the same. You will never, and I mean never, come across a scenario where another RV’er is unwilling to help you. Whether it’s an on-campsite repair or assistance with parking, a kitchen ingredient need, or a shared drink, your neighbors are ready willing and able. Of course, you’ll have your neighbors who may be unfriendly or unwilling, but that’s not the majority, and that’s uncommon. Some of the most amazing friendships begin in a campground. And quite often, the people you meet may just be a chapter or a page in your book of travel. But there’s a definite chance when you see them in another state, you’ll reconnect. Social media has made this easy. I like to think owning a Tesla is a similar experience but on a much more temporary level. If you’re traveling in the same direction, chances are the car’s computer has determined your recharge stops. Tesla owners know what I’m talking about:
you’ll see many of the same people along your charge route. While you’re not waving at each other on the road, eventually you may connect and chat while you wait 20-30min for a charge. The same thing happens in RV life. You will see acquaintances along your travels.
A recent camp stay placed me next to an awesome family, the Bochnars. We became fast friends, and I’m positive we’re in each other’s lives forever. Nightly they would make me carnivore-approved foods. Dan is a chef, and he made phenomenal creations. He even went so far as to make cheese shell tacos for me one night, while the rest of them ate corn tacos. Truly awesome. I introduced them to Argentinian red shrimp, they loved them, so I went to the store and bought them a bag. It’s the kind of cool stuff we get to do for each other!
My Why
Have you ever sat on information you felt was worthy of sharing? Perhaps it’s a great book, a thrilling movie, or a restaurant that wowed you. Well, that’s sort of how I feel. In the very early roll-out of this project, I met a very awesome woman, Fallon Ziemet. She was thrilled to see the concept of Brisket because in her words: “I get it! I feel so compelled to tell everyone about the carnivore life. I feel obligated to teach other moms who just don’t know any better!” As she develops her niche in the social media world, she helped me by being my first in-person interview and helped stoke the fire to roll strong with this. So thanks Fallon, you inspired me to work harder!
Sure I could be like several others and create a carnivore social media presence, but that becomes very much like communicating in a vacuum, because people new to carnivore don’t even know to search the term. Keto, yes. That’s become a household word.
If social media page algorithms want to exclude searches about certain topics like meat, I say good dang luck hiding my content, because you can’t hide Brisket on I-95 passing through New York, I-40 cruising through New Mexico, or up 65 going into Indiana.
I didn’t want to venture into an RV information page, because there exists hundreds of people, families, and couples, who do a fantastic job of talking about the RV life. But when I’m rolling across the highways and setting up for a day or a week in a campground, Brisket is becoming the star of the show. You see, this isn’t about me. In any unmarked RV, you’d not know I was in the area. So instead, the only RV ever decorated this way in the history of the world becomes a magnet and the conversation starter. It helps get your attention to allow information sharing. I only got my knowledge by diving deep down the rabbit hole of what is ancestrally speaking the most nutrient-dense food products available to humans.
Just like Fallon, I feel the obligation to spread the word. I’m in a unique position to decorate the RV, and consequently, the carnivore message will be spread to people on the highways and RV parks all over the country. People who would have never known will be led to new knowledge, and perhaps better health, and I find it exciting to have played a part in this.
Excecution
So far, so good. As this rolls out, Brisket certainly starts conversations. In the first month, I met so many people who are tuned in and turned on to the concept. Personally, I can name 4 people who began a carnivore journey from speaking with me, and they keep me updated frequently with improved health stories. I find it remarkable (and depressing) how many people are unaware of the negative health impacts of ingredients in the foods they consume. As we have discussions around a campfire or a cup of coffee, I keep hearing and seeing the same reactions to statements I make regarding animal fats and proteins. If there was a single exclamation by anyone, it’s that this is sustainable. But in their words, it goes like this: “Wait, you mean to tell me that if I eat beef, butter, bacon, eggs, fish, cheese, chicken, and lamb, I can lose weight and get off meds?!?!” This is how the rabbit hole journey begins. I cannot wait to show you an interview with someone who started at 289 lbs and has now canceled her knee surgery because she no longer feels immense pain. She has lost 20lbs as of this writing. Her journey won’t be rapid, but her weight wasn’t put on in a matter of days or weeks. It took years to get unhealthy, and will take a few months to get healthy.
Ready to dive deep?
You won’t have to go too far from right here to start learning, or rather “unlearning” what you’ve been taught all these years of your own life.
Get ready, because as you fall into this rabbit hole, you’re going to be amazed at just how much you have been lied-to.
It’s my honor to bring you to the light, so in some now very famous words: let’s go!!!!!!