Dane Johnson's IBD Journey: Diet, Journaling and "Simple Equals Successful"
Dane Johnson shares his personal experience with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's: hard years in Los Angeles, the diet changes and habits that support him today, and why he keeps things simple.
By The Meat Mafia (Harry Gray and Brett Ender)
This conversation is personal for us. Brett has lived with gut issues too, and Dane Johnson is someone he's turned to for years.
Dane was building an acting and modeling career in Los Angeles when his ulcerative colitis got worse. He says he felt like no one around him could relate: not family, not doctors. In one stretch, he drove himself to the ER and ended up spending six weeks in the hospital.
What he describes now is a very different life. He talks about lifting, running and eating a wide range of foods. And the change he seems happiest about is the simplest one:
"I don't worry about where a bathroom is." (~33:00)
He's clear that it took years of trying and failing. In 2011 and 2012, he says, he'd try a diet for a few weeks, get more tired and give up. What changed was conviction and a simpler plan.
"simple equals successful, hard equals failure" (~37:00)
His framework: pick one plan, like gluten-free or carnivore, and commit for 30 days. Journal for five minutes in the morning and five at night, coaching yourself the way a doctor would coach a patient. Eat slowly and calmly. And drop the idea of "cheat" days.
Dane's experience is his own. IBD is a serious condition, so work with your doctor before changing treatment. (Timestamps are approximate.)
TL;DR: Dane Johnson was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and later spent six weeks in the hospital. He shares what supports him today: committing to a simple food plan for 30 to 60 days, a five-minute journal in the morning and at night, eating calmly, and no "cheat" mindset. This is one person's story, not medical advice. IBD is serious. Never stop or change medication without your doctor.
Who is Dane Johnson? A former actor and model who now coaches people with gut issues. He shares his own experience with IBD.
Key takeaways
- He says the hardest part early on was feeling like nobody could relate (~02:00).
- After repeated failed diet attempts, a committed 30- to 60-day plan is what stuck for him (~11:00, ~37:00).
- His rule: simple equals successful (~37:00).
- He journals five minutes in the morning and five minutes at night, and plays "Dr. Self" (~38:00).
- He tries to get calm before eating to support digestion (~38:00).
- He tries out herbs like cinnamon, basil and oregano as he reintroduces foods (~1:04:00).
Feeling alone
Dane describes years of trying to keep a career going while his symptoms got worse. He tells it as a story of feeling isolated, and the reason he now coaches people going through it.
Simple, committed, journaled
His approach is to choose one plan for 30 days, journal briefly twice a day, and be honest with yourself. He calls it being "Dr. Self" for "patient self."
Important note
This is Dane's personal experience. IBD needs medical care. Don't stop or change any medication without your doctor.
FAQ
Who is Dane Johnson? A former actor who shares his experience with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's and now coaches others.
What's his main advice? Keep it simple: one plan for 30 days, plus brief journaling twice a day (~37:00).
Is this medical advice? No. Work with your doctor on any IBD treatment.
Related on The Meat Mafia
- Ben Azadi on metabolic freedom
- Michael Kummer on finding a food baseline
- More on Gut Health
- Browse all episodes
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Not medical advice. This post summarizes a podcast conversation for education. The views are the guest's own. Talk to a qualified clinician before you change your diet, supplements or any medication.
