Rudy T. beats cancer and goes vegan

November 2, 2003

10/13/2003 10:10 PM

By: Hathaway, Tad

Former Rockets head coach Rudy Tomjanovich

In more than a decade as Rockets head coach, Rudy Tomjanovich appeared on

hundreds of call-in radio shows, but none quite like this one.

You see, this radio show has nothing to do with basketball, as you might surmise

from its title, " Go Vegan Texas. "

" I don't care what someone else says, I know how I feel, " Rudy says.

He feels great in large part due to his new diet of raw fruits and vegetables,

and his doctors latest prognosis that the cancer discovered in his bladder last

season is now gone.

" I've always believed in turning negatives into positives, and this has been

another case where something that looked really horrible has turned around, "

Rudy says.

His lifestyle has turned around as well. Gone are the cigarettes, caffeine and

animal products that used to be part of his daily routine. For the past five

months, he's worked constantly with nutritionist John Rose and adopted much of

the vegan lifestyle.

" I remember when I worked with him within 20 days, people were coming up to him

and saying, 'You look so great. What are you doing? You're starting to glow.

You're losing weight.' You're losing weight in a good way. You're losing the

garbage that we accumulate in our pipes, " Rose says.

" People think that I'm on a weird diet, but it's really the most basic diet you

can be on, and I feel great, " Rudy says.

With both his physical and mental health back on track, Rudy T. says he doesn't

miss the stress of coaching the Rockets, and adds that he'll continue to work

with the club on scouting and hopefully, cheer them and their new coach back

into the playoffs.

" I love those guys, " Rudy says. " I'll be their number one fan. The new coach,

Jeff Van Gundy -- I'm going to be his number one fan. "

Vegans don't eat meat or any animal by-products like cheese, eggs or butter.

As part of his diet, Rudy drinks around seven glasses of fresh juice each day,

and eats a wide array of raw vegetables.

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