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..”

Rob Katz

CEO, Peregrine Holdings (Pty) Ltd (formerly listed on the JSE)

“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.”

Abraham J. Twerski, MD

CEO, Gateway Rehabilitation Center

“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.”

Tali Ruben

CEO, Elegant Designs

“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.”

Jillian Zussman

CEO, Jewish Workshops

Books By

David Zulberg

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.

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.

Print, Online, Television

Featured in the Media

Real-Life Cases

Some Success Stories

I wanted to thank you wholeheartedly for a weight-loss system that has helped me to create a healthier self. To date, I have lost 95 pounds, and I hope to continue applying these positive habits to my daily life. I still follow your program and exercise regularly. May God reward your efforts and may we merit living a healthy life that enhances our purpose in every area of life.
Lost 95 Pounds

Esther, Oak Park, Michigan, USA

I would like to thank David Zulberg for sharing his years of research. It’s a gift from G-d. I am a licensed physical therapist. While having children, I developed a passion for nutrition as I saw the health benefits that resulted from avoiding certain foods, preservatives, etc. I myself lost 40 pounds (I am at goal weight of 130 pounds at 5’5”) by adopting a healthy lifestyle. I do yoga twice weekly and use my elliptical trainer for 15 minutes (two to three times weekly), and my barbells as well. My mentors, apart from David Zulberg now, are Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. John McDougall, Dr. Neil Barnard, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Colin Campbell, and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn. Interestingly, during my search to gain as much knowledge about nutrition as I could, I decided to read Maimonides’s works and purchased Dr. Fred Rosner’s adaptations of Maimonides’s medical works. As you can imagine, I was thrilled when I saw Zulberg’s program. I truly believe that it will enable me to maintain my goal weight. It is a comprehensive plan that covers all aspects of a healthy lifestyle—mind, body, and soul. I especially like the idea of subconscious habit formation and agree that it is imperative that people reinforce positive behaviors to establish good habits that will eventually be ingrained into their lives. Introducing one change per week ensures that people are not overwhelmed and will enable greater compliance, as opposed to asking them to dramatically change their existing habits. I agree with encouraging short-duration exercise more frequently, because that is also more attainable than committing to at least 1 hour each session. I can go on and on regarding my interest in this program, but as you can see, I agree with all of its principles, and I am proud to share it with a wider audience.
Licensed Physical Therapist

Sima, LA, USA

What makes this diet different from all the other diets I have endured? I think it is the brilliance of the subconscious habit formation process to form new positive habits in order to fight the old, established ones. I didn’t have to eliminate everything in one go. The emphasis is not on “willpower” alone. The focus is rather on the gradual development of good habits. It is so clever to quietly cultivate positive habits and to help them grow until they are big enough and strong enough to “fizzle out” the former monster “masters.” Becoming aware of the ability of my “creative” mind to predominate my decisions has been very enlightening, and I have never been so calm about food and food choices. I don’t really feel like any of my old temptations, and I’m not waiting for the opportunity to “break out.” I lost over 40 pounds and have not felt deprived or trapped—in fact, I feel energized—and most importantly it took me 6 months to do it!
Lost 40 pounds

Lea, Johannesburg, South Africa

I began the diet somewhat skeptical (after many unsuccessful at-tempts at unsustainable diets). But I sure became a quick believer and possibly even a groupie. The stages are brilliantly structured in a way that makes them easy to begin and easy to sustain. Already in the few weeks I have been on the program, I have seen and felt a remarkable difference with my energy levels, my food choices, and my lack of cravings. I feel empowered understand-ing the reasons behind healthy choices, as opposed to just being handed a list of what’s taboo. My friends and family are telling me I am glowing. This program is truly life transforming because it hasn’t just affected my way of eating and viewing food, it has affected every single aspect of my life. I feel more disciplined, more motivated, and totally liberated. Instead of working for my body, I am getting my body to work for me. I wish you so much success, and I look forward to watching the impact this book is going to have on the entire globe.
Lost more than 40 pounds

Robyn, Johannesburg, South Africa

I have been following the principles of the 5 Skinny Habits and I have lost 40 pounds. My type 2 diabetes is under control, and I am no longer on medication for it. My lab values show that I am healthier than I have been in years. This program really works and helps me focus on how to change my life gradually. It has been a great blessing to me. Thank you.
Type 2 Diabetes

Kevin, Ohio, LA

I reached my 1-year anniversary at the end of May. In total I lost 35 pounds and have not been at this current weight since I was a teenager, and that was close to 20 years ago. I feel great and finally found a normal way of life in terms of eating. I, like many people, have tried numerous diets in the past 20 years, from Weight Watchers to fad diets to nutritionists. In some cases they worked, and once I was satisfied with my weight, I just gained it back and then some. I began to feel uncomfortable, reaching almost 200 pounds last May (2012). I decided to do something. I decided to try this program. I started at the end of May 2012 at 197 pounds and followed the principles meticulously. I changed my habits one week at a time, and I started to get back to exercising. The weight started coming off. Over the last 12 months I began to reach new record lows. I wanted to thank you for bringing Maimonides’s teachings into an easy-to-follow guide, and I have recommended the diet to so many others.
Lost 35 Pounds

Joey, Brooklyn, NY

I was able to keep to the diet successfully over all the Festivals! I ate V-Plus meals but only had seconds of veggies at all meals. While I did have a small amount of something sweet, it wasn’t like before. I am also gluten free. I actually was the only one of my friends to not gain weight during them! I have so much more energy, and the fruit for breakfast is now second nature. I like that the diet is so simple to follow. I don’t have much weight to lose but just want to stay healthy! I was already an avid exerciser, exercising 5 to 6 days a week for 30 to 60 minutes each time.
Revolutionize

Leeron, Johannesburg, South Africa

Over time, I started to develop unhealthy eating habits, eating lots of cheap, refined sugar products and refined wheat foods. I had become accustomed to my unhealthy eating habits and maintained them for the 9 months. That is around the time I went for a physical and came in at over 30 pounds more than my baseline. It’s also around the time that I needed to renew my passport ahead of a business trip. Of course I had seen myself every day in the mirror, but for some reason, when I took one look at my passport photo, the reality hit me hard that I needed to do something before my weight got any more out of control. As I was browsing one day, I came across this program. I went home and “ate it up.” That was the turning point. I followed all the instructions, and within a few months I lost over 30 pounds and have kept it off since. At the same time, my wife joined the plan with me and lost 25 pounds as well in just a few months, and has continued to now, having lost a total of 40 pounds! We now feel fit and healthy and could not have done it without these principles. Thank you!!
Lost more than 30 pounds

Steve, Brooklyn, USA

I’ve always wished I had a clear, biblical-based guide for managing my food intake and succeeding in trimming off the extra pounds that weighed me down. The “principles,” based on Maimonides, became my guiding light and helped me lose—and keep off—35 pounds. The gradual successive steps help to train a person to develop proper eating habits and to know what is good and enjoy it. Here is an approach that allows for flexibility, enjoyment of good food, and the ability to eat in a healthy and satisfying manner. I have recommended this approach to others and continue to do so. Join the winning team, and feel the pleasure of success.
Lost 35 Pounds

Mord, Michigan, USA

Upon being laid off from a very stressful job last year, I decided not to be defeated emotionally or physically by the upheaval. So I embarked on your regimen of exercise, healthy eating, and positive thinking. As a result, I lost 40 pounds. In addition, my cholesterol went down from a whopping 290 to 140! I feel both emotionally and physically better than I ever felt before.
Lost 40 pounds

Jacob, NJ, USA

One of the main keys to success is to follow the program carefully and commit to following the guidelines for at least 2 months, no exceptions. We were not even trying to lose weight, because we didn’t think we could. . . . But week after week as the pounds came off, we realized the simplicity and effectiveness of these principles. My husband is in a wheelchair, so losing any weight was a real challenge. He put on 60 pounds in about a year but successfully took it off in about a year and a half using your guidelines. I had put on 30 pounds and took off almost 40 pounds in the same period of time. We have totally changed how we think of food. It’s now hard to go off the eating plan. When we have coffee in our local mall and see people buying pastries, it gives us a sick feeling . . . all that white flour, white sugar, trans fat . . . and you can see what happens to the people who eat it . . . they are turning into pastries themselves. Recently we visited the grave of Maimonides in Tiberias and thanked him for his teachings, wisdom, and common sense about all things holy, including how to nourish our bodies so we can continue in the way of God. Eating properly can make one’s connection to God stronger, affecting all aspects of one’s life. Much success to all who commit to following the guidelines. Don’t try . . . do it.
Lost 60 and 40 pounds

Amos and Shoshana, BM, Israel

I believe this book will revolutionize the way both the spiritual and secular world relate to food, and ultimately to themselves. Through following this program I am starting to see how my eating choices impact me on a physical, ethical, and spiritual level.
Second Nature

Sima, Ohio, USA

Growing up, I was always at a healthy weight and quite fit. As I reached my early thirties, the pounds started creeping on, and before I knew it, I was 40 pounds overweight. I tried to lose weight with any diet that promised rapid results. However, due to a stressful job and many communal responsibilities, it never lasted. I could never find the time to get to a gym, and constant business travel made it hard to maintain a well-balanced diet. I was ready to give up. I was convinced that fitness and optimum health were only for the young and those people with a less stressful schedule. When I first heard about the 5 Skinny Habits, I was skeptical. It sounded too simple and good to be true. But I was prepared to give it a chance. I was amazed at the results. I changed just one habit a week, and within a few weeks I started to see and feel the difference. In a little over 3 months, I had lost 30 pounds. It’s a truly wonderful feeling, and I can see how my new self-image has had an impact on all areas of my life. My dating life has never been better. I certainly cannot complain about having to buy a whole new closet of clothing. It is amazing to feel young and confident again. Thank you!
Lost over 30 pounds

David, Brooklyn, USA