Ken Beckman, Vegan Actuary: Crunching Numbers and Crushing Chronic Disease

What happens when a seasoned health insurance actuary goes plant-based? You get Ken Beckman, a data-driven professional with over 30 years in the health insurance industry—and a man on a mission to shift the system from sick-care to true healthcare.

In this episode of The Glen Merzer Show, Ken opens up about how adopting a whole food, plant-based diet over a decade ago not only transformed his personal health but changed how he views the entire health insurance landscape. His insight? Chronic diseases—like heart disease and type 2 diabetes—are driving up health claims, and most insurance companies have little financial incentive to stop it.

“There’s no actuarial model that can out-calculate poor lifestyle choices,” Beckman says. His message is clear: Prevention through plant-based nutrition is the smartest investment we can make.

Beckman shares how self-insured employers, unlike traditional insurers, have a real stake in employee health—and how they’re in a powerful position to adopt plant-based wellness programs. He also dives into community outreach efforts in Omaha, showing how localized education can make plant-based living more accessible and appealing.

If you think going vegan is tough, Ken’s story might surprise you: “Transitioning was easier than I thought. And the results were undeniable.”

From dissecting healthcare economics to advocating for incentive systems that reward actual health improvements, this episode blends science, strategy, and straight talk—perfect for skeptics and seasoned vegans alike.

👉 Listen now and discover how one man’s fork changed the formula.

📌 Watch the episode here: Ken Beckman, Vegan Actuary!

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DISCLAIMER: Please understand that the transcript below was provided by a transcription service. It is undoubtedly full of the errors that invariably take place in voice transcriptions. To understand the interview more completely and accurately, please watch it here: Ken Beckman, Vegan Actuary!

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