Some podcast conversations stay with you long after they end, and this is one of them.
In this episode of Everyday Epigenetics, Susan and Kate sit down with longtime client Cal Hoff to unpack a transformation story that spans addiction, genetics, metabolic recovery, and an emotional rebirth that is nothing short of inspiring.
This is a must-listen for anyone navigating chronic health issues, battling addictive patterns, or needing a reminder that real change is possible at any age.
Who Is Cal Hoff?
Cal is a husband, grandfather, and farmer from North Dakota who first began working with Susan back in 2020. With a Guardian body type and several genetic predispositions — including alcohol dependency risk, insulin resistance, inflammation markers, and metabolic challenges, Cal faced a uphill health journey.
After initial success, alcohol took over again, leading him to a dangerous rock-bottom moment that forced him to seek treatment and fully commit to recovery. What happened afterward is nothing short of remarkable.
The Turning Point: Addiction, Acceptance, and Asking for Help
Cal’s honesty about his alcohol dependency paved the way for life-changing decisions:
- Checking into detox and treatment
- Committing to AA
- Working weekly with a therapist
- Rebuilding trust and connection in his marriage
- Recognizing how addiction “shifts” including a new Diet Coke addiction that worsened his metabolic health
Cal’s emotional insight and courage set the foundation for the physical transformation that followed.
The Epigenetic Shift That Changed Everything
When Cal returned to Susan this spring, his labs were alarming:
- Rising kidney damage
- High blood pressure
- Insulin resistance
- Weight gain
- Elevated glucose
- Inflammation markers through the roof
By applying his personalized epigenetic plan — including lighter evening meals, specific proteins, antioxidant-rich foods, reduced caffeine, and daily movement — Cal’s body responded fast.
In just a few months, Cal…
- Lost 53 pounds
- Dropped his A1C from 6.1 → 5.5
- Improved kidney markers by 75%
- Stabilized fasting glucose in the 80s
- Came off blood pressure medication
- Rebuilt his strength, clarity, and energy
- Celebrated over 1,060 days sober
His nephrologist was stunned. His GP was thrilled. And Cal finally felt in control of his health again.
Mindset & Radiant Living: Cal’s New Chapter
Beyond the labs and weight loss, Cal shares how:
- His marriage has healed
- His mornings are sacred
- Helping other alcoholics brings meaning
- Movement and quiet time keep him grounded
- He feels hopeful, connected, and alive again
His story is a powerful reminder that epigenetics is not just about food, it’s about identity, community, and reclaiming your life.
Connect with Susan:
- Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
- Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach - Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins
Connect with Kate King:
- Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com
- Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject
Kate’s Books:
- Stay tuned for Kate’s newest book “Mend or Move On” that will be available early 2026!
- The Radiant Life Project (https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538181874/The-Radiant-Life-Project-Awaken-Your-Purpose-Heal-Your-Past-and-Transform-Your-Future)
- Use code RLFANDF30 at checkout for 30% OFF “The Radiant Life Project”!
- The Authentic Mother – Kate King https://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Mother-Creative-Engagement-Support/dp/098983414X/
- Mend or Move On – Kate King: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1421453479?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_2R3BGMCJAVY744SE9D3E_9&bestFormat=true
Learn more about our guest Callen Hoff:
Cal Hoff is a guardian at heart, a man of service, grit, compassion, and renewed purpose.
He has spent his life standing up for others; first as a kid defending bullied classmates, and later as a leader in agriculture, community service, and, ultimately, personal transformation.
Cal joined the National Guard after high school, where he quickly became a Sergeant and squad leader, serving with the same sense of responsibility and protection that would define the rest of his life. When he witnessed a neighbor forced to abandon farming because it was no longer financially sustainable, Cal made a quiet vow: he would do everything he could to help farmers succeed.
That commitment has been reflected in decades of service. Cal became Board Member and Chairman of the Manitoba Zero–North Dakota Zero Tillage Farmers Association, an organization of 600–700 Canadian and U.S. farmers dedicated to advancing no-till and conservation farming. He also served on and chaired multiple school boards in his community, acted as Grand Knight within the Knights of Columbus, and sat on numerous agricultural advisory boards.
His leadership included serving as Chairman of the North Dakota Dry Pea & Lentil Council and contributing to the expansion of pulse crop acreage across North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, and Washington. To this day, he continues to receive calls for mentorship and guidance from farmers around the region.
After decades of leadership in agriculture, Cal entered retirement with a long history of putting others first. Cal’s journey is not only about professional impact—it’s also deeply personal. He confronted his most personal and challenging chapter: a struggle with alcohol that had quietly grown for years.
Rooted in a culture where drinking was normalized, Cal’s alcohol use escalated after retirement, reaching a point where his health and well-being were at risk. In the fall of 2022, he made the courageous decision to enter a treatment center and commit fully to recovery.
He speaks openly about his journey, sharing hope, honesty, and encouragement. Just as he dedicated his life to helping farmers thrive in their work, he now dedicates himself to helping others find stability, resilience, and recovery.
Today, Cal is over three years sober, living proof that healing is not only possible but transformative at any stage of life. His sobriety has restored his health, deepened his presence, and reconnected him with what matters most. Cal has been married to his wife, Julie, for 46 years, and he treasures the time he now gets to spend with their two grandsons.
His story is one of resilience and honesty.
Learn More about Kate King:
Kate brings nearly two decades of experience as a licensed psychotherapist and board certified art therapist, combined with her work as a Radiant Life coach to the table. She is also the multi-award-winning author of three powerful self-help psychology books. Kate’s work integrates epigenetics through a relational, behavioral, and intergenerational family trauma lens. She also incorporates brain and nervous system science with psychology, spirituality, and creativity for a dynamic approach to deep inner work and personal healing.
Learn More about Susan Robbins:
Susan is a retired law enforcement officer and an accomplished Certified Epigenetic Human Performance Coach with a diverse and extensive background in wellness. She began her wellness career in 2015 as a holistic health and stress management coach. Her passion for helping others led her to expand her expertise into epigenetics in 2019, where she discovered the missing piece of the health optimization puzzle: Personalized health.
As a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Certified Level 2 Apeiron Zoh Epigenetic Human Performance Coach (DNA), and Certified PH360 Coach through Precision Health Alliance, Susan has developed a unique approach to health and wellness through completely personalized health. She is the proud recipient of the 2023 Precision Health Alliance Coach of the Year award. Susan works with clients to elevate their health and overall quality of life by understanding their unique needs based on their genetic makeup, taking out the guesswork, and getting results.
Their Synergy
Susan and Kate come from two very different, but perfectly complementary, worlds in the health and wellness space. Together, their synergy is magnetic. Think: science meets soul, strategy meets intuition, real talk meets radical transformation.
