Merlinda Swearingen; Florida

“I was first diagnosed with ER-Positive, aggressive breast cancer in 2023. In 2025, the cancer spread to my bones. From the very beginning, I knew I wanted to pursue a healing path centered on Whole-Food, Plant-Based (WFPB) no-oil nutrition and lifestyle medicine rather than chemotherapy, radiation, or other traditional treatments. That is when I began working with Dr. Alona Pulde—and she has been by my side ever since.

Alona, along with her husband, Dr. Matthew Lederman, has been nothing short of phenomenal. Through every high and low, she has guided me, taught me, encouraged me, and helped me determine the best pathways to healing. Her depth of knowledge is extraordinary, and her ability to help me weave nutritional medicine with supportive, traditional therapies has been invaluable.

Today, although the cancer is in my bones, it is manageable—some areas are reducing, others are stable. I credit so much of my progress to Alona’s compassionate care and unwavering commitment to my healing.

Our meetings are informative, grounding, and genuinely healing. She keeps me on track, supports my goals, and empowers me through every step of this journey. She has become not only a trusted physician but also a friend for life. Her guidance has been truly priceless.

I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Alona Pulde and Dr. Matthew Lederman to anyone seeking a compassionate, knowledgeable, holistic approach to health and healing.”

Allison D, Los Angeles, CA

"I benefitted greatly working with Dr. Pulde as I navigated regaining my health and stamina amid a chronic condition. She is exceedingly thoughtful and patient, approaches healing as a mind-body-life-world process and listened deeper than any doctor I've ever worked with. She helped me achieve milestones of recovery that have eluded me for years and I feel like I am on the way back, though sometimes slowly, to who I was before I got sick. I cannot thank her enough."

Scott Stoll, MD – Co-Founder & Board Chairman; The Plantrician Project, Olympian, Entrepreneur

“My work with Dr. Matthew Lederman reshaped how I lead, how I connect, and how I live. What began as professional coaching evolved into something much deeper and more profound than I ever expected — a complete transformation in how I relate to myself and others. He helped me see that communication is connection, and those aren’t just leadership skills; they are a way of being that imbues authenticity, compassion, and clarity in every relationship and organization.

Through our work together, I’ve learned to navigate conflict with curiosity instead of defensiveness, to lead my team with greater empathy and trust, and to communicate in ways that build understanding rather than tension. Instead of conflict creating division and disconnection, it became a unique opportunity for people to be seen, heard and appreciated and ideas to be tested and refined with honor and trust as the foundation. The impact has extended far beyond my organization — it’s changed me, enriched my family, and filled my days with an abiding sense of peace.

Matthew has an extraordinary and rare ability to blend science, emotional intelligence, and practical application that was cultivated through years of professional education and passionate personal practice. He doesn’t just teach connection — he embodies it. The growth I’ve experienced continues to ripple through every facet of my life and work. I believe this should be foundational education for every individual in every school, organization, or business around the world”

Andrés Nieto; Orange County, CA

“Working with Matthew has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my professional and personal life. As Founder and CEO of ASEP SoCal, I’ve spent years developing as a leader — but our work together through Connection Docs has helped me heal and align in ways that are creating real, exponential, and lasting change across every part of my life and organization.

Learning to lead and live from a place of genuine connection has transformed how I show up — with my team, my family, and myself. I feel clearer, more grounded, and more able to respond instead of react. That shift alone has created a ripple effect throughout our organization: a culture that’s more collaborative, accountable, and alive.

What has surprised me most is how internal this work truly is. When I feel regulated and connected, my team naturally follows. The way we communicate improves. Trust strengthens. Our clients feel the difference, too — it influences how their teams operate. It’s a chain reaction of safety and effectiveness that starts from within and extends outward.

Matthew’s insight, presence, and ability to help me understand the patterns beneath the surface have been invaluable. This work hasn’t just elevated my leadership — it has reshaped the culture around me. It’s a gift that continues to benefit me both professionally and personally.”

Rip Esselstyn - Founder Plantstrong

“I’ve known Matthew for many years, and I’ve seen firsthand how his approach to connection and Nonviolent Communication truly transforms people. The idea of leading with connection is something I’ve carried into my own work at PlantStrong—especially in stressful moments—and even into my personal life. What Matthew teaches isn’t just about improving performance; it’s about being real, listening deeply, and understanding one another. His work has genuinely changed how I think about leadership and relationships, and I’m deeply grateful for what I’ve learned from him.”

Brian Wendel —Founder, Forks Over Knives

"Matthew is a master of knowing how to achieve the quality personal connections that are the mainstays of a successful, fruitful life. Over years of working with Matthew, I have learned thoughtful, big-picture approaches to human interactions that have made me a better leader, friend, and husband."

Robby Barbaro – CEO, Mastering Diabetes
Doe

“Working with Matthew helped me understand that connection is the foundation of every healthy system — whether it’s the human body, a relationship, or a team. He has a rare gift for translating science into simple, human practices that changed how I lead, communicate, and show up for the people around me.

What surprised me most is how much changes when you begin from connection — empathy, clarity, and curiosity become easier, and the people you interact with respond in kind. In our work at Mastering Diabetes, applying these principles has made our team more open, energized, and aligned.

Matthew doesn’t just teach concepts; he helps you embody them. The connection-based approach we learned from him is something we now practice every day — and its impact shows up everywhere, from collaboration to creativity to overall wellbeing.”

TK Pillan – Co-Founder, Veggie Grill; Senior Advisor, Beyond Meat

“I've had the pleasure of working closely with Matthew. He brings a clear blend of empathy, clarity, and vision to everything he does. His work around connection and communication reflects a deep understanding of what helps people truly thrive. I’ve directly seen his transformational coaching have a lasting, meaningful impact on others. He’s one of those rare people who combines heart and skill in a way that inspires collaboration and growth.”

Jude Samson; Austin, TX

“Matthew helped me bridge the gap between personal growth and organizational leadership. Through his work, I began to see how the health of a company mirrors the connection within its people. The impact was immediate — less tension, faster problem-solving, and a culture that felt both accountable and alive. What truly surprised me was how these same principles began reshaping my family life — creating more patience, understanding, and genuine connection at home.
Using the same principles with both my family and my team created a powerful alignment — a shared way of communicating and leading that reinforced itself in every part of my life. The results didn’t just add up — they compounded. As trust deepened at home, it showed up at work. As clarity grew at work, it brought peace into my family. Matthew’s insight and guidance continue to ripple outward, shaping how I lead every day — as a CEO, a husband, a father, and a human being.”

Chef AJ - Bestselling Author, Speaker, and Host of Chef AJ Live

“Working with Matt helped me realize that connection isn’t just a concept — it’s something you can live in your body, especially during the hardest seasons of life. Through my cancer journey, he gave me tools that brought calm to moments that once felt overwhelming, and clarity to emotions I didn’t know how to navigate.

What I appreciate most is how compassionate and practical his approach is. Matt helped me meet myself with more kindness, strengthen the relationships that matter most, and find a sense of inner steadiness I didn’t know was possible.

The work we’ve done together hasn’t just supported my healing — it’s changed how I show up in my life. I feel more connected, more grounded, and more at peace than I have in years.”

John Mackey – Co-Founder, Whole Foods Market

“I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Matthew and see the depth, compassion, and clarity he brings to his work. His focus on connection and authentic communication aligns with the highest ideals of conscious leadership. The insights he shares help people and organizations create environments of trust, empathy, and purpose — the foundation for both personal and collective growth.”

Ethan Brown – CEO, Beyond Meat

“Matthew’s work shows that connection is the foundation of innovation, trust, and effective leadership. His approach brings a deeply human lens to communication, and I’ve seen the impact it can have on how people show up and succeed. He combines empathy, clarity, and purpose in a way that elevates both individuals and teams.”