I know books are written all the time, but in looking back on this project, I’m left wondering how the hell I got it done. The easy answer is lots of help and support. Lots. So much help in fact that I’d almost rather not put acknowledgments in the book, as I know I’m going to leave some folks out who really deserve credit for hard work. In an effort to not let too many people fall through the cracks I’ll try to group folks a bit so I can keep things straight.

I’d had an idea for Wired to Eat for a long time, but it was not until I talked to my agent, Celeste Fine, that we actually decided to motor forward with the project. She managed to spiff me up and convince my editor and publisher, Diana Baroni, to take on this project. Thank you both. I know I’m not the easiest person to work with. Sometimes. A huge thank-you to my provisional editor, Cherise Fisher, who did an amazing job of asking great questions and helping to draw out my voice. I had significant help on the technical details of the book and I owe a huge debt to Matt Lalonde, PhD, for his suggestions on the organization of and veracity of the technical material, particularly on nutrient density. Bill Lagakos, PhD, was incredibly generous with his time and helped me understand the implications of the personalized nutrition research that is such a prominent feature of the book. A huge thank-you to both of these gentlemen, they helped make the book much better, but any technical errors are my own failings. A Big Foot–sized thank-you to my assistant, Chris “Squatchy” Williams. Chris helped me organize the references for the book, and if I had to do that on my own, I would have hung myself with computer cables. The most practical part of this book (the recipes and meal plans) I owe to my dear friends Julie and Charles Mayfield. You guys outdid yourselves. My only complaint is we did not do this project from Eleuthera. Next time! A key feature of this book is the story about the Reno Risk Assessment program, which just might change the face of medicine if we can get the incentives of our health care system properly aligned. Thanks to the team who started and maintain that program: Jackie Cox, Dr. Jim Greenwald, Dr. Scott Hall, Shanti Wolfe, and Ethan Opdal.

I try to make a case in this book that community and activity are important for our health and happiness. For me that means Brazilian jiu-jitsu. There are a number of people who help me stay in the game with jits, but the following folks have played huge roles in my growth: Kelley Farrell, Ken Perotti, Patrick Johnston, Henry Akins, Jason Woodard, Marci Zavalla, Ray Price, Andrew Bowers, John Frankl, Matt Thornton, Scott Fitzinger, Sonny Bringas, Paul Hoch…this could spiral into a list of hundreds of names. Thank you to the folks mentioned and to all the folks I do not have space to thank right now.

A special thank-you to Coach Greg Glassman. Were it not for your interest and advice I’d not be doing what I’m doing.

Huge thanks goes out to the folks who have supported my work over the years. Blog readers, podcast listeners, folks who come out to live events—y’all are the reason any of this happens. We have changed the world for the better by tinkering with this ancestral health model…that feels pretty good.

Finally, thanks to my wife, Nicki. I’m still amazed you not only let me cook you dinner, but allowed me to share my life with you and our girls. Best. Gift. Ever.