Anyone aware of what’s going on with Ray Audette (Neanderthin)?

Who Is Ray Audette and What Is Neanderthin?

Ray Audette burst onto the scene in the mid-1990s with his groundbreaking book NeanderThin: Eat Like a Caveman to Achieve a Lean, Strong, Healthy Body. A software engineer diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, Audette refused conventional treatments. Instead, he researched ancestral eating patterns and adopted a simple paleo diet built on lean meats, vegetables, nuts, and berries while strictly avoiding grains, dairy, sugar, and processed foods. Within months his blood sugar normalized, joint pain vanished, and he lost over 100 pounds. His approach became one of the earliest modern carnivore paleo templates, emphasizing raw or minimally processed animal foods and plant foods that could be eaten without tools.

The Neanderthin Protocol: What It Actually Required

Audette’s rules were refreshingly straightforward for complete beginners overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice. Eat only foods that could be obtained by hunting or gathering: grass-fed meats, organ meats, fish, non-starchy vegetables, limited fruit, and nuts. No grains, no legumes, no dairy, and zero refined sugar. He encouraged eating to satiety without calorie counting, which resonated with people managing diabetes and blood pressure alongside weight loss. Many in their 40s and 50s who had failed every diet before found the simplicity reduced decision fatigue. Joint pain often decreased within weeks once inflammatory triggers were removed, making movement feel possible again even without expensive gym schedules or insurance-covered programs.

What Happened to Ray Audette?

After the initial success of NeanderThin, Audette largely stepped away from the public eye around 2005. He continued refining his protocol privately, reportedly shifting toward a more animal-based diet as he aged. Health updates became scarce; some followers believe he dealt with recurring autoimmune flares, while others say he maintained excellent health into his 60s. Unlike later paleo celebrities, Audette never built a supplement empire or YouTube channel. His last known public appearance was in the early 2000s, yet his core message—that removing modern processed foods reverses many hormonal changes making weight harder to lose—still underpins today’s carnivore and paleo movements. In my practice at CFP Weight Loss, we frequently see similar transformations when clients adopt his “eat what you can hunt or gather” filter, especially those embarrassed by previous obesity struggles.

Why Neanderthin Still Matters for Beginners Today

At a time when middle-income Americans face skyrocketing healthcare costs and insurance that won’t cover weight loss programs, Audette’s zero-cost framework remains powerful. Start with a 30-day trial: eliminate grains and dairy, prioritize protein from quality meats, and add non-starchy vegetables. Track fasting blood glucose and joint comfort instead of the scale. Many report 15–25 pounds lost in the first two months while blood pressure medications are reduced under physician supervision. The approach cuts through today’s noise by focusing on three simple questions: Could I hunt or gather this? Does it spike my blood sugar? How do I feel after eating it? Thousands have used these principles to regain control without complex meal plans. If you’re 45–54 and ready to stop dieting, Audette’s story proves real, sustainable change is possible when you return to human-appropriate foods.