Wall Street, Food Policy, Spirituality: A Comprehensive program of Education & Support
Program Titles
- Circle Consciousness
- The Ripple Effect
- From Wall Street to Main Street
- It all starts with caring
Sam Polk after earning millions on Wall Street, became concerned that he was becoming a wealth addict, and decided to change his life.
Sam walked away from drugs and alcohol. He was more “successful” than he’d thought possible, his willpower a force to be reckoned with, but he still felt empty and unfulfilled.
He left Wall Street and worked with homeless youth and taught writing to foster kids. He will leverage the power of social capital to empower families through support and education, and to foster organic change on a community level through mentorship and train-the-trainer models.
Sam began speaking at jails and juvenile detention centers about recovering from addiction from alcohol, drugs and wealth.
Sam’s comprehensive programs of financial assistance, nutrition; cooking classes, and psychosocial support designed to increase consumption of whole, plant-foods.
Is there anything more heart-wrenching than a hungry Mom (or Dad) struggling to put food on the table, especially in a world where the cheapest food is so unhealthy?
We want to find that Mom, and help her put healthy food on the table. Then we’ll teach her skills to help her family eat more fruits, vegetables, grains and other healthful whole, plant-foods.
We’ll offer her nutrition education, healthy-cooking classes, on-call nutritionists, and appliances.
We’ll introduce her to a network of other families to support and empower her.
We’ll do this one family at a time, as long as it takes.
Polk’s mission is to help low-income families struggling with obesity, diabetes, food addiction and malnourishment.
Sam electrified the world in a New York Times OpEd that appeared on the front cover of The Sunday Review. In this article he details his firsthand experiences working on Wall Street.
Since it’s publication, Sam has appeared on hundreds of media outlets including The Today Show, Morning Joe, Tavis Smiley, NPR, CNN, Bloomberg, ….
He is a graduate of Columbia University and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, which he earned during his years as a bond and derivative trader for Bank of America and King Street Capital Management.
“…a speaker who delivers — without unneeded sparkle or flash or hype — an inspiring message by relating to what’s true for all of us…”
“…He is candid and pulls no punches about himself or the many challenges that face efforts like his and others dedicated to helping others improve their nutrition and health.”
“…Moved an audience to tears and received a standing ovation…There is a deep sense of reflection and thoughtfulness…”
Gatsby, Interrupted is a memoir about a Wall Street trader’s journey towards wholeness. It explores the roots of ambition and addiction, and how they are the same, and portrays Wall Street as a culture of damaged people desperate to feel powerful. (Expected release Fall, 2015)
Books by Sam Polk