While Willie Nelson, the musical legend, martial arts black belt and firm believer in exercise turned 90 and got all the publicity last week, be aware that a legend in the field of Health and Wellness turned 94 last week, too. Yes, Patricia Bragg, “daughter” of the force behind the beginning of the Health Food Industry, Paul Bragg, turned a vibrant and energetic 94 years old on April 29.
Let’s start with Paul Bragg.
- Started the first health food store in the U.S. over a century ago.
- Got Jack LaLanne started on the road to health and fitness when young Jack and his mother attended one of Paul Bragg’s health lectures. Young Jack LaLanne was a weak and frail 15 years old at the time.
- Created Bragg Foods to become a leader in the health food industry with it’s most famous product, Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar still leading the way.
- An energetic evangelist for Health and Wellness and the means to get there.
While there was controversy about his age, and whether Patricia was his daughter or daughter-in-law and some other controversies, it’s a fact that Paul Bragg was the leader at the beginning of the health industry in the United States. When he died in 1976, his daughter Patricia took over the business and has been running it ever since. Just like her father, she evangelized health and the food part of it. Her Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) was and is considered one of the most potent health drinks available to us today.
Patricia Bragg “retired” from the health food business five years ago at age 90. She sold the company to Katy Perry, her partner Orlando Bloom and a small group of investors. Katy Perry and her own family were family friends of the Braggs and Patricia believes she has left the company in good hands. While there has been some controversy recently stirred by some competing Apple Cider Vinegar Producers about the quality of the ACV, I have been drinking the stuff for over 25 years and haven’t noticed any change in quality.
Patricia Bragg has the energy of a six year old and when she is on the road, she demonstrates that health and energy quite persuasively. At five feet tall and 95 pounds, she is personal energy personified.
So, keep up that energy and the good work it serves, Patricia Bragg. Happy 94th Birthday and may you please keep the quality in your ACV so I can continue to enjoy it’s healthful bounty for as long as I continue to live.
As for Willie Nelson at 90? Well, Happy 90th to you Willie and may you continue to grace us with your gravelly voice for a long time to come. While Willie got all the publicity, both he and Patricia Bragg have had a major impact on lifestyle culture in America. Thank you both.
Thank you for reading this SeniorFlow Moment.
