About David Zulberg
Some background and tidbits about David Zulberg
David Zulberg was born in South Africa and currently lives in New York. He majored in philosophy and holds a Master’s in Finance from Columbia University. He also spent 6 years studying ancient and philosophical texts full time.
David is CEO of Global VaTax and also writes about current health and philosophical topics for mindbodygreen.com and many other online and print media. He has been interviewed on ABC, CBS, and PIX 11.
David is also a Health Coach (ACE) and author of the best-selling Life-Transforming Diet (Feldheim Publishers) & The 5 Skinny Habits (Rodale Publishers).
Professionals and Participants
Some Testimonials
“As an experienced executive with over 25 years in the financial services industry both globally and in South Africa, I initially approached David’s workshop with a fair degree of skepticism. Having now spent a considerable amount of time with David in his various workshops, I have realized that a lot of preconceived ideas and thoughts about leadership and self were lacking in real substance and different and more efficient learnings are needed for the challenges of leadership in the third decade of the 21st Century and beyond. David’s patient and considered approach worked very well indeed in unpacking the layers of earlier learnings and perceptions and all the while building on new concepts of critical thinking. The weaving together of the most prominent thinkers in psychology and mindfulness into a relatively simple coherent approach is truly fascinating and breathtaking. His clear and concise style, coupled with fast-moving thoughts and ideas make for an exciting journey. At no part did I feel left behind and soon realized that I was in the company of a deep-seated subject expert who has a vast array of knowledge at his fingertips. I strongly recommend David and his various courses for any individual or company who wishes to invest so as to be able to develop, grow and face the challenges of the ever-developing world around us..”
“Zulberg has now expanded his research to include classic and contemporary sources on behavior modification, a technique that can be both psychotherapeutic as well as personally pragmatic. His work is a welcome source of guidance for both the professional and the layperson.”
“I recommend this transformative workshop to everyone. David the founder & facilitator is sincere, passionate, and truly a gifted mindfulness practitioner. He embodies the teachings and is masterful at providing the content. The course is structured very well, with continual progressions as the weeks go on. David patiently took me through the various principles and seamlessly handed me the tools on how to become inquisitive and aware of our different level system thinking and demanding thoughts underlying the illusionary perceived “stories”. Through this knowing, I have learned I am able to move my mind from a place of chaos to a place of calm. He has challenged me to create a space to be vulnerable and become aware of my inner movement – how to sit with my fears, feel and witness my feelings fully, and how to better implement boundaries in deconstructing old conditioned patterns. I have felt the impact individually and within my company. I feel truly humbled to have had the opportunity to learn from David Zulberg and am forever grateful for the experience.”
“I’ve been fortunate enough to work with David over the past 6 years offering his courses to our workshops community. Each and every time thousands sign up to participate in his online webinar and the inspiration and motivation they gain are priceless. David has the unique ability to take complex ideas and deliver them in a relatable and easy-to-understand approach so that everyone feels comfortable and even excited to begin their new health journey. The results speak for themselves, but we always appreciate the positive feedback we receive which directly speaks to David’s dedication to supporting his clients.”
I am simply a human being who loves to live, research and teach the mind & body connection.
I have an absolute passion for these topics and also love connecting and sharing ideas and experiences with others. I can’t wait to share the insights and experiences that I garnered over a 15-year period, and in the process, learn about your unique insights and experiences.
It is the most rewarding experience to watch someone transform their thinking, feeling, and behavioral progression. I will simply assist along the way but you will create this transformation yourself and I will observe this wonderful flowering and flow that your mind, body, and being will experience for themselves.
Published by Feldheim Publishers – Experience an inner and outer transformation with David Zulberg’s The Life-Transforming Diet. This simple, practical and anything-but-boring program is more than merely a diet. It is a lifestyle that you can live with, because you are empowered to choose what to eat and when to eat it. Based on the wisdom of Maimonides (Rambam), one of the greatest Jewish sages who ever lived and the outstanding doctor of his time, the Life-Transforming Diet will give you the tools for optimum emotional and physical health, a more spiritual outlook and sustainable weight loss, no matter what your age, gender or occupation.
The Life-Transforming Diet offers you: Gradual, step-by-step implementation of a new approach to eating: you don’t go ‘cold turkey’. Theoretical and practical information, including insights into how we form bad habits and tips for laying the foundation for new, better ones. A simple, quick and well-rounded exercise program that doesn’t require a financial commitment. A do-it-yourself support system that takes only a few minutes a day. Advice for weekends and other dieting challenges. An intelligent and realistic maintenance program.
Published by Rodale Publishers – David Zulberg turned to the forgotten wisdom of the ancients―Maimonides, Aristotle, Hippocrates, Galen, and even Benjamin Franklin―to find consensus on ideal nutrition for optimum physical and emotional health. On The 5 Skinny Habits diet plan, you’ll harness the best of both worlds―the ancient and the modern―for long-term success.
The 5 Skinny Habits explains the ancient understanding of health and its application to our lives in the 21st century with its supersize proportions. There are no forbidden foods or food groups, and you can even enjoy a glass of wine with dinner. Through a close study of ancient sources written by the Master Physicians, Zulberg integrates the spiritual, emotional, and physical components of health and weight loss. Habit changes are at the core of the program. With an easy five-step plan, Zulberg tells readers how to incorporate one habit each week for 5 weeks to achieve a healthier life. His five steps streamline and simplify the process of becoming fit, ensuring that change is made for good. A simple diet diary with positive affirmations and mindfulness makes self-monitoring an effective and enjoyable part of the discovery. By the end of the journey, readers have incorporated the habits into their routines so completely that they are no longer “dieting” but simply living a healthier life.
Dr. Charlene Wolberg, M.D.,Medical Director – Linkfield Obesity Clinic, Johannesburg, RSA
Obesity (from the Latin obesus, “one who has become plump from eating”) first appears in Western medical literature in Thomas Venner’s Via Recta in 1620. However, many centuries before, the ancient physicians had already addressed this subject—a disease that was first reported almost 400 years ago in Western medical literature but whose incidence continues to rise in epidemic proportions.
Obesity is a chronic, multifaceted disease that requires multimodal management. To achieve success, significant life changes need to be made. Dietary manipulation, an increase in physical activity, and behavior modification need to be introduced. The shortcoming of many diet programs is that they focus on only one aspect of the problem without acknowledging that obesity has multiple causes. A holistic, balanced approach is required if one hopes to achieve and maintain success in weight management.
The 5 Skinny Habits puts forward a weight-loss program that addresses dietary, exercise, and behavioral aspects of eating. I like the idea of combining ancient sources with current opinion. The current medical literature and advice is all sound and well researched. The eating plan itself certainly fits all the current recommended guidelines.
One of the misconceptions people have about weight loss is that rapid and large changes are desirable or even possible. The importance of gradual and sustained changes is emphasized in this book. Our medical teachers often remind us that teachings that were once regarded as outdated and obsolete regularly come back into practice when new facts about them are discovered. The understanding of proper nutrition is returning to the principles espoused by Maimonides.
It is my belief that this book will be of great benefit to those who read it and apply its principles appropriately.
Barbie Lazar, MS, RD, LD/N
The 5 Skinny Habits offers a comprehensive and realistic approach to adopting a healthy lifestyle. Zulberg accurately addresses the need for inner transformation, and development of new perceptions and habits, in achieving long-lasting results. It is fascinating how he creates a parallel between the ancient wisdom of the “Master Physicians” and modern-day science. Using evidence-based practices from multiple disciplines, Zulberg has developed a program that integrates behavioral therapy, cardio/strength training, and sensible dietary practices.
As a dietitian I discourage fad diets, as they are not practical in the long term and have the potential to be counterproductive. The 5 Skinny Habits on the other hand are quite the opposite. They are based on the most current research as supported by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and government initiatives such as the USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Zulberg’s work confirms that concepts like increasing fruit and vegetable intake, choosing whole grains over refined products, including lean sources of protein, and drinking a glass of red wine with your meal have been proven effective throughout the ages.
This book is an easy and enjoyable read. I strongly recommend that everyone include a copy ofThe 5 Skinny Habits in their libraries and that they read it over and over again.
Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, MD, Gateway Rehabilitation Center, Pennsylvania
Maimonides was court physician to the sultan of Egypt. The sultan once asked him, “How can I tell that you are a competent physician? You have never treated me for any illness, because I am healthy.” Maimonides responded, “The reason you have not been ill is because you have followed my instructions. The skill of a physician is to prevent one from becoming ill.” Maimonides describes a course for healthy living and makes the bold claim that whoever adheres to his instructions will not become ill and will die only of old age.
Several years ago, David Zulberg wrote The Life-Transforming Diet, based on the nutritional hygienic and behavioral teachings of the great Middle Age physician, philosopher, and codifier of Torah law, Moses Maimonides. Rather than being a historic relic, it turned out to be a practical modern guide for healthy living.
Zulberg has now expanded his research on Maimonides and classic and contemporary sources on behavior modification, a technique that can be both psychotherapeutic as well as personally pragmatic. The 5 Skinny Habits is a welcome source of guidance for both the professional and the layperson.
R’ Tzvi Kushelevsky – Rosh Yeshiva Heichel Hatorah
I was happy to see Zulberg’s compilation as he has gathered and presented a book in an orderly and beautiful form. Through his hard work and effort, he has simplified the study and understanding of the great Doctor’s writings, Rambam, and to act according to his dictates.
R’ Yisroel Belsky – Rosh Yeshiva Torah Vdaas, OU
Zulberg has made a valuable contribution by the publication of his masterful work, The Life Transforming Diet. He has done an important service in providing a popular setting and scintillating attractiveness for what is usually resisted for its restrictiveness and deprivation.
R’ Shmuel Kamentsky – Rosh Yeshiva Philadelphia
Zulberg has made a good contribution, as we still live, exist and rely upon the words of Rambam.
R’ Dovid Goldwasser – Eating disorder expert
Having had the privilege, for the past decade, of working with people suffering from eating disorders, it is a particular ‘simcha’ for me to see that Zulberg has put out a monumental work entitled The Life Transforming Diet.
R’ Berel Wein – Expert on Jewish history
The wisdom of Maimonides has stood the test of time and his good advice on exercise, diet and sleep are well accepted by doctors, nutritionists and health experts today. Zulberg’s book makes it simple for anyone to regulate life habits in a healthful and positive fashion. It will be a great addition to one’s library and way of life.
R’ Leib Kelemen – Neve Yerushelaim
Zulberg has performed an invaluable service by assembling a plan for healthy living that is consistent both with the advice of our sages and the findings of modern medicine. His work is unique among diet/exercise guides in its reasonable tone and moderate approach.
Tova Singer, MS, RD, CDN—New York, USA
Diet philosophies are a dime a dozen. Each belief promises to help participants lose weight fast, with great ease, all the while claiming to be the only true, sustainable diet.
In my 10-plus years as a dietitian I have seen and heard them all. However, I have never come across one that is as universally successful as the 5 Skinny Habits. David Zulberg’s approach is both unique and time tested. Ancient wisdom may have been limited in its resources, but that’s what differentiates this diet from all the fad diets. There is no fad or trend here, just sound emotional, physical, and nutritional advice.
While many of the newer diet programs focus on our access to exotic food types or exercise paraphernalia, the 5 Skinny Habits focus on the right mind-set to sustain the right eating habits with a consistent exercise routine. Written in simple, laymen’s terms, it is an easy plan to follow and more importantly manageable to maintain for the long term. If more health-conscious individuals would follow this logical dietary routine, the prevalence of obesity, sickness, and disease would surely lessen, and a greater quality of life of overall health would ensue.
Rabbi Akiva Tatz, MD, England
This book provides a detailed practical program for maintaining an excellent nutritional program in the long term. This program will help to control weight and improve health, both physical and psychological. As with anything worthwhile, effort will be required, but with the insights and advice contained here the path will be easier, and indeed should be enjoyable.
Natascha Louw , MA, Biokineticist and Fitness Specialist
The research in this book is exemplary. The sources used for the exercise guidelines—the American College of Sports Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association—are the most accurate and well recognized as leaders in the sports medicine and wellness industry.
At FIFA Medical Conference, Professor Karim Kahn spoke about how inactivity is killing the American population, as it leads to chronic diseases and obesity. The 5 Skinny Habits cardio advice and eight-strengthening-exercises routine is a total-body workout, which can be mastered in the comfort of your own home.
Most diets are expensive and still lead back to old bad habits. This program teaches how to implement small and practical steps. My patients love the program, as they experience results in a defined time frame. I recommend this book not only to people who want a permanent solution but also to professionals in the field.
Cindy. M, R.D., USA
As a registered dietitian, I was very excited to read The 5 Skinny Habits. Merging ancient wisdom and current-day research, David Zulberg’s 5 Skinny Habits is profound in its simplicity. Simple, because it goes back to basic, fundamental principles that have been with us from the earliest days of recorded medicine. Profound, because it recognizes that the internal motivation to get healthy must be present in an individual before change can happen. Once the motivation is there, the approach Zulberg lays out is well balanced, gradual, manageable, adaptable, and sustainable. He is sympathetic toward the inevitable setbacks and offers clear guidelines to get back on track. This book is so much more than a weight-loss plan—it is a life-transformation plan.