I’ve always been a big fan of Sarah Wilson’s I Quit Sugar 8-Week Program which has been going for about seven years. I’ve watched this program grow from a small number of interested followers to what it is today – a hugely professional organisation, with an enormous number of participants.
I’ve always thought of Sarah as a person of integrity who walks her own walk and is actually more interested in curing the world of it’s sugar addiction than piling up dollars in the bank.
I’ve participated in the program a few times, knowing that when my sugar intake is reduced, I do feel much much better and more in control. However, I should say that I’ve never been committed enough to make the ‘no-sugar’ lifestyle a permanent way of life.
This week an email arrived into my inbox announcing big news. The I Quit Sugar program is closing down. This really shocked me and stopped me in my tracks very quickly. This program definitely hasn’t run it’s race and isn’t running out of steam so I knew that declining numbers wasn’t the reason for this drastic decision.
My first thought was that Sarah was ill, as it’s common knowledge amongst her followers, that it was illness that led to her educating herself about sugar and living a sugar free lifestyle. But no, there was another reason. Following is an excerpt from the email, which also appears on the website, for public viewing:
“Recently I’ve realised that to remain true to my original commitment, I must pivot course. Seven years into a movement, five years into a business, I feel my work in the realm is done. I set out to educate the world about the truth of our eating habits and to find a technique that could shift things in a meaningful way. I felt I was a good person to do it – I had journalism skills and experience and a platform. And I was cool with copping the flak. I loved I was able to build the damn thing organically, conversing the whole way with the community. It was a “gentle and kind experiment”.
Sarah decided that it was time to sell the business, but after giving it thought she realised that the business was all about her, using her name and images, so a sale was never going to eventuate. The decision was made to sell.
It doesn’t surprise me that Sarah chose to make this decision. Commercial success or dollars have never been her main motivation. As someone who has watched her success grow and the way she conducts herself, I can see that her integrity shines through at all times.
Sarah Wilson will now move on to other challenges. Food waste is mentioned as one of those next challenges on her radar. I look forward to hearing what is next for her.
The 8 week I Quit Sugar program starts every Sunday and will run until April, when it will cease to exist. I am planning to participate one last time before it closes. I feel quite sad that this program is closing, but fully understand the reasons for the decision.
Sarah Wilson also has written books about quitting sugar, giving advice and featuring her fabulous recipes. The following are covers of her books that are well used in my kitchen.
Check the website for healthy recipes made with all natural whole foods. It is not necessary to be a participant in the program to access the recipes
If you’d like a small taste of the I Quit Sugar program, there is a new I Week Kickstarter Program
I must stress that the I Quit Sugar program is not a restrictive diet. The food plans are based on abundance. There is no calorie counting, or special hard to find foods. foods.
*I am not affiliated at all with Sarah Wilson or her I Quit Sugar program. Comments on this blog are my opinion. I receive no kickbacks at all.
Thanks for the heads up – might give it a go before it ends
I’m not familiar with this program, but it sounds like Sarah was doing great work. If there was one post on my comfort food blog I wish *every*one would read, it would be “Sugar – Toxin or Treat?” about how I handle sugar.