“I've been doing long-distance backpacking since 2002 when I hiked the Appalachian Trail. You start to calm down and relax and get into the slower rhythm of nature.”

American businessman and author

John Mackey is an American businessman and author. He is best known as the co-founder of Whole Foods Market and for leading the company as chief executive from its start in 1980 until his retirement in 2022. He later became the chief executive of Love.Life, which he also co-founded. His public profile is tied to business leadership, entrepreneurship, and the company he helped build into a major name in food retail.