Carol Alt, a well-known model from the 1980s, recently opened up about her struggles with serious health issues that left her feeling utterly drained and, at times, on the verge of death.
Alt first appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue in 1981, and she was on the cover just a year later. Between 1981 and 1989, she was featured in the magazine six times, alongside many other prestigious publications like Vogue, yet faced numerous physical challenges throughout her career.
She revealed to her friend, model Kim Alexis, on the “Never Expires” podcast that she had health problems since childhood. “As a kid, I had allergies that made me cough to the point of my stomach hurting. Everything seemed to set it off.”
At the peak of her modeling career, Alt felt a persistent emptiness in her life. Gripped by malnutrition, she often adopted extreme dieting habits that left her perpetually exhausted.
The fatigue, headaches, and ongoing sinus issues plagued her, especially while juggling frequent travels, where sleep was scarce, and her diet consisted of coffee and processed foods. A friend urged her to see Dr. Timothy Brantley, a proponent of the raw food diet, which focuses on uncooked and unprocessed nutrition for better health.
This diet claims to increase energy and support digestion, but experts note that nutritional needs are personalized and no one-size-fits-all solution exists.
Initially hesitant, Alt almost dismissed the idea when Brantley suggested dietary changes. But a nagging voice pushed her to reconsider. “I had to admit, I’ve tried everything else,” she recalled. And thankfully, she remembered Brantley’s contact information.
She described her past eating habits—waking up to Scotch coffee and indulging in pizza bread with cappuccino—but acknowledged they were far from healthy. However, she realized the detrimental effects of her choices and felt the need for a drastic change. It didn’t happen overnight, but gradually, she began to notice improvements in her health and energy levels, especially after adjusting her food intake to focus on more natural ingredients.
Alt emphasized the importance of her transformation, stating, “I was on the edge of dying, and I came back stronger. That’s why I’m passionate about sharing this message.” Over the years, she has penned several books on the benefits of unprocessed foods, drawing from her own experiences.
Reflecting on her modeling days, she wishes she had been advised to eat raw vegetables earlier in her career, recognizing that her struggles with energy and health could have been mitigated had she known better.
Her ultimate hope? To inspire others to lead healthier lives. She believes that eating well directly translates to feeling better and being kinder to others. “It’s tough to find happiness these days. But focusing on personal traits and finding joy in them can make a difference.”
